Ive been shooting Fuji for years but this X-T5 sensor is making my life difficult. I just got back from a trip and my old 18-55 kit lens looks so soft at 40mp its actually frustrating.
I need one solid travel lens for a big trip to Italy next month because I'm done swapping primes in the dirt. I need something that handles the high res but wont weigh me down on 10-mile hike days. Budget is around $900. Is the 16-80mm actually sharp enough for the T5 sensor or am I gonna regret not just getting the heavy 16-55 red badge...
To add to the point above: I had the same worries before my trip and went with the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. Im honestly so satisfied with the results. It handles the 40mp sensor way better than my old kit zoom did.
- f/2.8 is great for evening shots
- Much cheaper than the red badge
- No complaints about the sharpness Its a little bulky but totally worth it for the image quality.
Totally agree that 40mp sensor is brutal!
- The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is incredible tho.
- Grab Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary if youre hiking, its tiny!
Regarding what #3 said about "Saw this a bit ago but just now..."
- I totally get being nervous about gear failing on a bucket list trip, but honestly, I think the reliability gap has closed a lot lately. Still, for those 10-mile hikes, I'm a big fan of keeping it simple with native glass for the peace of mind. I've been using Fuji since the early days and these two are my favorites for staying light:
- Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR: This is my go-to for travel. People bash the sharpness but on my T5, it works well enough if you arent printing billboards. The OIS is actually insane for handheld shots at dusk when you're too tired to find a wall to lean on.
- Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR: A bit of a sleeper pick. Its internal zoom, so no barrel moving in and out to suck in dust or moisture. Super reassuring when you're out in the elements all day long. Honestly, the 16-80 is probably your best bet for the budget. Its light, covers the range, and the weather sealing has never let me down in some pretty gross weather. Just focus on the views in Italy and dont worry too much about the 40mp stress... most people wont notice the corner softness anyway lol.
Saw this a bit ago but just now getting a chance to reply... honestly that 40mp sensor is a total blessing and a curse. It really shows off every little flaw in the glass. Since you're doing 10-mile hikes in Italy, you might want to consider the risk of going too cheap. I've always been a bit cautious about the third-party stuff when it comes to long trips because if that autofocus motor gives out or some dust gets inside the barrel, your whole trip is basically ruined. I would suggest just sticking with any of the pro-grade weather sealed zooms from Fujifilm. You really cant go wrong with their high-end red badge glass. It is built like a literal tank and handles the high resolution way better than the standard kit lenses ever could. Be careful about weight tho, cause those professional ones can get heavy after a few hours. But honestly, I would rather have a sore neck than blurry photos of the Colosseum. Just make sure to double check the seal around the mount before you head out. I have heard some horror stories about moisture getting in on the cheaper lines. Just get one of the professional Fuji zooms and call it a day. It is worth the extra peace of mind when you are that far from home.
