Is the Fujifilm 18mm f2 lens any good? And how do you Zone Focus?

[@richardburn2171]

My 18 f2 rarely leaves my X-Pro2. So versatile and compact.

[@rayjermyn4541]

I have owned this lens for years, and sits almost permanently on my old brickky X-Pro1. Two slow bits of kit that go together just fine. Love the lens because its small and light. The rubber lens cover is a PITA - but the lens is just fine. Thanks for giving it another look

[@GregCarrick]

Most bad reports come from people who are 'reviewers', not working photographers. And if you work within the constraints of the gear, like you do, you'll be fine.

[@rogerbrooksfilms]

Great work mate, appreciate the review. I have the 23mm f2 as my widest street lens at the moment and I love it, but I’m also intrigued by the pancake option for both a slightly wider perspective and also looks.

[@mikefoster6018]

It's the perfect basic ultra-lightweight backup lens to carry with long walks with my 33mm f1.4, for when I need something wider. I carried them 10 miles today and 10 miles yesterday, roaming London. It does feel a bit like it came out of a Kinder Egg (I egg-saggerate), but the pictures are decent.

[@hudster1969]

Thanks for the video Gregg. This is the first one I have seen that shows the scale for the zone distance for the aperture. Something I was keen to see.

[@dummatube]

I LOVE my 18mm f/2 - perfect size on my X-E3 for street shooting, great Boke with close ups and even architectural work at 'sweet f/8'! I just wish they made it in silver like my 27mm f/2.8 to match my silver body cameras. Also the new 18mm f/1.4 is too big and heavy for street work. David Myers: Digital Masters Australasia.

[@homecareful]

I like the sq hood, and your hat. But best of all, I like the 7" focusing distance.

[@JustinEspejo]

really enjoyed watching this! and congratulations on getting fuji AU on board your channel! :)

[@JustinEspejo]

thanks so much for testing out the 18mm on an old and new camera! that bit was super helpful! I might just end up looking for a 2nd hand copy of it just because of your video! :)

[@GregCarrick]

Thanks, it's a bit on again off again as I keep promoting older gear and telling people they don't need to buy the latest gear :)

[@JustinEspejo]

@@GregCarrick haha i get that! I’m picking between this and the 23 F2, i like the 23 coz its WR, but im really intrigued by the pancake size and 28mm focal length esp for street photograhy!

[@thomashill5768]

the xf60 that i believe was released at the same time as this lens is my all time favorite

[@ozuidema]

Recently bought the 18mm f2. On my XH1 it focusses quickly and silently. The lens is quite sharp and has tons of character. Should have bought it years ago :)

[@ronmasters751]

I used the X-S10 PASM dial for a month or so, having converted from a Canon DSLR. Soon settled on manual exposure & focus, and switched from RAW to film sim jpgs.

[@Getoffmycloud53]

I think that’s the obvious step, at least for some types of photography. Instead of the X-S10 (which I owned for 30 mins) I got the X-Pro2, but I am doing the same, it is the strength of mirrorless, control the exposure and focus, use a wonderful (custom) simulation. Lovely stuff, wish I had made the move earlier (the X10 did not count). Still have my DSLR stuff, Canon and Nikon. As for the X-S10, apart from the shockingly small size and imo kind of weak-ish looking flippy screen, I liked it, but it came with a clearly pre-used kit lens and I was not happy about that in a new kit so returned the whole package.

[@silverstreettalks343]

Oh, and congratulations on being noticed by Fujifilm!

[@GregCarrick]

Thanks, it was a surprise :)

[@MyRay101]

I just tried this lens on my X-E4 and it's reasonably fast (acceptable for my use).

[@wallaceshackleton1889]

I love that lens, it was rarely off my old XPro1. It has to fight with other lenses these days but I still would use it for out and about photography.

[@CollectiveMindz]

You can use back button focusing in manual mode to quickly set your zone focus. Just back button on something in the range you want to capture and then you are setup.

