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

I bought this lens together with x-t3. After using canon's 18-55 kit lenses for many years, I honestly had no expectations from this lens and I was even looking for a sharper lens. But after testing it, I gave up this search. It is a surprisingly very high quality lens. Unlike other kit lenses, the fact that the aperture value is 2.8 instead of 3.5 definitely makes a difference in low light conditions. The lens doesn't feel plastic and cheap like other kit lenses. But that's why it's a bit heavy. Maybe this is the only feature I don't like. Especially if you are going to use a gimbal for video shooting, the weight of the lens is a serious problem.

All I expected and more!

I’ve been wanting to purchase this lens for a long time. I finally found the great combination of exelent condition at a low asking price at this location in San Antonio. The item was packaged very well to protect it from shipping damage and shipped super quickly. On arrival it was all I expected and more. The ad hadn’t mentioned any caps or lens hood but all were included with the lens when it arrived. I’ve been using and enjoying daily and am thoroughly satisfied with the product and the great service from this company.

Amazing lens, perfect for travelling

Recently I traveled to Berlin, to film a spectacular event: The Festival of Lights, with my Fuji X-T3 and the Fuji XF 18-55mm "Kit Lens". The results were outstanding, considering I didn't use a tripod, flash, nor a gimbaI. I used manual settings only, in both photo- and video mode.I was surprised, that this lens delivered such crisp images, while filming the interior of a cathedral, without an additional light source.If I could only carry one lens during my journeys, the 18-55mm would be the one.Filmed in 10-Bit, H.265 / Simulation Modes: Provia & VelviaHandheld, no gimbal, no tripod, no flash light

Best kit lens ever

It would truly be a misnomer to call this a kit lens. I've been a Fujifilm X series camera user since the series inception in 2012, since then owning and using most of the cameras and probably more than half of the lenses produced. I chose the Fujifilm system after more than 40 years of both film and digital photography from the smallest to the larger medium frame formats. On retirement I wanted a light compact system for everyday photography which the Fujifilm system fitted the bill. For the most part I preferred primed, but for convenience I also wanted a standard zoom. I've used all the Fuji zooms, 16-50, 16-55, 16-80, 18-135 (not the 15-45), but I keep coming back to the 18-55. This lens is well made, produces excellent results, is easy to use, has good image ... MoreIt would truly be a misnomer to call this a kit lens. I've been a Fujifilm X series camera user since the series inception in 2012, since then owning and using most of the cameras and probably more than half of the lenses produced. I chose the Fujifilm system after more than 40 years of both film and digital photography from the smallest to the larger medium frame formats. On retirement I wanted a light compact system for everyday photography which the Fujifilm system fitted the bill. For the most part I preferred primed, but for convenience I also wanted a standard zoom. I've used all the Fuji zooms, 16-50, 16-55, 16-80, 18-135 (not the 15-45), but I keep coming back to the 18-55. This lens is well made, produces excellent results, is easy to use, has good image stabilization. With the latest Fuji X cameras the autofocus is adequately fast, probably as fast and as accurate as all bar the 16-55 F2.8 lens. It is not excessively noisy but I'm not a videographer and I can't really comment on "focus pull". In camera adjustment no doubt compensates for any distortion and vignetting but little softening of the image sharpness in the corners is apparent, but again I'm not a pixel peeper, and providing you stop down to say f5.6 your not going to notice any real difference in image quality using this lens over the more expensive pro f2.8 standard zoom. As noted above I've also used the "super zooms" and while generally pleased with the results they are significantly bulkier and less convenient to use. I found that I rarely extended the zoom more than 70mm, and their additional weight was not worth their added convenience. Also their generally smaller apertures when used at the longer focal lengths meant they were not so useful as my 55-200 zoom. Overall the f2.8-4 maximum aperture of this lens more more than adequate for my purposes, and the excellent image stabilization coupled with the improved low light abilities of the latest sensors and processors at high (1600-3200 ISO) speed ratings, negated the need for the larger f2.8 aperture zoom lens. However if pressed, I would suggest for ultimate results and for weather resistance the f2.8 performs particularly well with the X-H1, but now you're really looking at a much heavier combination more akin to a full frame outfit, which somewhat obviates the main reason for selecting an Fuji X system set-up in the first place. Therefore I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lens to anyone wanting a lightweight good value lens, and believe for many photographers it would be a great acquisition as their main universal and possibly only lens they'll need. (Since reacquiring this lens for a 3rd time, I now recognise my earlier mistakes in previously selling this lens!)

