So I finally bit the bullet and grabbed an X-T5 after years of rocking my old X-T2. The jump in resolution is insane but man, my old 18-55 kit lens is really starting to show its age on this 40 megapixel sensor. Everything looks just a little soft when I crop in at all and it's driving me nuts.
I’m heading to Kyoto for ten days next month and I really want one single lens I can leave on the camera for street shots and some landscape stuff without carrying a huge bag. My logic was to maybe go for the 16-80mm f4 because of the range but then I read some reviews saying it doesn't really resolve that well on the new sensor? Now I'm stuck between the newer 18-120mm or maybe just going prime with the 23mm f1.4 LM WR but then I lose all that flexibility. I also looked at the Sigma 18-50 but not having an aperture ring feels wrong on an XT body.
Budget is around 900 bucks give or take. I need something that can actually handle the high res but isnt gonna weigh me down like a brick while I'm walking 20k steps a day. Is the 16-55mm f2.8 still the king even without OIS or is there some newer glass I'm missing? I dont want to waste the 40MP potential on glass that cant keep up...
Coming back to this... I spent way too much on lenses when I first moved to Fuji, basically chasing specs that didnt matter as much once I was actually on the ground. Tbh, the sensor is picky but you can find deals if you're patient. I actually grabbed a Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR second-hand for a steal and it was plenty for my last big trip. People bash it online for the 40MP sensor but unless you're printing massive posters, it holds up okay. If you're sticking to that 900 dollar limit, look at the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. It’s a solid alternative that feels more modern than the old kit lens. Going used on something like that usually saves enough cash to cover a few nights of high-end sushi in Kyoto... which is way better than having marginally sharper corners imo.
Regarding what #3 said about "Coming back to this... I spent way too...", the Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR is a safe, reliable choice. It handles that 40MP sensor quite well.
Honestly, you're gonna have the best time in Kyoto! I was there last spring for the blossoms and brought way too much gear, total mistake. Walking around those temples and the Gion district is no joke... my feet were screaming after the first day because I carried three different lenses in my pack. Eventually I just stuck one of the high-end Fuji zooms on my body and never looked back. It was amazing! Seriously, the colors you get on that X-T5 sensor are just fantastic, especially with the newer film sims. If you want to actually use those 40 megapixels, you really gotta stick with the premium glass from Fujifilm. Just look for anything in their high-performance zoom lineup that has the weather sealing and the linear motors. You cant go wrong with their pro-grade stuff. It handles the resolution so much better than the older kit lenses ever could. I noticed a huge difference in the textures of the wooden shrines when I switched. Ngl, the aperture ring is totally worth staying within the brand for, especially on an XT body. It just feels right. Dont worry too much about having the absolute fastest aperture either, the stabilization in the X-T5 is so good you can shoot handheld way later into the evening than you think. Just grab one of those versatile pro zooms and enjoy the trip... those narrow streets are basically made for that sensor.
In my experience, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR is still the absolute king for making that 40MP sensor shine during travel. Ive tried many setups over the years.