[@GregCarrick]

Yes, this is my every day way of focussing. The normal way of zone focussing is good for not having to focus at all. BTW, on my XT cameras (and the X-H1) I use front button focussing, as that gives my thumb one less thing to do.

[@matheus_akio]

I do this and also check the focus scale with manual focus. f8-f11 on 1.6 crop means huge depth of field. It almost never leaves my x-pro 2 :)

[@CollectiveMindz]

@@matheus_akio Fuji is only a 1.52x crop so it's actually a little bit better then you think! :)

[@kermitage]

XF 18 mm f/2 is my all time favourite Fujifilm lens; great size, specs - and tons of character :) Hugely under-rated! PS. Have you used the "Macro" button/function when testing the XF 18mm on X-E1? In these older models you have to do it in order to make AF lock close targets. My XF 18mm is much faster on both my X-E1 and X-Pro1. Also, have you checked if you have the latest firmwares installed?

[@GregCarrick]

Interesting.. I didn't think of the macro setting as I was switching between a close subject and a distant one. Firmware is up to date.

[@frankartale1026]

Watched about 10 sec of intro and sub g'day mate 😁

[@GregCarrick]

G'day, welcome aboard

[@kickoverthestatues]

I really like your reviews but you need to sort out where you have the mic placed. It's just a constant source of extraneous sound when listening on the headphones.

[@GregCarrick]

I do... might try to get a wireless mic

[@chrisisaok]

sounds like someone is scratching around the inside of my brain

[@silverstreettalks343]

I intended to comment on the sound, too. But that I should speak with the scrapes, thumps and passing ambulance noises I pick up.

[@dummatube]

Dear Mr Fuji can we have an X80 please?

[@laurapeter3857]

Great video! But too late- prices on the second hand market are already climbing on this lens. 😞

[@williameggersaus]

Ah, the venerable Trip 35... I love that camera. You can pick up the Fujifilm 18mm pretty cheaply from Thailand. I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet... you've tempted me. Thanks for the review!

[@GregCarrick]

Cheapest I can find in Australia is A$530.

[@nikons]

Yeah I bought my 18mm in Bangkok AU$ 210 new, a few years ago

[@60400]

After watching this video, I found a cheap one second hand and I’m waiting for it to arrive. The 35/f1.4 sits on my X-E4 most of the time, and even though I’ve got a 23 1.4, I find myself only using it on special occasions. I think this 18/f2 will be the perfect combo alongside the 35 and the two together will make for a super compact kit. Also, killer bonus that the 18/f2 and the 35/f1.4 share the same filter size and lens hood. I can carry a single hood and nd filter for both and everntying can even fit all in my pocket! Even if it’s soft on the edges, I think I can live with that.

[@GregCarrick]

Excellent, and a bonus with the filter size. I've not used any of the 1.4s, but only heard glowing reports.

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Fujifilm cameras are great and one day I'll get another. Old lens' are great to. It's becoming a bit of a growing addiction with me. Just paid £28 (tad under $50) for a Minolta 7000 and a Minolta 5000 body with the Minolta A mount 35mm to 105mm lens and a Sigma 55mm to 200mm lens in its original padded leather case. Some good kit out there.

[@peterjones4935]

I’ve just picked up a used one from MPB and it’s FAB! Got some great photos of Rochester Cathedral. I’m now wondering if I need my 27mm …?

[@dummatube]

I also use the TTArtisans 17mm f/1.4 with zone focussing and set the top ISO button to give me the zoom focus assist.

[@laurelb8372]

I switched from the 27mm to 35mm for street, walkaround. Would be interested on your opinion of the 70-300mm for birds & wildlife. Looks like would be lighter for hikes out & about in the Dandenongs.

[@GregCarrick]

Hi Ozi, I did a review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKGuhJuhh9Jrl68 and I think the lens is a wonderful bit of glass for the lighter weight. For hard core ornithologists it's probably too short, but for hikes around the hills it's perfect.

[@fotostibi]

My fav lens!

