Honest Opinion About Cheap Fujifilm XC15-45: Is It Worth It?

[@ShotsByJev]

Clarification: The lens does remember zoom position when goes to sleep or turns off, although still would be nice to see focal lenght indications on the screen

[@normanq1206]

Same complaint. I would like to know the exact focal length I'm on. Otherwise, it takes pretty sharp images.

[@StefanMrsevic]

On X-S10 with the lates firmware update(of the body) they've added that function. Hope it expands on other models as well.

[@AndyCombes]

Is there a setting on the camera to help it remember the focal length when the camera goes to sleep? My lens loses focal distance, even after viewing an image. Thank you

[@Svidge_123_]

Everyone is complaining about translucent lens rear cover. The reason is very simple. The lens mount is made of plastic, so cover material should be much softer to avoid any additional wear. Fuji doesn't save money on these. They are just smart enough to think about it. If you want to put unnecessary wear on your plastic lens, go ahead and get a "posh" regular hard plastic cover for making grooves on the mount.

[@ShotsByJev]

Thanks for your thoughts, but the camera mount is metal, so it still has that wear and presumably even more from a regular plastic lens cap, so I dont see how it could harm, I use now normal lens cap from other fujifilm lens and everything is fine :)

[@Svidge_123_]

@jevgenij.misevic I agree, lens mount is stainless steel, but the surface is flat and polished, while the inside of the traditional fujifilm lens rear lens cap is molded with double ridge circles. The inner circle would definitely work its way into plastic lens mount, leaving unnecessary groves on the surface. Try it for a year and see.. I really appreciate your response and your opinion on this rarely discussed subject.

[@E3Zombie]

I have some of the best Fuji lenses you can buy including the 56 1.2 and the 16mm 1.4 and this little gem is ALWAYS in my bag. Right now I’m doing a back packing trip through China and my 2 lenses are the 15-45 and the 35mm f1.4. One for landscapes, street and travel and the other for portraits and this combo is not only lightweight but actually optically great.

[@thecaveofthedead]

It seems a good option as a compact video lens if video is a secondary interest. You have a stabilised lens with a wide zoom range for shooting video that doesn't take up a lot of space in your bag for your stills kit.

[@ShotsByJev]

Yes, exactly! Althoug you should keep in mind to use it only with enough light around, because f stops closes very fast while zooming

[@jimpap13]

I’m actually buying this lens tomorrow for its weight, size, good image quality and power zoom. I have the classic prime lenses like the 18 & 35mm but i want a small and compact zoom. I have recently been exploring more with video of late and the older lenses are quiet noisy, I understand that the auto focus is very quiet on the 15-45 in comparison so wont be so noticeable on the audio. The manual zoom ring actually becomes the manual focus when you place the camera in manual focus. The other advantage of power zoom is that although there is no dedicated buttons on the camera it can be zoomed remotely through the app or using other accessories such as the Fuji tripod grip. In my opinion this lens is a little gem for the price which can be obtained really cheap in the second hand market in new condition as many people snob it off because of build quality and lack of aperture ring & lack of F-stops etc…another bonus is it has Optical Image Stabilization which many don’t know too although not magnificent it’s still good for 2 f-stops. This lens is great value for the price in my opinion.

[@shred3005]

Actually the focal length rest is 100% wrong. The good thing about this power zoom is that when turned off or sleeping it DOES retain the focal length that it was last used. So if it was at - say - 23mm when you turn off the camera then it will be at 23mm when you turn it back on. This if different to - for example - the Olympus 12-42mm collapsing powerzoom lens when always returns to 12mm when you turn the camera off. My son has this lens on his X-T200 and it’s certainly light build quality, awkward power zoom isn’t as precise as a manual zoom with visible focal length markings, slow aperture but on the positive side it’s sharper than one might expect for such a cheap lens, OIS isn’t common at this price point and 15mm is wider on APS-C than any other kit lens I’m aware of.

[@ShotsByJev]

Yeah, this was my mistake that I aknowledged in the comments, that indeed this lens remembers focal lenght. But still I dont like that you cant tell what focal lenght you are shooting in

[@demetrio3d239]

It remembers the focal length in newer bodies not on old ones. I think from X-T2, X-E3 and newer. So on previous ones it will reset to the 15mm.

[@geofff6671]

My zoom remembers where it was set, when turned off. While I agree with most of your comments about this lens, it does have very good IQ at close focus distances, and is not too bad at the wide end.

