Fujinon 18-120mm f4 | what a SURPRISE! is it any good?

[@joyKafka]

What an informative and detailed review. Thank you Cris. It's the most helpful introduction to this lens I've found. Have you any recommendation as for how to set it up on a gimbal to better control its focus and zoom for videography?

[@cris_photography]

Thanks! In terms of gimbal, I didn’t actually try but am sure you can assign the zooming to a custom button (since you can control the power zoom from the touch screen as well). I usually shoot on either a Zhiyun Cran 2s or a Weebill 3

[@b3arodactyl]

Did you have settings on auto while filming the zooming shots? Every one I notice a ‘step’ where the exposure shifts, other reviews have this as well. I was hoping in full manual mode it would avoid this but maybe it’s just a firmware issue or something.

[@cris_photography]

I did in fact! I don’t normally shoot with fuji (I use Sony) so all my NDs, etc. Don’t fit here. Same for th exposure, didn’t apply the 180degree shutter rule because of the NDs. So it’s not perfect and yes there might be some color changes indeed (should have set the WB myself rightfully so). Was mostly to show how the zoom performs. Cheers

[@b3arodactyl]

@@cris_photography any chance you could test with locked exposure to see if the stepping is still there?

[@rausxhiphoto6485]

I use the 16-55mm for Video work and it has the same Problem. Even always on 2.8 the apature is a little bit closed when you are zoomed out. So when you zoom in, it jumps open a bit twice down the zoom range to keep the 2.8 apature. This is a construntion problem, not software. I upgraded to the MK 18-55 t2.9 and because it is a full cine lens, it does not have that problem. I guess it is because it is fully manual. The 16-55 and 18-120 can only adjust the lens eletroniclly in steps, not fluid.

[@jean-philippegrignom6479]

@@b3arodactyl I have this lense, no stepping when in manual mode

[@technodronesogxl9783]

@@rausxhiphoto6485 this is an issue with the older 26 55 f2.8. Chris from Pal2tech pointed this out a while ago. The 56mm 1.2 should eliminate this as well as the Viltrox 13mm 1.4 lens I hear from Basel. I am tongue did a XT5 review with this lens doing video and stills. I was impressed with iamtongues video using this on the XT5, so I'm guessing with the Xtrans 5 sensor it performs better. Chris from Pal2tech also liked this lens on the XH2.

[@AlbertoBortoluzzi]

Hello Cris, using a gimbal, is not possible to bring the touch zoom on the left and not on the right side ?

[@cris_photography]

Hello Alberto, thanks for the message. Honestly I do not have that lens in my possession any longer so I don’t remember and can’t try 😔 sorry!

[@CollectiveMindz]

I don't consider this a photography lens. It is basically a video lens similar to what they use for professional sports albeit in a very scaled down version and it looks like it would really excel in the video area. I just wish it would zoom a lot faster than it currently does.

[@cris_photography]

Absolutely. I didn’t think it’s a photography lens either - but you can take photos and good ones. I do wish it was a tad faster too focusing speed wise.

[@technodronesogxl9783]

@@cris_photography lee Zavitz, Iamtongue, Pal2tech show it being a very good photographer lens.

[@RobustArid379]

Its a video lens. All televisions uses it. Buy a manual transmission if you want a stick

[@cris_photography]

Lol

[@thecontenverse2136]

I do a lot of street portraits with friends for Instagram. Full body and waist up never headshots. What’s the sharpest lens or two you’d recommend? I have a Fujifilm X-T3.

[@cris_photography]

Please see my other reply

[@b3arodactyl]

For full body and waist up portraits you’d be much better off with a prime like the 35/33, or if you want something flexible either the 16-55 2.8 or new tamron 17-70 (though can’t comment on the quality). I find the 23mm focal length to be nice for full body portraits as well, but 16 is generally too wide unless you want to do environmental portraiture (within a larger scene)

[@簡昆祥]

Is it suitable with X-T30ii for travel ?

