been shooting fuji since the x-t2 days but i just made the jump to the x-h2s and im kinda struggling with a lens choice for an upcoming trip to italy in like three weeks. i usually carry a bag full of primes but i want to travel light this time. i need something that can keep up with the af speed of this body because im mostly gonna be doing street and some fast-moving stuff.
- budget is max $1100
- needs to be weather sealed for peace of mind
- looking for at least 70mm on the long end
the 16-80 f4 is an option but ive heard mixed things about the sharpness compared to the red badge zooms. is the 16-55 too heavy for all day carry or should i look at the tamron 17-70 instead?
Re: "> i need something that can keep up..."
- Honestly, you are gonna love the X-H2S for this trip! I had a similar dilemma when I did ten days in Portugal last spring. I was so worried about missing shots of fast street scenes or getting caught in a coastal mist, so I played it safe and went with the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. Some people online get really picky about corner sharpness at f/4, but in the real world? It is an absolute workhorse! The AF felt snappy enough for street work and having that extra reach to 80mm was a lifesaver for architectural details. I've tried carrying the red badge 16-55 before and my neck was screaming after just three hours of walking. You definitely want to stay lighter! Italy involves a ton of stairs and walking on cobblestones, so trust me, weight matters more than pixel peeping. Plus, the weather sealing is legit... I got splashed by a fountain and caught in a downpour in Sintra and it kept ticking perfectly! Few practical tips from my experience:
- a spare Fujifilm NP-W235 Li-Ion Battery is a total must for long days
- use a Peak Design Slide Lite strap to keep the weight distributed properly
- keep the lens hood on for physical protection in crowded plazas It fits way under your $1100 budget too which is just amazing! Honestly, having that extra cash for a nice dinner or a boat tour is way better than carrying a heavy lens you might end up resenting by day three. Its just a fantastic all-rounder for travel!
Over the years, Ive found the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is just too heavy for travel. That lens is sharp, but the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a much safer bet. It hits your 70mm requirement and is far more consistent than the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. Its a very reliable, professional choice for your budget.
> i need something that can keep up with the af speed of this body Make sure to check the motor specs before buying. I would suggest looking at the Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR because its drive system is optimized for that stacked sensor. Be careful with older glass since they might bottleneck your AF-C performance. Quick question tho, are you mostly shooting stills or diving into video too? That power zoom isnt for everyone.
> i need something that can keep up with the af speed of this body honestly ive been so happy with the Fujifilm X-H2S compared to my old Sony A7 III setup. the way the stacked sensor communicates with the linear motors is just on another level for tracking. actually it reminds me of this time i was in the alps and i ran into this professional mountain biker. we ended up talking for hours about the aerodynamics of his carbon fiber frame rather than photography. i got so into the specs of his suspension tuning that i totally forgot to take any shots of the sunset. those high-end bikes are basically engineering masterpieces if you think about it. the way they balance weight and rigidity is wild. anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.
i totally agree with the point about the motors. honestly, when you have a body that fast, it feels like a waste to use glass that cant keep up with the tracking. i have been really satisfied since i finally simplified my travel kit.
- carrying one lens all day is a total game changer for your back.
- focus speed matters way more than technical sharpness for street photography.
- a small shoulder bag is usually way better than a backpack for city travel. ive been in the fuji system for years and i finally stopped worrying about having a bag full of primes for every trip. keeping it simple basically makes the whole experience way less stressful.
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
Quick question tho: are you planning to use a backpack or just a shoulder bag for the whole day? I've found that makes more of a difference than the lens weight itself sometimes.
- Are you doing more street stuff in crowded cities or landscape stuff in the countryside?
- How much low light shooting are you expecting? Actually, thinking about Italy makes me miss this DIY lens pouch I sewed out of an old padded jacket a few years back. I was so proud of that thing, it looked terrible but worked so well and saved me a ton of money. I spent like four hours trying to get the zipper straight and ended up pricking my finger a dozen times because I didnt have a thimble. My wife thought I was crazy for not just buying one, but there's something about making your own gear that feels right. I even tried to dye it a custom olive green but it came out more like a weird swampy brown... anyway lol sorry I totally got distracted there.
