What do you think about Fuji 18mm f1.4 for landscape photography?

Ofir B wrote:

Hi,

So far i've taken my XT2 together with 23 F2 and 14 F2.8 for my hiking trips.

The 14mm is mainly used for landscapes but when we get to huts / villages or when I want to take photos of me and my family I usually switch to the 23mm.

I'm considering to change my hiking setup to a single lens only.

The new 18mm seems like a potential fit - on one hand it's relatively wide and can be a good fit with landscape photography and on the other hand it's not too wide and can provide nice results also for taking photos of me and my family (+ it performs well in low light situations which is always a bonus).

I'm aware that a single lens is a compromise - just trying to find the best "balanced" lens for my needs.

Any thoughts?

I think if you are looking for a very sharp fixed lens for landscape, general purpose and indoor family, I think the new 18/1.4 is the right lens.

I am thinking about adding one to my collection. Out of the three new 1.4, I think this one is the most valuable one. The focal length is versatile enough for most general shootings although it won't add any extra punch or dramatize the scene like other wider wide angle ( like the 14, 16 or 10-24, 8-16 ) lenses. The focal length is always referred as snap shot focal length which is ordinary or even a little boring. However it requires you to think through the composition, background, elements included and angles in order to deliver nice pictures. It is close to the 23mm focal length but it is friendlier for indoor space and landscape in most cases given that it is a little wider.

Another advantage is that it will take full advantage of the high pixel sensor which will be in most ( if not all) next generation Fuji X bodies. In case you plan to upgrade your camera to the newer bodies in a year or 2, you will appreciate the resolution of the new lens.

Another good news is that if you need to shoot at 23mm occasionally, you can toggle the spot finder mode to convert the 18mm focal length to 23mm( by digital crop, just like the Leica Q/Q2) . Although the bokeh will not be the same as from an actual 23mm lens, it will be still decent enough.

I don't remember if XT2 got sport finder mode from firmware upgrade, but I am sure you will find this feature in all current generation bodies and probably the newer bodies that are coming soon. This feature is handy, and will become even more useful when the sensor resolution is upgraded later.

So, I would say yes to upgrading to the new 18/1.4 WR

However, I would save the 14/2.8. It is the best true wide angle fixed lens that Fuji current offers. This FL is a classic and very versatile for some serious landscape, environmental, architect ( outdoor or indoor) photography.