The Fujifilm XF 18mm F2 Needs More Love
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- I love a well-performing lens just as much as the next Photographers, and while autofocus doesn’t always age well, we can’t just abandon all of the old lenses out there!
11 years ago, a classic was introduced by Fuji. While the XF 18mm F2 might not be as fast or as well built as newer lenses, it has a couple of qualities that make it hard to beat for an everyday carry.
Thank you to Fujifilm for supplying the loaner equipment. All opinions are my own.
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Music Sourced from Audiio
THATS WHY HES THE GOAAAATTTT. THE GOOOAAAAATTTT.
GOAT Rosa checked in 😮💨 thanks man!
Part of my two lens kit along with the 35mm 1.4.
Excellent combo 📸
Same here, I just included 90mmF2 recently. Overall, very happy with 18F2, 35F1.4 and 90F2. Such a great combo.
Looks like I mixed the audio a little low on this one. New mic, new learning!
Not a reflection of the Hollyland, that’s me. I’ll tweak it better for next video, thanks for watching everyone 🙏🏾
I agree with everything that you said here.
I bought my 18mm f/2 new in the box after avoiding it for years because of the negative comments on line. I had the 35mm f/1.4 and 60mm f/2.4 and wanted to complete the trilogy of the first generation of XF lenses, so I bought the 18mm.
I was expecting really substandard performance, but I was happily surprised with a very competent lens with the added advantage of its petite size. I find that it is sharper close in, with some softness near infinity, which tightens up by f/5.6. Close in and wide-open the center third of the frame is very sharp, allowing for selective focus if you need that. My lens lives at either f/2 or f/5.6 (sharpest aperture in my testing).
As for the autofocus, in the street I use the lens on manual focus and set for a zone via the distance scale in the finder. This way I can shoot often from the hip and everything in my subject range is covered at f/5.6.
I'm sure the f/1.4 lens is majorly better, but I'll keep using my tiny f/2.
Thanks for the summary of your experience! Comments like this help further combat the sometimes too simple breakdowns of lenses.
My favorite duo kit, the 18mm f2 and the 35mm 1.4
For 18mm AF isnt an issie especially shooting in ample light, set to f8, focus distance at 3ish meters then snap away
Those two lenses are special. I agree with you that the autofocus isn’t a big deal!
You are absolutely right, you nailed it, when I'm hanging out with the family and have the 18mm 1.4 I wish I had the f2 version instead, my daily carry is the 27mm 2.8, due to the size and weight and even though it struggles with continuous AF, I learned to use it in single AF or manual, and the plus about the 18mm f2 is the good looking square lens hood! Great video!!! Keep up the good work!!!🎉
Size plays such a huge factor, that being better “on paper” isn’t always the full story! Thanks for the support!
It's my favorite lens.
It’s a lot of fun! Fingers still crossed for a MK II update
I've had this lens on an X-E1 for years and years. Its a great one lens travel and family type lens. super light, has a neat metal lens hood. I don't use fancy autofocus on it, I do old school focus and recompose from the center point. I like that set up, reminds me of the film fuji aps film camera I had in college.
Exactly, when you use it where its strengths are, you’ll get good results!
18mm f2 on an XT-30 and, BOOM, 'Street of Dreams'!
Two underrated pieces making a solid combo 🙌🏾
What about on the 40MP XT5
Try the TTArtisan 25mm F2..you will be surprised. It's small and delivers great results.
Gave it a try actually! Wasn’t in love with the IQ and vignette, but it could’ve been my copy.
I literally just returned a TTArtisan 25/1.8 yesterday. Missing one of three mount screws, and didn't make a seal that made me confident. Not even in bad weather, just for light leaks.
@@doriyancolemanon the street I shoot mostly with aperture F8 zone focusing no vignetting at all 🤷🏻♂
400? more like max. 250€ here in Europe. I exchanged 200€ for mine, many years ago and It's been a gem since. I'd never swap the new 18f1.4 for this one; the size trumps the rest.
Bought a used one today...going on the X-E3. They're actually getting a bit harder to find. The used sales sites used to be littered with them. Not anymore.
Unfortunately, where I live (Ireland) most days are rainy, so non-weather sealed lenses are an instant no go for me. If fuji updated this lens I'd be all over it. In my opinion it's a must for any hypothetical x-pro 4 fuji releases
Ahhh that’s fair. An updated version and an X-Pro4 would get wild amounts of money out of me
I have my 18/2 mounted on my X-Pro1 very often and like the combination very much. AF speed is adequate for my purposes. The only thing I can't get with that lens is a nice sun star. Similar to my former X100T, the lens simply doesn't want to produce an appealing one.
