Fuij XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens review with samples

[@mgml]

My 18-135 zoom ring is totally smooth, no jerkiness at all. The last few millimetres of the long end gets tight which I understand is the weather sealing coming into contact with the barrel stops.

[@Optidorf]

I use the 18-135mm as my kit lens, especially when traveling it's glued to my X-T2. I'm mostly using it at f/5.5-f/8 as this will deliver the sharpest pictures. It's a nice lens, but the price tag is way too high.

[@BradleyWatson-gx6pv]

I agree the sticker shock was crazy. I bought a second-hand.

[@alonporat6416]

My preferred set for traveling is the 18-135 and 10-24. Super versatile. WR is a real bonus.

[@SuyePhoto]

I just switched to fuji from lumix as i wanted to focus more on photography, i was looking for unique lenses with character and this lens caught my eye. I agree the fact they are still charging around 700-900$ new for this lense is a bit of a shame i managed to snag a great deal on a used one for 400$ and at that price point I'm more than happy to pay for a bit of novelty and quality. I feel like it would be a fan favorite if they dropped the price to around 400 especially considering the age!

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

thankfully, this lens is from 2014, I got one for about 300€ and it really is a very good and versatile lens for that price

[@tomislavmiletic_]

I own that lens for five years now; I bought it in a kit with my X-T1 so I had paid peanuts compared to what Fuji charges for it these days. Yes, back in the day it came in a kit. But I quickly realised it will be my sunny lens only, good only for holidays in a very sunny place, course the second you drop the aperture under f11, especially on extreme ends of a zoom range, you can kiss your IQ goodbye. So it's not the stupidest idea to to take additional lens, an small prime maybe, on a trip with you, even some vintage lens might work...

[@ThorDyrden]

The 18-135 + the 35 f/1.4 where my light travel-kit for two years. And I enjoyed the good weather sealing at beaches or in slight rain. But as I lean more towards portraits I replaced the "super-zoom" by the 16-55 f/2.8 also with WR and in deed an even lighter Canon Powershot with 1" sensor for traveling by bicycle.

[@brucesmith9144]

Nice lens for the vacationer, whenever the “new normal” permits it. Better to have one decent lens instead of dragging along many on holiday.

[@quite1enough]

I was able to find this lens in really good condition for as low as $300 in my country, lol. Either people don't know about its price or I have no idea. Sadly can't buy it right know, i'm extremely low on budget. But for about $500 new it would be a nice option, not $700.

[@quite1enough]

I also found some info on this lens being optically improved in after 2017 revisions if i'm not mistaken, but sadly lost the link where I found this info :(

[@IanInChengdu]

I hated this lens when I first bought it, but it’s sharp between 35/100 at f5.6. and I find it good for landscapes.

[@xXKraNcaRXx]

what made you hate it?

[@kevinbouley]

When you say good for landscapes do you mean all around nature photography ?

[@mjj8098]

@@xXKraNcaRXx me i hate it to the extent level cox my image are not sharp and they are kinda blurry or its just that i dont know how to use this? 😅

[@KevinZJR]

Dear sir please please review the tamron 28-200 and 17-28 FE lenses

[@tugatomskanimation6370]

How does the image quality compare to the Canon EF-S 18-135mm STM? I'm asking because I don't like the focus wobble when zooming while filming that seems to plague every Fuji lens.

[@pedrosantiagobarata]

Anyone using this lens with the XH2s with the most recents firmware updates? Wonder about larger sensor and image quality for video footage. I like the versatility and range of the lens, but concern of the newer sensor sizes.

[@mipmipmipmipmip-v5x]

The sensor size is the same. Damien Brown did a test on a 40MP Fuji

[@kbqvist]

Thanks Christopher for the review, an also for the one you did on the Fuji 16-80 mm some time ago. I wonder whether you would have an opinion on the relative optical quality, with which I mean primarily sharpness of the two lenses inside the range they both cover? One might expect a newer lens, with a smaller zoom range would be better, but is that what you experienced?

