Best Fuji Setup with $1,600 budget

Nathan M wrote:

Jerry-astro wrote:

Americanbllx wrote:

StuartBell wrote:

For family and travel, it's hard to beat the 18-55 as the "usually mounted" lens.

I'd look at a used X-T1 or X-T10 or X-E2.

Perhaps then add primes once the discounts start again later this month, assuming you're in the US; see the link from http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4000032 and note that the 14mm is to be very heavily discounted.

Stuart

Thanks for the advice. The 18-55 is tempting. I think my only aversion to it is that I've always been stuck with cheap glass and I think I'm at a point where I would like to have really good glass for certain situations rather than cheaper glass for all situations. I will definitely be using those discounts though!!! Cheers!

Suggest you toss away any preconceptions you have about kit lenses always being "cheap glass". The 18-55 is a very high quality lens... wIth even better IQ (IMHO) and at least equivalent build quality when compared to say Canon's EF-S 17-55, a very credible upgrade from their 18-55 kit lens -- and definitely not cheap glass.

There are all sorts of religious arguments and strong opinions one can hold about zooms vs. primes, which is a whole other discussion, but if you're looking for an excellent and versatile travel or general use lens, it's hard to go wrong with the 18-55. When bought as part of a bundle with an X-T1 or X-T10, it's one of the best deals out there. It's a great companion to a set of primes as well, for example in combination with a UWA (such as Fuji 14mm or Zeiss Touit 12mm) and perhaps a portrait lens, such as the 56 f/1.2.

Can't agree more with this. Describing it as a "kit" lens does it a disservice and isn't really applicable. A superb lens to start with and a great zoom.

So after spending the last few hours reading reviews on the 18-55, I see what you mean. It really seems like a superb lens at a big discount when purchased with a camera. I think I will go this route, with a Fuji 56mm 1.2 and Rokinon 12mm 2.0 to fill things out. Thanks!