So I finally pulled the trigger on an X-T5 after lusting after it for months and now I am stuck in choice paralysis with the glass. I need one lens that can basically do everything for a trip to Florence I have coming up in about 18 days so I really gotta decide fast lol. I mainly shoot street stuff and some landscape when we hike but I dont want to be swapping lenses constantly while my wife waits for me. I'm looking at the Fuji 16-80mm f4 because that extra reach seems nice for travel but I keep reading that it gets soft at the long end and that kind of scares me for the 40mp sensor. Then there is the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 which is tiny and cheap but lacks an aperture ring which I think I'd miss. I was also thinking maybe just go for the 16-55mm f2.8 because it's the gold standard but man it looks huge and heavy to carry all day in the heat and it might blow my budget since I really want to stay under $900ish. Im basically torn between the convenience of the 16-80 and the image quality/size of the Sigma or just biting the bullet on the big red badge. Which one makes the most sense as a permanent fixture on the X-T5 if I only want to carry one thing?
Get a used Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR! It fits your budget and the sharpness is absolutely incredible on that sensor. Trust me, the weight is totally worth it!
I was in the exact same boat before my trip to Japan and ended up with the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary. Honestly, it has been a total dream for the price. I saved a ton of cash and it is so tiny that my neck didnt hurt even after ten hours of walking. You quickly get used to using the front dial for aperture... totally satisfied with how sharp it is.
Just catching up! Re: "Get a used Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R..." - while that glass is amazing, its a total brick. You should look at the new Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR! Its specifically designed to resolve that 40mp sensor and the internal zoom is fantastic for reliability since it wont suck in dust.
- Super light at 240g
- Snappy linear motors
- Weather sealed Its easily the best travel lens for the X-T5!
Stumbled upon this today and figured I'd weigh in since I've used most of these lenses on my own Fuji gear. Honestly, you should be really careful with the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR on that 40mp sensor. Its a great one-lens solution on paper, but it really struggles with edge sharpness once you zoom past 50mm. For a trip to Florence, you'll want something that can actually resolve all those fine details in the architecture and statues. I would suggest looking at these two instead:
- Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS: Cheap, light, and surprisingly sharp even on high-res sensors.
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR: The pro choice, but heavy as a brick for a full day of walking. The 18-55 has the aperture ring you want and wont break your neck or your budget. If you go for the 16-55, definitely get a good strap because carrying that in the heat is no joke. TL;DR: Get the 18-55mm for travel comfort or hunt for a used 16-55mm if you want the best glass. Avoid the 16-80 if youre a pixel peeper.
Been thinking about your dilemma for a few hours now and honestly you are in a good spot because both brands are making killers lately. Before I give you a solid steer though, are you planning on doing a lot of blue hour or nighttime street photography in Florence, or is this mostly gonna be a daytime walking around situation? The lighting in those narrow Tuscan alleys can get pretty dim even in the middle of the afternoon. Personally I have been so satisfied sticking with the native Fuji stuff. There is just a certain soul to the images and the way the glass handles that makes the whole experience better imo. You honestly cant go wrong with any of the modern Fuji zooms, they just work so well with the film sims. But if you are really worried about weight, just grab a third party zoom from a brand like Sigma or Tamron and you will be happy with the results. They have caught up so much in terms of quality that you really wont be missing out on much. Let me know about the low light situation and I can probably help you narrow it down more!