[@andreasschroder7880]

@Christopher Frost I second that request :D

[@ricek1373]

Tamron 35-150 please

[@kenl6324]

It’s $900 new as of Feb 2022. Gone up $200 - almost 30% higher now - compared to the $700 cost when this video was made 17 months ago. Crazy inflation

[@Sondreboy3000]

Can you review the XF 100-400 mm? I cannot seem to find any good reviews on image quality on this lens.

[@6042833]

Thank you for another brilliant review. I got this lens for very long time. And if you ask me I got some brilliant images with that. It is not everything in the sharpness when you look for good lens, but if you got Focus spot on good exposure you got sharp images. I will recommend this lens, if you travel and you want to carry only one lens Fuji 18-135 you must have it. And you will not be disappointed with the sharpness I promise

[@KiR_3d]

I think I would buy 50-230XC instead of this lens but it has the plastic bayonette tail. It's really weird! But I've found few sales with 50-60% of the original price locally and did bought the one that was looking "less old" on photographs. And the seller was adequate enough :)) Now I'm in a situation: buy/make or not buy the lens hood as my lens was without it (and no box). But for the price I've gave it did worth it! P.S. maybe XC's image quality is less good than this but it's weight could be my main factor. But now I think I'll get used to this con. All gear weights something... it can't be changed.

[@mipmipmipmipmip-v5x]

Same! This is the heaviest 1st party of all current aps-c mirrorless superzooms, but I am checking combinations on pxlmag, and the saving to competition is like 100g after considering the right body to use. I think my travel kit will be 18-135 plus the old xc 16-50ii on 2 lightweight fujis. A plus could be that this is the only 1st party WR superzoom.

[@mipmipmipmipmip-v5x]

A sidetrack could be go FF with Canon RP + 24-105 4.5-7.1 but way less reach, and I think that extraplates corners out of the vignette over the whole range, maybe has plastic lens elements and a cheap focus mechanism, which all could be good enough but hurts the photographic soul a bit

[@KiR_3d]

It's a very good lens (for me) with one big con: it's very heavy for it's size! And it's too sharp for portreits if you shoot very close. So you'll need a softening filter or post-pro definitelly if you're shooting older ladies ;)

[@carlosiglesias1709]

I have taken this lens mounted on an XT2 and have gone overboard, yes, overboard off of a Kayak, twice in heavy rapids. It was fully submerged and it still takes great photos. I have high confidence in it's weather sealing capabilities. The only issue I had was fairly early on within the first two years of ownership. The zoom mechanism broke on mine and it effected auto focus. Obviously, Fuji took care of this. They rebuilt it and sent it right back to me fully restored with same serial number. I've been waiting for your review on it Chris...

[@qibcentricsplayground2043]

Hi Chris, would you recommend upgrading to this from the 18-55mm f/2.8-4?

[@rubbishan]

same question here🙏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@Ilegalmoveman]

I think the 18-135 is a fantastic lens!! May be better because I have a X-H1 with ibis...

[@jpgrignon1]

the fact that fuji does not have a good 18-105 f4 is what is holding me back from switching.

[@jeremytheoneofdestiny8691]

I am very pleasantly surprised by the image quality!

[@mixeddrinks8100]

This is pretty much an one lens pony traveler who is in misty and questionable weather location, or even sandy location. Aside from that, the two XC lens combo gives more range and similar apertures, and actually better image quality imo. The key on this lens is the weather sealing.

[@Di-ej8le]

how about lensa XF16-55MMF2.8 R LM WR, which one best for the outdor photography ?

[@Fogbrush]

My favourite Fuji lens, even though I have the 23, 35 and 56 primes. So versatile, and the sometimes slightly soft/dark corners suits my main interest .... portraits.

[@philipcooper8297]

Do you have the made in Philippines (newer) or the made in China (older) version of the xf 18-135mm? I found the made in China (older) version was very soft with a lot of chromatic aberration. Then I got my hands on the made in Philippines (newer) lens and it performs way better, much sharper. Judging by the old desing of the lans cap in Christopher's review, I'd say he's got the older version of the lens there.

