[ENG] Fujifilm 18-120mm F4 LM PZ WR Initial Review

[@gregturner_awod]

Thank you for a comprehensive and thorough review of this lens, which I bought to use on my XT5. Your review and thoughts about the lens are very helpful indeed.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Thanks!

[@kenross6028]

Excellent, honest review. I have the lens and the performance of mine is very close to your description aside from the fact that the AF has been extremely reliable on my XH2. If they can fix the brightness changes toward the end as you zoom in or when you pull back near the end of a zoom, it will be great for zooming while shooting. Personally I've never done much zooming during a clip, but this could potentially give you that option. An overall excellent lens.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I'll test it more on the X-H2s as well, and will push another video as soon as I can share final thoughts

[@angelaERDE]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Looking forward to learning more about this from you. Thank you for being one of the few reviewers covering this lens. It seemed very promising at launch but is its reality going to be very different?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

It is different for sure. I'm planning on pushing a comparison against the 16-80, as well as covering more video stuff. I'm freaking busy right now, but I'll get to it

[@ridgefield]

I'm also very interested in this lens. Thank you for this video! I don't know why reviewers don't cover this. I also hope Fuji fix the exposure problem with a firmware. Given the smooth aperture change, I don't think this is a mechanical problem. Hope to see the in depth review soon, but also with a new firmware.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I'm working on it, but I'm so busy that I don't know when I'll be able to push it out

[@kennethleephotography]

I'm so glad I watched this. I noticed this change of brightness in other videos and assumed it was just a WB shift, but this talks me out of the lens. Thanks!

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Thank you for your feedback

[@AlexanderBischof]

I am a wedding photographer and videographer with a big history in nature photography. I am getting (as a hobby actually) more and more into nature filmmaking. So therefore this lens is super exciting for me although having the 16-55/2.8 - they could be great partners I think.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I think this fits perfectly nature filmography. If it wasn't for the brightness steps at the two ends of the zoom range it would be close to perfect. In photography it loses some sharpness at the telephoto end, especially at long distances, but for videos it is going to be very enjoying to use

[@AlexanderBischof]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Thank you very much for your opinion / recommendation

[@kriss2452]

Luca, grazie per that excellent video. I'm actually looking for any versatile travel lens, and this one seems to be better than the 18-135mm.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

To me it definitely is.

[@ThisGuy]

Could you do a test to see if the "exposure shift" while zooming still happens when you have Aperture on Auto (so set shutter speed and set ISO, especially in 4k60, or even just with a set shutter speed and auto Aperture and Auto ISO)??? I shoot sports videos which this lens could be perfect for, but that exposure jump would be a tough issue to overlook for me.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I'll try

[@b3arodactyl]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography very curious what you find, every other video I’ve seen has it

[@ThisGuy]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Thanks. Any word yet?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I tried this morning and it seems to be gone if shot in shutter priority. I haven't seen the footage on my computer yet. I'll confirm once i do

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Never mind, it does it anyways

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

This looks interesting for livestreams and event videos. Has Fuji finally scrapped the 30 minute record limit in the X-H2 @ X-H2s? I’m still using Panasonics for video to get around the 30 minute limit.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Yes, we finally have unlimited record time

[@dustinjenkins8215]

You don't know the pain of sticking with Fuji for 3+ hour performances...

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I hear your. Fortunately enough it wasn't my case, but that limitation was really frustrating

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

@@dustinjenkins8215 I suppose I should just happily stick with my old Panasonics. They’re paid for and no one complains about the IQ. Maybe having only one camera system is overrated.

[@dustinjenkins8215]

@@LyndonPatrickSmith I jumped at the chance of the new Fuji's and have both, but no client was complaining about image quality with the old Fuji's. I just love the quick turn around from minimal grading to Fujis. And the unlimited recording meant I pre-ordered them the minute they were announced . But really, any camera made in the last 7 or 8 years will probably be good enough for most clients.

