- Fuji Recommended Kits
In this article, I'll be going through a couple of recommended kits I have for the Fuji X System, essentially, trying to think of which three lenses would be the best buys in each of the following categories. In summary, I've come up with the following selections:
- The DSLR convert, wedding and event photographer - 10-24mm f/4 OIS, 16-55mm f/2.8, 50-140mm f/2.8.
- The all-rounder (value-oriented, starter kit) - 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, 35mm f/1.4, 55-200mm OIS
- The portrait photographer - 23mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, 56mm f/1.2
- The street shooter - 18mm f/2, 23mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4 (alternatively - 18mm f/2, 27mm f/2.8, 56mm f/1.2)
- Lightweight kit - 18mm f/2, 27mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4
- Holiday kit - 35mm f/1.4, 18-135mm OIS, (another lens of your choice)
DSLR Convert, Weddings and Events (Performance Oriented)
All-Rounder (Budget Oriented)
The all-rounder kit is more of a budget oriented kit which aims to provide the best image quality at a reasonable price point. Rather than choosing the absolute best performers in each of the categories, I've gone for the mid-range models which offer almost the same image quality, but at a much lower cost. Unlike the performance oriented kit, this one focuses more on cost and image quality rather than the build quality or autofocus speeds of the lenses. My recommendation is the Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, Fuji 35mm f/1.4, Fuji 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 OIS.
Whilst commonly described as a "kit lens", the Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS is an excellent lens which retails for more than many of the bodies it is bundled with. Unlike the cheaper "XC" line of Fuji lenses, the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS is a stellar performer which delivers amazing image quality in a nifty, light-weight and well-built package. The price difference between the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS (in a kit) and the 16-50mm XC lens is marginal. I'd pick the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS.
The Fuji 35mm f/1.4 will be a great prime lens to use when out shooting. Its wide aperture works well when shooting in low light, allowing it to capture four times as much light as the fastest f/2.8 zooms. This is why I always recommend primes when you need great low-light performance. People love to harp on about their f/2.8 zooms, but an f/1.4 prime is infinitely better in low light.
The 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 OIS rounds out the kit nicely. Like the Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, it sits in the middle of Fuji's three telephoto lenses, so it works well in an all-rounder kit, offering great image quality at a very affordable price. Compared to the 50-140mm f/2.8 OIS, this lens loses around 1.5 stops of light, so not quite four times as much less light. However, it also weighs significantly less and costs around a third as much. It complements the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS extremely well, offering similar build quality and image quality.
Whilst commonly described as a "kit lens", the Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS is an excellent lens which retails for more than many of the bodies it is bundled with. Unlike the cheaper "XC" line of Fuji lenses, the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS is a stellar performer which delivers amazing image quality in a nifty, light-weight and well-built package. The price difference between the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS (in a kit) and the 16-50mm XC lens is marginal. I'd pick the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS.
The Fuji 35mm f/1.4 will be a great prime lens to use when out shooting. Its wide aperture works well when shooting in low light, allowing it to capture four times as much light as the fastest f/2.8 zooms. This is why I always recommend primes when you need great low-light performance. People love to harp on about their f/2.8 zooms, but an f/1.4 prime is infinitely better in low light.
The 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 OIS rounds out the kit nicely. Like the Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, it sits in the middle of Fuji's three telephoto lenses, so it works well in an all-rounder kit, offering great image quality at a very affordable price. Compared to the 50-140mm f/2.8 OIS, this lens loses around 1.5 stops of light, so not quite four times as much less light. However, it also weighs significantly less and costs around a third as much. It complements the 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS extremely well, offering similar build quality and image quality.