Just picked up an X-T5 and I am totally lost on glass. Im mainly shooting street photography and family stuff around London, so I need something versatile but not huge. I have been looking at the 18-55mm kit lens because everyone says its a solid starter, but then I see people raving about the 23mm f/2 prime for the form factor. I have about 700 quid to spend and I want to get something sorted before a trip to Scotland next month. Is the zoom actually worth the bulk, or should I just stick to a prime and learn to zoom with my feet? Really dont want to regret the purchase...
Jumping in here to say dont blow your whole budget on new glass yet. I grabbed a used Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR off a guy on the forums and honestly, it never leaves my bag. The weather sealing is a lifesaver in Scotland. Just be careful with buying used gear online, make sure to check the glass for dust or scratches before you commit your cash.
Building on the earlier suggestion, the kit lens is fine, but if you want that sharp prime look for street shots, you might want to consider the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR. It is tiny and weather-sealed, which is super important if you're heading up to Scotland where the rain is basically a lifestyle. I gotta ask though, do you prefer shooting wider for environmental portraits or do you like a tighter frame? If you are planning on doing a lot of candid family stuff, the zoom is safer, but the 23mm focal length on Fuji is just iconic for street. Just be careful with prime lenses if you have never used them; you cant adjust your framing if you're backed into a corner in a busy London market. Let me know what your current shooting style is and I might be able to steer you better.
Honestly, stick to the kit zoom if you're traveling. The Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS is way more practical for Scotland landscapes and family shots than a prime.
- Zoom gives you framing flexibility
- Prime forces you to move but you might miss shots
- The 18-55mm is compact enough for street If you really want a prime, the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR is great, but the zoom is safer.
Bump - same question here
Coming back to this, you really need to decide if you want that classic documentary feel or just general convenience for your trip. Before you dump your cash into anything, are you planning on printing these large for your wall or just sharing them online? That changes everything for me. Personally, I found the kit lenses a bit uninspiring after a while. If you want something sharper that feels more premium, here is what I would look at instead:
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
- It is surprisingly smaller than the Fuji zoom and has that constant aperture which is a game changer for low light.
- Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR
- If you really want tiny, this pancake lens basically turns your X-T5 into a point-and-shoot. It makes street photography so much less intimidating. Just be careful with third-party stuff, make sure you update the firmware once you get it. Honestly, if you aren't sold on a zoom yet, the 27mm pancake is probably the most fun you will have in London.