Follow Up On The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm lens With The X-T5

Fujifilm X-T5; 10-24mm f/4 OIS WR (Second generation) lens @ 10mm; 1/300th sec. @ f/11;
 ISO 125. All images edited with LrC only.  (click to enlarge)

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about my findings from some basic tests I performed using my new Fujifilm X-T5 with my various Fujifilm lenses.  There have been concerns that some of the Fujifilm lenses don't work well with the new 40mp sensor.  If you want to read that post you can find it here.

All of my Fujifilm lenses performed will with the new 40mp sensor with the exception of the XF 10-24mm f/4 OIS (first version) lens at the 10-11mm focal lengths.  The longer focal lengths looked pretty good.  From the center to about three fourths of the way to the edge, the sharpness was excellent slowly degrading to good the closer you moved away from the center of the image.  However, once you looked at the edges/corners of the frame, the detail smeared badly.  I saw the same phenomenon using the same lens with my previous 26mp Fujifilm cameras but, since I almost never use 10mm, I kept the lens and avoided that focal length if possible.  However, with the new X-T5, I decided it was time to solve this issue.

After a time assessing my alternatives and options, as well as talking to some Fujifilm photographer friends, I decided to buy the newer, second version of the 10-24mm f/4 lens.  The newer version according to some with whom I spoke, seemed to perform better than the original version.  I'm not sure why it would perform better since Fujifilm has only publicly said they changed the lens by adding aperture numbers and weather sealing, but has never mentioned any changes to the optical formula or lens coatings.  Be that as it may, the feedback I received was that it worked well with the new sensor.  I thought I would give it a try as that seemed the easiest and most direct path to solving the detail smearing issue when needing an extremely wide focal length.

10mm; 1/200th sec. @ f/8; ISO 125 (click to enlarge)

Having some retail store credits I had accumulated as well as some reward points I had saved up on my credit card account, I was able to buy a new copy of the lens for almost no cash outlay.  That's always good!  

The lens arrived in quick order.  I took it out the next day just to see how it performed at 10mm (which was the most problematic in the old lens) and I was pleasantly surprised that there was a demonstrable difference between this copy of the new version and my copy of the old version.  Again, since the optical formula was not mentioned as being different, it eludes me as to why.

After seeing the results from a few initial images I made, I conducted a few more tests and was satisfied that this lens would well serve my needs with my new 40mp X-T5.  Most of the images here were made at the problematic 10-11mm focal lengths as those were the ones with which I was most concerned.  The new lens exceeded my expectations and I find it perfectly usable with the 40mp sensor.

So, the old lens, which was in 'like new' condition, was packed up and shipped off to MPB.com for sale.

10mm; 1/170th sec. @ f/11; ISO 125 (click to enlarge)

10mm; 1/75th sec. @ f/11; ISO 125 (click to enlarge)

10mm; 1/75th sec. @ f/11; ISO 125 (click to enlarge)

15mm; 1/120th sec. @ f/11; ISO 125 (click to enlarge)

16mm; 1/850th sec. @ f/8; ISO 125 (click to enlarge)

Subsequent to these initial tests, DXO has now updated their software to include the X-T5 and lens correction modules.  I ran a number of my test images through DXO and immediately I could see distortion and vignette correction as well as some additional edge and corner detail and sharpness.  That adds a nice option when editing.  Finally, I also sent some of these test images through Topaz Sharpen AI and I was even more pleased with the results.  Although Topaz Sharpen AI doesn't correct for distortion or vignetting, it brought out even more detail, texture and sharpness to the edges and corners of the images with which I tested it.  Another nice option.  I don't use Capture One nor On1, so I can't comment on those software editing programs.

With just Lightroom Classic editing and sharpening, this new copy of the 10-24mm f/4 lens is excellent in the center of the frame but still falls off slightly at the edges/corners.  When adding a minimal sharpening treatment with Topaz Sharpen AI, the edges/corners become excellent as well.  

From my preliminary tests, the 10-24mm f/4 OIS WR lens exceeds my expectations as Fujifilm does not include it in their list of lenses that will fully exploit the attributes of the new 40mp sensor.  That said, if you have an image, again, I'm mainly addressing the 10-11mm range, that has important edge/corner detail, a quick trip through either DXO or Topaz Sharpen AI will improve the resolution and detail.

This was the last piece of kit for my new Fujifilm gear.  I now own the X-H2S for wildlife, birds, grandchildren's sports, family events, etc. when I need speedy autofocus.  I also have the X-T5 for more contemplative and slower types of photography such as landscapes, close-up and macro, travel, etc. when there is no need for speed or quick autofocus.  The types of photography where resolution, textures and details are important.  I have all the lenses I need so I think I'm all set for the foreseeable future.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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