16mm vs 18mm vs 23mm

[po-stit]

As the title says I'm undecided between these lenses.

Currently I have a X-T1 and an original X100. I love both cameras. I still love the original X100 and its CMOS sensor and the colors it delivers.
For the X-T1 I have the 35mm 1.4 that have an amazing rendering and the 1.4 comes in handy in low light situations.

So I'm considering my next lens for the x-t1. The 35 and the 50mm equivalent fov is amazing but I need something wider.

I had the 18 before having the 35 but sold it to fund the 35. Coming from a ricoh grd II I tough the 28mm would be awesome but I felt limited only having such wide option on a x-t1. I know the lens is not the sharpest and most technically corrected but to be honest it's sharp enough for my needs and I was reviewing some images that I took before I was sad that I had to sell it. It's an underrated lens.

The 23mm for what I have seen is an amazing lens that delivers constant results and not too big but what puts me away is that I already have the x100 and probably having another 23mm (albeit different) lens is not the smartest move.

Lastly the 16mm 1.4 that I never tried or even seen in person would be interesting considering that I've tried a 24mm Nikon on a film camera before and despite 24mm isn't really a comfortable focal length for day to day shooting the results and the different look someone can get is appealing. The big downsides is price and is somewhat a big lens.

I know that these 3 lenses are really different but I'm really undecided between them. Can someone give their input on theses lenses? How they perform and how fast is the autofocus compared between them?

My opinion would be
18mm - cheapest of them all, decent autofocus, good rendering, small
23mm - better build quality than the 18, 1.4 aperture, super comfy 35mm equivalent fov, faster AF?
16mm - different look, weather resistant, 1.4, expensive, good build quality

 

[willie_901]

When I sold my X-Pro 1 and purchased a X100T, I decided the 23/1.4 was redundant for my interests and projects. I once owned the X100... sold it to dump Nikon and switch to the X-T1 for commercial photography.

The 18/2 is a great reportage lens. The 18 mm's field of view is one of my favorites.

I don't own the 16mm lens but previously used that field of view with other camera systems. I doubt I will buy one.

I think the issue boils down to the one stop aperture differences. If you plan to work in low light or are interested in subject isolation I would recommend the 16/1.4. The wider aperture is useful in low light because the DOF at 16 mm provides more flexibility compared to longer focal lengths. In my view the subject isolation differences are much less important.

I own the 14, 18, 27, 35/2 and 56 primes. I also kept the 10-24/4 zoom (a killer lens) but am seriously considering selling it as my photographic goals recently changed.

 

[f16sunshine]

I actually like the 18mm overall but it does not have that sort of "Magic" the f1.4/35mm and f1.4/23 draw with.
From your list of 3 lenses I would chose the 23mm without question. But that's just me.

The 18mm is pretty fast to focus on the XT1. I had no complaints with Speed or accuracy of focus.
My complaint with the 18 (if I'm looking at critically) is that it had the most software-ish and digital look out of the camera.
I always found myself adding grain to images try and give it appearance of smoother transitions with more gradient. (hard to explain exactly).
It was not great at longer distances or for landscape.
For candid snapshots and events involving people it's a handy lens and has great handling and small size.
I use the 18-55 now for events and find it's a much more flexible lens.
For street I still prefer the f1.4/35mm (actually I personally still mostly use film for street).

The f1.4/16mm is a lens I have not tried and would like to but will wait for a need.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Don't forget that the new 23/2 is about to hit the shelves. 🙂

 

[lawrence]

Yesterday I purchased a s/h 18mm as my third Fuji lens, the other two being the 27mm and the 18-55mm. Although I'm very impressed with the zoom I wanted a smaller lens as well and the 18mm seems very compact in comparison. Personally I find lenses wider than 28mm equiv. are great in some situations but are not 'general purpose', so I would buy another 18mm.

 

[______]

What do you shoot?

 

[pechelman]

The 23mm on the x100 is my personal favorite 23mm they make, though I havent looked into the new xf23/2 they recently released. Unless you need WR I wouldnt bother since you already have it.

I dislike the 23/1.4. Too big, too heavy, and too sterile.
The 16 is nice, but very large. I'd personally skip it.
The 18/2 is my 2nd favorite XF after the 35/1.4. I love how it renders. Wish it had a little less distortion sometimes, but really not too much of a problem.

