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XF16-80mm vs. XF18-135mm for travel/landscape/architecture photography

Started Mar 3, 2022 | Discussions thread
bastibe
bastibe Senior Member • Posts: 1,236
Re: XF16-80mm vs. XF18-135mm for travel/landscape/architecture photography
3

I've investigated these two lenses here: https://bastibe.de/2021-10-09-fuji-travel-zooms.html

This was a few months ago. I have not used the 18-135 since. My main criticism of the 18-135 is really the rough and irregular bokeh. Which is unimportant in landscapes, where you mostly shoot stopped down. But for people pictures where you want your background (slightly) out of focus, I much prefer the 16-80's smoother rendering.

Also, the 16-80 is a little bit smaller, which I have come to appreciate. And it does not creep. The wide end is strongly distorted, though.

No complaints in terms of resolution. Both of these lenses are sharp (and really, most modern lenses are).

Ever since getting the 70-300, I have noticed I don't need the long end of my main lens so much any more. I used to use the 18-135 mostly in the 18-60 range, and at 135 for far-away details. But for the latter, 135mm isn't really enough. Even the 70-300 with 1.4 TC often isn't long enough. Nothing ever is, I guess. So my use of my normal lens's long end has diminished, leading to less of a need for the 18-135 in my use.

Are you in the market for a used 18-135 in Europe? I have one for sale 😁.

 bastibe's gear list:bastibe's gear list
Ricoh GR III Fujifilm X-Pro2 Fujifilm X-T3 Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro +5 more
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