Ordinarily a prime lens kinda guy, it’s time to check out a stellar zoom lens from Fujifilm for my travel photography. This is my Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens review.
Ever since I became a Fujifilm convert back in 2016, I’ve been a prime lens kinda guy. A prime lens was there for me at all times with a firm hand on my shoulder, whether it be for travel photography, wedding photography or just daily life, I’ve become accustomed to shooting one focal length at a time. Now I’ll admit this has become, at times, frustrating as it has led to numerous lens changes just to get ‘the shot’ as my mind sees it. One minute I’ll want to shoot with my trusty Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 and then I’ll want something a little different. Indecision isn’t great is it!
After my first press trip abroad to Lithuania in July 2023, I finally admitted to myself that shooting prime only isn’t a ‘badge of honour’ or something to pursue at all costs. I love to take things slow when travelling; for example, I’ll spend half a photo walk with one lens before switching. It makes you think about what you’re shooting and I find that I’ve always come away perfectly happy the images. However, on the aforementioned press trip (which included cycling around the countryside), I didn’t have time to be picky about what lens would create the best shot at any given time – I had to get the shot and move on which meant that something could easily be missed. That’s not ideal at all so I went back to the drawing board.
Enter the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4.
I am still very firmly of the view that prime lenses offer another level in terms of image quality and consistency for my style of photography however I am now more than open to introducing a zoom lens for travel photography. I’ve had zoom lenses before and absolutely loved them (the Fujifilm 10-24mm f/4 and Fujifilm 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8) but I haven’t tried any of Fujifilm’s offering in the more ‘standard’ focal length range.
Purchased in late 2023, I’ve now had a few months to put this lens through its paces. This is my Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens review.
FUJIFILM 18-55M F/2.8-4 LENS REVIEW
Since Lithuania, I’ve been on another press trip though this time to Sicily followed by a family holiday to Montenegro. These have been the perfect trips to test out the Fujifilm 18-55mm. As with any new lens, I’m only really bothered about a few things; image quality, autofocus speed and, something that’s a little hard to get across in words, but how it makes me feel – does it make me want to run out the house and shoot with nothing else?
I’m not one to dive into the specifications and all that so please don’t expect me to focus on that here! What I will do is just briefly go through my thoughts on this lens, what I like, what I don’t like and share lots of photos which I hope you enjoy.
Firstly, it’s worth highlighting that this lens is now almost 12 years old! In this modern age, that is practically vintage. There are many other, newer zoom lenses that sit around this focal length and, with rumours of a replacement due for an imminent release, why did I decide to take a leap on this lens? Well, it’s cheap – I picked up a used copy for about £250 and has consistently received rave reviews despite being labelled as a ‘kit lens’. This is not a kit lens.
POSITIVES
Let’s talk about the image quality first shall we? I am so impressed with the image quality of this little lens. The images I’ve been getting are absolutely perfect for my style of ‘walk-around’ photography and for creating the images that will (from here on out) be all over this blog. I say this with the greatest of respect but I love it for my ‘ordinary’ images. The ones that will fill out my travel guides, my itineraries, all of the informative posts that I produce here.
I’ll obviously post a lot of images here but feel free to spend some time looking through my Sicily content – I love the way the images from the Fujifilm 18-55mm just sit nicely alongside what I would call the ‘bangers’ produced by the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4. Don’t get me wrong though, some of my favourite ever photos were taken with this lens.
Having f/2.8 at the wider end is a bonus for portraits but I’ve mainly used the lens at around f/4 to try and ensure the photos are as sharp as possible. I’ll come on to one of my issues with sharpness in the negatives section below.
I’ve found that the lens focuses super quickly too which is always great for incorporating people into travel photography and for street photography. It hasn’t really missed a beat and I’ve even, just about, managed to take photos of my little one on continuous focus. I am using the Fujifilm 18-55mm lens on the Fujifilm X-T5 though so that probably helps.
Another great feature of the Fujifilm 18-55mm is the Optical Image Stabilisation which, when combined with the Fujifilm X-T5’s IBIS, means you can shoot with slow shutter speeds without impacting on sharpness. I’ve shot around 1/80th at 55mm in low light and still came out with decent images.
