Review: Tyningham Beach with the Fujinon 18mm f2

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I recently acquired the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and a quartet of prime lenses.  Of these four - 14mm f2.8, 18mm f2, 35mm f1.4 and 60mm f2.4 macro - I thought the moderately wide 18mm f2 (27mm in full frame terms) would be the lens that would stay in the camera bag the most and the 14mm (21mm equivalent) would be the wide angle lens of choice with this camera.

However the reality is this is the lens I have actually taken more shots on since getting the X-Pro1.  I think the reason for this is the 14mm is physically bigger - about twice the size of the 18mm - and because of the extra angle of coverage, it is a more considered choice when out and about.   The 14mm is also an F2.8 and one stop slower than the 18mm which is an f2. Not so much of a problem on a sunny day but in low light conditions without a tripod than one stop could make all the difference.



Today was a good example when we visited Tyningham Beach for a walk.  This wasn't a photographic trip, it was a walk out with my wife to get some fresh air and I took the X-Pro1 along for some shots while strolling along.  I did take some images on the 14mm and the 60mm but I kept swapping back to the 18mm as it is wide enough but also not so wide that it makes features  in the middle distance look too far away, as the 14mm tends to do. 



Don't get me wrong, all of the four lenses are superb and each have their unique characteristics, but I've found the 18mm to be a cracking all round lens! More of my thoughts on the X-Pro1 and the Fujinon lenses on tomorrow's blog.
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