FUJIFILM 18MM F1.4 VS F2 VS X70 || A REAL REVIEW w/ REAL SAMPLE IMAGES in 2022

[@jwinte]

It was so refreshing to hear your comments on the 18 mm F2. This was my second lens purchase for my Fuji XT4 and as soon as I ordered it I began wondering if I'd made a mistake, having watched some other KZbinrs. When the lens arrived, and I started using it, I knew I'd not made a mistake. It's become one of my favorite lenses. I love the image quality and size. I think for the price it's a great little lens. I've just bought an X-E3 (don't like the severe minimalism of the newer X-E4) and this lens works so well on this smaller, lighter body. Keep being original and objective Dee. You're doing a great job.

[@Tudor_Mateescu]

Loved the noise observation and Ken W. observations! Totally agree! I've made the jump and bought 18mm f2 and really love it, after two weeks of using it.

[@singletrack29349]

I really wish they would make a new version of the X70. I'd like to see an updated formula (like the newer x100 lens) and the new processor so it can have all the new sims.

[@DeeRosa]

I’d buy that in a heartbeat; but seeing how Fuji has been moving it’d be $800 or something and I’d be threatening to throw hands.

[@singletrack29349]

@@DeeRosa $800 is cheaper than a GR.

[@SIQmai]

800$ is the price of a used X70 right now 😭

[@jkroemer2685]

@@SIQmairight!! It’s ridiculous…$900 new when it came out.

[@Nathansmithphotography]

Really enjoyed this. I picked up the 18 mm F2 for €250 and wish now I had bought it years earlier. I have 10 Fuji lenses and this was one of the last lenses I bought. I hesitated because of the “bad reviews” and the fact that I had three other lenses that do 18 mm. But it is now one of my favorite travel and walk about lenses. And you mentioned the Leica Q. I actually stopped into the Leica store in Florence Italy, and they had some used models since the Q2 was released. I went out and took some test shots with it but then remembered that I was carrying with me my Fuji pro 2 with the 18 mm F2. I took some identical shots with both cameras and while there is a one stop difference in depth of field at for example F2, unless I look at the meta-data, I was actually shocked that what many considered to be Fuji’s “Worst lens” was giving me results on an APSC sensor indistinguishable from the Leica Q on my 27 inch 5K monitor. And the fact that on my Pro2, I can change lenses, I realize that I definitely don’t need a Leica Q.

[@tobe144]

For 250 € it's a bargain ! I bought a used one from eBay with some dust inside for 330 €. Love this lens, it's so much fun to shoot with and as said many times before : it renders beautifully.

[@RomainTaillefer]

18 f2 is the best choice all-around for value size and future proof. Paired with an xe4 it's simply unbeatable as it comes close to the price of the 1.4 only. Now I want fuji to stop trying to be like all the other camera brands and get back to its true identity and fan base : bring us the best of the pocketable size for quality and price. If a refreshed 18mm f2 came out with LM and WR even at 800$ it would sell like crazy and make the brand worth believing in. I am not liking what fuji has done in 2021 and I hope they wake us asap!

[@ozuidema]

Great comparison. I sold my X70 and have never stopped regretting it. Now it has become a cult camera and they’re hard to find, and ludicrously expensive. The 18mm f2 is my alltime fav Fuji prime lens. It’s sharp, quick (on my XT4) and it renders beautifully. Absolutely born to do B&W street photography. Also, the short close focussing distance is very nice. I wouldn’t trade it for the 1.4 version if it came for free.

