Seriously what is the best all-around lens for the Fuji X-T5 because im about ready to throw my current setup out the window. I saved up for months to get this 40 megapixel beast but honestly im so frustrated with the results im getting from the old 18-55mm kit lens i bought used to save some cash. Everyone says it is a classic but on this high res sensor it just looks soft and mushy especially at the edges and it is driving me crazy because i know the camera can do better. I feel like i am wasting the potential of the sensor every time i press the shutter.
I use my camera for pretty much everything but mostly street photography around Seattle and some weekend hiking trips and i really just want one lens that can live on the body 90% of the time. I tried the 35mm f2 prime but i find myself missing the zoom range when im out on the trails and swapping lenses in the rain is just a recipe for disaster with the sensor. I have a big trip to Japan coming up in like three weeks and i need to figure this out before i leave because i dont want to be disappointed with my vacation photos after spending all this money on a premium body.
My budget is hovering around 900 or maybe 1000 dollars if i really stretch it or sell my current lenses to fund it. I have been looking at a few options but i keep getting stuck on the trade-offs and reading too many conflicting reviews online:
- the 16-80mm f4 seems convenient but ive heard mixed things about the sharpness on the xt5 sensor
- the 16-55mm f2.8 is supposed to be amazing but it is so heavy and expensive and lacks stabilization which kind of sucks for video
- maybe a tamron or sigma third party option but i worry about the colors not being the same
I just want something that actually utilizes the resolution of the xt5 without being a literal brick to carry around all day. Is there even a perfect middle ground or am i just chasing a unicorn here? The frustration is real because i love the dials and the feel of the fuji system but if i cant get sharp images whats the point...
honestly i was in the same boat when i first got my Fujifilm X-T5. that high res sensor is way pickier than people realize. i finally just bit the bullet and stayed within the fuji lineup for their premium zooms.
- stick to the newer fuji professional glass
- make sure it has weather sealing for your japan trip everything looks so much better now. no complaints at all once i made the switch... just works well.