Earlier this year, I finally picked up the first edition of the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 after putting it off for what felt like forever. Let me tell you—it did not disappoint. It's quickly become one of my favourite lenses for its versatility and incredible image quality. Whether I’m shooting street scenes or portraits, the sharpness and reliability of the original 16-55mm have earned it a permanent spot in my kit.

Now, Fujifilm has taken things even further with the release of the 16-55mm f/2.8 Mark II, and I’m genuinely excited about the upgrades they've made.

First off, the new size and weight are a big deal. Fujifilm has shaved off 11mm and reduced the weight by 37%, making it more compact and easier to carry around without compromising that prime-like image quality. For someone like me, who’s always on the go with street and travel photography, having a lighter lens without sacrificing performance is a game-changer.

Image: Fujifilm (Notice the size difference between the Mark I and the Mark II)

But the feature I’m most intrigued by is the click-less aperture ring. Fujifilm has added a switch that lets you disable the aperture clicks for smooth, silent adjustments during video shooting. As someone who dabbles in hybrid work, this is an incredible feature—being able to switch it on or off depending on the situation is a great touch.

The lens will be available in December, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,199.95. Considering all the improvements in design and functionality, I think it’s going to be well worth the investment.

The fact that they’ve kept everything that made the first edition so amazing while improving the ergonomics and functionality really has me looking forward to getting my hands on this lens. It might just be the perfect all-around tool for both photography and video, and I can’t wait to put it to the test!

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