[@Fogbrush]

@@philipcooper8297 Mine is made in Philippines

[@trym2121]

Is this the limit of size and weight ratio compromise? If yes, then Apsc resolution bigger than 24-26MP will need a revised design lenses. For reference, Sigma 30 1.4 which is a sharp lens wide open shows it weakness on 32MP canon sensor.

[@Heart0rHead]

Why no 23, 35, 56 and 90 mm test shots? :(

[@jacobrutowski137]

Really enjoy your reviews, and can agree on all counts. I own this lens and love the idea of a weather-sealed "all-around" lens for travel or outings not related to photography. I found this for a great deal second hand used for about the same price as my canon 18-135mm IS USM and was overjoyed, but would not pay more. I've only recently started shooting fuji and find my used x-t1 and x-pro1 a joy to shoot and really get me back to focusing on images. Your reviews are my first stop for comparing what I buy, and really sold me on my first 2 lenses, the XF 18-55mm 2.8-4 R LM OIS and XF 35mm F2 R WR. Keep up the great work!

[@LuigiVN]

Honestly as somebody who had the original 18-135 IS non STM I am surprised to see how good super zooms have got. That lens sucked prettey bad.

[@Ilegalmoveman]

This lens works great for me!!

[@pastelpaperbag6155]

thank you. alway like your review 👍

[@SunnySoCal]

i always looked for this review from you but after a year i gave up glad you’ve finally reviewed it even though i sold my fuji gear for sony

[@HappyHubris]

I've been considering a switch to Fuji, but their lens prices just aren't justified. For the $900 this lens usually costs you can get a Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 lens for full frame that is better optically across the board..and save $200!

[@ArteUltra1195]

Daniel Spaniel dude did you even watch the review and understand Brents comment? What a gullible fanboy

[@ArteUltra1195]

Daniel Spaniel its like arguing with a child. Still have not watched the review or read Brents comment. Whatever, have a great day

[@mikkelstormhansen9733]

But you do lose a bit on the wide side with the Tamron

[@ArteUltra1195]

Mikkel Storm Hansen its 27 vs 28mm, but you gain tons of light gathering capability, better sharpness and higher resell for around the same price.. And Daniel thinks the fuji ist the besser lens because “fuji makes the best lenses” and “Tamron are trash”

[@jd3330]

Don’t do it. Fuji lenses are overpriced and the image quality is mediocre. I have a 23mm 1.4 which is soft wide open and the f2 would have been a better choice for half the price. I’m considering switching to Sony or Canon bc of afternarket support

[@abdullahalmahmud5138]

Please, Test the Fuji XF 10-24 mm.

[@paulthomas8986]

Fuji 10-24 is excellent. Sharpness, contrast are superb. One of Fuji’s best zoom. Just expensive like most of Fuji’s lenses. There are a lot of them used, that is how I got mine.

[@patrick.991]

@@paulthomas8986 at the moment you get the 10-24 in Europe for 300 € off. So I will probably buy it and if I don't like it I can sell it in a few months for almost the same price :)

[@rsmith_aus1371]

Tamron 35-150 please 😏

[@musicdefinesgravity]

2:42 That focus pull was depressing...

[@sclogse1]

The results here mirror the 16-35. (except for bokeh) But you can get it for 150. bucks.

[@mjj8098]

I hav this but y does the image captured are not sharp ?

[@mjj8098]

It's turn Off.. Can u please help me wat to do. I really don't want to sell this lens. 😅

[@root9065]

Thanks for doing this one. I was considering it :D

[@svetlanagrobman3476]

Christopher, I used to have this lens but some time ago it broke. Also, I kind of outgrew it uncooperative, too -- quality wise. What would u recommend as a middle- range zoom for landscape photography? (Unfortunately, 16-55mm is too heavy for me.) Thanks!

