im panicking a bit because my trip to italy is in 3 weeks and i still havent picked a one and done travel lens for my xt5. i really dont want to be that person swapping lenses every 5 minutes while my wife waits for me. im torn between three right now:
- fuji 16-80mm f4 (love the range but people say its soft on the 40mp sensor??)
- sigma 18-50mm f2.8 (so small and light but no aperture ring is kind of a dealbreaker maybe?)
- fuji 18-55mm (classic but is it too old for the new body?)
im trying to stay under $900 if possible. mostly doing street stuff and some landscape shots in tuscany. has anyone used these on the xt5 specifically? i just want sharp photos without carrying a brick...
Honestly, dont overthink the sensor thing. I’ve been super happy with the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR on my X-T5. People talk a lot about it being soft, but for street stuff and landscapes, it works well and the extra range is basically essential when youre on the move. That OIS is a lifesaver for low light shots too. Its my go-to lens and I have zero complaints even with the 40mp sensor.
TLDR: Grab a used Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR and save your cash. I brought a fancy prime to Florence once and nearly ruined it in a sudden downpour. Now I only travel with weather-sealed gear. The 18-135mm is a tank and super reliable for those dusty Tuscany roads. It stays under your budget easily, leaving money for actual travel. Its my go-to safety pick.
Just saw this. Re: honestly dont overthink the sensor thing... I would suggest being careful with the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS. I used it on my X-T5 and the edges looked pretty mushy when I tried to crop my landscape shots. Two quick tips:
- Map aperture to your front dial if you buy the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary.
- Make sure to use a padded strap because Italy means a lot of walking.
.
