{"id":2055,"date":"2013-08-03T16:59:01","date_gmt":"2013-08-03T21:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/?p=2055"},"modified":"2013-08-03T17:23:55","modified_gmt":"2013-08-03T22:23:55","slug":"review-fujifilm-55-200mm-r-ois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/review-fujifilm-55-200mm-r-ois\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Fujifilm Fujinon XF 55-200mm f\/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fujifilm has been hard at work the past two years in fleshing out their new X-series mirrorless system. While the current system only consists of eight Fujinon lenses and two Zeiss lenses, Fuji has done a great job at building a complete<\/em> system very quickly. One of the latest additions is the company’s second zoom lens, the Fujinon XF 55-200mm f\/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS.<\/p>\n

\"Fujifilm<\/a>
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 55-200mm f\/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Fuji 55-200mm covers a field of view equivalent to an 83-300mm zoom lens on full frame. It’s about a half stop faster than the typical telephoto zoom, which usually tops out at f\/5.6. Fuji has priced the lens somewhat reasonably at $699. Let’s take a look at how this lens performs and what value it brings to the Fuji X System.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t read my reviews before, I do not generally perform resolution tests or make charts to track quality measures. I take a real world approach to my reviews and evaluate how a lens or camera handles and works in regular use. A special thanks goes to LensRentals.com<\/a> for providing the review sample used for this review.<\/em><\/p>\n

Around the Lens: Build Quality<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/a>
The Fuji 55-200mm f\/3.5-4.8 next to the Fuji 60mm f\/2.4 Macro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first thing that struck me about the 55-200mm when I took it out of the box was just how big it was. Now, first remember that I’ve been shooting with mirrorless cameras full-time for over two years now. For a mirrorless system lens, this thing is big. Very big. Now, to be fair: compared to an SLR telephoto, it’s pretty small, but this isn’t an SLR telephoto.<\/p>\n

Look at the image to the right, and you’ll see that it simply dwarfs the only other current Fuji lens in the telephoto range, the 60mm f\/2.4 Macro.<\/p>\n

On the bright side, the lens is extremely well built. The lens is constructed of very high-grade plastics and metal. The zoom ring is heavy walled plastic with a comfortable rubber grip, while the focus ring and front element ring with hood bayonet are metal. The extending lens tube is also plastic. Despite having more plastic than most of the other Fuji lenses, there is no downgrade in build feel. The lens is extremely solid, with very tight tolerances and no wobbles. The focus ring is nicely damped and feels great, while the zoom ring is relatively stiff. I found the zoom ring to be a little too stiff for my tastes, but you won’t need to worry about zoom creep with this lens.<\/p>\n

The aperture ring sits below the zoom ring, and like the aperture ring on the 18-55mm f\/2.8-4, the ring is continually spinning with no markings.<\/p>\n

The Fuji 55-200mm uses a standard extension type zoom mechanism, growing longer as the focal length increases. WIth the hood mounted and the lens set to 200mm, the lens is quite large indeed. See the image below to compare the lens length at 55mm and 200mm.<\/p>\n

\"Fuji<\/a>
Fuji 55-200mm at 55mm (left) and 200mm (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Around the lens: Handling, Operation and Autofocus<\/h3>\n
\"Fuji<\/a>
Fuji 55-200mm f\/3.5-4.8 Controls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Due to its relatively large size, the Fuji 55-200mm is best used with one of the added grips available for the X-Pro 1 and X-E1. The lens is quite front heavy when used without the grip, and I much preferred the ergonomics of using the 55-200mm when I added the Fuji grip to my X-E1.<\/p>\n

The lens features two switches below the aperture ring. One controls the Optical Image Stabilizer, while the other switches the aperture function between automatic and user selectable modes.<\/p>\n

The lens features moderately quick autofocus, though it’s not going to break any records. Still, in general use it was more than adequate. The LM in the full lens name indicates that the 55-200mm uses a linear motor drive system, and this focus motor is extremely quiet.<\/p>\n

The lens features an optical stabilizer and Fuji has done a fantastic job with the IS on the 55-200mm. I found it to be one of the very best optical stabilization systems I’ve used in any lens, typically allowing for shutter speeds 3-4 stops slower than typically used hand held. I was able to consistently get sharp shots at 1\/20s at 200mm.<\/p>\n

Next we’ll take a look at image quality.<\/p>\n

Continue: Image Quality<\/a><\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

Image Quality: Sharpness<\/h3>\n
\"Portrait<\/a>
Portrait – Fujinon XF 55-200mm @ 78mm, f\/8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Any concerns I had about the weight of this lens all but disappeared as soon as I looked at the images from it. This is one very impressive optic. Images are sharp throughout the zoom range and straight from wide open over the majority of the image frame. It’s surprising to see a zoom of this range maintain high image quality even at the extremes of the long end, but it does it. The edges are a little softer wide open, but still quite decent.<\/p>\n

I was able to shoot wide open with this lens for any situation, and stopped down, the lens is blisteringly sharp and the edges improve. It’s really a very top-notch effort in this department.<\/p>\n

Having a lens that covers this broad telephoto zoom range and yet maintain sharpness throughout the range is a wonderful thing, and it opens up the lens to be used for a truly broad range of subjects.<\/p>\n

Image Quality: Bokeh<\/h3>\n
\"Fuji<\/a>
Fuji 55-200mm @ 200mm, f\/4.8 (click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One thing that is generally compromised when shooting with zoom lenses is bokeh. While the very best zooms are typically pretty good in this department, they also typically cost upwards of $2,000. Mid-range telephoto zooms such as this rarely impress in the smoothness of the out of focus areas, but Fuji bucks this trend convincingly. The 55-200mm has surprisingly smooth bokeh throughout the zoom range. It’s very neutral with no rings on the specular highlights and smooth tonal transitions. Even in the shot to the left, which contains very busy foliage behind the subject, the lens is able to blur the area nicely and provide excellent isolation for the subject.<\/p>\n

Image Quality: Color, Chromatic Aberration and Flare<\/h3>\n

The Fuji 55-200mm has very rich, vibrant color with a neutral color balance. Chromatic aberration is well controlled, with essentially zero lateral CA visible in shots, even at 100%. Longitudinal CA is also well managed and purple fringing isn’t a problem either. Due to the large included lens hood, lens flare is something that is rarely an issue with the 55-200mm, though shots directly into the sun show a veiling flare and loss of contrast.<\/p>\n

Overall, the optical prowess of the lens is quite remarkable, especially given the relatively low cost.<\/p>\n

Continue: Conclusion and Image Samples<\/a><\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

Pros:<\/h4>\n