MatthewK wrote:
This is all so subjective to the point of being useless, but sure, I'll share my favorite lens that keeps me in the system: 35 1.4. It's quintessential Fuji (along with the X100 line), and everyone who plans a stop in Fujiland should try this lens at least once. I also like the other two from the original trio: 18 f/2 and 60 f/2.4. Especially that 60mm, it delivers some gorgeous looks when shooting portraits, like the 35 1.4 on steroids. They aren't the sharpest or fastest focusing lenses, and they aren't weather sealed, but they're a blast to shoot with.
The 60mm f/2.4 is an interesting lens, though flawed, too. I’ve had it since it was first released, all the way back when I was using a XE1, then with my XPro2, and currently with the XT5. It has its pluses and minuses.
PLUSES:
It is optically a fine lens.
f/2.4 is a wide enough aperture for may purposes.
With the lens hood removed (more on that below) it is a relatively small lens for a 60mm focal length — not tiny, but small enough.
It does focus a bit closer (more on that below) than most typical lenses.
MINUSES
It comes with a comically large metal lens hood that easily bends — mine did and it no longer fits. (I replaced it with a tiny screw-in hood from a third party.)
If focuses quite slowly. It is accurate enough, but really slow — probably because it has to deal with the larger focus range.
The lens hood that comes with the lens is ridiculous — almost as big as the lens itself, and made of malleable metal. Mine bent early on and no longer worked. Fortunately, you can replace it with an effective and quite small screw-in hood.
It isn’t really a macro lens — more of a “close focus” lens, really. That’s fine, but just don’t assume you are getting a real macro with it.
18mm f/2:
I have no experience with the 18mm f/2.
35mm f/1.4:
I have also owned and used the 35mm f/1.4 for over a dozen years. It has a lot of pluses and, to my mind, no real weaknesses:
It is an excellent optical performer. It is plenty sharp for current 40MP sensors.
While it isn’t likely as fast as some of the newest lenses, it is AFs briskly.
It is actually remarkably small for a 35mm f/1.4 lens.
I hear a lot about is special or magical quality, but I don’t buy that. I think a lot of that is people reporting what they want to believe about it. It is a fine lens and an excellent performer, but you aren’t going to see some photographic “magic” from it.
