> don't let that 40mp sensor list scare you too much. ^ This. Also, we really have to be realistic because, unfortunately, the older glass is starting to show its age. I had issues with the Fujinon XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR on the X-H2 and the resolving power was not as good as expected. Specifically, the corner resolution is a letdown when you are trying to maximize that 40mp sensor. Coming back to this, if you want reliability and sharpness, here is how the main options stack up:

• Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4 XF: Optically impressive, but the unit-to-unit reliability is a concern for a big trip. I've seen too many reports of QC issues.
• Fujinon XF 8mm f3.5 R WR: Handles the high-res sensor much better, tho the f3.5 is a bit of a bummer for the price point.
• Fujinon XF 18mm f1.4 R LM WR: This is technically the gold standard for sharpness, but probably not wide enough for hiking landscapes. Honestly its a shame there isnt a more reliable wide zoom that truly handles the new sensor perfectly yet.

Been thinking about this thread since I saw it earlier. In my experience, when you are hiking in unpredictable mountain weather like the Dolomites, lens reliability and weather sealing trump absolute corner sharpness every single time. I've tried many third-party lenses over the years, and while the optics on something like the Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4 XF are seriously impressive for the price, I always worry about moisture getting in there compared to native Fuji glass. I actually ended up testing the Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary next to the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR on my X-H2 last season. The Sigma is incredibly light and sharp, but Fuji's weather sealing has saved me in downpours where I'm pretty sure a third-party lens would have fogged up. If you want peace of mind on a big trip, sticking to native WR lenses is just the safer bet, even if you have to compromise a tiny bit on corner resolution at 40 megapixels. Let me know if you want to know how the sealing held up during some of my rainy hikes.

Commenting to find later

Just catching up on this thread now. Honestly, you're stressing over the resolution, but you should really focus on the physical limits of your hiking setup first. If you're gonna be lugging that gear all over the Dolomites, the weight difference between a prime and a zoom is huge once you're five miles in. Before you drop any cash, I have to ask:

• How much are you prioritizing extreme wide-angle distortion versus a more natural, rectilinear look for your landscape shots?
• Are you planning to do mostly handheld work, or will you be carrying a tripod for those long exposures? Knowing your shooting style helps narrow this down way more than just checking spec sheets.

My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.

Same setup here, love it

Re: "Commenting to find later" - honestly dont let that 40mp sensor list scare you too much. I've spent years lugging gear up mountains and over the years I've realized that weight is usually the biggest buzzkill for a trip. I tried the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f2.8 R LM WR once and my back still hates me for it... Plus, sticking a filter on that thing is a total nightmare. In my experience, the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR is actually totally fine if you stop it down to f5.6 or f8 for landscapes, which you'll be doing anyway. But if you're really worried about resolution, the Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4 XF is a beast for the price. I grabbed one last year for a trip and it blew my mind how sharp it was compared to some of my pricier glass. If you want something tiny and light tho, the Fujifilm XF 14mm f2.8 R is a hidden gem that still holds up. Its crazy sharp and basically fits in a jacket pocket. For $1100 you could probably find a used 14mm and the Viltrox and still have cash left for better boots.

No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.