Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16 mm f/1.4 R WR
4. Image resolution
Let’s remind here that the best fixed focus lenses of the Fujifilm X system tested that way can get as high as 73-75 lpmm and the decency level is situated near 42-43 lpmm. A record value of 78 lpmm belongs to the Fujinon XF 90 mm f/2 LM WR.
The graph below shows MTF50 function values of the tested lens in the frame centre and on its edge, depending on the aperture used.
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On the one hand there is hardly any reason to complain. Already at the maximum relative aperture the MTFs reach 44 lpmm so they are a bit over the decency level. On further stopping down the resolution improves and its peak can be noticed by f/4.0, where you see almost 70 lpmm – a pretty high level.
Our problem? For such a fast ‘prime’ it is not enough. We wanted to see results of at least 72-73 lpmm. For instance the Fujinon XF 23 mm f/1.4 R was able to exceed slightly a level of 70 lpmm and a bit slower Fujinon XF 14 mm f/2.8 R could reach 72 lpmm. Those several small lpmm are the reason why we call the performance of the Fujinon XF 16 mm f/1.4 R WR only good, not excellent.
When it comes to the edge of the frame the tested lens can be again only praised. It is true that at the maximum relative aperture you don’t reach the official utility threshold; still the lens exceeds it as soon as you stop it down to f/2.0. It has to be emphasized here that we don’t know any f/1.4 lens with the angle of view like that of the Fujinon which would be able to provide useful images on the very edge of the frame. It’s also worth reminding here that the Sigma A 24 mm f/1.4 DG HSM, with the same angle of view, had to be stopped down to f/2.8 on the edge of full frame in order to provide images of a sensible quality.
A bit better results on stopping down are the only thing lacking here. It would be nice if the lens exceeded 55 lpmm or at least brushed against it; after all the 1.4/23 model managed that much.
To sum up the Fujinon XF 16 mm f/1.4 R WR fared very well in the frame centre and on its edge. It is not an outstanding device, if it was it would have results by 3-4 lpmm higher, but still it can generate images of high quality and, we are sure, will be a joy to use.
At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution testing chart, saved as JPEG files along with RAW files we used for our analysis.
| Fujifilm X-E1, JPEG, f/1.4 |
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| Fujifilm X-E1, JPEG, f/4.0 |
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