Lightweight and Sharp: We Review the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
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Loading... - Bosman Thomas
- 17 Feb 2023
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In my quest to find the best combination of lenses for my photography, I have been trying out various brands and focal lengths to see what would work for me and deliver the image quality I was after. One thing was missing, however, and that was a good, lightweight, affordable telephoto lens for the longer hikes. Enter the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR.
Fortunately for me, one of the students in the night class had the lens and kindly allowed me to borrow it to see what I thought. In exchange, he borrowed the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR, as he had been looking at purchasing one of them.
Necessity
Not every lens is a necessity, and sometimes, we indulge on a whim, but I was seriously lacking the reach that I needed for my photography. When I had my X-T3 I did have the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, which was a good lens, but it didn't have the focal distance I required.
Build Quality
As expected, the XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR is well built and weather-sealed. Weighing in at 588 g with dimensions of 132 mm retracted and 204 mm fully extended, the lens is barely noticeable in your camera bag considering the focal distance it delivers. The focal distance equivalent in full frame terms is 107mm to 450mm, so you get plenty of reach for the size.
With OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) of 5.5 stops, the lens is very capable of producing sharp photos in various conditions, including low light. The focusing and zoom rings are smooth and precise, with good friction, which means even on the wilder and rainier days, you'll have no problems using them. The aperture ring closest to the body again works as expected. However, there are no aperture markings visible, so you'll have to rely on your viewfinder for that. Read More…