The other lens I think you should consider is the 14/2.8. With your x100, this makes a really great 2 lens combo. Also, I quite like the rendering of the x100 with the wcl if you want 28mm again. (but still prefer the xf18/2 overall).

To some extent, I find 28mm and 35mm too close to carry both at the same time. I also find myself preferring 28mm a lot more than 35mm.

Personally, what I'd do, is add an XF18/2 or the WCL-x100. Lets you have 28/50 for a 2 lens kit, but also lets you keep the 35mm for a 1 cam\lens kit. The decision between the two I think should come down to how much you like\dislike changing lenses and how you feel about the different balance of the wcl on the x100.

 

[Dogman]

Optically, I'm in love with both the 23/1.4 and the 35/1.4. I'm also very happy with the 14/2.8. I could happily live with only those three lenses, each on a dedicated Fuji body.

For my purposes, I would skip the 18mm. I have one but I seldom use it. I don't have a quarrel with the optical quality whatsoever, unlike some who can't accept a little softness in the corners. It's just that 28mm (equivalent) is not a favorite focal length of mine.

I don't have the 16mm but reviews have been excellent. I'm comfortable with a 24mm (equivalent) lens--I wore out a couple of 24mm Nikkors back when I shot Nikons. The 24mm focal length is very versatile...at least I find it so.

I started using a 21mm when I shot with Leicas and grew to appreciate it even more than the 24mm, thus my current favorite outfit.

But really, any of the lenses you mention are more than capable.

 

[po-stit]

First of all thank you for all the replies you guys gave me. Very good insights.

When I sold my X-Pro 1 and purchased a X100T, I decided the 23/1.4 was redundant for my interests and projects. I once owned the X100... sold it to dump Nikon and switch to the X-T1 for commercial photography.

The 18/2 is a great reportage lens. The 18 mm's field of view is one of my favorites.

I don't own the 16mm lens but previously used that field of view with other camera systems. I doubt I will buy one.

I think the issue boils down to the one stop aperture differences. If you plan to work in low light or are interested in subject isolation I would recommend the 16/1.4. The wider aperture is useful in low light because the DOF at 16 mm provides more flexibility compared to longer focal lengths. In my view the subject isolation differences are much less important.

I own the 14, 18, 27, 35/2 and 56 primes. I also kept the 10-24/4 zoom (a killer lens) but am seriously considering selling it as my photographic goals recently changed.

The downside to me regarding this trio almost comes down to basically a game of aperture/price/overlapping FL.

Your recommendation is fair and the 10-24mm would be an amazing lens convering a lot of FL but ultimatelly its more expensive than the 16mm 1.4 (used anyway) and to be honest the 16mm 1.4 is my limit in terms of price.

I actually like the 18mm overall but it does not have that sort of "Magic" the f1.4/35mm and f1.4/23 draw with.
From your list of 3 lenses I would chose the 23mm without question. But that's just me.

The 18mm is pretty fast to focus on the XT1. I had no complaints with Speed or accuracy of focus.
My complaint with the 18 (if I'm looking at critically) is that it had the most software-ish and digital look out of the camera.
I always found myself adding grain to images try and give it appearance of smoother transitions with more gradient. (hard to explain exactly).
It was not great at longer distances or for landscape.
For candid snapshots and events involving people it's a handy lens and has great handling and small size.
I use the 18-55 now for events and find it's a much more flexible lens.
For street I still prefer the f1.4/35mm (actually I personally still mostly use film for street).

The f1.4/16mm is a lens I have not tried and would like to but will wait for a need.

If you say that the 23mm 1.4 is magical than thats a good point in favor to the 23mm. I used the 18mm and liked the rendering. I wont call it magical but definitely has something that i cant put a finger on it.

Can you compare the AF speed and accuracy of the 23mm to the 18mm since you own both.

Don't forget that the new 23/2 is about to hit the shelves. 🙂

Nah, going 23mm the only way i can justify owning the x100 already is with the 23mm 1.4.

