I just bit the bullet and upgraded to the X-T5 after years with an old Canon rebel and I am leaving for a two week trip to Japan in literally ten days. Im panicking a bit because I still havent picked a primary lens and I really just want one do it all piece of glass so I dont have to carry a bag of primes around Tokyo and Kyoto.
I spent all night on forums and keep seeing conflicting stuff. Most people say the 18-55mm kit lens is legendary but then I read it cant handle the new 40 megapixel sensor and looks muddy or loses detail. Then I look at the 16-80mm f4 which seems perfect for travel range but half the reviews say its soft as butter on the long end and the other half say its fine?? Then there is the 16-55mm red badge which is supposedly the best quality but its so heavy and honestly I dont want a neck ache by day three plus it has no OIS which scares me for night shots even with the IBIS in the body.
My budget is strictly under a thousand bucks so maybe a used copy of something? I need something that is sharp enough for the high res sensor but wont break my back while Im walking 20k steps a day. What is actually the best all-arounder for this specific body if you could only bring one...
> Japan is gonna be absolutely amazing! Honestly, you made a fantastic choice with the X-T5, it's such a killer camera for travel. I totally agree with #1 here. You definitely want to check out those third-party zooms. If you are worried about the 40MP sensor looking muddy on older glass, the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary is basically the answer to your prayers. It is insanely light—like, you won't even feel it on your neck compared to the heavy red badge zoom. I have used it for street stuff and the sharpness is legit, even on the high-res sensor. No complaints at all. People on forums tend to over-analyze things, but in real world usage, the IBIS in the X-T5 is so good that you really don't need OIS for most night shots in Kyoto. I have pulled off sharp photos at slow shutter speeds without any lens stabilization. If you want a bit more range and can handle a slightly bigger lens, the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is another solid shout. It has stabilization built in and works well for those tighter shots. Both should be way under your $1000 budget if you buy them new or even cheaper used. Grab the Sigma and spend the extra cash on some good ramen while you are there... you wont regret it. If you have any other questions about the weight or how it feels on the T5 body, just let me know. Happy to chat more about it.
Japan is gonna be absolutely amazing! Honestly, you made a fantastic choice with the X-T5, it's such a killer camera for travel. To keep things simple and stay under your budget, I really think you should look at the third-party zoom options from brands like Sigma or Tamron. I've used their glass on high-res sensors before and the results are honestly amazing! These brands offer much better value for your money right now, giving you pro-grade sharpness for way less than a thousand bucks. Also, they are usually designed to be way more compact... which is a lifesaver for those 20k step days in Tokyo. I love how lightweight they feel compared to the bulky pro lenses. Just grab a versatile, fast zoom from one of those companies and you'll be set for everything from street shots to temples!
Saw this earlier but just now getting a second to weigh in. Honestly, sticking to that budget is a good call since Japan will eat your wallet anyway. Quick question tho, are you planning on lots of night street photography or mostly daytime? If you want to save cash, a used Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is around 450 bucks and its plenty reliable for travel despite what some pixel peepers say.
