Bumpy switch from Sony RX10 III to Fuji X-T4

Hi guys, I would like to share my experience/ask for advice about my gear switch.

I was forced to leave my much loved Sony RX10 III back in Ukraine, so when I saw a chance to buy a used Fuji X-T4 and a couple of lenses (18-55 and 35f2) I jumped on it. I am unsure how I feel about it for the reasons below:

1. The 18-55 lens is weirdly blurry, a la tilt-shift lens, I am attaching a sample image. I am unable to take a single picture I would like with it. There is no optical damage as far as I can see, but when I tried attaching it to a couple of other bodies in a local shop, it gave the lens control error. The seller swears it did not fall and has been cooperative with providing receipts of purchase and generally not disappearing from the radar. The local shop suggested they can send it to Fuji and wait for them to fix it (out of my pocket since it's no longer on warranty)

2. 35 f2 is somewhat noisy, I can hear the ambient whirring sounds all the time as long as it is attached. It seems to work otherwise well.

3. Is the biggest complaint actually - the battery discharges extremely fast. I took a camera for a walk with the 18-55 lens attached (before I realised it was faulty) and it lost 50% of charge over a matter of 1.5 hours and some 30 images. Naturally I switched it off when unused. At first I suspected OIS motor sapping all the energy, but yesterday I used 35f2 and battery lost 20% over some meagre 30 images again. This is nowhere near I expected it to perform.

I am using my Samsung USB-C fast charger (5V 3A) and charge in-camera since I suppose it makes no difference. The camera reports the battery is in excellent shape.

Since I am new to the world of interchangeable lenses and cameras, I admit a significant possibility of my own mistake. Therefore I would like to ask you, what you would suggest to do with the lenses and the battery? I busted my hobby piggy bank here and would have liked to minimize further risk.

Thanks in advance for your attention

Does the blur only occur with the 18-55? It almost appears like someone touched the sensor and got a fingerprint on it or some other substance. Maybe a good sensor cleaning is in order?

Return it all and start over.

The camera body and 18-55 both have obvious issues. The lens should be performing much better (I had one) and the battery shouldn't be draining nearly that fast. I'm suspicious that something happened to this kit you're not hearing about from the previous owner. I'd definitely return it all, and start over. Otherwise the disappointments would never end.

I agree with those that say none of this sounds normal to me. If possible, return it all and start over. On paper that’s a good kit you’ve got there. If it were working correctly, you’d not be having any of those issues.

You are really unlucky here ! Personally, I would return it as there are too many issues. However, I'll try to respond with what I would personally do for each line item.

hayenne wrote:

1. The 18-55 lens is weirdly blurry, a la tilt-shift lens, I am attaching a sample image. I am unable to take a single picture I would like with it. There is no optical damage as far as I can see, but when I tried attaching it to a couple of other bodies in a local shop, it gave the lens control error. The seller swears it did not fall and has been cooperative with providing receipts of purchase and generally not disappearing from the radar. The local shop suggested they can send it to Fuji and wait for them to fix it (out of my pocket since it's no longer on warranty)

The fact you have managed to test this lens on another body (good job) is a great way to isolate the issue. I would ask the seller for a refund based on this assessment, alternatively they could agree to pay for the repairs (if you trust the seller).

2. 35 f2 is somewhat noisy, I can hear the ambient whirring sounds all the time as long as it is attached. It seems to work otherwise well.

Is the sound evident when you are attempting to AF-C/AF-S ? What happens when you put it in Manual mode, do you hear the same noise ?

3. Is the biggest complaint actually - the battery discharges extremely fast. I took a camera for a walk with the 18-55 lens attached (before I realised it was faulty) and it lost 50% of charge over a matter of 1.5 hours and some 30 images. Naturally I switched it off when unused. At first I suspected OIS motor sapping all the energy, but yesterday I used 35f2 and battery lost 20% over some meagre 30 images again. This is nowhere near I expected it to perform.

I am using my Samsung USB-C fast charger (5V 3A) and charge in-camera since I suppose it makes no difference. The camera reports the battery is in excellent shape.

Have you tried performing a full camera factory reset and trying again ?

Here is a thread that is somewhat related (X-T3) - https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4619686

Yeah, only with 18-55. In addition, while I was in the shop, I had the sensor cleaned.

The 35mm is silent..

Take that camera and lenses back now if you can. Its a lemon

Thanks, going to try and get back my money. Gambling with used items is always a risk