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Which kit lens? (18-135 vs 18-55) For travel an all around

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FabianH

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Hi,

i'm new in the Fuji world and have following lenses until now: 10-24, 23 and 27. And now I will buy a XT-T1 kit with the 18-55 or 18-135. I will go to Cuba and Barcelona this year for example. And I am not sure about the focal lengths. The 18-55 is very light but short FL. The 18-135 is versatile and WR but heavy and big. But is the extra FL worth? I wanted a light and small travel system and for every day use. Can you give me a recommendation? Specially for Cuba.

thank you very much,

fabian
 
You already have 10 to 27 covered with overlap. I'm not sure I would have chosen your current inventory but, for urban settings the 56 or 60 would round you out. For rural, the 18-135.

As travel suggests less gear and more versatility the 10-24 and the 18-135 would be my kit. Throw in the 18 as an excellent low light AF lens in a very discreet package.
 
I got the 18-135 to have a single lens for travel. On the XT1 the lens is a bit front heavy and I added a grip which offsets the imbalance. The 18-55 is. Great lens, but I wanted to limit the kit I was carrying.

An alternative travel kit for me is the 18-135 and the 10-24 ( particularly handy for interiors).

good Luck
 
The 18-55mm is much faster and much lighter. The only advantages with the 18-135mm that it is weather sealed and has longer zoom range. However, that range is very convenient. I don't have the 18-135 for my Fuji cameras, but I do with my Pentax and it stays on a body most of the time.
 
My previous should read

limit the kit I am carrying while maximizing the range covered.
 
prballard said:
The 18-55mm is much faster and much lighter. The only advantages with the 18-135mm that it is weather sealed and has longer zoom range. However, that range is very convenient. I don't have the 18-135 for my Fuji cameras, but I do with my Pentax and it stays on a body most of the time.
Click to expand...
 
FabianH said:
Hi,

i'm new in the Fuji world and have following lenses until now: 10-24, 23 and 27. And now I will buy a XT-T1 kit with the 18-55 or 18-135. I will go to Cuba and Barcelona this year for example. And I am not sure about the focal lengths. The 18-55 is very light but short FL. The 18-135 is versatile and WR but heavy and big. But is the extra FL worth? I wanted a light and small travel system and for every day use. Can you give me a recommendation? Specially for Cuba.

thank you very much,

fabian
Click to expand...
You have to ask your self if you will be able to use a flash and want to use a flash on this trip. If Yes, then any lens will work. If not you need fast glass.

The 18-135 matched with the 10-24 is really a nice set up.

I actually have a like set up except I have the 10-24,23,56 and 55-200 which is a faster aperture lens to the 18-135 and has more reach.

The best way to do this is buy the XT-1 kit that includes the 18-135.

Fuji Rumors reports the 16-55 mm 2.8 will be announced next week. So if this is to compare to the 18-55 but again too short FL as you say.

Perhaps the smart money is to get the 50-140 mm 2.8 which is the same on the long end as the 18-135
 
I got the X-T1 kit with the 18-135, it isn't all that heavy or unwieldy at all, it's light and well balanced. (granted, I am comparing this to what it replaced as my walk around kit, which was a D800 with a 24-70 and a 70-200 along with a speed light). I will be getting around to posting a full review on my blog sometime in the next week or so with a variety of sample shots, but the quick answer is the combo is a dream to shoot with. I even got to test out the weather resistance this afternoon, it handled light rain just fine.
 
FabianH said:
Hi,

i'm new in the Fuji world and have following lenses until now: 10-24, 23 and 27. And now I will buy a XT-T1 kit with the 18-55 or 18-135. I will go to Cuba and Barcelona this year for example. And I am not sure about the focal lengths. The 18-55 is very light but short FL. The 18-135 is versatile and WR but heavy and big. But is the extra FL worth? I wanted a light and small travel system and for every day use. Can you give me a recommendation? Specially for Cuba.

thank you very much,

fabian
Click to expand...
I purchased my X-T1 with the 18-135.

Sold my 18-55 and 55-200 within two weeks. I have yet to be in a situation where I've missed them.

I've found the 18-135 to have a more effective ois than the 18-55 making up for some of its slowness. I also felt it focused much faster than the 55-200.
 
You guys are making me feel much better about the 18-135 I just ordered. Squeaked in at the end of the discount period.
 
I own both, definitly the 18-135mm for a one lens package

The only weakness of 18-135mm is soft borfders at 18mm so not so good for landscape

135mm is very interesting focal length

Add fabulous 5 stops OIS

Add interesting close up capabilities

Fits easily in a topload bag
 
I chose the 18-55 because it is excellent quality, a bit faster and a bit smaller. That said, I mainly use primes and only use my 18-55 when I need the convenience or speed so maybe the 18-135 makes more sense. I can't really decide, so my choice comes down to the fact that I am happy with the one I already own. I don't often need the extra reach but sometimes wish I had it for portrait or candid street photography. At the moment I use the 50-230mm which is quite small and light and has decent IQ as long as you avoid high contrast subjects as the CA becomes quite noticeable. That means carrying two lenses of course, but it also means much more reach.
 
18-135 for me, great versatile range, amazing IS and weather sealed. I compliment my 18-135 with the 14mm 23mm & 56mm primes. Although the 18-55 is faster, it is still not what I would call a fast lens, for that you really want one of the f1.4 primes.
 
Thank you very much for all your replies.

I bought the 10-24, 23 and 27 with big discounts and because I read that they are all awesome. And because of all your tips, I will try the 18-135. I think I will take the 10-24,23 and 18-135 to cuba. And I will take the the included flash with me. Will this be a good kit for Cuba?
 
FabianH said:
Thank you very much for all your replies.

I bought the 10-24, 23 and 27 with big discounts and because I read that they are all awesome. And because of all your tips, I will try the 18-135. I think I will take the 10-24,23 and 18-135 to cuba. And I will take the the included flash with me. Will this be a good kit for Cuba?
Click to expand...
Good choice. I have a 'similar' setup. I have the X100T for street/walk-around, as well as my Nikon D7100 with 18-140 and Tokina 12-28 for nature/landscapes.

For street/walk-around you can carry the 23 and/or 18-135. In the country/nature/landscape, the 10-24/18-135 will do well. To lighten the load on an outing, you can attach the 23 only or 18-135 only, and leave the 10-24 behind.
 
FabianH said:
Thank you very much for all your replies.

I bought the 10-24, 23 and 27 with big discounts and because I read that they are all awesome. And because of all your tips, I will try the 18-135. I think I will take the 10-24,23 and 18-135 to cuba. And I will take the the included flash with me. Will this be a good kit for Cuba?
Click to expand...
Sounds great! Although why leave the 27 at home? It's so light, and turns the camera into such a small, unassuming package. I know I prefer such a lens when I'm shooting indoors but trying to remain discreet. Seems like this would be very valuable in Cuba. Have fun, I'd love to go some day!
 
I have the 18-55 and 55-200 with my XP-1, which has been replaced by an XT-1. I ordered it in a kit with the 18-135 with the intention of using it as a single take along travel set. I've done maybe 120 walk around shots in the area with the 18-135 so far and think it will be an ideal one lens travel set.

AFAIK the 18-55 can occasionally be too short for shooting a party in the condo lobby, let alone as a single travel lens.
 
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