NEGATIVES
As I mentioned above, one thing I have noticed is that some images don’t have edge to edge sharpness even with say f/8 upwards. It’s mostly when I’m shooting landscape but, when it does show up, it bugs me! For example, I’ve taken a few photos of the Sicilian mountains that appear perfectly sharp until say the top right corner. I’m not sure whether this is just something that happens with this lens or whether it’s an issue with my copy. I did mention that I bought this lens used from a seller in a reputable Facebook group (my first time ever buying a used lens not from MPB) so it may well be that I’ve ended up with a duff copy that someone has dropped previously…
I’ve read many reviews on this lens and seen loads of photographs and they all look exceptional so I need to have a careful think as to whether I try out another copy in the hope that it was just me!
Other than that to be fair I only have very minor gripes that are rectified by purchasing much more expensive and heavier lenses – such as missing Weather Resistance and perhaps wanting something a little wider, maybe. I think that’s just me trying to think of something. This isn’t a red badge lens of course but it’s a wonderful piece of kit that should be in everyone’s camera bag.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Ok. I think it’s time to admit it. I love myself a zoom lens especially when it’s as good as the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4. No indecision anymore, I can easily get multiple angles/crops of a subject with the twist of a hand.
Bar my minor gripe with sharpness (caveated with the fact I’ve probably bought a duff used lens), I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this lens to anyone with a Fujifilm camera (even in 2024!); whether you’re just starting out or whether you’re a seasoned travel photographer. The lens is light, dependable and more than capable. If I love it then I’m convinced you will too!
There are other, newer, lenses out there as I mentioned earlier – some with a fixed aperture and slightly wider and longer reach (Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4) but for the time being the 18-55mm f/2.8-55mm works for me at least through 2024.
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Another most excellent review – like all of yours always…
As the owner of an old XE2 and a newly bought used Xpro2, I’ve figured out a way to use longer lenses without the expense of buying new Fujinons, prices for which are now through the roof and well into the stratosphere in Australia.
For me the solution is simple – I use my Nikon D lenses!! An inexpensive K&F adapter easily mounts my Nikon D 85, 180 and 300, with the added bonus of giving me 50% increase in zoom power… what’s there not to love about it!!
Even my Nikon D 60/2.8 macro does gorgeous work as a portrait lens – with the small ‘negative’ that it’s just a tad too sharp for most subjects.
Obviously not what the good people at Fuji Japan want to hear. But when the prices of Fuji lenses comes down a little in Australia, I promise I’ll be one of the first to buy their (secondhand) products. At prices I can afford as an ‘OAP’!
Anyway, keep on writing the good stuff. As always you are well worth following and reading!!
Best from Dann in Melbourne/now in Indonesia
Great review!
I’ve had my X-T5 a couple of weeks now and I bought it with the 16-80 kit lens (there was much mental flip flopping between the 18-55 and the 16-80 before I forced myself to choose – I was conscious that the 18-55 gets really good reviews but I was attracted to the bigger range). Having used it for the last couple of weeks I have to say I’m pretty impressed – perhaps very slight loss in corner sharpness beyond f8 (weirdly) but very acceptable wide open at f4 which is where it has spent most of its time. Might be worth trying one out if you get the chance.
With all that said, I’ve just picked up a Viltrox 27mm f1.2 which has blown my mind and hasn’t been off the camera since I received it…
Thanks Matt! Yeah it looks a really good lens to be fair, probably something I’d like to try if I had the chance! The 27mm also looks amazing though I’ve never used that focal length yet
What I particularly like about your equipment reviews is your focus on the experience of using items; I tend to find the technical reviews incomprehensible.
In the XF line, I have a 27mm pancake lens that’s very small, light and usable, the glorious 56mm F1.2, and an 18-135 zoom. I do a mix of mostly landscape/travel and some portraits, and am trying to figure out whether the 18-55 makes more sense than the 35mm 1.4. (And there’s the 90mm . . . 🙂 )
Any thoughts on how the 18-55 might fit with the 18-135? I am in the process of replacing my X-T2 with an X-T5.
Thank you Mitchell, I really appreciate that!
You’ve got a good collection of lenses there to be fair. I did notice that whilst travelling I would have liked a bit of extra reach that I used to get from the 55-200 – having something that ranges from 18-135mm could really work for me sprinkled with the 35mm f/1.4.
I’m currently looking at the 50-140 as the next lens to add to my ever growing collection!