Ive been shooting Fuji for like six years now, started with the X-T2 and finally bit the bullet on the X-T5 a few months back. I love the resolution but honestly its being way more picky with my glass than I expected. I used to just leave the 18-55mm kit lens on and call it a day but on this 40mp sensor things are looking a bit mushy in the corners when Im out doing landscape stuff especially. Im heading up to the Olympic Peninsula in about three weeks and I really want to travel light with just one lens that can handle the misty forests and maybe some street stuff in Seattle. I was looking at the 16-80mm f4 because of the range but Ive heard mixed things about the sharpness compared to the newer zooms. Then theres the 16-55mm red badge but man that thing is a brick to carry on a hike all day long. My budget is around $900-$1100 and Im totally fine with buying used if it gets me better quality glass. Is there a goldilocks lens Im missing that actually resolves well on the X-T5 sensor without being a total weight chore? Or should I just suck it up and get a couple of f2 primes instead...
- Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fujifilm X has amazing sealing and stabilization!
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is the pro tank but heavy...
> I was looking at the 16-80mm f4 because of the range but Ive heard mixed things about the sharpness compared to the newer zooms. Honestly the 16-80mm is kinda mid on that 40MP sensor. Ive tested it quite a bit. The resolution drop-off at the edges is pretty noticeable when you start cropping. Its annoying. If you want to keep the weight down while keeping things sharp, you should check out the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X. Its tiny, cheap, and actually out-resolves the old Fuji kit lenses by a mile. It misses the aperture ring though. If you really want the best possible image quality, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is the gold standard. I know you said its a brick, but its one of the few zooms that actually makes the X-T5 sing. If you decide to go with primes instead:
- Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR
- Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Those new f1.4 optics are specifically designed for high-res sensors. The older f2 primes are okay for street, but they wont give you that biting sharpness you're probably looking for in those misty forest landscapes.
