While photographers can nonetheless get their fingers on the Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens, it’s going to not be the package lens of selection for Fujifilm cameras, together with for the new Fujifilm X-T50 camera. Supplanted by the new XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR, the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 proved difficult for rivals to match — not for an absence of capacity, however an absence of need.
The Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS has been round for a very long time. It was introduced in September 2012 alongside one other nice Fujifilm X Series lens, the XF 14mm f/2.8 R. The XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 has lengthy been a package lens possibility for a lot of of Fujifilm’s mid- and high-range cameras, a form of “upgrade” possibility over the firm’s XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS and later XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lenses.
It might sound hyperbolic, however the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is the most vital Fujifilm X Series lens ever made. It has been the “first impression” lens for a lot of photographers buying their first Fujifilm X Series digital camera and, in lots of circumstances, their first interchangeable lens digital camera.
No, the XF 18-55mm is much from Fujifilm’s greatest X Series lens, though it’s undoubtedly an excellent commonplace zoom lens and positively one among the most-owned XF lenses. But it issues a lot due to what it gives to new shooters.
While many package lenses are stopgap measures, one thing you might have to take respectable pictures when you find out how to use your digital camera and get monetary savings for an improve, that’s not what the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is. It shouldn’t be a short lived answer ready to get replaced. It is a wholly appropriate long-term commonplace zoom lens. Sure, photographers might have wished one thing a bit wider, longer, or quicker for various kinds of pictures, however that “24-70mm” vary (27-83mm, on this case) was suitably coated.
While the rapid advantage of a very good package lens is clear when it comes to saving cash, the preliminary feeling of utilizing it’s way more vital. An excellent lens shapes the complete expertise of utilizing a brand new digital camera. It can’t be overstated how important a budding photographer’s preliminary expertise is to their long-term curiosity in the craft (and a particular model). And little harms that have greater than a awful package lens.
There’s a motive the time period “kit lens” has achieved a unfavorable connotation. Most corporations, Fujifilm not amongst them, don’t endeavor to make an excellent package lens. I’m not going to identify any names, however I’ve spoken to digital camera corporations about package lenses earlier than, and responses persistently contact on two main considerations. How can an organization make a very good and reasonably priced lens? This is a troublesome drawback to remedy, and it’s made tougher by the second concern: how do you make a package lens that’s adequate to ship a optimistic expertise however not so good that somebody received’t need to buy extra lenses?
Fujifilm centered on that first drawback with the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 and ignored the second one solely in favor of answering a 3rd query. “How do we make a lens that makes new users excited to stay in the Fujifilm family?”
If you get a photographer in the door and guarantee they’ve a good time, they are going to stick round. And in the event that they stick round, they are going to inevitably buy extra lenses (and cameras) over the years, as they run into conditions that may solely be solved with completely different lenses. Not essentially higher, however completely different.
Fujifilm took a long-term view with its legendary package lens, and it paid important dividends. While different producers have been considering of how to promote extra lenses as rapidly as doable — an affordable method, by the method — Fujifilm centered on utilizing its digital camera kits to construct optimistic, lasting relationships with photographers.
This daring course proved fruitful, and hopefully, the new XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 package lens might be pretty much as good at forging highly effective, lasting bonds with new photographers as its predecessor, the lens nobody else dared to make.
Image credit: Fujifilm