[@segzeeman7356]

When rumours started about the 18, 23 and 33 f1.4’s I didn’t care because I knew they’d be big, and sure enough they are. The 18 f2, I think has a lot of love from people who appreciate it’s size and image quality. In other words, for it’s size and iq, it’s a good lens. Lens reviews about expensive 1.4 bokeh monsters etc, are gonna be more popular bc people fall for the marketing. If you tell people that a slow aperture lens has amazing iq, they don’t care because f2.8 or 3.5 doesn’t sound as sexy as f1.2 or 1.4. Some tried to dismiss the 27mm as not worthy, mostly because of no aperture ring and secondly of f2.8, but the lens was so good and so loved that reviewers couldn’t really justify ignoring. People bought it and used it. Fuji gave it the best upgrade they could do to a lens IMO. The 18mm f2 unfortunately was labeled and judged and many believed the label. I think it will only increase in value on the used market. Btw, KW has never explained why he insults the 18f2 so much. Anytime I’ve heard him speak about it, he just says it’s terrible, without explanation why.

[@andrejgrgic5978]

OK @Dee - I just have to say that this video (even after 2 years) is, IMHO, the best, the most brutally honest and objective as well as the most intelligent video on whole KZbin that deals with Fuji 18mm lenses. Period. I understand, also, that people can get a "a bad copy" of 18mm f2 lense - I do, but than again - you can get a bad copy of anything. The price and portability of the f2 lense paired with the end result of IQ you get from it still makes it a very compatible lense.

[@dummatube]

THANK YOU for what you said! I too was disappointed when Fuji made the new 18mm into a huge f/1.4 clunker. I’m sticking with my f/2 18mm on the X-E4 and my glorious X-70 with an optical VF. I wish Fuji had better used their time making an X-80!!!

[@cbimage]

A very enjoyable video: well presented and clear. Thanks.

[@davidhollenback3345]

Great video! I appreciate your point of view, pay attention to what actually matters when using the lens, not these extreme corner conditions. Well done.

[@sultan_adv]

What do you think bout there is serious different between lenses 16 1.4 and 18 1.4 ??

[@JtwasLuck]

A thorough comparison based on actual use! I picked up the X70 recently to use as a EDC whenever I'm out and don't want to lug around a big camera. From what people have been saying holds quite true in this comparison as well X70 > 18mm F2 in terms of sharpness. Love your vids BTW they are very different from the usual FOMO YT videos and I love how you don't shy away from speaking truths.

[@pstaszkiw]

Dee, Great stuff :) I bought my 18 f2 used some years back because it came with the square lens hood......to match the 35 f1.4.... lol. Seriously, it is a great lens. As for the focusing noise, I mentioned once before with my hearing, it's a non-issue. I also want to comment on the beautiful pics at about 10:51, 10:55, and 10:58, you guys look great and happy together :) Reminds me of a photo I took of my wife and me some 50 years ago. It was kind of tough taking a selfy with an old Minolta back then. It isn't the best, but, it's one of our favorites. pete

[@renatobfa]

Booray, is there any place in Tampa that sells used fujifilm lenses? I'll be there for a little bit on vacation and would like to see that 18mm f2 if they have one . Thank you

[@wheezzy101]

I'm not a huge fan of the 23mm focal length on the x100v so my wcl lives on it. Would love a refreshed x70 because the 18mm is my favorite. I rented a Q2 and fell in love but I can't justify that cost at the moment when it's just a hobby.

[@DeeRosa]

Would love a new X70 also.

[@JLStreetDoc]

Way to keep it real as usual! I’m thinking about selling my 16mm 1.4 (amazing lens!) and getting the 18 f2, mainly because of it size and weight, but also because it’s not quite as wide.

[@Snowboarding12345]

Do you use any specific recipes for your x70 or are they edited in post for the most part?

[@DeeRosa]

Mostly edited in post. But when I do use a specific one it’s usually the portra or Kodachrome

[@JasonMoody]

I love my x70. Great camera and so much fun.

[@andreak4280]

outstanding vid!! thanks so much for your thoughts / insight of actual use of each of these lenses 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼🫵🏼

[@dunkkid23]

Back at it with the quality, I literally put a 18mm f2 in my cart a week ago. I’m interested in having a new street lens.

