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Wide-angle lenses are a must-have for any photographer who wants to capture stunning landscapes, dramatic architecture, or creative perspectives. They allow you to fit more of the scene into your frame, create a sense of depth and scale, and emphasize the foreground elements.
But not all wide-angle lenses are created equal. Some may suffer from distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration, or poor sharpness. Others may be too bulky, heavy, or expensive for your needs. That’s why I’ve tested and reviewed three of the best wide-angle lenses for the Fujifilm X-T4, a versatile and powerful mirrorless camera that deserves the best glass.
In this article, I’ll compare the features, performance, and image quality of these three lenses: the Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS, the Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR, and the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D. I’ll also share some sample images and tips for using wide-angle lenses effectively. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better idea of which wide-angle lens is the best fit for your style and budget.
The Landscape Champion: Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS
The Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS is a zoom lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths, from ultra-wide 10mm to moderate wide 24mm. This makes it a very versatile lens for landscape photography, as you can easily adjust your composition and framing without changing lenses.
The lens also features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which helps to reduce camera shake and blur when shooting handheld. This is especially useful when shooting in low light or windy conditions, or when using slower shutter speeds to create motion effects. The OIS can compensate for up to 3.5 stops of shake, according to Fujifilm.
The lens has a constant aperture of f/4 throughout the zoom range, which means you don’t have to worry about changing your exposure settings when zooming in or out. The aperture also has a 7-blade rounded diaphragm, which creates smooth and pleasing bokeh when shooting at wider apertures.
The lens is well-built and has a metal mount, a rubberized zoom ring, and a dedicated aperture ring. The lens is also weather-sealed, which means it can withstand dust, moisture, and low temperatures. The lens weighs 410g and measures 87mm in length, making it relatively compact and lightweight for a zoom lens.
The image quality of this lens is excellent, as you would expect from a Fujinon lens. The lens delivers sharp and detailed images across the frame, with minimal distortion, vignetting, or chromatic aberration. The lens also handles flare and ghosting well, thanks to the Super EBC coating and the petal-shaped lens hood. The colors and contrast are rich and natural, and the lens renders beautiful sunstars when stopped down.
Prime Sharpness: Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
The Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is a prime lens that offers a fixed focal length of 16mm, equivalent to 24mm on a full-frame camera. This is a classic wide-angle focal length that is ideal for street, architecture, and environmental portrait photography. It allows you to capture the context and atmosphere of your surroundings, while still keeping your subject in focus.
The lens has a large maximum aperture of f/1.4, which gives you several advantages. First, it allows you to shoot in low-light situations without raising your ISO or lowering your shutter speed. Second, it gives you more control over your depth of field, enabling you to isolate your subject from the background or create a shallow depth of field effect. Third, it enhances the bokeh quality of your images, making the out-of-focus areas smoother and creamier.
The lens is also weather-resistant, which means it can withstand dust, moisture, and low temperatures. The lens has a metal barrel, a metal mount, and a dedicated aperture ring. The lens also has a clutch mechanism that lets you switch between manual and autofocus by pulling or pushing the focus ring. The lens weighs 375g and measures 73mm in length, making it slightly smaller and lighter than the zoom lens.
The image quality of this lens is superb, as you would expect from a prime lens. The lens delivers sharp and crisp images across the frame, even at wide apertures. The lens has very low distortion, vignetting, or chromatic aberration, and handles flare and ghosting well. The lens also produces beautiful colors and contrast, and has a unique character that makes your images stand out.
Third-Party Contender: Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
The Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a third-party lens that offers a unique and extreme focal length of 9mm, equivalent to 13.5mm on a full-frame camera. This is an ultra-wide-angle lens that gives you a 113° angle of view, which is wider than the human eye can see. This lens allows you to capture dramatic and creative images that are impossible with other lenses.
The lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, which gives you decent low-light performance and depth of field control. The lens also has a Zero-D design, which means it has almost no distortion, despite its wide-angle nature. The lens has a 7-blade rounded diaphragm, which creates smooth and circular bokeh when shooting at wider apertures.
The lens is manual focus only, which means you have to adjust the focus ring by yourself. The lens has a metal barrel, a metal mount, and a clickless aperture ring. The lens is not weather-sealed, which means you have to be careful when using it in harsh environments. The lens weighs 215g and measures 60mm in length, making it the smallest and lightest lens among the three.
The image quality of this lens is surprisingly good, considering its price and origin. The lens delivers sharp and clear images across the frame, with minimal vignetting or chromatic aberration. The lens also has good flare and ghosting resistance, thanks to the Frog Eye Coating and the rectangular lens hood. The lens also has decent colors and contrast, although not as vivid or natural as the Fujinon lenses.
Conclusion: Selecting Your Wide-Angle Workhorse
As you can see, each of these wide-angle lenses has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there is no definitive answer to which one is the best. It all depends on your personal preference, style, and budget. Here is a summary of the main features of each lens:
As you can see, each of these wide-angle lenses has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there is no definitive answer to which one is the best. It all depends on your personal preference, style, and budget. Here are some final tips for selecting your wide-angle workhorse:
- If you want a versatile and flexible lens that can cover a wide range of situations and landscapes, the Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS is a great choice. It offers a high-quality zoom range, optical image stabilization, and weather resistance, making it a reliable and convenient lens for any adventure.
- If you want a fast and sharp lens that can excel in low-light and creative scenarios, the Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is a great choice. It offers a large maximum aperture, weather resistance, and a smooth manual focus, making it a fun and expressive lens for any occasion.
- If you want a unique and extreme lens that can produce dramatic and artistic images, the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a great choice. It offers a ultra-wide angle of view, zero distortion, and a compact and lightweight design, making it a special and affordable lens for any challenge.
I hope this article has helped you to understand the differences and similarities between these three wide-angle lenses for the Fujifilm X-T4. I also hope you enjoyed the sample images and tips I shared with you. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy shooting! 😊
