XT3 with kit lens or without?

Hi All,

So i have decided to sell my current kit

Nikon D7100

sigma 18-35mm 1.8

sigma 50-150mm 2.8

Nikon 10.5 mm fish eye 2.8

All for the XT3. I do a lot of travel photography, street and some portraits. My question now is, is  the kit-lens worth buying with the camera? or body only and then source out other lenses like the 16-55mm 2.8 from fuji. I had this set up in mind below:

XT3 with 18-55 kit lens

fuji 35mm 1.4 or 35mm f2?

Thanks

As with all things, it depends. The 18-55 is a great lens, but the 16-55f2.8 is even better. If you are not concerned by the 16-55’s lack of OIS, bigger and heavier size, and higher cost then you should go for that. To be frank, if the 16-55 is your only lens then you are abound to leave the camera at home some times because the combined size and weight are not convenient for daily carry. So your options are too get the smaller zoom or a prime.

Take the kit or look for a cheap 16-50. I use that to walk around and it is even lighter and really a nice little lens.

next to it and depending on taste pick one from 16/18/23/35.

i am a 23 guy, who always buys 35 first and sell it soon.

If it was anybody else's kit lens, I'd say no.  The 18-55 is too good to be considered a "kit" lens.  It is a good all around lens, great for travel and you'll not have a chance to get it that cheap again.

I ran into a fellow photographer in London.  I was there with my new X-E3 with the 18-55 and he was there with his new X-T2 and the 16-55. The 16-55 is gorgeous, but it is huge in comparison.  It also does not have OIS.  Even though the 18-55 is 1-2 stops slower, the OIS saved my bacon more than once.

The 18-55 is a great little lens and well worth getting as a kit lens, you might be able to sell it close to cost price if you don’t like it. I own both this and the 16-55 and must admit that I almost never use the 18-55 anymore, when I want to travel light I bring a couple primes or 16-55.

chrizzy wrote:

how much of a difference is it in quality between the 18-55 and the 16-55?

Though one, they are both great and both will give you super images. The biggest advantages of the 16-55 is that 16 is a lot wider than 18, and that you loose 2 stops of light in the long end of the 18-55. If i was shown a good picture taken with one of them (unless shot at 16) i dont think i could se the difference.

Osmund wrote:

chrizzy wrote:

how much of a difference is it in quality between the 18-55 and the 16-55?

Though one, they are both great and both will give you super images. The biggest advantages of the 16-55 is that 16 is a lot wider than 18, and that you loose 2 stops of light in the long end of the 18-55. If i was shown a good picture taken with one of them (unless shot at 16) i dont think i could se the difference.

Eh 1 stop of light not 2 😏

Since you're just getting into Fuji I highly recommend the kit 18-55 lens

It's anything but kit: small yet quite sharp

Should you have a need to upgrade to the 16-55 (without OIS, a caveat) then you can always sell it for a good price at no loss

A f2 prime would be OK too but they lack versatility , especially for travel

chrizzy wrote:

Hi All,

So i have decided to sell my current kit

Nikon D7100

sigma 18-35mm 1.8

sigma 50-150mm 2.8

Nikon 10.5 mm fish eye 2.8

All for the XT3. I do a lot of travel photography, street and some portraits. My question now is, is the kit-lens worth buying with the camera? or body only and then source out other lenses like the 16-55mm 2.8 from fuji. I had this set up in mind below:

XT3 with 18-55 kit lens

fuji 35mm 1.4 or 35mm f2?

Thanks

Definitely get the kit lens because the bundled pricing is the cheapest to buy one new.

The 18-55 is small and will enjoy that small camera setup feeling.

Other Fujifilm options include the XC 15-45 (lower end; but, for some it works fine) or the 18-135 (much larger and expensive, but, has longer reach and WR).

I personally like the 16-55 a lot; but, it is really big and does not have OIS.

I like buying used from Lens Authority when they get the lenses in stock (sign up for email notification).  If you go by its used prices, an 18-55 starts at $460, 18-135 at $590, and 16-55 at $780.  They rarely are in stock.

Bundled, the 18-55 is $400 new.  Consider the 16-80/4 OIS WR comes out next year and might be the best compromise for a standard zoom given its reach, newer design, and WR.

When I first got my X-T1 at launch, I got the body only and some primes I wanted from the start (23mm f1.4). Since then, I have upgraded to an x-t2 and added the following lenses to my kit all before acquiring the 18-55: 14 (sold after getting 16), 16, 27 (I’ve been meaning to sell this), 35 f2, 56 f1.2, Xc 50-230, 10-24, and 90mm

the whole 4 years or so, I never regretted not having the kit 18-55. For travel, I typically brought the 10-24, 23 and 35 wth me, and used just one per day (leaving the other two at the hotel for the day). Mainly I shot with the 23 (and only used the 10-24 for hiking/nature/architecture outings and the 35 only for food pics).

The only reason I ended up buying the kit lens after 4 years was because I had my first kid last year, and suddenly find myself wanting to take more videos. The OIS and little bit of zoom became important for my handheld video clips!

I was able to pick up the 18-55 cheaply on eBay (basically new; someone selling the lens from a kit purchase), so I would say, if you don’t think you’d really use it, don’t get it just because it’s on discount with the body and people say it is good. You still save more money by not buying it, if it’s not a lens you’ll reach for often.

If you’re considering the kit lens, get it as a bundle. Even if you dislike it, you can offload it or swallow the small financial ding. I skipped it though because I did not like the way it handled. I opted for the 35F2 instead and added the 10-24 later.

I have the 18-55, 56 1.2, 35 2.0, and the 55-200

i would say I use the 18-55 about half the time. Having one lens, not too big, with OIS is very useful. That being said, it’s hard to get magic out of that lens but you can still take some great shots. You will get magic from the 56 1.2 and the 35 2.0.

To complicate the buying dilemma Fujifilm are releasing a 16-80 f4.0 WR OIS next year.

I’m not a fan of the focal length - I much prefer 23mm. The best thing the 27 has going for it is the small size, but I would take the 23 f2 over it (note I don’t have this one, but I have the 35 f2 which I think is similar form factor).

i love that 35 f2.  I don't want to buy the 23 f2 because i am afraid i will be disappointed, compared to the 35.

Have you gotten any closer to deciding on a lens? I really hope the 16 is a front runner for you I think it’s impossible to be disappointed by that one; there are just so many new ways to enjoy using that lens!

The 18-55 is a good performer in general, and is small and compact. It does seem to have some copy variation from the reports of some users. If you choose it I would do some testing right away so you can exchange it if necessary. It would be a good lens to buy in a kit, because you won't lose as much money if you trade it in or sell it for a different lens.

I recently purchased the 16-55 f2.8 and it is simply stellar. OIS is nice but so far I'm not missing it. The 16-80 F4 looks like it will be a great lens to have too when it gets released. The XC 15-45 and older 16-50 are also reportedly very good performers, but all plastic construction and no aperture ring or OIS switch on the lens.

Ultimately you should handle the camera and lenses in-store to see which combination feels best for you.