The magic here is that it's a lightweight super-zoom that can turn your IBIS-capable Fujifilm X-body into a great little "camcorder" and it works great on a gimbal. Parfocality is mostly a trick of the firmware, and the power-zoom is easy enough to come to grips with, though I hate how slow the zoom ring is "geared" (multiple revolutions to run the full range). The toggle ring is definitely my favorite way to operate this PZ. Optically, I think it's a better match for the X-H2S than the 40MP sensor, but it should certainly be considered pretty excellent when compared with other super-zooms. Higher-end feeling build materials like a metal barrel or OIS would make it heavier and less travel and gimbal-friendly, so I approve of the trade-off. It's the most "stoutly built" plastic lens I've ever owned, anyway ;-)
Aimed at different user, potentially. I prefer the extra range of this one and some of my cameras have IBIS so that's a non issue for the most part. Do love 16mm though. Hmmm.
Id quite like to have the video option and wonder whether to get this and for street, landscape stills buy a few primes. How wpuld it fair with the xt5?
Considering this lens for outdoor sports photography on a X10s APS-C body. The crop factor would give me an equivalent focal range of 27-180mm which is appealing to me as a beginner combo for sports photography. Do you have any pros and cons that I don't see?
I did consider getting the xf 18-120mm, but then realising I already own it, sort of. I'm talking about the xf 18-135mm. Although a bit slower at the telephoto end, the OIS, LM, IQ... is still superb and it is/was even more affordable than the xf 18-120mm. I can see the appeal though, especial for videographers.
I have this lens and the XH2s. Really like it though it’s my second copy as the first had to be returned. Stopped working after just a couple of days. This one I have had for about 9 months and it has been fine. Light in weight and mainly plastic construction but clear and sharp. Enjoying using it. I use it mainly for video but stills quality is actually pretty good. In your video can I ask were you using an nd filter and shutter speed 2 x frame rate? I ask as the video of the gulls in flight look as if it was shot with a high shutter speed. Nice video though.
I guess there's always some copies of any tech that has a flaw, glad you got a good one after though! Hopefully it's a "one off". As for the video yes 2x is the norm for me, unless something goes awry. I didn't use an nd filter with this lens though. Does look odd but no!
Having owned both, I kept the power zoom for video on my X-H2S. The image quality is comparable, pluses are constant f/4 aperture, internal zoom, lighter weight, and a visual indicator of focal length in the EVF. I wish Fuji would have done that with the little 15-45.
Great Video as always! As a new owner of the excellent X-H2 the 18-120mm lens certainly interests me. However I'm primarily a stills photographer and for me the features/iq of this lens don't add up... certainly not to over £900 John Greenwood
Fuji needs to get their shit together with the exposure jumps when zooming (and even visible distortion correction jumps). If every other camera manufacturer can do zooms without this issue, WHY CANT FUJI?
Nice review :-) I have no interest in buying this lens, though. Even a lens collector like me has their limits. Power zoom on a $900 lens? (Sorry 900 quid for those in Blighty). No thanks. But then, I don't really shoot video, so it makes no sense for me at all.
![[ENG] Fujifilm 18-120mm F4 LM PZ WR Initial Review](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nuTOQQQ5bZU/mqdefault.jpg)
I mis a detailed use of the power zoom function in video and aperture control.
The magic here is that it's a lightweight super-zoom that can turn your IBIS-capable Fujifilm X-body into a great little "camcorder" and it works great on a gimbal. Parfocality is mostly a trick of the firmware, and the power-zoom is easy enough to come to grips with, though I hate how slow the zoom ring is "geared" (multiple revolutions to run the full range). The toggle ring is definitely my favorite way to operate this PZ. Optically, I think it's a better match for the X-H2S than the 40MP sensor, but it should certainly be considered pretty excellent when compared with other super-zooms. Higher-end feeling build materials like a metal barrel or OIS would make it heavier and less travel and gimbal-friendly, so I approve of the trade-off. It's the most "stoutly built" plastic lens I've ever owned, anyway ;-)
Thanks for this!!!!
Always a quality and in-depth review in the real world use 😊
Thanks!
Hi Damian, what are your thoughts when comparing this with the 16-80? Does the extra 40mm outweigh not having an aperture ring or stabilization?
Aimed at different user, potentially. I prefer the extra range of this one and some of my cameras have IBIS so that's a non issue for the most part. Do love 16mm though. Hmmm.
Id quite like to have the video option and wonder whether to get this and for street, landscape stills buy a few primes. How wpuld it fair with the xt5?
It would be very, very good!!!
Considering this lens for outdoor sports photography on a X10s APS-C body. The crop factor would give me an equivalent focal range of 27-180mm which is appealing to me as a beginner combo for sports photography. Do you have any pros and cons that I don't see?
I think it will work well
I did consider getting the xf 18-120mm, but then realising I already own it, sort of. I'm talking about the xf 18-135mm. Although a bit slower at the telephoto end, the OIS, LM, IQ... is still superb and it is/was even more affordable than the xf 18-120mm. I can see the appeal though, especial for videographers.
There's definitely room for the 18-135! I need to revisit that lens
18-135 I wanted years ago because range, OIS and WR... it's a fantastic all rounder.
I have this lens and the XH2s. Really like it though it’s my second copy as the first had to be returned. Stopped working after just a couple of days. This one I have had for about 9 months and it has been fine. Light in weight and mainly plastic construction but clear and sharp. Enjoying using it. I use it mainly for video but stills quality is actually pretty good. In your video can I ask were you using an nd filter and shutter speed 2 x frame rate? I ask as the video of the gulls in flight look as if it was shot with a high shutter speed. Nice video though.
I guess there's always some copies of any tech that has a flaw, glad you got a good one after though! Hopefully it's a "one off".
As for the video yes 2x is the norm for me, unless something goes awry. I didn't use an nd filter with this lens though. Does look odd but no!
Hi mate im interested to buy this lens for weddings , with your experience what do you think mate
Another fabulous video by mr brummy Brown 👍👌😄 and how does this lens compare against the Fuji xf18-135mm ?
Having owned both, I kept the power zoom for video on my X-H2S. The image quality is comparable, pluses are constant f/4 aperture, internal zoom, lighter weight, and a visual indicator of focal length in the EVF. I wish Fuji would have done that with the little 15-45.
I haven't used the 18-135 in a good while but as Kevin said really. I am curious to see how it fares as a hybrid lens on the newer sensors though.
Great Video as always!
As a new owner of the excellent X-H2 the 18-120mm lens certainly interests me. However I'm primarily a stills photographer and for me the features/iq of this lens don't add up... certainly not to over £900
John Greenwood
I would have to agree with you John
Tasty Sir, very tasty 😎
Thanks a lot
Are those shot handheld using IBIS
Yes
Fuji needs to get their shit together with the exposure jumps when zooming (and even visible distortion correction jumps). If every other camera manufacturer can do zooms without this issue, WHY CANT FUJI?
It's very annoying
Nice review :-) I have no interest in buying this lens, though. Even a lens collector like me has their limits. Power zoom on a $900 lens? (Sorry 900 quid for those in Blighty). No thanks. But then, I don't really shoot video, so it makes no sense for me at all.
Thanks as always Nicholas