Interesting! Haven’t noticed that myself. X-Pro1 & this are a timeless combo though.
What’s ironic is that I just watched another video about the same exact lens shot in Singapore and the other RUclipsr also first talked about a microphone he was wearing!!!
That's crazy!
I used to have this lens. I miss it sorely. I’m actually about to sell my 16-55 (too heavy) and 14mm (don’t use) and going to buy this instead to make up a 18 - 35 (f1.4) - 90 prime trio. I just love lighter gear and the rendering of this lens is delicious! F*** the softness.
That’s a great combo, I think you’ll enjoy your time with that trio 🤝
I wish I was a bit about smaller like the f/2. If it's good enough for PREET. It's for everyone.
The whole world needs more love kiddo 💖
Amen to that! 🙏🏾
I love my copy of the xf18/2! I wish they would rehouse it in a mkii version similar to the other "fujicrons" (16/2.8, 23/2, 35/2, 50/2). Give it an updated autofocus motor and weather seal it, it would sell like crazy!
1000% agree with you!
I agree with you. But camera companies don’t listen
Hey, Boss! Your audio was low in this video. Had to crank up the volume almost all the way up
Thank you for the heads up! Had to set this new mic up differently from my usual one, and I’ll have to figure out how to improve it 🤝
It’s an incredible lens, people need to get there heads out of charts. I find it funny that every Fuji lens people roast are my favorite lenses. e.g. the 18f2, 35f1.4, Zeiss 32f1.8, and the 23f2. None of them crush the charts, but the real world images they all produce are incredible with a unique life and quality that makes me smile when I’m reviewing the days grabs.
Preach!
I just got one! You are so spot on. This lens has character BIG TIME!
Nice to see some love fpr this lens. There's a bit of a dilemma for me, and it is the same with the legendary Fuji 35 1.4 too - IMHO the 28 f2 and 35 1.4 absolutely slay when matched up with X-Trans v1 or v2 - the sensor resolution, the tonality and colors seem a perfect match and you can see how Fuji was going for a filmic rendition with those first X-Trans sensors and these early lenses - BUT the AF is noticeably slow on those gen cameras - match these lenses up with X-T4 or X-T5 or X-H2 etc and you get surprisingly decent AF but I think you lose something in terms of color and tonality over those earlier sensors. So much so that I bought a beat up X-pro 1 just to use my 28 f2 and 35 1.4 - it's a slow setup to use but the results are really pleasing
Yeah, they show their age in some ways. I’ve found that embracing manual focus bypasses all of that and makes for an immersive experience - especially with the X-T and X-Pro lines
Interesting comment. I was hearing recently- I think Omar’s channel - that the film sims deliver differently on the different bodies. Makes me wish I could try an old one out to see for myself, because I love the character look.
How is the sharpness compared with kit 18-55 vs 23f2?
I briefly owned the 23mm f2 and 18mm f2, and I can say that the 18 is the sharper one in all the aperture ranges. I kept it and sold the 23.
Awesome lens is must say really need a Fuji next for street...I have been experimenting with 28 recently a lens that's really challenging and makes you see and learn better I know why the greats used this..either layer the photo or get straight up in the subject face 😅have a bless day day and keep up the good work especially with the teaching
Honestly once people move past the either “get close or layer” aspect that people try to force, there’s an entire world of amazing photography out there. Thank you for the support and take care!
I'm thinking of buying this 18mm f2.0 lens as a really light backup to keep in the bag while I experiment with my new 33mm f1.4. I LOVE the 33mm's equivalent 50mm distance but it's a challenging focal length with no 'wow factor' distortion and it's slightly tight .... so I feel like the 18mm will give me some comfort as a backup. For when I want to do a portrait that 'pops' in the distorted way, or for when I literally just can't fit something in (oo-er missus).
I think you’ll enjoy it a lot. The size and IQ Aline make it worth it, and hopefully the used price falls back to below $400 👌🏾
do you get much distortion on the prime? i have the 18-55 and just started playing around to shoot more at 18 and it just looks unnatural and weird to me, i bring it back to 23mm and it feels nicer. ive been playing more with the 80mm now and it might be my favourite lens.
