Ive been shooting with the X-T5 for a few months now, mostly for street photography and some light travel stuff here in Seattle. I started with the 18-55mm kit lens but honestly, the aperture ring feel and the overall sharpness just arent cutting it for me anymore. My budget is around 1k-ish. I was looking at the 16-55mm f/2.8 but damn, that thing is a massive brick for a compact body. Then I thought about the 18mm f/1.4 prime, but losing the zoom versatility feels like a mistake for trips.
- Do I just bite the bullet and deal with the weight of the red badge zoom?
- Is the 16-80mm actually worth the trouble?
Im kinda torn.
Quick thought while I have a sec. If you want that sweet spot between size and quality, maybe look at the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. It is not as fast as the 2.8 zoom, but the stabilization is pretty reliable for travel. Another killer option if you can find one is the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary. It is honestly tiny compared to the Fuji red badge glass and stays sharp enough for my daily work. Are you mostly shooting during the day in Seattle or are you doing a lot of night street stuff where the f/2.8 is really non-negotiable? The Sigma makes the X-T5 feel like a real carry-everywhere rig, but if you need that extra bit of reach and weather sealing, the Fuji zooms might be safer bets for longevity.
Man, I totally get where you are coming from. That kit lens is decent for starting out, but once you get a taste of high-end glass, the drop-off in sharpness is painful! I shot with the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR for two years on my X-T3 and honestly, the images are absolutely stunning. It is sharp corner-to-corner at every focal length, which is a rare feat. But you are right, it feels like lugging a tank around, especially during those long rainy days walking around Seattle. Skip the 16-80mm. I tried it and the variable aperture just didnt give me the look I wanted for street stuff. If you want that pro quality without the massive weight, you have to look at these instead:
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR if you need the absolute best zoom quality and dont mind the workout.
- Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR only if you really need the extra reach and OIS for video.
- Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR because that focal length is magic for street and the weather sealing is rock solid. Pro tip: If you go with a prime, embrace the crop mode on your X-T5 to simulate a 27mm or 35mm view. It feels like having three lenses in one! You wont regret the prime sharpness, trust me.
^ This. Also, honestly, I think you should steer clear of the 16-80mm unless you find it for super cheap used. It just doesnt have that optical punch you are craving after using the kit lens. If the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR feels too heavy, have you checked out the newer compact primes? They are total game changers.
- The Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR is tiny and super sharp
- Check out the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR for that dreamy bokeh Ngl, if you want zoom versatility without the brick, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is amazing value for money. It basically hits that sweet spot of performance and price without emptying your wallet. Don't stress about the red badge too much, sometimes smaller glass is what actually gets you out shooting more.
Honestly, if you hate the weight of that heavy zoom, you are gonna be miserable carrying it all day. Have you looked at the f/2 prime series instead? They are super sharp and tiny, which fits the X-T5 vibe perfectly. Are you dead set on having a zoom range, or would you consider carrying two small primes to cover your focal lengths? That honestly changes everything for travel ergonomics.
