p.1 #1 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
So, like a complete moron, I impulse bought a Fuji X-E5 body. There is really no reason for this, since I also have Sony APS-C and have a good coverage of lenses, in addition to my full frame gear.
I think what I'm hoping to get out of the Fuji system is a really low profile, compact set up for travel, and to make use of the recipe system to minimize editing while on the road. I've also been getting into tactility during photography, and the Sony does absolutely nothing for me in this realm (but in that case an Xt-50 might have been a better choice than the X-E5 for me... like I said, I'm a moron).
I scored a good deal on the body, so sadly wasn't able to snag the 23 pancake lens, but I was wondering what 3-4 lens kit I should look into getting.
I would like:
- At least 1 pancake mid-wide (24-35). Curious to know about the Viltrox 27mm f/2.8 vs Fuji's
- 1 standard zoom, looking at the Fuji 15-45 vs the Sigma 18-50, but not knowledgable about what other options there are
- 1 short telephoto prime. Heard good things about the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7, but curious about the Fuji 56 f1.2 as well. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 seems really compact as well
p.1 #2 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
I've managed to keep myself from the same as I have an X-T5 I'm perfectly happy with. But I think if I was putting together a compact X-E5 kit, I would look at the 12/1.4 Sigma, 27/2.8 Fuji, and 50/2 Fuji. Then add the 18/1.4 because its so good. I use the 16-55/2.8II for a zoom but I would look at the 16-50 as a more compact option for the little X-E. I don't like mid zooms that start at 18 rather than 16, as I use them wide quite a bit. I don't have much experience with Viltrox lenses but the Air series is pretty interesting for small size and cost. Enjoy your Fuji!
p.1 #3 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
SGinNorcal wrote:
I've managed to keep myself from the same as I have an X-T5 I'm perfectly happy with. But I think if I was putting together a compact X-E5 kit, I would look at the 12/1.4 Sigma, 27/2.8 Fuji, and 50/2 Fuji. Then add the 18/1.4 because its so good. I use the 16-55/2.8II for a zoom but I would look at the 16-50 as a more compact option for the little X-E. I don't like mid zooms that start at 18 rather than 16, as I use them wide quite a bit. I don't have much experience with Viltrox lenses but the Air series is pretty interesting for small size and cost. Enjoy your Fuji!...Show more →
Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of standard zooms that start at 18 also.
p.1 #4 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Similar boat here. My main setup is an R5ii with 70/200 and 35/1.4. Love the setup but wanted something more travel friendly. I missed the size of my Sony A6000, so I ordered a new X-T5 yesterday for Monday arrival. I got the 16-50 with it for getting started and more so for my wife for the few times she will use it in a point and shoot fashion.
I too am looking for lens options with a high priority of small size but I’m open to options. I love a good fast lens but I don’t think I want to put a Brick on this body just yet. I’m mainly looking for something similar to the 23/2.8 but willing to go bigger in size for better IQ and faster.
A big reason I ordered the new system is admittedly I want to try the Recipe setup so many love. While I always shoot Raw and edit, I’m looking forward to viewing things differently. Similar to my infrequent film shooting where I have to focus on the final image in mind. Should be fun.
p.1 #5 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
nineblade wrote:
So, like a complete moron, I impulse bought a Fuji X-E5 body. There is really no reason for this, since I also have Sony APS-C and have a good coverage of lenses, in addition to my full frame gear.
I think what I'm hoping to get out of the Fuji system is a really low profile, compact set up for travel, and to make use of the recipe system to minimize editing while on the road. I've also been getting into tactility during photography, and the Sony does absolutely nothing for me in this realm (but in that case an Xt-50 might have been a better choice than the X-E5 for me... like I said, I'm a moron).
I scored a good deal on the body, so sadly wasn't able to snag the 23 pancake lens, but I was wondering what 3-4 lens kit I should look into getting.
I would like:
- At least 1 pancake mid-wide (24-35). Curious to know about the Viltrox 27mm f/2.8 vs Fuji's
- 1 standard zoom, looking at the Fuji 15-45 vs the Sigma 18-50, but not knowledgable about what other options there are
- 1 short telephoto prime. Heard good things about the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7, but curious about the Fuji 56 f1.2 as well. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 seems really compact as well...Show more →
Sell your X-E5, buy a Sigma 18-50f2.8 for your Sony, and enjoy your travels. The X-E5 is no more tactile than the a6700. It has a dial for exposure time - which, I am sure, you will set to "C" and never touch it again.
Nov 29, 2025 at 09:29 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
nineblade wrote:
So, like a complete moron, I impulse bought a Fuji X-E5 body. There is really no reason for this, since I also have Sony APS-C and have a good coverage of lenses, in addition to my full frame gear.
