Fujifilm XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

If you are looking for a wide angle zoom for the Fuji X series, this is it. It's sharp at all distances, flexible with a constant f/4 largest f/stop, with some but minimal edge distortion at 10-11mm that lessens as the lens is stopped down. This is the second copy that I tried; the first had distortion and softness on the right edge at almost all distances and f/stops. It also had a speck of dirt under the rear glass element. Amazon was great about taking it back. I took this second copy on a shoot to Bandelier using a Fujifilm X-T1 which it couples beautifully with. It was a dull grey day with gusty winds but most of my images came out very well, especially when processing the RAW files and using some distortion correction for the widest angle images. The shooting range was very flexible; I was able to photograph ancient ruins, landscape, and using the macro setting, buds in bloom. It operates smoothly and quickly; the lens length stays the same size throughout its range. I had very few photos that weren't sharp though some had softer edges and a bit more edge distortion than others. I could not see any flare using the hood that comes with the lens. I am using a 72mm B+W UV MRC Filter for protection. I think the weight and size of the lens works well with the X-T1 since this body is very fast to focus and shoot.

There were a couple reasons why I hesitated for more than a year to buy one. First off there was the price: not cheap, even on sale. Next, some reviewers noted that the optics have more distortion than similar lens for other camera systems (though normally you'll never see it due to automatically applied corrections). Finally, many reviewers noted that it gets softer at the longer focal lengths. Turns out I needn't have worried; compared to the XF primes, yeah, it is softer, BUT, it is sharper than the XF 18-55mm kit lens, at the same apertures, for the focal lengths where their zoom ranges overlap (18-24mm)--a fact I never saw mentioned in any review I read! It was only when I was carefully comparing test data that I discovered it (I've also verified it on my own).I tend to shot wide. On a recent trip I took this lens and the XF 55-200mm. In the end, the 10-24 lens stayed on the camera for the whole trip. Now if I'd gone to the zoo, I'd probably have swapped lens for awhile. :)Pros:* very handy zoom range for travel* excellent image quality for a zoom* quick, quiet focus* OIS* balances comfortably on the X-T1Cons:* expensive, even when it is on sale* uses digital trickery to correct for optical distortion and vignettingSummary:I put off buying this lens for too long, but I'm glad I finally got it.Alternatives:Before getting this I bought the In the Rokinon/Samyang 12mm which is a a wonderful lens and a bargain, though the manual focus gots old. I'll keep it because it's a couple stops faster.

Sold my 14mm Fujifilm prime after getting this lens and putting it on my X-T1 and I haven't looked back for one second. For me this zoom is a necessity, a workhorse if there ever was one. I am one of those who at 69 left my Cannon D2 and all my L lenses for the Fuji system primarily because of size and weight. With the X-T1 and this lens along with Fujifilms other 2 zooms I feel complete again . . . except for a true macro lens (not just close-up) and weather sealed zooms. I know I will replace my other 2 zooms with the faster weather sealed ones as soon as they come out, but so far I don't see where Fujifilm plans to provide a weather sealed replacement lens for this particular zoom. So this lens will probably be with me for a long time. Last evening in the garden shooting at 10mm, wide open, high ISO, low shutter speed, and excellent IS mere inches away from a budding grape vine leaf with another vine in the background going vertical way up against the darkening night sky and getting it all in the picture with the budding leaf in perfect focus and exposure like a close-up macro, I said to myself "Yea man, with this lens I'm back in business again." Thank you Fujifilm for this well built, excellent wide angle zoom. I really like it a lot and it has found a home on my camera.

For me this is the ideal mate to my 50-140. For landscape work I usually want fairly wide or moderate telephoto lens lengths, and I rarely use the 18-55 range of lens lengths. For interiors I've found this lens is all I need.The constant f4 aperture is just fine considering I typically shoot around f8 to f11. I have used the lens frequently handheld and the lens-based stabilization works very well. Though honestly most would find IS on wide angle lenses pretty much unnecessary, the old "1/lens length" slowest shutter speed rule suggests a shutter speed range of 1/10 to 1/24 seconds (depending on zoom setting) is hand-holdable and I've found it to be true.The lens features internal focus and zoom which I find very useful when using filter holders. On some lenses like the 18-55 or the 55-200 the lens barrel extends as it is zoomed. It doesn't take much pressure at all to push or pull the front of the lens changing the zoom setting and your composition.There is a rumour that this lens is due for an update, it is among Fuji's oldest zoom lenses. If an update is announced it will probably be before the end of October 2020, but unless the change is something substantial I wouldn't be too concerned. This current version now on sale at $300 off is a steal!