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Fuji 18/f2 lens - Opinions?

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jhorse

jhorse

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Hi, I hike a lot so weight and size matter; this was one reason I moved to Fuji, initially with the XT10 and now the XT20. I have the 23/f2, but have found that often I want something wider without too much bulk. The 18/f2 appears to get poor press all too often.

Does anyone have personal experience of this lens?
 
I am very happy with it. It is small light and sharp if stopped down a little. I see no real difference in IQ between it and the 18-55 set at 18mm. Mine is stuck on my X-M1 which I use a lot when a small package is needed.

Regards. Alan
 
I am sure you will get more technical input from others more qualified to do so but I am happy with mine. I bought it recently to compliment my 16-55 mm (with X Pro2) as I wanted something to some extent replicate my much liked early X100 – it’s almost a pancake. It certainly focuses acceptably fast and to my eye results are good. It did have good reviews initially e.g. http://kenrockwell.com/fuji/x-mount-lenses/18mm-f2.htm but due to apparent soft corners is not good for landscape – I use mine for street photography so not an issue for me. There is also this previous thread https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3980349 which may help.

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John
 
Hi,

Opinions are much-divided on the 18mm lens and no doubt the responses to your post will again show that here. I'm a landscape enthusiast and hiker, and like a light weight kit. Despite that, I'm also in the camp that didn't like the 18mm and opted for heavier lenses for their IQ.

I actually started out with the 14mm and 18-55 and didn't buy the 18mm because so many people posted that the zoom was as good or better. OTOH, I also kept seeing posts from people who like the 18mm. By this time I'd bought the 23/1.4 and since it was clear that it has an edge on the zoom, I decided to look again at the 18mm. I figured the only way to see if it did offer any advantage over the zoom was to set aside the conflicting opinions, buy one and test my own. And having bought one, I found that my sample was indeed not in the same league as my 14mm and 23/1.4 lenses. (I haven't used the new 23/2). Nor was it as good as my zoom (once stopped down a bit).

I was later tempted into the 16mm in one of Fuji's big rebate sales. It too delivered better IQ than my 18mm, and so I sold the 18mm. These days, despite their weight, I take the 16mm, 23/1.4 and 60mm hiking as a landscape and nature trio. I take the 18-55 for family travel and social occasions.

FWIW the f1.4 feature of the 16 & 23 had nothing to do with my decision. I almost never use f1.4. It was purely their IQ at the middle apertures I typically use for landscapes.

Cheers, Rod
 
I bought it at the very beginning of the X Pro1 and still have it

I think the reviews are quite good in estimating strenghts and weaknesses of the lens. The lateral CA in very high contrast in really high and borders rather soft

That said the lens is excellent for street shots due to its minimal size, the sharpness and contrast in the center are always high the AF on modern Xbodies is fast but noisy

I use it on my black body XT10 along with the pancake 27mm for discrete shots

The build is superb

The f2 aperture is also an asset and creates very nice bokehs, also allowing shooting at low ISO in dim light

All in all not perfect at all but usefull in situations I described
 
3.5* on 5*
 
Fujirumors has reported that a Mk II version of this lens is being developed.
 
It is the best Fuji lens you can buy. I reckon the rumoured MK2 18mm will destroy its charm and only pamper to the numpty brigade.

It is one of the best lenses I have ever owned.
 
eric333 said:
Fujirumors has reported that a Mk II version of this lens is being developed.
Click to expand...
Yes suspected as much as bought mine few weeks ago at a massive discount in Bangkok. Still like the lens, high build quality and IQ not disappointing, the discount did not prompt purchase - just made it better!


John
 
jhorse said:
Hi, I hike a lot so weight and size matter; this was one reason I moved to Fuji, initially with the XT10 and now the XT20. I have the 23/f2, but have found that often I want something wider without too much bulk. The 18/f2 appears to get poor press all too often.

Does anyone have personal experience of this lens?
Click to expand...
 
Just personal experience: it's usable, and might even be a good lens among other company. Good enough IQ at higher f-stops, perhaps good enough for landscapes, but not for me. It's worse in every department other than size than the 16mm1.4, so I never use the 18mm as it stands.
 
Compact, sharp, fast....so cool on my X-E2



df8642ae72eb47e1ba41a0791ea8967c.jpg

A joy to use and carry, gets just a bit more in the frame than the 23mm. I pair it with the 35mm F1.4 (marvelous lens) and the 60mm 2.4 all of them being the original primes offered by Fuji. They do have a certain rendering, not sure if it was carried over to the newer lenses.



b0d9b6dd24684af18063dabb46ce690f.jpg



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TBT..thought's become things, chose them wisely!
Be careful how you interpret the world: It is like that.
 
Alfywalfy said:
Just personal experience: it's usable, and might even be a good lens among other company. Good enough IQ at higher f-stops, perhaps good enough for landscapes, but not for me. It's worse in every department other than size than the 16mm1.4, so I never use the 18mm as it stands.
Click to expand...
Are you a photographer ?

Just asking.
 
Touraine said:
Alfywalfy said:
Just personal experience: it's usable, and might even be a good lens among other company. Good enough IQ at higher f-stops, perhaps good enough for landscapes, but not for me. It's worse in every department other than size than the 16mm1.4, so I never use the 18mm as it stands.
Click to expand...
Are you a photographer ?

Just asking.
Click to expand...
LOL, goodness no.

Edit: May I ask why you ask?
 
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Hi, thanks everyone for your replies, very helpful and much appreciated. I have decided to bid for a couple of supposedly mint ones on ebay.

Many thanks.
 
vegetaleb said:
jhorse said:
Hi, I hike a lot so weight and size matter; this was one reason I moved to Fuji, initially with the XT10 and now the XT20. I have the 23/f2, but have found that often I want something wider without too much bulk. The 18/f2 appears to get poor press all too often.

Does anyone have personal experience of this lens?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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