[@longrider9551]

very nice to see you remaining objective, even while your relationship with Fuji is growing, Stay Gold Ponyboy 😉

[@Lonnie.G]

the ability to shoot waist level with the flip lcd is HUGE to me for the x70. Has that one up on the Ricoh GR series even.

[@DeeRosa]

I shot from the hip a lot with it. You’re right it is a game changer.

[@AbrahamMusalem]

X70 gang. Dope video man

[@rudyortega3285]

I love the 18f2 for street. It’s great when shooting at 5.6 and above and I love how small it is. If I didn’t have the f2 I wouldn’t hesitate to get an x70. Great comparison between all of them.

[@JoeDAgostinoPhoto]

18/2 has been a favorite of mine for many years.

[@wyrdedwurd]

I own the 18mm f1.4 and the 18mm f2. For the f2, there is no aperture you can stop down to to improve image quality. My copy is soft in the corners at every aperture. Between about f2.8 and f8 the images look exactly the same (when everything is at the hyperfocal distance); it is absolutely a soft lens and I wish that it weren't. I can certainly tell which images were produced by which lens even at f8. The 18mm f2 has vastly inferior image quality and there's no way around that.

[@jehandelange6266]

phew, real talk! so good man :)

[@Sevastiantheblank]

But how do they sound?

[@HypertronicTeddy]

any tips on how to avoid the noise for the 18mm f2 for video? my only trick now is shooting in manual focus and set it to infinity

[@DeeRosa]

The only time you’re going to hear it is if you’re recording with the internal mic. Stop using the internal mic. It sounds bad and should never be used even with a silent lens. That’s the only tip needed.

[@76steps]

Yo Leica D. Santa gonna bring me the 18mm f2. For capturing my non stop toddler. I've heard all the ruff reviews and even my dear old uncle Kenny bashes it. But as you have stated here very clearly it just can't be beat. Profile and price make it nice. Cracking content once again cuz

[@thebitterfig9903]

All I’m saying is that if Fuji released revamps of the 18/2 and 35/1.4 along the lines of the second version of the 27/2.8 which got WR and perhaps a slightly nicer AF motor…. Those would be big wins.

[@caterinadisalvo1477]

how does the xpro3 ovf work with the 18 f1 4?

[@BillNessworthyPhotography]

Great video. I've been struggling for a while to work out what wide angle to use for weddings - I have been using the Samyang (Rokinon) 12/2, Fuji 23/2 (recently returned the 23/1.4 v1 because it was softer than the f2 at working distances), 35/1.4 v1 and most recently the 90/2 (phenomenal lens!) - but that Samyang just isn't cutting it and the 23/2 is sometimes not wide enough. The 18/1.4 is tempting, but it's almost as big as a zoom and really expensive for what it is. Maybe the 18/2 is what I'm looking for? - I just want to keep things minimal and avoid carting around a bag full of lenses.

[@DeeRosa]

I love the lens. It could just be me but I think it renders beautifully and always performs.

[@BillNessworthyPhotography]

@@DeeRosa I can tell, and your shots taken with it look great Dee. Thanks :)

[@chinmayeed]

Hello Dee Rosa ! Rahul Deshpande here from India. Thanks for the great video. I have been struggling recently between Xt10 + 18f2 and X70 .. which one to choose ? Both are compact Xt10 being 2cm taller, length is almost the same. Your or (anyone here)view on this will help. Thank you

[@DeeRosa]

Whatever is cheapest in price - buy it.

[@martinphilipps8678]

i LOVE my X70 but i feel the slow speed more and more... thinking now of exchanging it for the 18mm f2 for my X-T30...

[@manuelb8808]

The XF18f2 is also my most beloved lens with the 18-55. The size/price combination is unbeatable. I use it all the time for video (I seldom do foto) at night with my XS10 and the combo is outstanding because of its portability, lightness and unobtrusiveness. The focusing works quite well in video and it doesn't hunt like the XF35f2 -which is a nightmare, and I have 3 focals in one with the crop capabilities of the camera to 1.1 and 1.29. The 18-55 is superior in breathing and OIS but it's also darker and bigger so both are an absolute joy for any casual videographer. And for the sharpness, I find it more than enough from f2 for video which is my most used aperture by night. For 200 bucks second hand average it's a steal of a lens and a must for any Fuj shooter.

