I don't understand why people say the focal length is boring. The iPhone has this focal length because it is GOOD.. It's a versitile focal length. Perhaps what you mean is that it is *common* ?
Don’t get me wrong I love the 28mm focal length, its got to be my most used by far! Am I interchanging boring and common, maybe a little! But at the same time most photos out there now, especially on socials are 28mm and people are used to seeing it
Its not the focal legth that separates your images from others but it is the composure and creativeness of what you capture that wow factor separates photographers from snap shooters
Good review, as always! I think it's ok to appreciate a lens without personally wanting it...for example, my spouse loves primes, but I love zooms...we appreciate the quality of each other's lenses, yet prefer our own. That's the fun of photography ... it is so individual. 😀🙃
I’m torn on this one for one of the same reasons you alluded to. The FOV is the same as many smartphones, so for me I’ve reached maximum saturation point for that focal length. You have to be REALLY good at composition to make your shots stand out.
I bought it last year and used for almost a year before selling it. I reached the same conclusion you did regarding the somewhat lose aperture ring and super sharpness across the frame at f1.4. It’s a great lens but I replaced it with the new 23mm 1.4 as found the 18mm POV a little boring and the 23 seems just as sharp but doesn’t have the lose rings.
I’d thought my ideal prime set up might have been the 18mm and 33mm, but doesn’t feel like it now, maybe I’ll accept the lose rings for that extra width! Not sure
I love the XF18 F/2 as a walk around lens if i am going lightweight, optically it is not as good as the newer primes, but it is good enough when the requirement is light, small and portable. If you haven't tried it, I'd recommend renting the 10-24 F/4, I was exclusively a prime shooter until I got that lens and the 16-80 F/4, now I carry one or both of those lenses on a daily basis, with a F/1.4 prime in the bag (normally the 35) if I need it (but TBH if it is about separation, the 16-80mm does a great job at the longer focal lengths. I may be biased towards the 10-24 due to its internal zoom which makes it great when on the gimbal, as I can zoom without it changing the weight distribution
Great video - I really enjoy my 18mm f1.4 but like you said, the FOV is a bit boring since it's very iPhone-ish so you gotta shoot it wide open. Luckily, it's super sharp at 1.4. Great video and even better photos man! Loved it.
I find 23mm (35mm full frame) far more boring as it has been the standard field of view in most media for nearly a century! Ultimately, it’s the user who’s in charge to make their photo composition interesting, not the tool!
I think the price, while steep, is quite fair for the optical quality considering there isn't really any other competitor in the mirrorless world. The next tier is the Leica 28 f/2. All the other mirrorless 28mm in existence are fairly uninteresting (slower than f/2) or not sharp at all. However, I'm currently in doubts as to whether the new f1.4 primes are really built well. Ignoring how bad the aperture rings are inconsistent across Fujifilm's entire lens lineup, I've just sent my 18mm for servicing just after 10 months. The LM basically disconnects a few seconds after booting up (you can hear and feel it). I only use it maybe 3 times max a month. I always carry it in padded bags, so it's puzzling how my most expensive lens ever failed just after 10 months, whereas every other lens I've owned that are far cheaper like the Sigma 18-35 have been thrown about for 3 years and still performs.
It is super frustrating... hoping the service takes care of it for good. For me it feels it's almost a leap of faith to get new hardware since pandemic, with all supply chain issues world wide.
Wow love the smooth bokeh from this lens 😍 I usually love to shoot 28mm on my film camera. This lens is a must to go for. Wonderful review! May I ask what LUT did you use for this video? Love the colour so much!
Just seen you said LUT not preset, at my desk it’s Provia with highlights darkened and shadows brightened The clips away from my desk are using a plug in called dehancer on top of Flog2
@@Goughie Hi Goughie, thank you so much for your reply! Yes, I mean the video clip section :) I've heard about dehancer for awhile. By the way thank you again, and looking forward for your new future videos.
Do the internal components shift when tilting the camera up and down? I rented the lens to test it out and I love it. I'm wondering if I was sent a bad copy.
Awesome review! My Fujinon 70-300mm also has that rattling 😅 The photos are perfect. Loved the choice of music too. Personally I bought 16mm f/1.4 instead of the 18mm, due to having more character and slightly wider field of view. But the 18mm seems like a must have for video too.
Too big and heavy for me. I shoot for personal enjoyment I'm happy to give up a little bit of sharpness and image quality in exchange for a smaller form factor and lighter weight. The compact primes are the sweet spot in the Fuji lens lineup IMO, and sticking a big lens on a smaller camera body makes no sense IMO.
I was a little skeptical mentioning it in the review as it is a rented lens and you never know what abuse it’s had! Good to know it’s not just the one I had! Is a shame though, it’s the only Fuji lens I’ve tried like it!
@@Goughie Fujifilm is extremely inconsistent it seems, when it comes to designing aperture rings. Every Fuji lens I've handled has a different feel to it. 18mm f1.4, 23mm f1.4 ii, 16-55, 50-140, 10-24, 35 f2 (The 35 f2 feels the best so far). They all feel different. Whereas the Sony 35mm GM f1.4 and 50mm f1.2 GM feel quite similar for their aperture rings. Funny cos Fuji has been doing it for quite a while.
I wish you would have listed the film Sims, if you used them. I own this 18mm 1.4! Will never sell it. It has a great look. You can see it in those pics you took!
I’ve made a video recently show my favourite recipes, one on there is called New America, and it’s by far my most used. Typically, Classic Chrome and Astia are my most used. A lot in this video are edited
You never seem to go below ISO320 - why? At ISO160 or 125, dynamic range is better.. I see some blown highlights that may have been preserved with 1 extra stop.
When you’re talking I’m noticing you’re slowly moving towards the camera at the end of every sentence then resetting and moving your body backwards, very distracting lol