[@ShotsByJev]

Yeah, thanks, just checked and works on my as well, don't know why I thought it resets

[@JTamashi]

@@ShotsByJev You have to have a newer body for the "memory" to work. For example on an X-T1, the lens remembers nothing and any change in state on the camera, it will go back to default. that means viewing pictures, on/off, or camera going to sleep.

[@E3Zombie]

Fuji 15-45 F stop to MM this might be helpful to some. F3.5 = 15mm F4 = 18mm F4.2 = 23mm F5 = 35mm

[@ShotsByJev]

That is quite usefull info, thanks!

[@thepan]

Fujifilm X's current kit lenses (from 16-50mm f3.5 OIS, to this 15-45mm OIS) are the best lenses in kit lens standard, and like many kit lenses these are also the most underlooked. It's meh overall, yes. But it's surprisingly sharp across the board and handles chromatic aberration & distortion surprisingly quite well. Even against Sony's own 16-50mm pancake zoom for APS-C, and it's full-frame 28-70mm.

[@simonstudiosuk]

Nice review 🙂I really like this lens. It's probably the cheapest way to get into astrophotography on Fuji cameras - great when used like a 15mm F3.5 prime. Amazing wide field of view!

[@ShotsByJev]

Thanks! Yeah, now that you mentioned this lens is actually could be good for astrophotography, will need to test it during summer!

[@perigee1275]

I think it's funny how much emphasis is put on how fast the zoom or focus is. Unless you're an event journalist or a sports and wildlife photographer what on earth difference does it make whether you can take a picture in a split second or not? By far most of the pictures you take will give you plenty of time to frame it, zoom it and focus. The image quality is really all that matters and this lens is great.

[@ShotsByJev]

That is spot on! Couldnt agree more!

[@lacinema5646]

15-45mm kit is very sharp at 15mm wide end. But it's soft as you zooming in to 45mm

[@ShotsByJev]

For me for casual shooting sharpness is enough on both ends

[@alanclarke4965]

I use this lens a lot, despite the motor... so small and light, 14mm wide and image stabilisation (I compared with 14mm prime - same angle of view, prime is sharper at edges and stop faster but really hard to see difference - the cheap one is really sharp too)

[@ShotsByJev]

Yeah, in general use without pixel peeping the quality is good enough

[@robertobreve8623]

I love/hate this lens, it's sharp and the 14-45mm is really useful, probably a better alternative might be the 18-55mm but it's a bit bigger, hopefully fuji can make a mark II of this lens and make it manual zoom.

[@ShotsByJev]

Yeah, you're right, manual zoom with focal lenght indications would be much better than electric zoom

[@raymeedc]

There’s something wrong with your lens, for when it’s turned on it should return to the same focal length it was on when you shut it off. I have and like that lens also.

[@ShotsByJev]

Thanks for this info, will need to check it now!

[@estradaphotovideo]

If it didn't have the digital zoom I could look past everything else. Thanks for an honest review !

[@ShotsByJev]

Glad you found this video useful!

[@neglectedloves]

I wish Fuji made a high quality pancake zoom lens like the Olympus 12-42 /3.5-5.6 for APS-C. Would be great for travelling. I still love my (now discontinued) 18-55 / 2.8-4 OIS even though it's big... very informative video! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@ShotsByJev]

I just looked up this lens on google and I cant believe such compact zoom lens exists, very impressive!

[@neglectedloves]

@@ShotsByJev I know it's crazy small... but it's only for micro four third, that's maybe why it can be built that small... 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ShotsByJev]

Oh, i thought it was for Aps-c, now that makes sense

[@michaeld5888]

What lens is this? There is the ancient 14-42mm EZ pancake but it is a narrow field of view at 28mm especially against the 22.5 mm of this lens. The fact that you say 12mm implies an expectation that this is is what is needed. Olympus were very much stuck at 28mm equivalent. To get 12mm on OMD standard zoom now costs £600 with that pro moniker to justify it.

[@neglectedloves]

@@michaeld5888 sorry my bad: 12 was a typo. It's the Olympus pancake zoom 14-42 f3.5-5.6 Z. I wish Fuji would make an equally small zoom lens for the x mount.

[@saca653]

Interesting the xh2s shows the focal length on the display, the xt 20 i have not.

[@ShotsByJev]

Well it shows, just as a progress bar, without any numbers, but yours xh2s shows focal lenght in mm?

