I really need to decide what the best all-around lens is for my X-T5 before my Japan trip next month because I am totally overthinking this and getting super anxious. I've been staring at my shopping cart for days and I'm honestly stressed that if I pick the wrong one I'm gonna regret it the whole time I'm there.
I'm basically torn between the Fuji 16-80mm f4 and the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 but then some people say the 16-55mm f2.8 is the only way to go for the new 40mp sensor. Problem is that lens is huge and my budget is capped at about $850 so I'd have to find a really beat up used one. I'm gonna be doing mostly street photography in Tokyo and then some light hiking around Kyoto and Hakone so I really need something that won't kill my neck after walking 10 miles a day.
The Sigma is so tiny which is a huge plus for me but I'm worried about losing that 16mm wide end for cramped streets and shrines. But then everyone says the 16-80mm is soft on the X-T5? Is it actually that bad or is it just people being picky online? I just want one lens that can stay on the camera 90% of the time because swapping glass in the crowd or the rain sounds like a total nightmare. Which one should I actually buy...
Honestly, stop stressing! You are gonna have a blast in Japan and the X-T5 is such a beast of a camera for those streets. I have been using the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR as my primary travel lens for a while now and I am really satisfied with how it performs. People online get way too caught up in pixel peeping and charts. Is it the sharpest lens Fuji ever made? Probably not if you are looking at corners at 400 percent zoom. But for actual travel photos, it looks great even on the 40mp sensor. The 16mm wide end is honestly a total lifesaver for those cramped alleys in Shinjuku or getting a whole temple gate in the frame. I considered the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR but the weight is a total dealbreaker for hiking and the price is steep. I tried the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary too and while it is tiny, I really missed that extra bit of width and the reach. Plus, having the physical aperture ring just feels right on the T5. Quick tip: the OIS on the 16-80mm is actually insane. You can shoot handheld at really slow shutter speeds, which basically makes up for the f/4 aperture when you are shooting static shrines or buildings at night. Also, grab a Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap to help with the weight during those 10-mile walks. It makes the setup feel way lighter than a standard neck strap. Just buy the lens and start looking for good ramen spots!
Look, Japan gets rainy and you dont want to be babying your gear. Ive used the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary and its crazy sharp, but missing weather sealing is a huge gamble for a one-lens trip. If you can handle a bit more weight, the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is basically a tank with great OIS. People worry about the 40mp sensor too much... any of these look fine unless youre printing billboards.
I've tried many setups over the years and honestly, carrying a massive lens like the 16-55 is a mistake for those long Tokyo walks. You want reliability. I'd skip the Sigma because youll definitely miss that 16mm wide end. The Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR is the safest bet for that 40mp sensor. It is light, sharp, and weather sealed for peace of mind in the rain... totally worth it.
