I’ve had a recent comment on my review of the Fujifilm XF16mm f2.8 R WR from Kid Sodbrennen about using this lens with the Sports Finder Mode in the newer Fujifilm cameras. Kit reckoned it would crop in to match a 28mm. After doing a quick test, I replied that it was not as wide as a 28mm. But testing further for this post, I have come to change my mind. The problem was that I was basing my opinion on the 18mm f2, which is actually more like a 27mm.
The 16mm f2.8 is actually a bit wider than the 16mm f1.4. As you can see from the two example photos above, the f2.8 is more like a 15mm. 1mm doesn’t add or subtract to a longer lens, but on a wide Ange lens this can make a big difference.
As you can see from the image to the left, the 18mm with a 1.5x crop comes in at 27mm. The picture on the right shows the 16mm f2.8 using the X-T3’s Sports Finder Mode, which has a 1.25x crop. So assuming the 16mm f2.8 is actually a 15mm - 15 x 1.5 = 22.5. 22.5 x 1.25 = 28.1.
But if you compare the pictures above, one shot on the X70 and the other shot on the X100V with the 28mm WCL-X100 conversion lens, the 16mm f2.8 using Sports Finder Mode is indeed just like a 28mm.
The downside to this is that you are throwing away megapixels, but I’m still shooting street with my X70, which has a 16.3mp sensor, as opposed to the newer 26.1mp sensors in the latest cameras.
Apart from the X100V, my only camera with Sports Finder Mode is my X-T3, which I would never use for street photography. So I guess I won’t get the chance to make use of this setup. But I’m sure with the X70, X100V with the WCL, and the X-Pro2 with the 18mm, I’ll manage for now.
But imagine a new 18mm f2 mkII and an X-E4 with an X100V style flip-out screen (for shooting from the hip). That would be an awesome street camera!
UPDATE:
An X-E4 was indeed released with an X100V style flip-out screen. Unfortunately it has no front focus selector, no View Mode button, and of course, no D-Pad. Not only that, it has less Fn buttons that might have allowed to compensate for these short-comings. I really fear for the future of Fujifilm’s next generation of cameras. But at least it’s saving me money by forcing me to stick with older models :o)