[@joyjeetpaul2218]

Hello Jev, I’m from West Bengal (India 🇮🇳).. very specifically the southern part of that state which indeed a Hot and Humid area. And in the next month (Monsoon season) I am planning for a 3 day trip to a Beach area with my Fujifilm XT30 ll with XC 15-45 kit lens and none of them are Weather sealed . Will the typical monsoon weather create a problem for me ? During this period of time the Humidity and rain will be on the higher side and I’m pretty much confused…. What should I do ??? Need you help 🙏🙏🙏

[@ShotsByJev]

Hey! Unfortunatelly I havent been to India so I don't know how the weather and humidity there feels like. You should definitely protect it from the rain, then everything depends, if the moisture doesnt reach the camera then it might be ok, but if camera and the lens will get wet the moisture could get inside the camera. Hope you will have a great time and your camera will be fine!

[@AnoshterHaar]

I bought this lens with the first kit I got. It is a mixed bagg for sure. The impressive ois and size/weight are it's strongest sides. But what a lot of peole do not know is that this lens is actually a very good visual performer. May not be the sharpest, but especially at the wide end, like 15mm, this lens performs on par and in some cases even better than the 18-55 kitlens. Then we talk about it being sharper/having less distortion. For me it has a weird place. I almost never use it. But due to the extra 3 mm you get under the 18mm kitlens, which translates to about 4,5 mm, it does have a place in my lens line up. I do not have any other lens that is 15mm, has ois and is quite good at that wide end. So for video I actually tend to grab it as I have had situations where that extra 4,5mm really did a lot for me. But since you can grab this lens used for often below €100 it is an absolute steal. Even if it breaks, you can just get a new one really cheap.

[@ShotsByJev]

Yes, totally agree with you, for this price it is a steal, especially if you know how to utilise its strong sides

[@LSBoys6]

Sorry for bothering you, I just got one this lens with my x-t50, I could adjust the zoom in at the first, but it changed to the aperture. How do I adjust the zoom in back?

[@Mo2008di]

I preordered the x-m5 body only …better to buy 56mm f1.7 and pay a little more…. Thanks for your help

[@ShotsByJev]

Keep in mind, that 56mm wont have OIS, and this zoom one does, consider this because X-M5 doesnt have IBIS

[@dummatube]

I totally agree. Relatively good optically but bloody annoying to work with!

[@ShotsByJev]

Yeah, but for this price I learned to live with it

[@pennysteam]

Returns to fucul length on my xs20, could be they updated the bios for the lens after u got it.

[@SpinStar1956]

$189? Presently $299 on B&H and Amazon! Looks like a lot available used...

[@ShotsByJev]

Prices depends on regions I guess

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@ShotsByJev]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@torb-no]

Optically this lens is quite decent for deep depth of field stuff (landscape, etc…), sure it's not as vibrant in color and tonality as the XF18-55mm f2.8-3.5, but still pretty good. I just really wish they made it a mechanical collapsible zoom (like the kit zoom for Nikon Z fc, or Canon M kit lens, or Olympus kit lens)… that way you can keep the zoom where you want it.

[@ShotsByJev]

Yes, totally agree regarding zoom, but for the price I cant complain much

[@StefanMrsevic]

I have both of them and 15 45 seems to have nicer colors with more contrast imho

[@johncharlton]

Thank You. You talked me out of it.

[@ShotsByJev]

Take a look at XF18-55 I find that one way better

[@SebastianDavidPB]

I hate that lens with a passion, that's why I'm selling it and buying a viltrox prime

[@ShotsByJev]

Which focal lenght you are going to switch it to?

[@SebastianDavidPB]

@@ShotsByJev 33mm f1.4 prime as I already have a 27mm and will save up to a 75mm f1.2 after that

[@JTamashi]

I use this lens as if it were a 15mm prime lens, i.e. I don't zoom with it at all. In that use case, it's a wonderful lens for the money. It's just as sharp as the 16mm f/2.8, but 1mm wider. Cannot complain about this at all, especially when I paid $70 for it used.

[@SebastianDavidPB]

@@JTamashi Still don't like it, I find it soft its only advantage is that its stabilized. I've also tried some landscapes with it and the focus was hit and miss 7 out of 10 accuracy for stills and for video was a complete mess

[@JTamashi]

@@SebastianDavidPB Understand. There've been wide reports on quality variations on this lens. Luckily, it seems, I got a good copy of it. Have no complaints with my copy. Cheers !

[@hubertmartin4561]

J'ai été surpris par la qualité des photos avec cet objectif XC 15-45 très léger, et compte tenu du prix.

[@alannguyen-r2r]

all BS. Super BS

[@ShotsByJev]

What do you mean?