[@NorthernMigrationTravel]

This might sound crazy but it looks like the contrast of colour was better on the X1 than it was on the X4 when you took the zone focusing pictures

[@GregCarrick]

A lot of people swear by the very first Xtrans sensor (also in the X-M1 and X-Pro 1

[@georgedemetriou1496]

Hey Greg, I've been trying to get hold of an XE4 for weeks but they seem to be out of stock everywhere. In frustration I bought a used XE2 and people are telling me its a better option because it still has the focus selector on th front, plus D pad and other function buttons that can be re-assigned. How are you finding your XE4 compared to your XE3?

[@GregCarrick]

Hi George, the X-E4 was a loaner from Fujifilm Australia, so I had to give it back... I did prefer it to the X-E3, as I'm getting more and more into minimalism in body design. The lack of the focus switch doesn't bother me as I keep my Fuji's in manual all the time. I haven't sold my 3 for a 4 yet. In fact, if they included an ND filter like the X100V I'd sell my 100V and get the X-E4 instead.

[@LEGOTROLL1]

Thank-you ! 👍

[@nevillewatkins4997]

Interesting review Greg.

[@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

[@GregCarrick]

About the only videos I do are these ones for youtube.

[@itchybeat]

nice vid like ur style.

[@GregCarrick]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it

[@silverstreettalks343]

I would consider that focusing speed acceptable as it was on the newer body, but it was dreadful on the older one. I was thinking of the photos I was taking in the very low light at the War Memorial last week, using the kit 18-55 on my Sony camera. It was finding it difficult to lock the focus on anything, and I wondered how your combination would have worked in those conditions. Back outside my now oldish kit would have taken about the same time to pick up a change in focus.

[@GregCarrick]

Low light is a challenge, as a wider aperture helps, which decreases the depth of field. If people aren't moving around (like at a dawn service) then you can do it with manual focus.

[@fuzzikaktus5432]

f16 is where the magic is!

[@tasallp]

Hey Greg. Great episode. Am also looking at 24 or 27mm-equivalent primes for my XE3. Can I ask what older manual lenses you recommend to achieve this? (Via an adaptor). Cheers

[@GregCarrick]

The only wide vintage lens I have is a Sigma 28mm f2.8, and that's nothing special... I have heard very good reports of the Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm f2.4. Otherwise a Pentax SMC Takumar 20mm F/4.5 Wide Angle Lens, or for less money a Tokina RMC 28mm F/2.8 Wide Angle Lens.

[@tasallp]

@@GregCarrick thank you

[@macallanvintage]

In reality, there are no “bad” Fujinon lenses. The only Fujinon lenses which many KZbin users thought were “bad” are those targeted by an American to be badmouthed on American social media and then regurgitated by hundreds of ignorant Americans and others who’re desperate to make a bit of easy KZbin money. From the 1st day long ago when I bought the 18f2, I had loved it dearly. And that greatness extended to my 35f2 as well👍

[@BacaBaconi]

Nice video 👍🏻

[@mrdylanwhite]

Did you happen to pop it on your XE3? Curious as to how it performed on there as I just picked up an XE3

[@GregCarrick]

It would be identical in use, blur, sharpness etc.

[@SSVindictive]

I got this for $200, best value ever!

[@GregCarrick]

Bargain

[@bruceratskoff4429]

I saw a KZbin video on an XT-1 and it was smoking fast. Nowhere near what you had on the XE1.

[@bobbobby2882]

Greg, don't know how to send a private message, but I want to flag that you've got your home address clearly displayed. May want to keep that in mind for future vids.

[@GregCarrick]

Good point, will do :)

[@Ed-lz4jv]

the 18 has worst fuji focusing and vastly OVERPRICED...Truly needs a REDO add LN focus and WR

[@Professional_internet]

You should use a better microphone, the background sounds are often quite disturbing

[@johnleftwich650]

All the bumping and banging around on your mike is very annoying.

[@bendowling449]

Sharp as a blunt crayon.. Awful lens.