Just grabbed an X-H2 for landscape stuff but I'm struggling with the lens choice. That 40mp sensor is super picky and I need something that really resolves for big prints. I'm mostly hiking in the PNW so weight matters but sharpness is king. Currently torn between:
- Fuji 10-24mm f4 WR (great range but is it sharp enough?)
- Fuji 8-16mm f2.8 (heavy and expensive but maybe the gold standard)
- Viltrox 13mm f1.4 (super sharp but no zoom)
My budget is around $1200 max so the 8-16 would have to be a used buy. I shoot in lots of rain and mist so weather sealing is a huge plus for me. Which one is actually gonna make the most of that high res sensor on a 10 mile trail?
To add to the point above: you might want to consider the weather out there.
- Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF is risky in PNW rain.
- Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is much safer.
Unfortunately, that 40mp sensor really exposes lens flaws. I found the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR just doesnt have the resolving power for big prints, especially at the edges. It was a letdown tbh.
- 10-24mm: Too soft for high res
- 8-16mm: Sharpest zoom but heavy and no filter threads
- Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF: Great optics but no proper weather sealing for PNW rain Go with a used 8-16 for that sensor.
Jumping in here... Like someone mentioned, that sensor is a beast to feed. I spent years chasing the perfect wide zoom and eventually bit the bullet on the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR. Honestly? Be careful with that thing. It is a literal brick on a long trail and the fact you cant just screw on a filter without a pricey adapter is a nightmare in the PNW mist. My back eventually gave out so I swapped it for a used Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR. It has the weather sealing you need and it is sharp enough to make those 40 megapixels really pop. Saving nearly $700 vs buying new was a huge win, basically paid for a whole season of hiking gas. Might want to stick to primes if you want to keep your budget and your spine intact...
