Fuji XF 18-55mm Review

I took the Fuji XF 18-55mm f/2.eight-4 R LM OIS out for a spin yesterday for a couple of reasons. It is, without a dubiousness, a very pop option in the XF lens lineup as a lightweight but loftier-quality zoom lens and I felt it was missing in the list of lenses I have reviewed on my site.

As a reviewer, I am rather late to the party, as the XF 18-55mm was released almost 9 years ago. Every bit new options have go available is the XF 18-55mm still worth because?

Fujifilm XF 18-55 f/2.viii-4 R LM OIS - Introduction

The XF 18-55 f/ii.eight-4 R LM OIS, released in September of 2012, has often been arranged with various X Series cameras and I retrieve many Fujifilm shooters ended upwards with the XF eighteen-55mm this way. They perhaps did not expect much from their kit lens, as kit lenses oftentimes have a poor reputation. Or so it used to be.

The reality, still, is dissimilar. Information technology is almost equally if Fujifilm wanted to make a statement right off the bat in an endeavor to go off on the right human foot with its new 10 Series customers. The XF xviii-55mm has enjoyed lots of praise over the years.

The XF 18-55 f/2.viii-iv R LM OIS is currently listed at $699.00.

BC Place Stadium, Vanouver, Fujifilm Ten-E4, XF 18-55mm f/ii.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 28 mm

A friend of mine lent me an XF 18-55mm a few years back for a gig I did in the woodlands in British Columbia, Canada. Thanks, Sattu. The reason for bringing a zoom to this gig was the fact that the dusty environment would accept made lens changes detrimental to my sensor.

I found myself on logging roads in the heart of heavy operating mechanism, climbing over fallen lumber, and shooting the entire range of the XF 18-55mm. I was actually happy with the operation of the lens at the fourth dimension. I used it for a few portraits in the field also. Unfortunately, I cannot share the customer images here. Y'all will take to accept my word for it.

Handling the Fujifilm XF 18-55 f/two.8-4 R LM OIS

Dissimilar some of the larger zoom lenses from Fujifilm, the XF 18-55mm f/ii.eight-4 R LM OIS strikes a wonderful balance of size and functioning. The size feels nearly perfect on the Fujifilm X-E4 I used for this examination shoot. The lens weighs 310 g, takes 58mm filters, has 14 elements in 10 groups, seven rounded diaphragm blades, and a minimum focusing distance of 30cm.

The zoom ring is a delight and very smooth to operate. The lens protrudes every bit you zoom in to the 55mm setting. I am not a fan of this but every bit you lot can see below is non a big issue on the XF 18-55mm.

The Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8 R LM OIS zoom at the 18mm and 55mm setting. Seen here on the Fuji X-E4

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-four R LM OIS at the 18mm and 55mm settings shown on the X-E4

The aperture ring does not have markings equally the lens has variable apertures depending on your focal length. You lot will demand to verify your discontinuity on either your LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. I should mention the prissy bright, for a zoom lens, f/2.8 max f-cease at 18mm. Pretty good for a kit lens.

Overall the lens has a solid and well-built feel.

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-four in Action

Using the Fujifilm 10-E4 I was fortunate the XF 18-55mm has the optical image stabilizer, OIS, as the Ten-E4 does not have IBIS. I had the OIS on at all times during this test but unfortunately, I did not perform a stress test to see how far I could bring my shutter speed down shooting handheld. It was a brilliant sunny spring afternoon here in Vancouver and I had no issues keeping a high shutter speed.

Gore Ave., Vancouver, Fujifilm Ten-E4, XF 18-55mm f/2.eight-4 R LM OIS @ f/half-dozen.four, 48 mm

With the linear motor, LM, autofocus is fast and silent. During my cycle/street photography session I had no bug whatsoever and the lens did non feel heavy at all around the cervix with the Fujifilm X-E4.

Fuji XF eighteen-55mm f/2.eight-four, Image Quality

This was a quick look for me as all the images in the review were captured over a couple of hours cycling around Vancouver. I accept only had the X-E4 for a couple of weeks and am still in the honeymoon stage with the Archetype Neg. film simulation.

Overall I was pleased with the image quality. Zooming to 100% reveals precipitous images. Color and contrast may trail a notch behind my primes and I observe myself spending more time during post-processing adding a bit of contrast or clarity, and in some images, I used dehaze in Capture Ane. It has to be said the calorie-free was really harsh on this sunny spring solar day.

The XF eighteen-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS shown on the Fujifilm X-E4. The lens is in the 55mm position.

Fuji XF eighteen-55mm vs. XF 16-80mm f/4

The determination between the XF xviii-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS and the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is a tough one and I am certain many are weighing the pros and cons of either lens. If you are buying a new lens the current price difference is just $100.00. The XF xvi-80mm f/4 is $799.00, goes wider and longer with 16mm on the wide end and 80mm short telephoto on the long end.

This naturally translates into a more versatile lens and with the abiding f-cease you take f-stop markings on the aperture band besides. The OIS, optical epitome stabilizer is amazing on the XF 16-80mm, and going from memory it is improve than on the XF xviii-55mm. For overall best prototype quality, I would give the edge to the XF sixteen-80mm.

Beatty Street Drill Hall, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/two.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 21 mm

If however yous are ownership used, you may exist able to find a skillful deal on an XF 18-55mm as it has been on the market place for much longer. Importantly, information technology is also nicer to handle the XF 18-55mm with a lower weight and volume, and a better fit for the smaller X Series cameras. Overall I enjoyed using the XF eighteen-55mm more so.

Y'all can check my full review of the XF 16-80mm f/4 hither:

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS - Conclusion

Plainly spoken, the XF 18-55mm is such a joy to utilize. Everything works every bit y'all would expect. It is well congenital, has a very useful zoom range. At $699.00 information technology is, nonetheless, non inexpensive, which is why y'all may want to look out for a bargain bundled with a new camera. Look out for sales or perhaps try to lookout man out a copy on the used market.

If you a looking for even more versatility the XF 18-55mm faces strong competition from the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR but exist prepared for more than majority and weight and a slightly higher cost of entry.

Update : I have now had a gamble to review the XF 16-55mm equally well and you can find my review here:

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR - Review

The ferry bound for North Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/2.8-iv R LM OIS @ f/8, 55 mm

Fujifilm XF xviii-55mm f/2.eight R LM OIS - Sample Images

Click to view larger images.

Yaletown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/ii.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/iii.2,18 mm

Quayside Marina,Vancouver, Fujifilm Ten-E4, XF 18-55mm f/ii.eight-4 R LM OIS @ f/8,18 mm

Westward End, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF xviii-55mm f/2.viii-4 R LM OIS @ f/7.1, 34 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/5.6, 41 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/two.8-iv R LM OIS @ f/5.six, 41 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/vii.1, 18 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm Ten-E4, XF 18-55mm f/ii.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/half-dozen.4, 43 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF eighteen-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/6.iv, 30 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm 10-E4, XF 18-55mm f/2.eight-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 55 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF eighteen-55mm f/ii.8-four R LM OIS @ f/viii, 21 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm 10-E4, XF xviii-55mm f/two.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 55 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 25 mm

Downtown Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 48 mm

Vancouver, Fujifilm 10-E4, XF 18-55mm f/two.8-4 R LM OIS @ f/8, 55 mm

Cheers for reading my review to the very finish. I hope yous establish information technology helpful. If you are considering a purchase of the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS, you tin can assistance back up my site by using the link below. There is no additional cost to you.

Bank check the availability and electric current toll at B&H Photo:

Fujifilm XF xviii-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS at B&H

Thanks for your support.

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Morten Byskov