I think what I'm hoping to get out of the Fuji system is a really low profile, compact set up for travel, and to make use of the recipe system to minimize editing while on the road. I've also been getting into tactility during photography, and the Sony does absolutely nothing for me in this realm (but in that case an Xt-50 might have been a better choice than the X-E5 for me... like I said, I'm a moron).
I scored a good deal on the body, so sadly wasn't able to snag the 23 pancake lens, but I was wondering what 3-4 lens kit I should look into getting.
I would like:
- At least 1 pancake mid-wide (24-35). Curious to know about the Viltrox 27mm f/2.8 vs Fuji's
- 1 standard zoom, looking at the Fuji 15-45 vs the Sigma 18-50, but not knowledgable about what other options there are
- 1 short telephoto prime. Heard good things about the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7, but curious about the Fuji 56 f1.2 as well. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 seems really compact as well...Show more →
Here are some possible 3 and 4 lens kits:
4 lens kit
Sigma 10-18 f/2.8 (handles you ultra wide to mid wide really well and is very small)
Fuji 23 f/2.8 - a really nice pancake and small
Fuji 16-50 f/2.8-4.8 - a small and decent kit lens
Fuji 50 f/2 (very nice and compact telephoto)
Alternative 4 lens kit and you could mix and match
Viltrox 15 f/1.7 (small sharp and relatively fast and a good performer)
Viltrox 25 f/1.7 (small sharp and relatively fast and a good performer)
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 (probably better as a one lens solution than the 16-50 f/2.8-4.8)
Viltrox 56 f/1.7 (small sharp and relatively fast and a good performer)
3 lens kit
Fuji 27 f/2.8 (very small and very good performer if you don't need a wider aperture)
Fuji 16-55 f/2.8 II (a great performing lens but will be a bit bigger than lenses in 4 lens kit above)
Fuji 50 f/2 (small and great performing telephoto)
I think these are the primary lenses to choose from with the X-E5, but if you like manual focus you might consider the Voigtlander lenses for X mount too. I love those lenses and several of them are very small.
p.1 #7 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Sometimes you just have to say WTH and go for it. Congrats on the X-E5! It is a fun body. I have one along with an X-T5.
I'm mostly using the X-E5 with primes or along side the X-T5 with a wide angle zoom mounted.
You said you wanted a pancake. I've owned the Fuji 18/2mm, 23mm/2.8 and the 27mm/2.8 along with the TTArtisan 27mm/2.8. I returned the TTArtisan 14mm/3.5 after finding it soft. I like to shoot wide so the only pancake I've kept is the new 23mm/2.8.
You have a lot of choices regarding standard zooms. Personally, I like something smaller with the X-E5. I'll sometimes borrow my wife's Fuji XF 16-50mm which is a great lens. I have on pre-order the small XC 13-33mm. The roughly 20-50mm FF equivalent range is very appealing to me for a walk around lens. In case you didn't know, the XC 15-45mm is a power zoom which you may or may not like. I haven't used the Sigma 18-50mm but do own and like very much their 10-18mm.
The only short telephoto prime that I've used is the Fuji XF 50mm/2. It is very good and size wise is a good match for the X-E5 IMO.
p.1 #8 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
My .02. In primes, look at the Viltrox airs, especially the 25/1.7. It’s just bigger than a pancake, but super lightweight and affordable with excellent IQ — it’s my street/travel walk around goto. Ditto the 15 if you want something in that wider focal range, ditto the 56 for a portrait length tele. IMO the older Fuji 35/1.4 is also great if you use that focal a lot. If not, again the Viltrox 35/1.7 air is affordable, light and very good. For zooms, it’s tough to beat the 16-55/2.8’s, either the new or old version, both excellent optically but the older one is heavier.
p.1 #9 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Nielk Mike wrote:
Sell your X-E5, buy a Sigma 18-50f2.8 for your Sony, and enjoy your travels. The X-E5 is no more tactile than the a6700. It has a dial for exposure time - which, I am sure, you will set to "C" and never touch it again.
Yeah, I frankly don't think the X-E5 was the tactility buy (and the X-T50 MAY have been the tactility option). It's ok.
I probably will set it at C, lol. Even on full manual it's more convenient to change shutter speed with one of the wheels than one of the top panel dials.