[@cris_photography]

Sure - it will work. I’d honestly go with a sigma 18-50mm for example for a smaller size. Or a Tamron 18-300 for a wider range, but it will definitely do the job (it’s more geared toward video so if you want to use it for video then yes - it’s good). Cheers

[@簡昆祥]

@@cris_photography Photo is my major in travel. I am thinking a suitable travel lans with my only compact X-T30ii. Any suggestion ?

[@hansbarbarossa4613]

Many thanks for your review Cris. Another significant disadvantage of this lens is that with such coverage of focal lengths, as I understand it, it does not have stabilization.

[@cris_photography]

Hello Hans, thanks! No, but I did find it quite stable on my X-T3 (that has no IBIS) so I can imagine that on an X-T4 or X-H2(s) it will be absolutely fine. Also, I shot a lot on a tripod which was good for my needs. Cheers!

[@richaneesh]

With the price tag there had to be some compromise. I am happy it has the weather sealing at least.

[@itacatv2146]

@@cris_photographywhat is the meaning of “stable” in your sentence? It’s either stabilised or not. If the footage is stable it’s because you are keeping it stable and it has nothing to do with the lens itself.

[@vishkumar]

How good is F4 on APSC for videos? Aren't video lens typically larger aperture than F2.8?

[@cris_photography]

Hello there, not too bad - especially when zoomed all the way to 120. But otherwise it’s not that wide indeed.

[@jakelindsay6251]

Exposure stepping still an issue? Seems like a pretty big oversight in this PZ lens.

[@cris_photography]

Hello Jake, might have been fixed by software updates - not sure (haven’t used it for a while). Cheers

[@mashudali8482]

I tried this lens yesterday at the House of Photography in London. It weighs nothing. Great review

[@cris_photography]

Right? 😉

[@williamlee7782]

Can you control the zoom using the Fujifilm camera remote app?

[@cris_photography]

Hello William, thanks. I haven’t tried (I never use the app) but don’t think so. I’ll try one of these days 😉

[@williamlee7782]

@@cris_photography would love to know cuz it would make a badass dolly zoom when paired with a slider of similar.

[@aioobalharash1341]

could you point out ho fast the focusing speed is on it , for example focusing and tracking moving subjects

[@cris_photography]

Sure thing. I can do a separate video about that 👍🏼

[@aioobalharash1341]

@@cris_photography ooh thank you that'd be great

[@kennethleephotography]

Cris I see the exposure jumped a few times. Do you think this could be avoided by fixing ISO, Aperture and WB?

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, yes WB probably would (didn’t have much time to shoot those samples but with a little more time I’d have had better settings). Also manual focus might be a good way to go on an xT3

[@kennethleephotography]

@@cris_photography thanks for responding!

[@rakeshmarri4482]

Can we use the zoom with any gimbal.

[@cris_photography]

Treat question! Haven’t tried but I don’t presume you can. Something to test

[@SeahawkMoments]

Better IQ, this lens or Tamron 17-70?

[@cris_photography]

Pretty similar tbh. However, the Tamron does give you an extra stop at f2.8 all the way so better bokeh and faster. But ya, was impressed in good with this new lens overall IQ

[@chtojeetovsezanyali]

depends on what you need more: video or photo? I bought the 18-120 mostly for video. I also have Sigma 18-35 1.8 but it's heavy, ~1kg with fringer adapter + camera + rig...

[@amitdey5903]

Is this good for photography only? Or 16-80 f4?

[@cris_photography]

Yes it is - but it is not made for it looks like. So I’d prolly go with the 16-80

[@bigd7696]

I do not like the 16-80. It's image quality just leaves me very wanting. The images shown on this video just look more pleasing than those shot by the 16-80.

[@youlunwang8650]

@@bigd7696Fuji has a list of lenses that take advantage of the new 40mp sensor. The xf 18-120mm is on that list while 16-80mm is not. I like the PZ becuase it holds the focal length even if I turn off the camera and easier for me to remotely control with the phone app (tho its super slow to zoom with the app). Very Minimal focus breathing and with the digital 2X tele setting, this lense can zoom really far. I plan to use it as an all purpose travel and sight seeing lens.