Yesterday I purchased a s/h 18mm as my third Fuji lens, the other two being the 27mm and the 18-55mm. Although I'm very impressed with the zoom I wanted a smaller lens as well and the 18mm seems very compact in comparison. Personally I find lenses wider than 28mm equiv. are great in some situations but are not 'general purpose', so I would buy another 18mm.

That's what im afraid of. When i used the 24mm i remember being unconfortable but seeing the images so different after some time it's really refreshin. But still that much money for just a "different look"...

What do you shoot?

Personal stuff only. A little street and travel. Nothing to fancy.

The 23mm on the x100 is my personal favorite 23mm they make, though I havent looked into the new xf23/2 they recently released. Unless you need WR I wouldnt bother since you already have it.

I dislike the 23/1.4. Too big, too heavy, and too sterile.
The 16 is nice, but very large. I'd personally skip it.
The 18/2 is my 2nd favorite XF after the 35/1.4. I love how it renders. Wish it had a little less distortion sometimes, but really not too much of a problem.

The other lens I think you should consider is the 14/2.8. With your x100, this makes a really great 2 lens combo. Also, I quite like the rendering of the x100 with the wcl if you want 28mm again. (but still prefer the xf18/2 overall).

To some extent, I find 28mm and 35mm too close to carry both at the same time. I also find myself preferring 28mm a lot more than 35mm.

Personally, what I'd do, is add an XF18/2 or the WCL-x100. Lets you have 28/50 for a 2 lens kit, but also lets you keep the 35mm for a 1 cam\lens kit. The decision between the two I think should come down to how much you like\dislike changing lenses and how you feel about the different balance of the wcl on the x100.

What do you mean by sterile? It doesnt seem to be a consensus on the rendering of this lens. Even in this thread someone called it magical and other like you called it sterile.
You are kinda right the 28mm with the 50mm on the x-t1 and the x100 would be a good and more versatile set than the 23mm x2 and 35mm.

Optically, I'm in love with both the 23/1.4 and the 35/1.4. I'm also very happy with the 14/2.8. I could happily live with only those three lenses, each on a dedicated Fuji body.

For my purposes, I would skip the 18mm. I have one but I seldom use it. I don't have a quarrel with the optical quality whatsoever, unlike some who can't accept a little softness in the corners. It's just that 28mm (equivalent) is not a favorite focal length of mine.

I don't have the 16mm but reviews have been excellent. I'm comfortable with a 24mm (equivalent) lens--I wore out a couple of 24mm Nikkors back when I shot Nikons. The 24mm focal length is very versatile...at least I find it so.

I started using a 21mm when I shot with Leicas and grew to appreciate it even more than the 24mm, thus my current favorite outfit.

But really, any of the lenses you mention are more than capable.

21mm to me starts to be really unconfortable and doesnt shoot my shooting style of "documenting" my day to day life. But i heard good thigs of this 14mm 2.8 and i can get it for pretty cheap prices used.

I'm still undecided but i probably will be getting the 18mm or the 23mm. The 16mm despite amazing and probably a better complement to the 23 on the x100 and 35mm on the x-t1 its to big and to expensive.

The 18mm is super cheap and has a nice rendering but the 23mm has an adittional stop which i like very much because i mainly shoot in dim conditions and the build quality is better and i feel that it will complement better my X-T1 with the vertical grip.

 

[Jdi]

Having all of them and having had all the X100 varieties, my thoughts:

23/1.4 is a better lens than the X100’s 23. You'll see it in the details, you'll see it in color transitions/contrast. It's not a small lens, you know it's mounted (I came from a D800). Can occasionally hunt in low light. If it's a focal length you use a lot, it's a solid buy. I hardly use mine. Will likely swap it for the 23/2.

18 is one of my favorite lenses. I love the draw, the edges don't bother me, small, quick focusing, will focus on anything in low light with little contrast.

The 16 is simply awesome. Large and heavy but it's Fuji's best, or one of its best lenses. Does everything right. Ahh moments when I look at the files. 18 still gets more use. Easier focal length to deal with for general photography.

 

[taemo]

everyone is praising the XF 16mm, great performer, sharp and f1.4.
however for myself, I find 24 equiv to be too wide as primary go to lens, and the lens is big too.

if you've used a XF 23mm 1.4 then you know what to expect in terms of size.
personally I dont like walking around with a big lens, so I prefer the XF 18mm more.

