So I finally bit the bullet and bought the Fujifilm X-T5 because I loved how the silver one looked and everyone on TikTok says the colors are amazing but now that I have the box sitting here I realized I didnt actually buy a lens for it and I am completely lost looking at all the options. I am sorry if this is a really basic question but I honestly dont even know what the numbers mean or why some are way more expensive than others when they look almost the same to me.
I really just want one lens that stays on the camera all the time because the idea of carrying a bag full of glass and switching them out while walking around sounds like a total nightmare and I am honestly scared of getting dust inside the camera body if I open it too much. I have a big trip coming up to Japan in about two months and I want to be able to take photos of everything from the narrow streets in Kyoto to the food I am eating and maybe some nice portraits of my girlfriend.
Here is kind of what I am looking for:
- Budget is around 800 to 900 dollars max since I spent so much on the camera body already
- Needs to be good for travel so not super heavy if possible
- Something that works in low light because I want to take night photos in Shinjuku
- Easy to use for someone who mostly just used an iPhone until now
I keep seeing people talk about primes vs zooms and I think I want a zoom so I can see things far away? But then someone told me the prime ones make the background blurrier which I really like for portraits. Is there something that does both or am I asking for way too much? I saw a 18-55mm one and a 16-80mm one and a 18-120mm and my head is just spinning with all the different versions. If you could only pick one do it all lens for a beginner who doesnt want to carry a backpack of gear what would it be? I am really trying to learn but right now I am just staring at a very expensive paperweight...
Congrats on picking up the X-T5! That silver finish is seriously gorgeous and the sensor is gonna blow your mind. Since you are heading to Japan and want to keep it simple, you definitely need a zoom that handles low light for those Shinjuku nights! I would 100% grab one of these:
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X is the absolute best choice!! It is tiny, super light, and stays at f/2.8 which helps get that blurry background for portraits and great shots in the dark.
- Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS is the classic fuji kit lens and it is still fantastic, tho the Sigma is better for low light when you are zoomed in. Seriously, the Sigma is basically a cheat code for travel. Just get it and start practicing... you are gonna have an amazing trip!!