[First Look: CSC X-mount Lens]

Covering a focal length range equivalent to 27-202.5mm, the XF 18-135mm will be welcomed by many owners of X-mount cameras for its versatility, particularly by owners of the weather-sealed X-T1 model, which is the ideal match for the company’s first weather-resistant lens.

Photo Review was supplied with one of three pre-production lenses that were brought to Australia the weekend before it was announced and we received an X-T1 body to use for our exploration of its capabilities. Being a pre-production unit, we were unable to conduct our regular Imatest tests; that will have to wait until a production unit is available.

The optical design consists of 16 elements in 12 groups, with four aspherical and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements included. EBC (Electron Beam Coating) is applied to some elements to minimise back-scatter, which can cause flare and ghosting.

This lens is supplied with plastic front and end caps, the former with a pinch-type attachment that is large and makes it easy to fit and remove the cap. The box includes a petal-shaped lens hood, which is also made from plastic and attaches via a bayonet mount. It can be reversed over the lens barrel for storage. A soft carrying/storage pouch is provided.

The new Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens. (Source: Fujifilm.)

While not actually filling a gap in Fujifilm’s X-mount line-up, this lens covers a wider range of angles-of-view than the standard XF 18-55mm lens (which is faster) or the cheaper XC 16-50mm lens (which covers the same maximum aperture range).

It’s likely to appeal most to family photographers and travellers ““ and anyone else who will appreciate the convenience of having a single lens that can be used to photograph a wide variety of different subject types.