Excellent General-Purpose Lens

This Fujinon 18-55mm f2.8-4.0 lens is deserving of its fine reputation. Its versatile range is equivalent to 27-83mm on a full-size sensor, which is close enough to the 24-105mm f4 that has long been a favorite of mine on Canon bodies. The f2.8 aperture at the wide end of its range is a plus, while the f4.0 at the upper portion is still fast enough for my purposes. As for handling, this is a compact and light optic that makes it an ideal walk-around lens, with accurate and smooth aperture, focusing and zoom rings. It produces sharp images with accurate color rendition in the great majority of picture-taking situations, but I have experienced an inordinate level of flare whenever I shoot with a bright sun in the background, even with the hood attached. In summary, ... MoreThis Fujinon 18-55mm f2.8-4.0 lens is deserving of its fine reputation. Its versatile range is equivalent to 27-83mm on a full-size sensor, which is close enough to the 24-105mm f4 that has long been a favorite of mine on Canon bodies. The f2.8 aperture at the wide end of its range is a plus, while the f4.0 at the upper portion is still fast enough for my purposes. As for handling, this is a compact and light optic that makes it an ideal walk-around lens, with accurate and smooth aperture, focusing and zoom rings. It produces sharp images with accurate color rendition in the great majority of picture-taking situations, but I have experienced an inordinate level of flare whenever I shoot with a bright sun in the background, even with the hood attached. In summary, this is a lens that could easily be the one that a photographer keeps on his camera body the majority of the time.

Fantastic Experience for First Time Hobbyist Photographer

Thank you for the great experience! I am traveling abroad and wanted to take my Fujifilm X-T30 with me but needed a versatile lens besides the prime one I already had. After looking at good reviews for Lensrentals from all over the internet, I felt like I could take a chance and buy a used 18-55mm despite never using Lensrentals before. The shipping was fast and the lens was exactly as described. Thank you!

Great video lens

The Fuji 18-55 is said to be a kit lens and so the idea of kit needs to be changed. Usually kit lenses are the lenses that have good but not great image quality, focus speed and all the other lens measurements. The 18-55 is different in that it is a near great lens with most things needed to make it a lens to need to own. This lens is a great video lens. The Linear Motor (LM) in it makes for a very smooth focus with almost no "focus breathing". It does not suffer as badly as the 16-80 in video when changing zoom of the focusing. It is just smooth as butter. The 16-80 lens is a great photography lens but is an OK video lens. The 18-55 is a great video lens and an OK photography lens. The size of the 18-55 is about half the size of the 16-80 which means that the 18-55 ... MoreThe Fuji 18-55 is said to be a kit lens and so the idea of kit needs to be changed. Usually kit lenses are the lenses that have good but not great image quality, focus speed and all the other lens measurements. The 18-55 is different in that it is a near great lens with most things needed to make it a lens to need to own. This lens is a great video lens. The Linear Motor (LM) in it makes for a very smooth focus with almost no "focus breathing". It does not suffer as badly as the 16-80 in video when changing zoom of the focusing. It is just smooth as butter. The 16-80 lens is a great photography lens but is an OK video lens. The 18-55 is a great video lens and an OK photography lens. The size of the 18-55 is about half the size of the 16-80 which means that the 18-55 is just the right size if I am carrying the camera around all day. I also have the 16-55 2.8 and I use that every once in a while. It is too big and heavy so it sometimes sits but I won't sell it. Of those three lenses....the 18-55 is on my X-T4 more often than not.

I got it three times.

I have had this lens 3 times. The first time I sold it because I wanted a prime and Everybody said that primes are better, so I fell in the trap. So the second time I got it for very cheap, and I decided to give it a try again, and I fell in love with it, this lens is super versatile and very sharp with nice bokeh (for a 2.8-4 zoom lens). The IOS is very good, the construction is very good as well, it doesnt matter if its Japanese or Philippine I have had both and all are equal in every sense. Time passed and life happened and had to sell it again due a personal debt. And I thought I could live without it, I was wrong and once I recovered I bought it again even cheaper than last occasion.This time Im going to keep it. People that think this is not a good lens its ... MoreI have had this lens 3 times. The first time I sold it because I wanted a prime and Everybody said that primes are better, so I fell in the trap. So the second time I got it for very cheap, and I decided to give it a try again, and I fell in love with it, this lens is super versatile and very sharp with nice bokeh (for a 2.8-4 zoom lens). The IOS is very good, the construction is very good as well, it doesnt matter if its Japanese or Philippine I have had both and all are equal in every sense. Time passed and life happened and had to sell it again due a personal debt. And I thought I could live without it, I was wrong and once I recovered I bought it again even cheaper than last occasion.This time Im going to keep it. People that think this is not a good lens its because they are comparing it to others expensive lenses, I think is not fair. For what you pay for it used or in kit with a camera, you get an excellent lens for that price. I know the 16-55 2.8 is better in every aspect, but it also costs a lot more and it lacks on what is important for me, Size, the ability to carry this lens everywhere. Judge this lens for what it costs and for what it was designed. This is my favorite lens for the entire fujifilm system (From the ones I have tried). Thank god this is a very common lens and you can find it very easily on the used market. Is it for you?, I dont know, but you might want to give it a try, and just dont spect it to behave like a 1.4 prime lens, be logical.

Very nice lens for the price.

Fujifilm 18-55mm 2.8-4 is a very nice kit lens that is much better than other kit lenses of the same focal length that I've used. It's solidly built and from the photos I took of my wife, son and granddaughter they came out sharp with no distortion in the edges like my 16-50mm lens has. It fairly light compared to my 18-135mm lens so it is good as a walking around lens which I intend to take with me at my neice's wedding this coming May so I can take my own pictures. I'm happy I bought this lens.