Just picked up an X-T5 and I am completely overwhelmed. I have a trip to Japan coming up in three weeks and need something versatile so I dont have to lug around a bag of primes. I saw people hyping up the 18-55mm kit lens because its cheap and small, but then others swear the 16-80mm is better for travel because of the range. Im worried the 16-80mm is too soft though. My budget is around 800 bucks, give or take. Should I just look for a used 16-55mm f/2.8 instead even if it is heavy? Really just need one reliable lens that does it all well enough for street and landscapes...
Congrats on the new camera. Japan is amazing but honestly, lugging a heavy lens around Tokyo or Kyoto all day is a nightmare for your back. I spent a week there with the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR and while the sharpness is incredible, I ended up hating the weight. You really might want to consider the alternatives before you commit.
- Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS is much lighter and easier for all-day street stuff.
- Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR gives you that extra reach, just be careful with indoor shots since it is slower. If I were you, I would stick to the smaller kit lens or maybe look for a used Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. Just make sure to bring a comfortable strap so you dont end up regretting the weight by day three.
Ive been testing the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS and honestly, for the price, the OIS works well enough. It saves me so much money for travel.
Adding my two cents here, I totally get the stress. I went to Tokyo last year with a setup that was way too heavy and honestly, it ruined some of the fun. You really want something that stays balanced on the X-T5 because that sensor is super demanding and you dont want to be dealing with blurry shots after walking 20k steps a day. Be careful with the heavy pro glass if you arent used to it. I would suggest looking at the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR if you can find a good copy, but if you want something that keeps the X-T5 feeling like a street camera, consider these:
- Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS
- It is surprisingly sharp for the size, just be careful with the aperture ring being a bit loose sometimes.
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
- This thing is tiny. Seriously, it is almost like a pancake lens compared to the Fuji zooms and the f/2.8 constant aperture is a game changer for low light in those crowded shrines. Make sure to pack a good strap too. If you go for the bigger glass, you'll regret it by the second day when you're shooting night scenes in Shinjuku. Stick to something compact so you can actually enjoy the food and the sights without worrying about your gear digging into your shoulder constantly. Have a blast in Japan!
Honestly, skip the 16-80mm. I had issues with edge softness that drove me crazy when cropping. It just lacks the micro-contrast needed for the X-T5 sensor resolution.
- Watch the weight distribution, it ruins the balance.
- Dont trade image quality for zoom range, you will regret it in your Japan photos. If you want the best results, look for something with a constant aperture instead of those variable ones.
