Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

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smithcottage
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p.1 #1 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

Just posted a review of the first Fuji XF zoom from the viewpoint of a X Pro 1 user.
Any one else have experience with this lens?

http://henrysmithscottage.wordpress.com/

Jan 26, 2013 at 04:42 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

Thanks Henry.

So far, I'm sticking with the three original XF primes. I plan to get the XF 14/2.8 R and XF 56/1.4 R, as they become available.

I've been taking both my Canon gear and X-Pro 1/X100 on recent photo trips, but I will seriously consider getting the zoom(s) if I have a substantial trip coming up where it doesn't make sense to take so much stuff.

Jim

Jan 26, 2013 at 05:08 PM

smithcottage
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p.1 #3 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

There's no doubt the primes are wonderful lenses. The zoom is definitely sharp and a worthwhile addition to the line. It does steal some of the purist atmosphere surrounding the X Pro 1 though.

Jan 26, 2013 at 05:12 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

smithcottage wrote:
There's no doubt the primes are wonderful lenses. The zoom is definitely sharp and a worthwhile addition to the line. It does steal some of the purist atmosphere surrounding the X Pro 1 though.

Purist, schmurist - I just likes to take photos.

Jan 26, 2013 at 05:20 PM

naturephoto1
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p.1 #5 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

There are times and places where a zoom is most appropriate. As an example, toward the end of October, I went to Mount Rainier NP and at Paradise in the Park you are supposed to stay on the asphalted Pathways. The color was amazing. At the time I only had my Lumix G1. Now I have the X-E1. But, I was fortunate to have my Aspheric 14-45mm Lumix along with my Leica f4 70-210mm Vario Elmar lenses with me that I used to among other things pick apart the landscape. Today, I would use the XE-1 with a battery of Leica R lenses including several zooms.

Rich

Jan 26, 2013 at 05:55 PM

smithcottage
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p.1 #6 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

Believe you me, I think this lens does nothing but improve the usefulness of the X series interchangable lens cameras.

Jan 26, 2013 at 09:02 PM

rattymouse
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p.1 #7 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

smithcottage wrote:
Believe you me, I think this lens does nothing but improve the usefulness of the X series interchangable lens cameras.
18-55 is a VERY boring focal length range. I had a lens like this for my S5 Pro and found it to be easily the least interesting lens in my arsenal.

Jan 26, 2013 at 10:06 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #8 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

smithcottage wrote:
Believe you me, I think this lens does nothing but improve the usefulness of the X series interchangable lens cameras.

I agree. It's "only" a normal zoom, but it's the keystone in an arsenal of zoom lenses.

Jan 26, 2013 at 10:39 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #9 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

During my recent trip, I use leica m with either 35 or 50 on it and NEX7 with zoom. I feel for a trip without time to setup as you will,(consider travel with family) having a zoom lens is a must. Especially consider for landscape at f8, prime won't bring a lot more extra on the table modern day. The zoom lens cover from 27 to 80mm which I believe most of landscape will happen in this zone. So yes, if I buy FUJI or NEX, a zoom always the first on my list consider its my 2nd body for traveling. Get the shot is more important than purist feeling.

Jan 27, 2013 at 04:55 AM

smithcottage
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p.1 #10 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

I'm not sure what is meant by a "boring focal length. in AP-c 18-55mm includes 35mm, and 50mm FOV plus a mild telephoto. These focal length equivalents are what I tend to shoot in most of the time.
Lenses , like cameras, are merely tools.

Jan 27, 2013 at 01:59 PM

ceder
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p.1 #11 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

naturephoto1 wrote:
There are times and places where a zoom is most appropriate. As an example, toward the end of October.
Rich

And beginning of April!

Jan 27, 2013 at 01:59 PM

Snopchenko
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p.1 #12 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

rattymouse wrote:
smithcottage wrote:
Believe you me, I think this lens does nothing but improve the usefulness of the X series interchangable lens cameras.
18-55 is a VERY boring focal length range. I had a lens like this for my S5 Pro and found it to be easily the least interesting lens in my arsenal.
But this lens is anything but boring if you consider the aperture range: 2/3 to 1 stop brighter than any kit zoom from any of the other manufacturers. That in itself makes it unique and interesting.

Jan 27, 2013 at 02:37 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #13 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

smithcottage wrote:

Just posted a review of the first Fuji XF zoom from the viewpoint of a X Pro 1 user.
Any one else have experience with this lens?

http://henrysmithscottage.wordpress.com/

Now I have finished reading. Thanks for the review, it has most information I need to know about it like build and performance. And those picture by lake looks great.

I'd love to see comparison between it and 35 prime at f8 outdoor and maybe f4-f8 performance of 18mm end and 55mm end. It is more relevant I feel.

Thanks for sharing.

Jan 27, 2013 at 06:04 PM

mawz
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p.1 #14 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

Snopchenko wrote:
But this lens is anything but boring if you consider the aperture range: 2/3 to 1 stop brighter than any kit zoom from any of the other manufacturers. That in itself makes it unique and interesting.

Not actually faster than any other kit zoom given that Oly has kitted their 14-54 II f2.8-3.5 and 12-60 f2.8-4, and Panasonic the Leica D 14-50 f2.8-3.5 , all of which are as fast or faster, as is the Sony 16-50/2.8 (kitted with the A77 and A65). Given the cost of the lens, the speed is not unusual and in fact is a little slow for its cost, the comparable slower lenses are either far cheaper (everybody else's 18-55's) or have a much wider focal length range (the 15/16-80/85's) or are faster (the 14-54's and 16/17-50/55 f2.8's).

That said, the 18-55 does look like a rather good lens and a good pairing with the X mount bodies.

Jan 27, 2013 at 09:05 PM

smithcottage
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p.1 #15 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

Two other excellent lenses. It is a great time to be a photographer.

Jan 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM

rattymouse
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p.1 #16 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

Snopchenko wrote:
rattymouse wrote:
smithcottage wrote:
Believe you me, I think this lens does nothing but improve the usefulness of the X series interchangable lens cameras.
18-55 is a VERY boring focal length range. I had a lens like this for my S5 Pro and found it to be easily the least interesting lens in my arsenal.
But this lens is anything but boring if you consider the aperture range: 2/3 to 1 stop brighter than any kit zoom from any of the other manufacturers. That in itself makes it unique and interesting.

I had a constant aperture f/2.8 lens with the same range. I found it quite boring to use.

Jan 28, 2013 at 01:46 PM

frezeiss
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p.1 #17 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

@ratty: perhaps what makes it boring is this is a lens that everybody entering cheap dslr is having. But actually i find "boring" lenses like this quite challenging. You cant rely on bokeh or that unique look, but rather you have to have that strong composition or desicive moment to make the picture interesting.

Jan 28, 2013 at 05:16 PM

smithcottage
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p.1 #18 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

I don't really get the concept of boring when applied to lenses. Either you need a lens of a certain focal length to capture an image, or you don't. I think there are more or less useful lenses, but I don't think of "tools" as boring or exciting.

Jan 28, 2013 at 06:49 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #19 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

I think the lens does show some promise and does seem to perform really well on the wide end. 2.8 to 4 with IS is pretty good considering the Fuji X-series high ISO performance.

Nice write up too.

This lens as well as the 60/2.4 makes for a nice combo. Oh, and of course the Zeiss 12/2.8 whenever it arrives.

Jan 28, 2013 at 10:29 PM

smithcottage
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p.1 #20 · Review of Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4

The Zeiss would be nice!

Jan 29, 2013 at 03:58 AM

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