No, you may not believe the various forums entries. The XF 18mm f2 is neither exceptionally slow, yet it forms soft starting. It is also processed by no means cheap. It reveals itself to me not quite understand why this lens is often portrayed as a last resort. I have noticed it after several months intensive use as a small and lightweight all-round lens for wide-angle. Haptic also this lens from the proven metal-plastic combination is made and comes from the factory with a matching compact lens hood / lens hood. Despite the relative "shortly", the aperture ring takes quite ergonomic and is easily accessible. The image quality at full aperture that is criticized as soft and little contrast, I can not confirm definitively. Photos at maximum aperture, for example, in very dark conditions, exhibit high contrast, detail and sharpness. Small caveat though: this is not true for the corners! So if you want to use the lens for landscape photography, you should stop down to f8, like wide-angle lenses usual. Excessive sensitivity to scattered light I have not experienced.
An unpleasant or difficult to correct distortion is also not determine slight perspective corrections can be easily done in Lightroom or similar digital darkrooms, if desired. Since the autofocus fail and quickly works goes (much faster than the other two lenses that I use: the 35mm 1.4 and 60mm 2.4) comes to mind for the life of a nothing I could criticize about this lens. The price is absolutely reasonable in my opinion and in no way too high.
A little word about outstanding XF14mm: I had it as a test ordered me, as I thought, to be sure need the last millimeter in the lower range of focal lengths. I have found for myself that the point of view of the XF 18mm my photographic habit came to meet more and more versatile use. The XF 14mm is a special lens that XF18mm the cheap all-rounder. For me, this little girl was the right thing, but a blanket recommendation is difficult at this point. I recommend trying both lenses!
A compliment still on Amazon, which, as always, provided the item quickly and reliably!
I hope this brief overview has been helpful for you. Contact me happy, if still have unanswered questions.
