Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 Travel Photography Review
Photographing local shops throughout New York City using the Fuji X-E2 paired with the Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 turned into one of my favorite travel photography experiences, and these sample images continue to be some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken.
I’m going to be real with you. I sat on these photos from our trip to New York City for far too long. All the while, in the back of my mind, I knew this trip contained some of my favorite photographs I’ve ever taken. And the funny part is that they were all captured on what many people today would consider “old” technology.
This trip felt extra special because I had just purchased the Fuji X-E2 paired with the Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens. Naturally, I wanted to put this setup through the ultimate test.
Is this actually a good travel photography setup?
Fast forward to 2026 and I still reference these images from 2023 as some of my best work to date. That alone probably tells you everything you need to know.
If you’re searching for Fuji X-E2 sample images or wondering whether the Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 kit lens is capable of producing beautiful travel photos, I hope this blog gives you confidence. I truly give this setup a 10 out of 10 recommendation.
Why New York City Is Perfect for Photography
One of the many things I love about New York is simply wandering.
You can walk for blocks and find yourself stepping into completely different worlds within minutes. Independent bookstores sit next to record shops. Coffee shops open into flower studios. Hidden gems appear simply because sunlight hits a storefront just right.
There’s a homey feeling when you enter a space that feels authentic.
It’s easy in New York to support local businesses, and that’s something I deeply appreciate. Supporting someone else’s dream feels meaningful in a way that chain stores sometimes can’t replicate.
Convenience has its place, but I will always choose something local if given the option.
Fuji X-E2 as a Travel Photography Camera
Before this trip, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the Fuji X-E2. Even when I purchased it, part of me wondered if I was romanticizing older cameras.
But something happens when you use this camera. The experience slows you down.
The colors straight out of camera feel intentional and timeless, especially when paired with Fuji’s film simulations. Walking through New York with this setup felt effortless. Small enough to stay inconspicuous. Lightweight enough to carry all day. And most importantly, inspiring enough to keep picking up.
The Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 deserves special mention here. Most manufacturers treat kit lenses as an afterthought. Fuji clearly did not. Sharp, versatile, and incredibly useful for travel, this lens allowed me to move between wide environmental shots and tighter moments without ever needing to switch lenses.
Even now, after adding the Fuji XF 18mm f2 and the Viltrox 25mm f1.7 AIR to my kit, I genuinely cannot see myself parting ways with this lens.
Village Revival Records
One of the first shops that caught my attention was Village Revival Records.
There’s something magical about record stores. The textures, the colors, the nostalgia. Everything feels intentional.
The Fuji X-E2 handled the mixed indoor lighting beautifully here, preserving warmth without feeling artificial.
Hungry Ghost Coffee
Coffee shops in New York always feel alive.
Hungry Ghost Coffee had this incredible balance between natural light and cozy interior tones. People moving through conversations, sunlight bouncing off tables, and the quiet rhythm of a city slowing down for a moment.
This is where the versatility of the Fuji XF 18-55mm really shined.
I could capture the environment one second and a smaller detail the next without interrupting the moment.
Porto Rico Importing Co.
Walking into Porto Rico Importing Co. felt like stepping into history.
The textures alone were enough to stop me in my tracks. Bags of coffee stacked high, rich tones everywhere, and a sense that this space had stories long before I ever walked through the door.
Fuji’s color science really stood out here. Straight out of camera, the tones felt honest and natural.
(Please note that these have been enhanced in Lightroom to correct white balance and boost colors)
Casey’s Flower Studio
Sometimes photography is simply about noticing light.
Casey’s Flower Studio caught my attention because of how the warm sunset reflected onto the space. Flowers already carry so much color and life, and the Fuji X-E2 rendered everything beautifully without feeling overly saturated.
Moments like this remind me why I love travel photography so much.
MI Tea
MI Tea might technically be a franchise, but the experience we had at this specific location felt deeply personal.
We met the operator working that day, and his passion for what he was doing completely changed the experience for us. Conversations like that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Unfortunately, this location has since permanently closed.
Looking back at these photos now feels even more meaningful knowing that the space no longer exists.
Photography has a way of preserving moments we don’t realize are temporary.
No New York Trip Is Complete Without a Bodega Cat
And finally, one of my favorite photos from the entire trip.
A sleeping bodega cat outside a shop. No sign needed. No branding required. Just a quiet New York moment.
There’s something about scenes like this that perfectly summarize the city. Chaos happening somewhere nearby while this cat couldn’t be bothered by any of it.
No New York storefront feels complete without a bodega cat nearby.
Final Thoughts on the Fuji X-E2 and Fuji XF 18-55mm
This trip answered my question completely. Yes, the Fuji X-E2 is still an incredible travel photography camera. Yes, the Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 is one of the most underrated kit lenses ever made.
Technology moves fast, but great images don’t age nearly as quickly as we think they do. These photos continue to remind me that inspiration matters far more than specs.
If a camera motivates you to go out and explore, then it’s already doing its job.
Philip Adcock 
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