Cracking little lens once you get used to it

[RickCorbishley]

I wanted a travel camera that was pocketable but excellent image quality. I've used a Sony RX100M3 for a few years but dislike it; for me the only redeeming quality was it's size. I came to the conclusion that there is no great pocketable camera (there are so many small ones with so many shortcomings) so decided to buy an X-E4 which is just a bit bigger than I want. I'm not keen on primes for travel, I just want one lens that does it all, or most of it. I also wanted something as small as possible. There is no high quality small AF zoom in the Fuji range, or any other brand really, so with reluctance opted for the XC 15-45.

It has it's pros and cons:

Pros - Small size, lightweight, good image quality, cheap to buy, decent focus speed, image stabilisation.

Cons - cheap plastic feel, slow, no aperture ring, power zoom, slack focus ring.

I hate not having an aperture ring and I hate the power zoom. But after a while you get used to it. After that, it's a great lens to have on a travel camera. The focal range is good for travel, it's a bit slow but with the X-E4 I didn't find it a problem. It's easy to carry being both light and small.

I used it on a 2 week holiday and it was brilliant. I wish it was a premium lens but for all it's shortcomings (not so many really) it has won me over. Combined with the X-E4 it's a great travel combo for holiday snaps and more. Probably the best £110 I've spent (second hand) and it's definitely a keeper, unless/until a premium one comes along.

Bottom line is, I'm really glad I bought it and am very pleased with the output.

 

[absquatulate]

It's small, light, sharp, cheap, and with a reasonable range, what's not to like?

 

[Veducci]

I`ve used that lens on my X-A5 and then on my XT30 and was always quite satisfied with it in all respects , considering it`s low cost.

I subsequently purchased the XF 18-55 and immediately realized the difference between XC and XF . The XF 18-55 is now my go to lens, however the tradeoff is losing that wonderful wide end of the XC kit lens and the lightweight compactness of it.

That said, I won`t be parting with the XC15-45 . I`m gonna get me another small X series camera as a permanent home for the 15-45 .

 

[McWoodley]

One came with my Xt30 for basically free. I took a vacation shortly there after and appreciated the small size and compactness on the account I was on crutches. The electronic zoom is it’s Achilles heel but like you suggested it isn’t horrible once you know that to expect. 15 to about 30 it’s great. Started getting a it soft after that. Not horrible but not excellent. All in all a great little lens.

 

[Human Elements]

If I remember correctly, it doesn't display the focal length when zooming either. Could be wrong; it's been ages since I owned this lens. But I loved it since it never left 15mm. It was my cheap, stabilized ultrawide "prime"

 

[Daverius]

If I remember correctly, it doesn't display the focal length when zooming either. Could be wrong; it's been ages since I owned this lens. But I loved it since it never left 15mm. It was my cheap, stabilized ultrawide "prime"

 

[Chandrahadi Junarto]

And the have a good minimum focus distance at the widest focal length also, nice little lens indeed

 

[gn-aus]

The Review by Photography Blog says it all :-

"Bottom line; the Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ could handle better, but it is compact, it is light, it has a wider angle of view than most kit lenses and creates very sharp images indeed."

This lens punches well above its weight.

 

[Old Timer63]

and I`ll tell you the cheapest fuji lens I have is the basic 35 cheapo, no aperture ring etc but some of my flower images are superb. I wish the close focus was slightly closer but for around £150 it is a keeper.