[@caesarisestube]

Is the f2 very bad with focus breathing? And how easy is to manually focusing? Since it is wide I don't think it would be a problem. I want the lens for video. Would you recommend it?

[@joshuachubbphotography]

The 18 f2 has taken some of my favorite images!

[@DeeRosa]

Amen - and mine.

[@albertsmith9315]

I never bonded with the 28mm (equivalent) after over 50 years of shooting, but I watched this whole video because I enjoy and respect your observations. Just to reinforce one point from your comments, erroneous opinions from people that have never actually used certain gear and simply repeat urban legends about it can stifle users looking for input. This happened with me and the dozens of comments all over the internet saying that the XF 35mm f/1.4 sucks because it focuses too slow and too loud. I lived with the f/2 version for years until I took a chance and got the f/1.4.... now my most used Fujifilm lens. All the negative stuff that was suppose to make it a nightmare to use never materialized. Its fantastic. I'd assume likewise with the 18mm F/2.

[@DeeRosa]

35/1.4 is actually my favorite all time Fujifilm lens - I don’t see the 33/1.4 isn’t as impressive because for 1/2 the price you can get the 35/1.4 and have a fantastic experience.

[@jacobcarandang8618]

I take all opinions on autofocus with a grain of salt unless it’s a new review using the newest firmware. Last year my XT3 felt like a brand new camera after they updated the autofocus so some dudes experience with the lens 3 years ago before he sold it isn’t relevant to me.

[@misterlove7034]

How do you edit your Fuji files for professional photo delivery? Do you use DXO etc?

[@DeeRosa]

Nope - just edit them straight in LR. If I see issues with worms in shadows I use irridient

[@misterlove7034]

@@DeeRosa thanks for the reply, Dee! Would you consider switching to capture 1 when the mobile version comes out? Why or why not?

[@Swingkid14]

The 18mmf2 will probably be my #onecameraonelensoneyear for my next year together with the XE1 both turns 10 years😁. Only shooting monochrome. Would like to try it with red filter (proper filter for the lens) . A poormans Leica Q but with a more filmic touch. @xftales

[@DeeRosa]

I’ll try it but until I see it I’m not even thinning about it.

[@hipabroad]

X70 is an amazing camera, I really can't let it go, there is something about that lens that is different that my other primes, cant explain it

[@DeeRosa]

It is beautiful man. Some of my favorite images for sure.

[@sammy_sam_leonardo]

I have the f2 (I mostly use it with my xpro1), it has some limitations/things it can’t do or doesn’t do well (some of that is exaggerated by the old body I use it with)… but what it does do well it does it great- quirky, fun, characterful and really lovable! A lens I just can’t part with…

[@henrikbratt]

I own both lenses. I have been very happy with the 18f2 for many years and I love thtat lens. It´s still my favourite lens ever on fuji. It´s small and it´s absolute sharp enough. But with that said, when I bought the 18mmf1.4 I was blowned away with the image quality, it is absolutely better than the f2 in every range. But the one that is perfect for everyday photography is still the f2 because of the size and the looks. It looks perfect och really cool on my x-pro3. But as soon as I wanna shot something I need IQ for I would choose the f1.4 everyday! It is stunning. To bad it is a bit to heavy and not that cool looking as the f2. I will wait and keep hoping the fujifilm will update the f2 with wr, that would be the best lens for everyday photo.

[@JasonMatison]

Getting my 18mm f2 next week. Looking forward to hitting the Austin streets with it.

[@DeeRosa]

You’ll love it!

[@gerben4875]

The x70 is indeed a wonderful camera!

