So i finally pulled the trigger on the silver X-T5 last week after saving up for what feels like forever and man i am just so stoked to actually have it in my hands. The dials feel amazing but now i am hitting that wall where i cant decide what glass to actually stick on the front of it for my trip to London next month. I really want to focus on street photography while im there - you know, the usual stuff like candid shots in the tube or walking around Soho at night - and i need something that can handle the 40 megapixel sensor without looking soft.
Right now im torn between three very different options and my brain is kind of melting. First is the XF 23mm f2. It seems like the obvious choice because its small and weather resistant which is huge since itll probably rain the whole time im in the UK lol. But then i keep seeing people talk about the 'soul' of the old XF 35mm f1.4 and the images look so creamy even if the autofocus is a bit noisy and older. Im worried if i get the 35mm i might miss shots because it cant keep up with the new phase detection or maybe itll be too tight for narrow streets?
Then there is the wild card which is the 27mm f2.8 pancake. It would make the setup so tiny i could probably fit the whole thing in my coat pocket but i dont know if f2.8 is fast enough for when the sun goes down or if im sacrificing too much image quality. My budget is around 700 bucks max so i can either get one of these new or maybe find a deal on two used ones if im lucky? I have about two weeks to make a choice before the flight.
What do you think is the best balance for a high res body like the T5? Should i go for the modern fast 23mm or stick with the classic 35mm look? I feel like the 23mm is safer but that 35mm rendering just keeps calling to me...
@Reply #1 - good point! Do you need corner sharpness? For 700 you could snag:
- Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR
- Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 R WR Used they fit your budget.
I would be a bit wary of using the older glass on that 40MP sensor. I tried the 35mm and the slow focus was just too stressful. Make sure to prioritize weather sealing for London since it really does rain constantly.
- Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR for total reliability
- Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR used if you need that creamy look safely You dont want to miss shots because the lens is hunting!
^ This. Also, you really gotta watch the technical side of things with that 40MP sensor. The pixel pitch on the Fujifilm X-T5 is only 3.04 microns, which makes it way more sensitive to micro-jitters and slight focus misses than the older 26MP models. My main caution is that older DC motors, like the one in the Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4 R, lack the positional accuracy for the high-frequency AF adjustments the T5 demands. Youll often get shots that look okay on the back screen but are slightly soft when you crop in because the motor couldnt keep up with the phase detection. It is basically a reliability bottleneck. If you want to actually utilize that high resolution for street stuff, you need the precision of the newer stepping motors in the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR. London is fast-paced and the light in the tube is tricky... better to have a lens that can actually hit focus every single time.
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Man, congrats on the Fujifilm X-T5! I have been using that body for a while now and I am honestly so satisfied with how it handles. That 40-megapixel sensor is no joke, it really demands glass that can resolve high levels of detail, but the good news is that Fuji has a lot of options that work perfectly. If you are worried about the resolution, just stick with any of the modern Fuji prime lenses. I have been super happy with my results lately because they are specifically designed to keep up with the faster processing speeds and that higher pixel density.
- stick with the compact f/2 series from Fuji for that stealthy street vibe
- make sure it is one of their newer designs to get the most out of the linear motors
- the weather resistance on those native lenses is a lifesaver for the UK, it honestly works so well You really cant go wrong if you stay within the Fuji ecosystem for this. I found that their native glass handles the resolving power and micro-contrast much better on the newer sensors compared to some older designs. Plus, the color rendering on those lenses is just top notch... it really brings out the best in those film simulations. Just pick any of their newer compact primes and you will be golden for Soho. Honestly, you are gonna love the output. Hope you have an amazing time in the UK, you are gonna get some killer shots with that setup!
This ^
Seconded!
stumbled on this thread and just had to chime in because that T5 is a whole different animal compared to the older bodies. i love the vibe of the older lenses too, but honestly you gotta be cautious with that 40mp sensor. it basically magnifies every little flaw. if you go with that older 35mm f1.4, just watch out for the purple fringing and the fact that it might feel a bit sluggish in the london rain. it might not give you the clean look you expect from a brand new high-res camera. quick question tho... are you more of a street photographer who likes to stay back or do you prefer getting right in the middle of the action? that makes a massive difference for the focal length choice regardless of the sensor issues. tldr: be careful with older glass on the T5 because it shows every imperfection. might wanna stick to the newer stuff if you actually want to use all 40 megapixels.
