OK, I am just about ready to pull the trigger on this, and I have a question for anyone who is using the new Fuji 18-55 zoom and also owns the 60/2.4 macro prime:
Is it worth owning both? I don't do a lot of macro work, but I love having a ~90mm-eq lens for portraits. There is only a 1.3 stop difference in the long end of the zoom, so of course there will be some difference in shallow focus effects -- is it substantial? Does the zoom focus close enough for tight portraits? The 60 is $350 with the rebates, so price is not a huge factor in this decision, though of course I could use that for some accessories. (I'd be buying the 14, 35, 18-55, and the 55-200 when it's available.) I'm currently using the 14/20/45 primes for Micro 4/3, so I'm used to the 3-lens prime kit. But if the zoom will do most of what I need, that would be preferable.
Any comments? Thanks in advance....
Ken
Ken,
I started with the X-Pro 1 and the 18, 35, and 60mm primes. After getting my wife a X-E1 with the 18-55mm I really liked it, so I bought one for myself. The 18-55mm is quite good, and much better than a lot of zooms. I still use the 60mm for some macro work, especially flowers. It focuses slower and has a long throw when in manual, but it has a nice bokeh. I wish it was a little closer focusing but can't have everything. I have also gotten the 14mm, and 55-200mm. The 14mm is outstanding and I am really liking the 55-200mm as well, so I have to say there are no bad lenses so far for the X-series. I also have the 8mm fisheye from Samyang for specialty stuff.
For general walk around, not sure what I am going to take pictures of, I will just carry the 18-55mm, and maybe the 35mm, and now the 55-200mm as well. If I am driving somewhere or going to a more deliberate photo trip, I will take the kitchen sink.
It looks like you have seen the roadmap. Since I have the 60mm, the 56mm does not interest me at the moment, but maybe see what happens when they release it. I am definitely waiting for the 23mm.
After using the Fuji camera for over year, I find I hardly ever carry around the dslr any more. I will use it for sports or wildlife, but the Fuji goes with me every day with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm and maybe another lens or two, but now usually just the 2 lenses.
Alan