[@CrispyJacketStudios]

1:46 I always use external audio too 1:58 👍👍👍

[@markicarebic]

X70 is my choice of preference. Tried and sold 18/2.0… it was to slow on my XT2 (at that time I had no XT3). Tried and did not buy 18/1.4 because it’s way to big to carry around. Hence I would keep my X70. (although battery sucks)

[@CrispyJacketStudios]

1:15 Wahoo I finally meet a kindred spirit who knows that lens focus noise counts for fk’all 😜🤙

[@leethirkellson]

I own the 18mm f1.4 and it is a fantastic lens, is it worth the cost. Probably not. I haven't used the f2 to compare but what I am finding with recent Fujifilm lens releases is that in comparison to what is already out there you arent getting enough bang for your buck so to speak. I recently picked up the 33mm f1.4 and will be returning it, why? Because I also picked up a 33mm f1.4 viltrox lens and at almost £500 less this lens does around 90% the same and matches the Fujifilm version in a lot of ways. Is it a good lens? Yes. Is it worth almost £500 more? Hell no, and that is the issue with a lot of Fujifilm releases coming up, they are good but there is such good glass out there at a fraction of the price that it doesn't seem worth the prices they are asking for to buy it. At one point I used to always drop money on the latest but then I started to not listen to the KZbinrs and understood why they were pushing the latest and greatest as must haves and I started to really consider my gear choices. It led to me spending less money and still avle to take decent images (occasionally but that's more skill than gear) good video man.

[@donharrington576]

Great review. I agree about ken.

[@thomashill5768]

subscribed for the floss ref

[@sam-ww1wk]

Ha ha, great review. Hilarious about the wr. I live in AZ, and about killed my 55-200 shooting dunes in a dust storm. Being a landscape lens, sill it's not wr. The 18mm, whatever....that said I'm not shooting street in London.

[@acrummey85]

I’d love an X70 but used prices are still really high.

[@jasondaniel9438]

true practical gentleman :)

[@yeahdude7184]

I want an x70 so bad, but dont want someone to heavily profit from me buying it. Maybe if an x80 is ever released people will drop the price drastically. Only time will tell

[@artemkanaki9274]

how did you know about 40mp hx2 9 month ago?😮

[@DeeRosa]

Fuji announced it 10 months ago lil

[@artemkanaki9274]

@@DeeRosa oh, I thought it was announced in May😅 you should’ve seen my face when I checked the date of the video😂

[@Snapit551]

Great video 👌 yes I agree that the 18mm f2 is a fantastic lens if your not shooting sports or fast moving subjects in low light ! 18mm f2 is great as a casual shoot due to its compact size and price👍 and Ken wheeler I’m afraid is the daddy reviewer on KZbin 💪🏻 that guy just rocks and has more lenses than god and definitely knows his shit because I’ve bought and got most of his lenses and they are fantastic 👌 I’ve got the new 1.4 lenses and they are well up on the game with the image quality compared to my Fuji f2 primes and older 1.4 primes!! You gotta pay to play I’m afraid and Fuji lenses are a bit dear like the new 1.4 lenses!! Great videos 🤛🏼 keep them rolling 🤩 I enjoy every one so far and you make a lot of sense 🥳

[@DeeRosa]

Agree to disagree about Ken - I used to rock with him until he talked all that crap about other photographers then went and embarrassed himself on someone else’s channel.

[@YounanPhoto]

Yeah Ken is a big faker. He just collects lenses basically. Doesn’t make him an expert in photography whatsoever. He never shows his photos and when he does they’re not great. I find him entertaining and if I’m after the build quality or reliability of a lens he can be helpful but he is definitely way too overconfident in what he says as if he actually makes these lenses.

[@Snapit551]

@@YounanPhoto yes you are right as I watched the video of him with Jason Lanier he made a fool of himself

[@fellowcitizen]

Now the WCL for X100 (+XF10!) ;-) p.s. I think you should check out Daniel Milnor of Shifter

[@DeeRosa]

I’m subscribed to him! Great guy from New Mexico who I hope to sit down and learn from some day.

