Lens for X-T3

Hello. I have landed on X-T3 as my first mirrorless camera (or any camera besides my phone for that matter). I am torn between the 16-55 weather sealed lens and the 18-55 lens with OIS. Money is not really the issue here, but I am not sure whether ois or weather sealing is most important to me.

I will not be shooting lots of video, its more of a "nice to have" thing to me, I am in it for the stills. I will be bringing my camera hiking and camping, as well as shooting when I am on vacation in various cities.

The X-T3 does not have IBIS, so OIS in the lens seems nice...OIS can be nice in low light, with a slow shutter speed, but the 16 55 has a fixed 2.8, the other lens is variable 2.8-4. I have very little experience with cameras, all I have done is read online to try and understand the workings of a camera, and what you need for various scenarios. Are there any more experienced shooters out there that can chime in? How well does WR work, is OIS actually useful in stills, etc. etc., any good input is appreciated.

Cheers

Congratulations on your X-T3 purchase!

I had the 18-55 2.8-4 zoom with my X-E1 and it worked great for general purpose shooting. I think it is a good starter lens but it isn't weather resistant. I understand it is plenty sharp enough for the X-T3.

I don't have that lens anymore, and have gone on to third party non-electronic non-weather-resistant manual primes mostly. However, I do have the Fuji 50mm F2 WR lens, bought at the same time I bought my X-T3. It's excellent. DPR says the 16mm F2.8 WR is even better, but any of these small Fuji weather resistant primes are great.

If you are new to cameras generally, lack of OIS can be an issue for you. To get maximum image quality from the X-T3 or any recent Fuji except the X-H1, you really need to hold the camera completely still while the shutter operates. Even a slight amount of camera movement will show up in the images, and when there is very little movement it will look like the image is a little bit out of focus.

So, my advice is to start with the 18-55 with OIS. At least you will have the choice to turn off OIS. Once you get the hang of shooting with OIS on, you will appreciate the greatness of the X-T3. By the way, it's always a good idea to check lens firmware and update it to the latest version, and this usually goes for the body, too.

Next step is to go out on the internet and get a few 24"x36" prints just for fun. This is the best part, at least for me. I can recommend Nations Photo for good quality at a reasonable price.

If you then turn off OIS and you can still easily get clear and sharp images at 55mm (maximum zoom), think about going further, to a Fuji prime like the 50mm F2 WR, or even a manual third party prime such as the Rokinon 85mm F1.8 (a challenge), or the Rokinon 21mm F1.4 (easy and versatile, and no need for OIS).

emils92 wrote:

Hello. I have landed on X-T3 as my first mirrorless camera (or any camera besides my phone for that matter). I am torn between the 16-55 weather sealed lens and the 18-55 lens with OIS. Money is not really the issue here, but I am not sure whether ois or weather sealing is most important to me.

I will not be shooting lots of video, its more of a "nice to have" thing to me, I am in it for the stills. I will be bringing my camera hiking and camping, as well as shooting when I am on vacation in various cities.

The X-T3 does not have IBIS, so OIS in the lens seems nice...OIS can be nice in low light, with a slow shutter speed, but the 16 55 has a fixed 2.8, the other lens is variable 2.8-4. I have very little experience with cameras, all I have done is read online to try and understand the workings of a camera, and what you need for various scenarios. Are there any more experienced shooters out there that can chime in? How well does WR work, is OIS actually useful in stills, etc. etc., any good input is appreciated.

Cheers

.... is a very good  system to start photography . Weather resistance sounds like a very important thing, but is it  in real life ? I do not want to stand in heavy rain... the camera will leak first more likely if I trust some weather sealed gear. Raincoats are invented 

I have used my 18-55 OIS since X-E1. It has been great for traveling in all kinds of weather .  OIS is very useful in low light  and after using a zoom for some time you will see IF you really need some prime for something. Like 55f1,2. for portraits and art photography.

I’d go with the 18-55 smaller and lighter. As this is your first mirrorless camera study some videos on YouTube on general use of the X-T3 and I can also highly recommend Dan Baileys ebook “X Series Unlimited” an invaluable resource on using your X camera.

emils92 wrote:

Hello. I have landed on X-T3 as my first mirrorless camera (or any camera besides my phone for that matter). I am torn between the 16-55 weather sealed lens and the 18-55 lens with OIS. Money is not really the issue here, but I am not sure whether ois or weather sealing is most important to me.

I will not be shooting lots of video, its more of a "nice to have" thing to me, I am in it for the stills. I will be bringing my camera hiking and camping, as well as shooting when I am on vacation in various cities.

The X-T3 does not have IBIS, so OIS in the lens seems nice...OIS can be nice in low light, with a slow shutter speed, but the 16 55 has a fixed 2.8, the other lens is variable 2.8-4. I have very little experience with cameras, all I have done is read online to try and understand the workings of a camera, and what you need for various scenarios. Are there any more experienced shooters out there that can chime in? How well does WR work, is OIS actually useful in stills, etc. etc., any good input is appreciated.

Cheers

Based upon your expected usage of the camera, I would agree with the masses here and recommend the 18-55.  I have both the 18-55 and the 16-55 and always grab the 18-55 when I'm going hiking or any other similar outdoor activity.

A note about weather resistance: the manufacturer will not reimburse any water damage. That means that you should always be using a camera wrap like this even with your weatherproof lenses. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLDpBRCxARIsAEENsrLT73Gwr2J-D_n1ln_gh9pCL8tzUwpeXnf1J7xdYXOy6Zg4p4e-bHoaApLSEALw_wcB

I frequently shoot with the XT-3 and 18-135 in crappy weather, and always use this wrap. There are so many videos of XT-_'s breaking in rain, even with weatherproof lenses. The weatherproof is added insure for when water inevitably makes its way inside the wrap.

My input is to get the 18-55 based on what I've read from others on the forums and also based on sharpness/vignetting tests done by professionals on both lenses. That being said, I have never owned either.

Congrats on your new purchase!

caesarb wrote:

Hi.

Please kindly explore 18-55 further. It gives you four primes: 18, 23, 35, 55.

I get the point of what you are saying, but if you are going to call it (4) prime lenses, you have to ask yourself whether you would buy a 55mm f4 prime lens (the size of the 18-55) on an APS-C sensor. Most people would say....no thanks.

I think the OP should get the 18-55, but use the additional funds that would go towards the 16-55 to get something like the the 35mm f1.4. That way they can have a little bit of both worlds.

Let's see, the 18-55 is cheaper and has OIS. The 16- 55 is heavier and sharper and no image stabilization. I chose the 18-55 just because . . . . . . along with the 14 for wide angle and sharpness . . . along with the 50 for incredible center sharpness! Quite a decision with no wrong answers. So, what is REALLY important to you?

I have the X-T2.