[@nosatori]

This lens would be even more attractive if the motor zoom could be controlled from one of the control wheels on a gimbal. I’ve done a lot of searching and this doesn’t seem to be possible yet. Fuji really needs to partner with a company like Feiyutech or Zhiyun for better gimbal integration.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

True, I would also say that if they want to go with power zooms, they have to implement the control in the camera with a dedicated zoom rocker, which that would translate in an easier control via Gimbal

[@nosatori]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Yes. It’s also so redundant that we need to use follow focus motors at all. Every single lens already contains a perfect focus motor.

[@seckinsahin]

Can you comment on the low light performance? For the video.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

The image quality in low light depends mostly on the camera. Where the lens can make a difference is in the autofocus, and this one works really well. However I have never used it in super low light situations, meaning I have never shot video at above 6400ISO with it.

[@seckinsahin]

​@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Thank you 📹

[@AndreiDimaReviews]

Nice detailed review!

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Thanks!

[@colinhoward2200]

I bought this lens and hate it - I am sending it back. The lack of in-built OIS is a real problem. On both my X-T4 and X-H2S if I try to move where I want to focus, it is beyond jerky if I have in body stabilisation on. If I add DIS that system goes mental and goes into over-drive and turns the image into jelly. My combo of 18-55 + 55-200 both with OIS works way better and do not suffer from this problem. It is certainly NOT a video centric lens - massive disappoitment.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I have had a much better experience than yours. In Fuji's plans this is definitely a video centric lens. It is not without flaws, that's for sure, but it's not such a dramatic experience in my use

[@terrencetroope]

Would you recommend this lenses over the 18-55 or 16-80 kit lenses?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Not so easy to answer to this question. The range is phenomenal and very very convenient. If that's what you're looking for, go for it. The 18-55 is much smaller and lighter, and brighter at the wide end too. Depending on what you shoot you may prefer those perks . Don't forget it is stabilized as well, and this may be the biggest of the differences if you're shooting on a non stabilized body. On the other hand, the 16-80 is a great lens, wider and more photo centric. And focused closer too. It has an incredibly effective stabilizer for stills. So bottom line, if you don't shoot video, you may be better served with one of the shortest zooms, but if you're mainly a video shooter, the 18-120 is definitely your lens

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

Yes, it’s me, the big mouth again. Good to see you Luca, I know that I said it before, but I always appreciate your honest and thorough reviews. When it comes to zoom lenses since I only shoot photography I’m covered with the 16-80 and the 70-300, but this lens is a great option as you mentioned for the hybrid shooter. On a separate note, if you’re not sure if the lens is a “he” or a “she” and you don’t want to ask, just say “it” and you’re safe, this way nobody is going to get offended🤣. As I’m sure you know, in Spanish the lens is a “he” and the camera is a “she” (el lente, la camara). On another separate note, have you had a chance to look into the XF150-600? I’m seeing very mixed reviews on you-tube, I’m interested in the lens for my wildlife “stuff”. Be well and stay safe.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

In italian the lens can be both a she (lente) out he (obiettivo). That's the reason for my doubt. Silly doubt anyway. On the 150-600 i could use it very briefly at a fuji event, and I was impressed. But that's not enough. I'll do my best to find one to try for a decent amount of time

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography As my neighbor in Buenos Aires used to say, mille grazie.

[@steefanoable]

Ciao Luca, riguarado gli scatti di luminosita sembra davvero bizzarro. Mi chiedo chi sono gli User del prodotto? Hobbisti?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

In teoria no, ma anche si. Dovrebbe essere un'ottica per entrambi i mercati. Io la uso per scopi professionali e conoscendo quel difetto cerco di aggirarlo. Però chiaramente sarebbe stato molto meglio se non ci fosse stato

[@steefanoable]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography ci pensavo anche io, magari si toglie il fotogramma in post produzione, ma a sto punto ti prendi un altro obbiettivo. Vabbe si sa.. la lente perfetta se c´e costa :)

[@masterblimpy]

Biggest issue with the lens is noise while zooming (edit). Not sure why Fuji made that decision for a Video lens?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Maybe the power zoom noise? The focus is basically silent to me

[@masterblimpy]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Correct it is the power zoom. Not ideal for a video lens. Image Quality is good.

