Individually expensive - as Kit 100% Cheapest

Since November, I use the X-E1 with the Fuji 35mm 1.4 and more recently the reviewed standard zoom. I do not want to lose so many things about the 35s. It is - to stay with the Fuji jargon :) - visually a masterpiece. I still have no lens in this price range used, which could represent more details centrally, as little distortion and CA's had and was so small and delicate. Haptic it remains in my view, minimal lag behind the standard zoom. Please do not misunderstand, both lenses move at a very high production level and pleasing visually and by weight perfectly with the X-E1 together.

Compared to the 35s of the AF of the zoom is noticeably faster. The image stabilization is very effective and allows me at 55mm and F4.0 shutter speeds of 1/15 very passable results. The lens is very well made. The sun visor is indeed made of plastic but valent as eg Nikon lenses the lower and middle class. The aperture ring snaps better than with the 35er. The zoom ring is running very smoothly, without too easy to run. The focus ring is running slightly heavier than in the 35s, I feel as though better because meterable in manual focus. All in one it feels even better, than the 35er. The resolution at the corners is very good at all focal lengths.
It is a relatively expensive lens, it gives very good tactile - it rattles, shakes, crunches nothing - and optical quality. Aperture 2.8 at 18mm and 4 at 55mm is in a zoom lens in this focal length range (otherwise 3.5-5.6) also exceptional and makes a positive effect in low light shots noticeable.

Before X-System I had recently photographed with the Nikon D3200 + AF-S DX 3,5-5,6 / 16-85, later Nikon AF-S 4,0 / 24-120 ED VR. The Fuji Zoom is significantly superior to the first Niko push visual and tactile. Compared to the latter, it is visually equal, haptic I think that Niko push for more robust.

Let the disturbing things me personally and the reason for the 4 star rating. In the first place, the high price as a solo lens, then the small zoom range (at least weitwinkelig it could have been 16 mm, can zoom upward "to prima walk) and the right not entirely to Fuji look sun visor.

The first negative point can be compensated with the purchase of X-E1 + 18mm-55mm kit. You save 250, so the lens for 400. No other lens maker can provide this quality gets most of the money.

The second point, the 18mm focal length, I hope soon by the upcoming Fuji 14mm F2.8 lens or ideally the upcoming Fuji 10-24 F4.0 (lt. X Mount Lens Roadmap 2012-2013) to compensate. In which case the question arises to me whether the combination 14 F2.8 (or 10-24 F4.0) --- 35 --- 55-200 F1.4 F3.5 F4.8-is no better.

In the third point can be found on third-party or a tip of hope the readers of this review.

Conclusion: As a solo lens expensive, together as a kit with the X-E1 most recommendation and full 5 stars. Retains Fuji these premium quality of the lenses coming from the X Mount Lens Road Map 2012-2013, the system will find in my view, a lot of fans among serious amateurs, the competition take a large market share and perhaps even more for final quality and NikCan in the consumer sector worry :).

PS I made a short photographic comparison between Fuji 35mm F1.4 and the 18-55mm zoom, and put this in the Amazon Gallery. The test was performed with ISO200 (without OIS zoom in) and on tripod.

Result:

When push "open aperture" (F3.6) and fixed focal length maximum aperture (F1.4) and the same focal length (35mm) is the zoom of the fixed focal length in the center and clearly superior in the corners. But that was to be expected due to the aperture values.

At the same aperture (F3.6) and the same focal length (35mm) is the fixed focal length in the center minimally detailed and high-contrast, in the corners, however the zoom is better. Somewhat surprisingly, but okay, I want primarily indemnify the fixed focal length, the image center.

At the same aperture (F5.6) and the same focal length (35mm) are zoom and fixed focal length in the center equivalent, in the corners of the zoom is slightly better. Had I not so suspected am also positively surprised by Zoom.

Both lenses not really stand out for me, however, in competition :). Each fulfills very well your purpose. The Zoom as a universal travel companion. The fixed focal length as a crop tool and "light giant" at events, celebrations, indoors where flash would distort the atmosphere. Due to their size and low weight, I have both with always. The comparisons I have made at 100% magnification. On Facebook, 9x13 photos, in A3 photo books, etc. will hardly notice the difference.

Update 14.01.2013

Have another photographic comparison between Fuji 18-55mm zoom, the Sigma 10-20mm EX DC HSM F4,0-5,6 and the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm 1: 3,5-4,5G ED made, and put this in the Amazon Gallery. The test was performed with ISO200 (without OIS zoom in) and on tripod. As a focal length I chose 18mm. The foreign lenses were adapted to a Novoflex FUX / NIK adapter with Blendenmitnehmer.

Even though I could not exactly determine the aperture value on the external lenses (because the adapter only stepless aperture control is possible), the Fuji Zoom is my clear favorite. The Sigma Zoom comes ran at no f-number at Fuji. The difference is quite clear. The Nikon Zoom comes only from about Aperture F11 ran to the performance of the Fuji lens. When the aperture numbers, Fuji is minimal detailed.

Again I was surprised the little Fuji lens. This imaging performance in the initial focal length 18mm, which is partly due to the performance of the Nikon 10-24mm super wide angle specialist, I would not have suspected. If the upcoming Fuji Super Wide Angle Zoom 10-24mm the same, or even better optical quality than the offer 18-55mm, it will make an impact, and zooms are certainly among the best super wide angle on the market.