[@fellowcitizen]

@@DeeRosa I see you guys as the current Beat Generation

[@LO7PE7Z]

You’re legit.

[@duykhuong351]

can i have your recipes :))

[@user-cw4bs8ub2b]

The amazing thing in this video is not it’s conclusion, I think. It is the normalization of enormous assault weapons as a part of a happy family picture. What kind of society thinks it is normal that daddy is shown with an automatic shotgun laughing with his child? How much stress must you all live in? How little faith do you have in each other? Who is that enemy that has to be slaughtered? Is it next door? Amazing how such a shot became a normal picture in a simpel lens comparison. Nothing personal, it is probably normal for you, but it is totally shocking for me, a foreigner that knows war because in my family several older members carried the scars of fear for violence their whole life, ever since they experienced war.

[@DeeRosa]

That man is former military and a firearms trainer - also, you do know there are multiple counties in Europe and in the west also that send the same weapon and similar home with people during their required military duty? The US sucks - if the government can’t protect us we have to unfortunately and your privilege of not knowing the historical significance of minorities and firearms is astounding no matter how much I agree we’re bad over here.

[@bnwstreetfr1275]

Peter McKinnon will be highly disappointed in you ! Coz everyone knows you need a fast lense to shoot epic broll!!! Lmao This fast lense bullshit on KZbin is quiet pissing me off especially when you see people going broke for something they never needed in the first place! You see people like Pierre Lambert permanently reviewing and pushing people to go for Sony g master lense which are worth over 1500 bucks to do street ?!!!! Ho thé fuck shoot street with a 2kg lense wide open at 1.4 on a full frame camera? If you know someone let me know I wanna see the point of it coz personally I’m apse I’m most of the time between 5.6 and 11 so I don’t get it but I might miss something You are one of the rare honest people talking gear out there but maybe your salary depends on your photo work and not about what you say on KZbin 😀😀😀

[@DeeRosa]

There’s actually a blog review of the 18/1.4 where the reviewer judged the sharpness based on his sample photos where he shot street at f1.4 SS 1/2000 etc. it was bad.

[@bnwstreetfr1275]

@@DeeRosa the problem is that on KZbin the guys who make the most views on street photography matter most of the time don’t even know what street photography really is …. I dont Wanda ben a Gatekeeper by any means but it wouldn’t hurt some so called KZbin expert to look at history a bit and check the work of real worldwide know street guys to understand a bit more of what they talking about…. The sad truth is that soñé of those guys don’t care about the subject they only care of you pressing an affiliate link to make money. Some people on KZbin are incredible on the subject but somehow they are not the one making the most views I guess that the way the world goes people want result and lost interest in the process so if you learn street photography via KZbin for the masses it’s probably easier to ear that this expensive lense wide open will give you pro result rather than somebody telling you the raw truth street photography it’s freaking hard to master you need to get out and put in the rep, you need to learn how to zone focus ( good luck at 1.4) you need to find the confidence to get close to people , you need to read the light pretty fast too and even when you start being good at it only 1 pic out of probably 500/1000 is really worth going in a book . But hey nothing to complain about if you really wanna find good people on KZbin you can too it’s just a shame that beginner get straight away caught up in gas coz of the algorithm favouring gear review other people really teaching something

[@DeeRosa]

I’d agree with a lot of this. Especially about how new shooters are hit in the face with the catchy guys who have a big following telling them their gear is crap until they spend thousands.

[@garypentecost833]

Stopped watching when you posted a guy holding a gun , wake up USA and reported 🙄

[@DeeRosa]

Cool don’t care 👍🏽

[@aldirivaldi457]

this is what I need

[@jyangphotoatx]

Screw what others will say I love my 18 F2. Also because I am poor and can’t afford 1.4 🥲

[@DeeRosa]

Honestly the biggest mistake I’ve made this year was purchasing the 18/1.4. I realize how often I shoot stopped down since I came from a film background.