request: check combo of XT-2 & 18-55 for video wobble at long focal lengths

[kimballistic]

Hello,

 

I am a happy XT-1 owner considering the above combination (XT-2 + 18-55) for a through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail next year.  I will be shooting a lot more video and am interested in the 18-55 because it has OIS which will significantly help with video (plus a great focal length range in a lighter-weight package).

 

In my research I have come across a wobble phenomenon at focal lengths beyond 35mm that ruins video:

 

Would any new XT-2 owners be kind enough to briefly test this and report back?  So far I only have one data point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJKn4_ZrjhQ

 

I'd love to hear from more XT-2 owners so I could be more confident in my choice of gear.

 

Thank you!

 

(and yeah, this is still a heavy setup for long-distance backpacking, but it's frankly just more fun to shoot with compared to smaller cameras like sony's RX100 line, and that's critical to me)

Edited September 30, 2016 by kimballistic

[persco]

I'm interested in the answer as well. We're planning to through-hike the PCT in 2017, too. And I'm debating whether to bring the X-T2 with me. I don't own the 18-55, but was thinking of getting a 16-55. I'm not sure how either fare on video use.

[kimballistic]

Awesome! I can tell you the 16-55 is awful for hiking. It's just so damn heavy. I use the peak designs capture clip and it's too heavy to rest on my shoulder all day. I have many Fuji lenses and it's the first I would get rid of if/when needed. The image quality isn't close enough to the primes to justify the weight of the fixed f/2.8 zoom.

[Mr.Green]

I bought the X-T2 in combination with the 18-55 because I wanted to use this lens for video but I did run in to this problem. I did not know this problem existed so at first I thought I was doing something wrong and most of the time it was okay. But after some googeling I also found that first video in this post so at least I know now how to avoid it and so for video I'm not using the long end off the lens any more.

 

But unfortunately the wobble still exists, at least in my lens, so what I like to know if all these lenses have this problem, maybe more people can test this.

[kimballistic]

Mr. Green, thanks for the feedback.  Good to know it still exists with the XT-2 and recent copies of the 18-55.

Anyone else experience the wobble?

 

Or NOT experience the wobble?

[richard371]

Saw a review where they resolved this by updating the 18-55 to the new  3.20 FW.  I never noticed it but updated anyway.

[Mr.Green]

Thanks Richard, good news, my 18-55 which came in a kid with the X-T2 did not have the latest firmware. After updating from 3.12 to 3.21 the wobble is gone.

[kimballistic]

Yes, thanks for the update!  I still have hope the XT-2 & 18-55 will work.  Time to rent them...

[corama]

is the lens stabilization enough for avoiding shaky videos while walking? or a steadycam or gimbal is needed?? is the AF quick enough in AF-C??

 

I'm undecided about the 18-55 just for video, as I'm a prime shooter.