[@lakejindsay]

16-80

[@svetlanagrobman3476]

@@lakejindsay Thanks

[@arthurmcmarvinkunihira6738]

I'm looking to get into camera photography n I was wondering what lenses you would recommend for a fuji xt4 body... I'm looking for lenses that I can use for low light photography, street n portrait photography....

[@KeesGortPhotography]

You probably want to shoot primes then. A 35 mm for all around work (great for environmental photography) or a 50mm for more close up portraits. Fuji has a 35mm f2 and a 50mm f2 which are more modern, have better autofocus and are cheaper. There's also a 35mm f1.4 and a 56mm f1.2. These open up much brighter and are slightly sharper but are heavier, don't have weather sealing, have worse autofocus and are much more expensive. I own the f2 variants.

[@arthurmcmarvinkunihira6738]

@@KeesGortPhotography Thanks...

[@KeesGortPhotography]

@@arthurmcmarvinkunihira6738 You're welcome :)

[@patrick.991]

The 18-55 as kit zoom lens and either the F2 prime lenses or the faster but more expensive ones. I personally would buy a full frame camera for low light and portrait photography. There you also have some cheap but good options for prime lenses. For Fuji you can also buy the Viltrox lenses but they aren't good wide ope n as you see in Christopher's reviews.

[@abhignansai8313]

I always wonder how do you guys change shutter speed on a fuji camera dial? For example you need a shutter speed of 1/640 but the dial the closest i can see is 1/500 and 1/1000.

[@pdebie1982]

aceflibble I use this all the time, except when I’m using aperture priority.

[@abhignansai8313]

aceflibble Thank you for reply!

[@abhignansai8313]

They Caged Non thanks for the reply!

[@patrick.991]

you can adjust it with the front or back dial. Before I went to Fuji I had a Nikon and there I always used the M mode and never expusure compensation. Now, with the Fuji dials, I change exposure compensation most of the time to fine-adjust it.

[@francescomazzocchetti7441]

Just three hours ago I was looking for a review of this lens on your channel. Did you read my mind?

[@CBTheMechanic]

Can you test the 16 mm f 1.4 sometime?

[@matrigs]

Do you remember where your reviewed copy of this lens was made? Japan, China, Philipines?

[@frankseo2099]

Fuji 10 24 please!!!!

[@garydiamondguitarist]

Hey Christopher, if I lent you a bunch of vintage lenses to review would you do it as a piece about advantages and disadvantages of shooting with vintage glass? I'd love to see that and I bet I'm not the only subscriber who would 👍

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Unfortunately I don't think this lens is as attractive as the Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 for full frame mirrorless which has similar cost.

[@opalyankaBG]

Don't want to be nitpicking but a superzoom lens is a lens that has a zoom ratio of 5 times or more. Therefore, both the 18-135 and 16-80 lenses classify as superzooms.

[@christopherfrost]

According to who?

[@opalyankaBG]

@@christopherfrost "The term superzoom or hyperzoom is used to describe photographic zoom lenses with very large focal length factors, typically more than 5×" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom_lens#Characteristics

[@christopherfrost]

@@opalyankaBG Well, I don't want to be nitpicky... ;-) but 16-80mm is exactly 5x, not more than 5x, and in the past I've described 18-135mm lenses as being super zooms, even including the Canon 18-135mm in a group test of super zoom lenses :-)

[@brunomola.2293]

Viltrox 23mm 1.4 for aps-c. CHEAP, bright, AF and there is no competitor for this lens, its the only aps-c lens equiv to 35mm.

[@ryanthomas9306]

Fuji 23mm 1.4 ?

[@brunomola.2293]

@@ryanthomas9306 I mean, for sony

[@jacovanlith5082]

Touching this lens makes the camera(s) switch off and on. Fujifilm has never been able to fix this problem I prefer a third party Tamron.

