I own this lens and it is my daily shooter. I love it and have never had an issue with it. I can attest to the weather sealed nature of it as well. I use this lens to do promo videos for a constructions company and have to get up on near all the sawdust/action and I have never had any flakes issue from it. Used it in the rain (full Washington down pour) no problem at all. Here just a sample image (no edits just right out of the camera with some of the film simulation).
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this image was actually on the xt-1 but I have since upgraded to the xt-2.
jessewestwoodNot to rain on this post (pun intended), but the XF18-55mm is not weather resistant. Weather-resistant lenses from Fuji have the 'WR' denomination. The X-T1 and other high-end bodies (X-T2, X-T3, X-Pro2, etc) are indeed WR on their own. But the full system depends on your lens as well. The list of denominations and their meaning from Fujifilm (shamelessly taken from Alik Griffin's blog):
OIS – Optical Image Stabilization
XF – Fuji’s X series lens mount. For the X cameras
R – Stands for ring. It means the lens is equipped with an aperture ring
WR – Weather Resistant
LM – Linear Motor, rapid movement and silent focus
APD – Stands for Apodization. Will produce even fall-off on your out of focus highlights. Makes better Bokeh
And as you state, most people agree the quality of this lens is far above other brands' kit lenses.
And as you state, most people agree the quality of this lens is far above other brands' kit lenses.