18-55 vs 15-45 vs 16-50 dilemma

So I just picked up the XT2 with the 18-55. It is a very aesthetically pleasing combo!

Here is my dilemma. I need the 18-135 for work. There seems to be no point in keeping the 18-55. So I would like something compact for everyday walk around type shooting. I would love to have a couple of mm's wider.

Is the 15-45 a big downgrade from the 18-55? Like that form factor though. What's the 16-50 like? Thanks.

Actually, the 15-45 I had, along with the 16-50 I still have, were both better than the (3) 18-55's I got rid of. Really wanted to like the 18-55, but none were any better than my excellent XC 16-50.

AndyH44 said:

Actually, the 15-45 I had, along with the 16-50 I still have, were both better than the (3) 18-55's I got rid of. Really wanted to like the 18-55, but none were any better than my excellent XC 16-50.

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3 copies....there are that much variance huh? Surprising and interesting.

PeterY said:

AndyH44 said:

Actually, the 15-45 I had, along with the 16-50 I still have, were both better than the (3) 18-55's I got rid of. Really wanted to like the 18-55, but none were any better than my excellent XC 16-50.

Click to expand...

3 copies....there are that much variance huh? Surprising and interesting.

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Yeah......at 50mm F/L it wasn't even close. But then the 18-55 is known to be "soft" at 50~55.

PeterY said:

So I just picked up the XT2 with the 18-55. It is a very aesthetically pleasing combo!

Here is my dilemma. I need the 18-135 for work. There seems to be no point in keeping the 18-55. So I would like something compact for everyday walk around type shooting. I would love to have a couple of mm's wider.

Is the 15-45 a big downgrade from the 18-55? Like that form factor though. What's the 16-50 like? Thanks.

Click to expand...

The XC 16-50 is a real gem despite its small aperture. Too bad Fujifilm quit making them. :-(

A couple shot with the XC 16-50


16mm , Go to original in my gallery for best IQ


Go to original in my gallery for best IQ

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Best regards,
Jon

Why not add a 55-200 ot 50-230 to the 18-55?

miatamich said:

Why not add a 55-200 ot 50-230 to the 18-55?

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I would rather have 1 lens especially for work purpose. I hate changing lenses more then having diarrhea.

I'd go with the 16-50.

Lighter, wider and cheaper than the 18-50 with IQ as good or better. Just missing out on faster aperture.

Compared to the 15-45:

Looks like real lens :-D

Has focal length markings.

Has a hood.

Can swap filters with the 18-55 and the 50-230

Doesn't have PZ

I was lucky enough that I got 16-50 as a kit lens with X-T100 (special option at a dealer that took these out of X-T20 kits for the people that wanted immediate upgrade with their X-T20 purchase). It costed 50 EUR on top of the body price.

The reason why I think this was a good deal is because I really didn't like power zoom. 16-50 is also very light and despite it's plastic it's not wobbly and feels good. The only things that makes you think it's not well built is it's low weight and that the zoom and focus ring are of the same material as other parts of the lens (I'm used to rubberized lens controls from Nikon).

So far I'm very happy with the photos and would recommend it.