 

[narsuitus]

Based on my shooting style, my subject matter, and my years of shooting with Nikon lenses, I knew what lenses I wanted for my Fuji X. The 23mm f/1.4 was the first lens purchased. The 23 is my main general purpose prime lens. If I owned the Fuji X100 with its fixed 23mm f/2 lens, I probably would never have purchased the 23mm f/1.4.

The 56mm f/1.2 was my second purchase. I use it when I need a focal length longer than my 23.

The 16mm f/1.4 was my third purchase. I use it when I need a focal length wider than my 23.

I never considered the 18mm Fujinon for the following reasons:
1. Its small size and light weight were not important to me.
2. I have an 18mm f/3.5 Nikon lens that I could adapt if I needed the 18mm focal length.
3. I needed a wide angle faster than the 18mm f/2 Fujinon.


Fuji 16mm f/1.4 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[narsuitus]

The 35 and the 50mm equivalent fov is amazing but I need something wider.

For my Nikon, I have 35 and 50mm focal length lenses. However, I rarely carry them at the same time because their field-of-view is too close together for my shooting style. When I carry the 50mm as my main lens, I usually flank it with a 28mm and a 135mm. If I were to carry the 35mm f/2 as my main lens with my Fuji X, I would flank it with the 18mm f/2 and the 90mm f/2.

 

[TKH]

I love my 18mm. Its the perfect travel lens for me. Small, quick enough, very good AF, very nice rendering and ice on the cake its not expensive.

DSCF4892-Bearbeitet by Rainer Duesmann, auf Flickr

http://notcolour.blogspot.de/2016/10/london.html

Rainer

 

[po-stit]

Thank you guys for all the good insight. I was thinking and i excluded the 16mm. Not that it's not a bad lens or too big. But i don't want to spend that much money on a lens that isn't such a versatile day to day focal length.

im down to the 18mm and the 23mm. Still deciding between the two. Will probably get the 18mm first because its the next logical step considering i have a x100 but i think i would prefer the 23mm. On other side i should get already the 23mm and later the 16mm so i could have the holy fuji trinity. Either way i think any decision won't be a bad decision.

 

[taemo]

you have the 35mm on the X-T1? have you ever considered getting the WCL for the X100 to give you 28mm equiv?

X100 w/ WCL + X-T1 w/ 35mm would make a versatile combo.
you can then start saving for the 16mm if you wish going wider 😉

 

[po-stit]

you have the 35mm on the X-T1? have you ever considered getting the WCL for the X100 to give you 28mm equiv?

X100 w/ WCL + X-T1 w/ 35mm would make a versatile combo.
you can then start saving for the 16mm if you wish going wider 😉

What are the advantages? The 18mm is faster focusing. The EVF on the XT1 is much better than the one on the X100 so why would i go X100 w WCL. The only advantage is only having two separate cameras right?

Btw, last weekend i went to a photowalk organized by Fuji here in Portugal an they let us borrow some lenses. I tried the 16mm 1.4 and the 23mm 1.4. I can attest that the 16mm is scary sharp in the center but the focal length is really not my thing. However with the 23mm i felt right at home and it it also a lens that is stupidly sharp wide open.

So i guess I've decided myself. My next fuji lens will be the 23mm 1.4 and eventually the 18mm later down the road. Im still thinking but im considering selling the X100.

 

[helen.HH]

To my eye, I love what I see with the 18mm

That would br be my next Fuji lens... If I keep my Xpro1

 

[jsrockit]

You could go 18mm and 27mm and get two for one price (of the other lenses).

 

[Dogman]

"So i guess I've decided myself. My next fuji lens will be the 23mm 1.4 and eventually the 18mm later down the road. Im still thinking but im considering selling the X100."

The 23/1.4 is an excellent choice. As I said above, I could live with the 35/1.4, 23/1.4 and 14/2.8 as my only lenses and be very happy.

But, IMO, I would hang onto the X100. While the 23/1.4 is optically better than the 23/2 on the X100, it's the whole package that makes the X100 series so useful. More often than not, I use my X100S over other cameras because it's such a delight to carry and use.