[@GreenBeast0G]

I would like to see this lens with 2x teleconveter

[@kingsamvisuals]

I think those only work with the telephoto lens by design. I could be wrong

[@colinedwards7250]

I have no interest in Fuji lenses, but still watch every one of your reviews. However you should have words with whoever did continuity on this one. Four seasons in one video.

[@mlndstrlke]

Xf 50-140 please...

[@aguywithananimeprofile8950]

More fuji lenses please

[@Aksunkuvat]

Good performance for super zoom nice close up shots :)

[@ryanthomas9306]

This is my least enjoyable fuji lens. Its pretty sharp on the lower focal length but it was soft for me while zoomed in

[@olegslapins8156]

​@spc3mky Usually I use this lens for landscape photography and its best performance is between 25-90mm, wide end is ok if you close to f8-11. Yesterday I tried it for wildlife and took some photos on 135mm and its bad in terms of sharpness and the colour looks like washed out.

[@ftlbaby]

$900USD now

[@showmoon]

Guys ! Fujifilm produced this lens specially for VİDEO. Everybody looks at the photo qualities but this is for video.

[@pedrosantiagobarata]

Have you tried it on a 40 sensor? I’m really looking into this lens, but concern about sharpness in larger sensor.

[@mipmipmipmipmip-v5x]

​@@pedrosantiagobarata check Damien Brown's review as a holiday lens on an XT5

[@kennethnielsen3864]

111th.

[@patrick.991]

And another average Fuji zoom lens ...

[@briannickson6631]

And another average comment.

[@patrick.991]

@@briannickson6631 are the 16-80 and 18-135 better than average in your opinion?

[@briannickson6631]

patrick771 Along with the majority view of many experts, yes - compared to other brands equivalent.

[@patrick.991]

@@briannickson6631 ok. for me the only good Fuji zooms were the 10-24 and 18-55. And the 18-55 is now beaten by other manufacturers. The 16-55 is very good, of course. But for the price of a 16-80 you get a much better Sony 24-105 full frame in my country. And the 16-80 was really "average" in Christophers test. Most of the Fuji primes are good though.

[@dpufferfish]

Are you the guy from Peppa pig.........?🤣🤣🤣

[@linsnowx]

One of my least favorite lens... never really satisfied with the image quality. 16-80, eve n though still not great, is a much better choice in my opinion

[@brenwarren2301]

I bought a 16-80 and sold it after a couple of months. The quality is high and it covered a fairly large range. However in reality I found it very boring - 80mm is not very long so it doesn’t help a great deal above a portrait lens for pulling in distant subjects. For mid range your stuck at f4, so you get very little separation of subject from background at those ranges. 16mm is fairly wide, but doesn’t give the fun and arty perspectives of the 10-24mm. Had it been 16-200 at least you’d have the advantage of proper telephoto. As it is, it’s just a sharp lens which you could argue is a handy do all lens, but you’ll not get nice portraits, landscapes won’t be so dramatic and long distance candid shots or cool compressed shots. So you can use it for recording a moment or capture everyday scenes with the wide end, but yzou’re less likely to get anything artistic or fun. Probably makes a good video lens though. And if you can’t change lenses and can’t manage with a single prime, then it might be your only choice. But then the 18-135 seems more handy to me, even if it’s not got quite the quality. Yes, it surprised me too ;-0

[@kennethnielsen3864]

13th.

[@helgefrederiksen4102]

Annoying backgroundnoise😮

[@benni1015]

I always wanted to be the person who writes first oh and first.

[@inzaic5666]

I always wanted to be the third person to write a comment

[@benni1015]

I like to see that :)

[@darrellbissing]

What an absurd name for a lens!

[@blazerbarrel2]

For what it is it is ok , but garbage is garbage no matter the added color or finish .

[@chubscoi]

Howdy!

[@antonmarkin]

The worst review, without essential understanding of superzoom lens purpose

[@mikkelstormhansen9733]

Sup

[@carpediem5008]

No, thanks!

[@CBTheMechanic]

5th

[@henkvrieling9586]

Unnecessary annoying music.