A little bit yes. Truthfully the 18mm 1.4 may be the only distortion-free, “wider than 35mm ff equivalent” lens I’ve ever used
Thanks for the video. Is the autofocus noisy? I'm thinking about using it for a vlog sort of set up with my X-S10
Oooh I wouldn’t vlog with this one. I don’t use on camera audio, but the focus is audible, inconsistent and 28mm is tight for handheld talking head
Thank you. Do you have a recommendation for a small lens that would be good for vlogging?@@doriyancoleman
@@Stothersifyyo bro, the viltrox 13mm 1.4 is amazing, not too expensive for what it is. i don’t own it myself, tho i have used it and for a wide angle lens there is like no focus breathing, its insane.
I've had the 18 f/2 since 2012 and love it. It doesn't get as much use as my 35 1.4 but I'm always impressed with the results I get with this lens. I've recently paired it with my X-T1 as a lightweight set.
One could go as far as to say that this and the 35mm 1.4 are the perfect combo 🫡
Doriyan, help! I am on the verge of plunking down for the Voigtlander 27mm f2 for the small form and image beauty - but all these 18f2 (and 16f2.8 and xf 27 f2.8) videos have been clobbering me, and now you’re telling me this has a character look like a voigtlander or 35f1.4 plus autofocus! Sure, slow loud ancient autofocus, but I was considering NO autofocus so what’s it to me how old it is! Acccck decisions! I’m probably going with the vg 27 f2 for the light and the focal length but wow this video is killing me! Anyway thanks and keep on making art, love to see it.
‘ The corners are soft the image is now ruined’ 😆
I need to meet the people who feel that way 😂
X-Pro camera with the 18f2 and 35f1.4 - my fav combo
Great kit! Loved my X-Pro3. Hoping we get a new body and a refreshed 18mm f/2 someday
The lens is completely sold out at B&H
It needs a modern replacement imo
The algorithm served this up and I'm glad it did. Fully agree with your take on the 18 f/2. It's an unsung hero, the focal length is great and it's reputation means you can pick a used on on the cheap. If you're into street photography and zone focus then it kicks ass.
100%! As far as I’m concerned, people can keep talking bad about it, save it for us who know how to use it 🤝
Unfortunately the prices have gone up a bit in the last year or two as people cotton on to this lens’s greatness
Man I wish I was good at shooting 28mm but somehow I just can't make it work.
Stick with it! You’ll get the hang of it 🤝
I haven't even watched this video yet, but I really agree. It's an amazing indoor lens, especially for family gatherings.
It’s small and stays out of the way! Perfect for gatherings like you said
No, it’s already too expensive.
I got this lens yesterday for like 120 usd and it’s basically brand new!
$120 is crazy 😮💨 enjoy it!
Jealous! I’m going to have to fork out £300 for it for a good second hand copy 😢
Great video! I really appreciate your perspective on Fuji stuff and photography!
It's not that the lens is bad (it's not, and it's strange to me that this has such a bad repuation while the 35 1.4 has such a good repuation), and paired with the XF35 1.4 it's consistent and makes sense in a variety of ways (rendering, build), but a lot of use love the affectionately nicknamed Fujicrons (23/2, 35/2, 50/2), of which this lens is typically not considered a part of, despite the f2, but to bring the point home: the 16 f2.8 is seen as a part of.
I really like the Fujicrons. Weather sealed, feel *very* well bult, fast af, but most of all: rendering that is rich in tonality, color and contrast. At f2 they don't have the most out of focus backgrounds, but what's there is very smooth, helping creating depth and contrast between what's in and out of focus without completely blowing out the background. I know many like character in their lens (interesting bokeh for example), but I just happen to really like the clean and rich rendering of these lenses. The rendering of the 18 just kinda doesn't quite fit in with the other compact primes (well, maybe the 27?).
That's why I want an update. It's not that I hate the current 18 or think it's bad, it's just that I want a Fujicron style lens for the 18mm f2 focal length aperture combination. In the mean time I'll keep on using the 18 of course.
I too find it odd how the 35mm 1.4 is loved and this one is so talked down on. I’d say the performance is just about the same in really every category.
I think the F2’s hit Fuji’s design and performance philosophy just about perfectly! And I agree with you that an update of this one could really change things and make for some special kits for those of us out there who want one!
@@doriyancoleman Yeah. Very similar rendering. Maybe I should just finally get that 35mm f1.4, leave the fujicrons behind and embrace the 28mm/50mm ff equiv FOV (Dee Rosa pretty much got me convinced on that anyway). 🤔
Thanks for taking the time to reply by the way. I really appreciate that.
Good review, better name!👍
just a heads up, the volume is too low on this upload, my volume is at 86 to hear you at a normal level, and every other video i have audio around 30's
Thanks for the heads up! I’ll tweak it next time