I finally pulled the trigger on an X-T30 II and I am so hyped to start shooting something other than my old iPhone. I am planning a big trip to the Olympic Peninsula next month so I really need a decent zoom lens that wont break the bank since I already spent a huge chunk of my savings on the camera body itself.
I spent all night yesterday looking at reviews and I am honestly torn. Everyone says the XF 18-55mm is the gold standard for kit lenses but even used ones on eBay are pushing $350 or $400 which is basically my entire remaining budget right now. Then I saw the XC 15-45mm which is super cheap like $150 used, but people keep saying the power zoom is annoying and it feels like a plastic toy? I dont want something thats gonna break the first time I take it out in the PNW mist or accidentally bump it against a rock.
Is there a middle ground I am missing? I saw some stuff about the Sigma 18-50mm but thats way more expensive than I thought it would be. If I can only spend about $350 max should I just suck it up and get the plastic XC lens or is it worth eating ramen for a month to get the XF version? Or is there some third-party lens I totally skipped over that works well with the smaller Fuji body...
Honestly, if you are heading to the Olympic Peninsula, you might want to consider the risks of using some of the cheaper glass in damp conditions. The Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ is definitely a bit fragile for a rugged trip and that power zoom can be frustratingly slow when you are trying to catch a quick shot of wildlife or changing light. It is basically a plastic pancake lens, so I would suggest avoiding it if you are worried about durability or bumping it against rocks. If $350 is your absolute limit, I would suggest looking for a used Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS. I know you mentioned eBay prices are high, but you should check dedicated gear sites like MPB or KEH since they often have copies in good condition right at your $320 mark. It has much better build quality than the XC line and the optical stabilization is superior for those darker, moody forest shots you get in the PNW. It just feels right on an X-T30 II body. A middle ground you might have missed is the Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II. It is still a plastic mount, but it uses a mechanical zoom ring instead of the electronic power zoom. It feels slightly more substantial than the 15-45mm and usually runs under $200. Just make sure to keep a rain cover over your kit because neither that lens nor your camera are officially weather-sealed. I would personally skip the ramen and just hunt for a deal on the XF tho... the physical aperture ring and faster glass make a huge difference in the field.