[@MUSICTUBE172]

Sir good morning Sir xt100 body and fujinon 18to120 focus problam Please answer me sir.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Do you have focus problems? Or are you asking me if the xt100 will have focus issues with that lens?

[@MUSICTUBE172]

Yes sir focus problam Please xplained my problem sir

[@djloomy]

In terms of sharpness and quality, for Photo and video, whats best 16-55 2.8 or 18-120 F4 ?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

For sheer image quality the 16-55 is better hands down.

[@djloomy]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Ok! Thank you :)

[@chunhangtang]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography Let's say I only use the 16-55mm focal length range, what are the advantages of the 18-120 mm vs 16-55? Better autofocus? Power zoom and parfocal?

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Weight, parfocal, internal zooming and video oriented controls. If you don't care about those, there's no reason to buy this lens

[@chunhangtang]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography thank you.

[@chunhangtang]

Great video.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Thanks

[@mariobnc1995]

Come in tantissimi zoom Fujifilm quando fai lo zoom mentre riprendi il video si vedono evidenti artefatti o cambio di esposizione dovute alle correzioni software è una cosa fastidiosissima. Fujifilm non deve fare zoom superiori al 2,5x

[@mariobnc1995]

Non è una lente nitida Christopher frost l'ha bocciata sulle mire ottiche è una lente adatta solo per fare video non foto come ha dichiarato Fujifilm

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Indipendentemente da quello che dice frost, l'obiettivo è nitido ed è adattissimo a fare foto

[@mariobnc1995]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography dicevi la stessa cosa del 16 80 le mire ottiche non sbagliano mai.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

@@mariobnc1995 il 16-80 è un ottimo obiettivo, continuo a dirlo da te anni e non ho cambiato idea

[@mariobnc1995]

@@LucaPetraliaPhotography e anch'io sono tre anni che ti dico che è una lente disastrosa e Fujifilm non la doveva produrre. Non risolve i 40 megapixel e viene venduta in bundle insieme alla xh2. Perché non hanno messo il 16 55 f- 2.8 Checè venduto in bundle con la xt4 ?

[@gordonbrown5901]

I can't agree with your statement about the world is moving toward hybrid. Certainly the camera manufactures are, but there is a silent majority of "photographers" who never use the video capabilities of their digital cameras. Because they are photographers. I have several Fuji cameras, a Z5 and a Canon 5DS R, all of which can shoot video, but I've NEVER used them for video and never will. If I want to video anything I use my iPhone, that's how unimportant it is to me and many others. And I deeply resent having to subsidize the tech necessary for videography. Sorry for the rant.

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Well with the world I meant the camera industry, so we basically agree. And I also agree on the fact that there are a decent amount of people that don't care about video. In general however the push is towards hybridness. For all the rest, the Fuji X-T5 and should make the photographers really happy

[@TheBenefactorZ]

😂 Bro relax, the world can have both video and photos. If you want photo just buy the lenses that are mainly for photos. Same with the camera bodies. You've got to be an older person.

[@gordonbrown5901]

@@TheBenefactorZ What does being an older person have to do with it? I did start my photographic journey in 1969 with a Yeshiva D TLR and since then have owned dozens of film and digital cameras. And if you are a hybrid shooter the world is your oyster. But as a stills shooter who isn't a sheep I will voice my dismay at the barren stills only camera landscape. I do have some Sigma cameras and would love to have a Df (to expensive for me at the moment). It's ok if you don't get it because it's not your thing, but don't begrudge others of their thing. And if your lucky someday you will be old too, just don't become old in your head!

[@TheBenefactorZ]

@@gordonbrown5901 Older people tend to be stuck in their ways. Sometimes it can be a good thing and sometimes bad. Based on your text I just guessed you were an older person. Yes, hopefully one day I can grow old it is a blessing that a ton of the youth fear sadly.

[@v_stands_for_value124]

"Initial review" sounds like DPReview stuff and nobody likes them

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

Can't call it full review if I haven't tried it for an extended period of time. Those review after a couple of days of use are usually garbage