Thread: Fuji 18-55mm just arrived, first shot

In general I prefer primes too, but from time to time it's nice to have a "zoom" walkaround lens too

On paper Fuji seems to have got the specs and price of this lens just right. Performance seems good from all that I seen so far as well.

Good, innit?:D

Sent from another Galaxy

Originally Posted by Pelao

Luke the provacateur.

It will likely be fine for many. Wouldn't work for me though. Indeed YMMV, probably by a lot.

It wasn't really meant to provoke. I think it's maybe just me. I've always preferred a great prime. But when I look at what I do with my output, maybe I don't need the last ounce of sharpness. And not constantly changing lenses has it's appeal for me as well.

It's just that the drop off in quality (and aperture!) between a typical kit zoom and a high quality prime is usually much greater than with the Fujis (at least from what I've seen). But to be fair, I haven't been pixel peeping......merely enjoying photos at standard size on a lousy computer monitor.

I sometimes feel like you too Luke

Then again, primes have a better aparture, are better in low light and make me a better photographer (more creative)...
Zooms often make on "lazy" ;)

But this zoom is really great, it's far better then any nikon or Canon zoom in the same range and price range imo ...

Originally Posted by Luke

It wasn't really meant to provoke. I think it's maybe just me. I've always preferred a great prime. But when I look at what I do with my output, maybe I don't need the last ounce of sharpness. And not constantly changing lenses has it's appeal for me as well.

It's just that the drop off in quality (and aperture!) between a typical kit zoom and a high quality prime is usually much greater than with the Fujis (at least from what I've seen). But to be fair, I haven't been pixel peeping......merely enjoying photos at standard size on a lousy computer monitor.

Totally, I get it. No question this is a prime ( ) zoom.

Ray's musings make sense too, for his particular needs.

Originally Posted by Pelao

Ray's musings make sense too, for his particular needs.

And in case I wasn't totally clear, that's ALL I was talking about. I wasn't dissing zooms in general or this zoom in particular, which looks really good. Just that for my purposes and the way I see my two camera systems evolving, it doesn't make sense for me. But I haven't seen anything but positives from it or about it - pretty fast too...

-Ray

Interestingly (or maybe not :p) I find myself using it at either extreme, effectively replacing two primes.

Sent from another Galaxy

Primes vs zooms mostly comes down to a matter of utility of a range of focal length and the utility of a greater aperture range. Both have their advantages, but I would contend that a fast(ish) standard zoom lens is probably the most useful lens you can attach to a camera, mostly on the basis that when travelling it would be the last lens that I would consider leaving behind.

Most of my photography is "travel", either long or short trips, pleasure or business. The 18-55 teamed with the 35 gives a light, compact two lens kit offering focal-length versatility and a fast aperture. I have had similar setups in the past, but it is fair to say that most of my favourite/best photos were shot at 50mm or equivalent.

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