Ive been shooting with the Fuji system for about five years now, mostly sticking to my old X-T2, but I just pulled the trigger on the X-T5 because I really needed that extra resolution for some print work. Problem is, my old glass is starting to feel a bit soft with that 40mp sensor. Im heading to Japan in about three weeks for a street photography trip and Im honestly kind of freaking out that I dont have a lens that can actually handle this much detail without spending a fortune. My budget is around 1200 bucks, give or take.
I really want something versatile because I dont want to be swapping lenses constantly while walking around Tokyo. Ive been debating if the 16-55mm f2.8 is still the king or if the newer 18-50mm or even a fast prime is the smarter move now that the crop factor and resolution are so demanding. I keep reading conflicting stuff about corner sharpness on the high-res sensor and I just want something that wont leave me disappointed when I get home to edit the files. Does anyone actually use the 16-55 on the T5 for travel, or is it way too bulky to carry all day?
Congrats on the upgrade. Moving to the 40mp sensor really shows the limitations of older glass, but you have some solid options. Honestly, lugging the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR around Tokyo all day is a workout. It is incredibly sharp across the frame, but it is heavy and lacks OIS, which might be annoying if you're shooting long days.
- The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR gives you way more reach and stabilization, though you lose that fast f/2.8 aperture for low light.
- If you want something tiny, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is shockingly sharp for the price and fits in a pocket, though the build feels a bit cheaper. Take the Sigma if you value saving your back, but stick with the 16-55 if you need absolute optical perfection.
Had a moment to think about this more. The 16-55 is a tank, honestly. For Tokyo street stuff, consider these instead:
- Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is tiny and sharp enough for most prints, though corners can be soft wide open.
- Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 R OIS WR gives you great range, but be careful with the aperture in low light. I swapped to the Sigma for travel and my back thanked me.
Same setup here, love it
Late to the party, but congrats on the X-T5. Honestly, that 40mp sensor is a beast and it really humbles the older glass. I remember when I first made the jump, I spent way too long pixel peeping at my corners and stressing out over micro-contrast instead of just shooting. Tokyo is gonna be incredible, but be careful with the weight. Lugging a massive heavy zoom around Shinjuku or Shibuya for twelve hours straight will kill your back and honestly, it makes you stick out like a sore thumb if you're trying to be discreet. I would suggest looking into some of the newer primes or smaller zooms from Sigma or Tamron. You really can't go wrong with anything recent from those third-party brands these days; they've been killing it with sharpness that holds up even on the higher resolution bodies. I used to be obsessed with the red badge glass, but after my last trip, I realized that having something lightweight mattered way more than having that extra stop of light or the rugged build. Just make sure to test whatever you pick up for a few days before you leave, because the last thing you want is a mechanical issue halfway across the world. Take it easy and enjoy the trip, the sensor will handle whatever you throw at it as long as your shutter speed is fast enough to compensate for the resolution.
