Who has switched from 18-55 to 16-80?

El Chubasco · Aug 18, 2020

I’m considering to get the 16-80mm f4. I currently have the 18-55mm and there is an abismal difference when comparing with primes.
Has anyone here switched from the 18-55 to the 16-80? If so, what are your impressions about the latest? Besides wider and more reach, Is it really worth the upgrade in regards to IQ?

nwthruhiker · Aug 20, 2020

Thank you for posting this! I am very close to purchasing a X-T3 and am trying to decide between the 18-55mm kit lens for $1400 and the 16-80mm for $1500. I'm leaning towards my first lens purchase after the kit to be a Samyang 12mm F/2 and maybe a telephoto, possibly a XC 50-230mm F/4?

Gringostarr · Aug 20, 2020

nwthruhiker said:
Thank you for posting this! I am very close to purchasing a X-T3 and am trying to decide between the 18-55mm kit lens for $1400 and the 16-80mm for $1500. I'm leaning towards my first lens purchase after the kit to be a Samyang 12mm F/2 and maybe a telephoto, possibly a XC 50-230mm F/4?

Look at it this way. For $100 more you get a wider, longer, better OIS, and weather sealed lens to go with your weather sealed camera. That's well worth the $100 even if you're not getting an upgrade in IQ.

As for your lens purchases I would say the 55-200 is worth the price over the 50-230 but personally I'm waiting on the 70-300 to come out. Also, 12mm is great for astro but beyond that it's a mixed bag.

Steve Bingham · Aug 20, 2020

If you have to ask, stick with the 18-55. The 16-80 can be a little soft in the corners.

bowportes · Aug 20, 2020

nwthruhiker said:
Thank you for posting this! I am very close to purchasing a X-T3 and am trying to decide between the 18-55mm kit lens for $1400 and the 16-80mm for $1500. I'm leaning towards my first lens purchase after the kit to be a Samyang 12mm F/2 and maybe a telephoto, possibly a XC 50-230mm F/4?

To me this is a no-brainer. The 16mm wide angle alone makes the 16-80 the preferred lens between the two.

snapper11 · Aug 20, 2020

I just sold my very bad copy of the 18-55 and thinking of picking up the 16-80 as a walkabout replacement. Can anyone comment on how it feels paired with one of the smaller X-T20 type cameras?

I have on occasion used the 18-135 on my X-T20 and that was not a pleasant experience. I liked the size and weight of the 18-55 but with so many bad copies floating about I really can't be bothered trying to find a decent one.

Robmas4229 · Aug 20, 2020

snapper11 said:
I just sold my very bad copy of the 18-55 and thinking of picking up the 16-80 as a walkabout replacement. Can anyone comment on how it feels paired with one of the smaller X-T20 type cameras?

I have on occasion used the 18-135 on my X-T20 and that was not a pleasant experience. I liked the size and weight of the 18-55 but with so many bad copies floating about I really can't be bothered trying to find a decent one.

I only use the 16-80 on my XT2 but I tried it on my XE3 just to see. It wasn't too bad with the MHG attached to the body but it still felt more comfortable on the XT. So I guess with your XT20 you might also want to consider adding a grip.

snapper11 · Aug 20, 2020

Thanks that’s helpful. Although for some reason my brain is reading it as “since you are getting the 16-80 might as well get it in the bundle with the XT3 that’s on offer right now” . Must resist!

Gringostarr · Aug 20, 2020

snapper11 said:
I just sold my very bad copy of the 18-55 and thinking of picking up the 16-80 as a walkabout replacement. Can anyone comment on how it feels paired with one of the smaller X-T20 type cameras?

I have on occasion used the 18-135 on my X-T20 and that was not a pleasant experience. I liked the size and weight of the 18-55 but with so many bad copies floating about I really can't be bothered trying to find a decent one.

I pair my 16-80 with the X-T30 and it's a great combo for when I'm out backpacking & hiking. Size/weight is entirely comparable to the 10-24 if you've ever used that lens and while it's larger than the 18-55 it's a nice middle ground between that lens and the 18-135 to the point where I have no issues taking quick shots/filming with one hand.

El Chubasco · Aug 20, 2020

Robmas4229 said:
I’m sure you are going to enjoy your new lens. Now stay off the forums and go shoot with it. Happy shooting.

Thanks! I will!

nepalisherpa · Aug 21, 2020

nwthruhiker said:
Thank you for posting this! I am very close to purchasing a X-T3 and am trying to decide between the 18-55mm kit lens for $1400 and the 16-80mm for $1500. I'm leaning towards my first lens purchase after the kit to be a Samyang 12mm F/2 and maybe a telephoto, possibly a XC 50-230mm F/4?

Also, spending $100 more now to get the 16-80 bundle means if you decide to sell the lens, you can get about $600ish for 16-80 vs. only getting about $250ish for the 18-55.

KariP · Aug 21, 2020

KariP said:
El Chubasco said:

I’m considering to get the 16-80mm f4. I currently have the 18-55mm and there is an abismal difference when comparing with primes.
Has anyone here switched from the 18-55 to the 16-80? If so, what are your impressions about the latest? Besides wider and more reach, Is it really worth the upgrade in regards to IQ?

Click to expand...

I have not really compred The IQ. Looks like it is very much like 18-55 IQ. But the reason to get a new lens was something else - it is a perfect traveling lens, it is WR , somtimes i need longer focal length and 16 is wider than 18mm . And it is a good combination with my H1. 18 - 55 is also a nice lens especially with X-E3 .

This individual lens had a quite strange problem - the wide angle end (16mm) was totally unsharp from corner to corner at 16mmf4

I had to send it back. I try to get a new lens from some other vendor. Even if i have to pay 100€ more. This vendor is obviously selling so called bulk lenses (package was strange) - but they did not mention this ...

I have never before had any problems with Fujinon lenses - this was the first "DOA" case.

Anyways , it is always important to test a new zoom lens like this . Like 16mm , 50mm and 80mm focal lengths at f 4 and f 8.

nwthruhiker · Aug 24, 2020

nepalisherpa said:
nwthruhiker said:

Thank you for posting this! I am very close to purchasing a X-T3 and am trying to decide between the 18-55mm kit lens for $1400 and the 16-80mm for $1500. I'm leaning towards my first lens purchase after the kit to be a Samyang 12mm F/2 and maybe a telephoto, possibly a XC 50-230mm F/4?

Click to expand...

Also, spending $100 more now to get the 16-80 bundle means if you decide to sell the lens, you can get about $600ish for 16-80 vs. only getting about $250ish for the 18-55.

Thanks for pointing this out! I hadn't really looked at the used market values.

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Who has switched from 18-55 to 16-80?

El Chubasco

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