p.1 #10 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Steve Spencer wrote:
Here are some possible 3 and 4 lens kits:
4 lens kit
Sigma 10-18 f/2.8 (handles you ultra wide to mid wide really well and is very small)
Fuji 23 f/2.8 - a really nice pancake and small
Fuji 16-50 f/2.8-4.8 - a small and decent kit lens
Fuji 50 f/2 (very nice and compact telephoto)
Alternative 4 lens kit and you could mix and match
Viltrox 15 f/1.7 (small sharp and relatively fast and a good performer)
Viltrox 25 f/1.7 (small sharp and relatively fast and a good performer)
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 (probably better as a one lens solution than the 16-50 f/2.8-4.8)
Viltrox 56 f/1.7 (small sharp and relatively fast and a good performer)
3 lens kit
Fuji 27 f/2.8 (very small and very good performer if you don't need a wider aperture)
Fuji 16-55 f/2.8 II (a great performing lens but will be a bit bigger than lenses in 4 lens kit above)
Fuji 50 f/2 (small and great performing telephoto)
I think these are the primary lenses to choose from with the X-E5, but if you like manual focus you might consider the Voigtlander lenses for X mount too. I love those lenses and several of them are very small....Show more →
This is perfect, thanks. Good to see the range of options so I can start researching them one by one. I think I'll get the Viltrox 15 and 56, then look at which zooms and pancake lenses to fill up the 4 lens kit. Should be a very very good starting point.
p.1 #11 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Eduard wrote:
Sometimes you just have to say WTH and go for it. Congrats on the X-E5! It is a fun body. I have one along with an X-T5.
I'm mostly using the X-E5 with primes or along side the X-T5 with a wide angle zoom mounted.
You said you wanted a pancake. I've owned the Fuji 18/2mm, 23mm/2.8 and the 27mm/2.8 along with the TTArtisan 27mm/2.8. I returned the TTArtisan 14mm/3.5 after finding it soft. I like to shoot wide so the only pancake I've kept is the new 23mm/2.8.
You have a lot of choices regarding standard zooms. Personally, I like something smaller with the X-E5. I'll sometimes borrow my wife's Fuji XF 16-50mm which is a great lens. I have on pre-order the small XC 13-33mm. The roughly 20-50mm FF equivalent range is very appealing to me for a walk around lens. In case you didn't know, the XC 15-45mm is a power zoom which you may or may not like. I haven't used the Sigma 18-50mm but do own and like very much their 10-18mm.
The only short telephoto prime that I've used is the Fuji XF 50mm/2. It is very good and size wise is a good match for the X-E5 IMO.
p.1 #12 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
nineblade wrote:
Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm excited.
What are your thoughts on the TTArtisan 27 vs. the Fuji 27?
Huh. I'll check out the 13-33.
That's the challenge of getting into a new platform, there are so many Fuji options and 3rd party options. It's a bit daunting.
IMO the Fuji 27mm pancake is clearly better than the TTArtisan but it is also more expensive. I’d probably look to buy a used Fuji if I was looking at that focal length.
This is an interesting video you might find useful regarding the 13-33mm. ?si=mkOwqJhrPFZnBdHL
p.1 #13 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
I agree with the suggestion of the Fuji 27mm vs the TT Artisan. There is probably not a huge difference between them, but every comparison I have seen suggest the Fuji is a bit better.
Another lens to look at is the TT Artisan 14mm f3.5. It's handy to throw in the bag if you want an occaisional wide angle. It is sharp across most of the frame, but not the extreme corners. They are always a bit soft and have some vignetting. It would be good for street but not landscapes or architecture.
p.1 #14 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Geoff D F wrote:
I agree with the suggestion of the Fuji 27mm vs the TT Artisan. There is probably not a huge difference between them, but every comparison I have seen suggest the Fuji is a bit better.
Another lens to look at is the TT Artisan 14mm f3.5. It's handy to throw in the bag if you want an occaisional wide angle. It is sharp across most of the frame, but not the extreme corners. They are always a bit soft and have some vignetting. It would be good for street but not landscapes or architecture.
I had high hopes for the TTArtisan 14mm pancake but returned it because I found it too soft. I’m using the Viltrox 15mm Air instead. It isn’t a pancake but I’m very pleased with the results.
p.1 #15 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
nineblade wrote:
So, like a complete moron, I impulse bought a Fuji X-E5 body. There is really no reason for this, since I also have Sony APS-C and have a good coverage of lenses, in addition to my full frame gear.
I think what I'm hoping to get out of the Fuji system is a really low profile, compact set up for travel, and to make use of the recipe system to minimize editing while on the road. I've also been getting into tactility during photography, and the Sony does absolutely nothing for me in this realm (but in that case an Xt-50 might have been a better choice than the X-E5 for me... like I said, I'm a moron).
I scored a good deal on the body, so sadly wasn't able to snag the 23 pancake lens, but I was wondering what 3-4 lens kit I should look into getting.
I would like:
- At least 1 pancake mid-wide (24-35). Curious to know about the Viltrox 27mm f/2.8 vs Fuji's
- 1 standard zoom, looking at the Fuji 15-45 vs the Sigma 18-50, but not knowledgable about what other options there are
- 1 short telephoto prime. Heard good things about the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7, but curious about the Fuji 56 f1.2 as well. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 seems really compact as well...Show more →
I use a Fujifilm XT5 for travel/street photography.
The 27mm f/2.8 pancake is probably on the camera 90% of the time. It is small, light, and produces excellent results. It would work well with your XE5. Alternatively, that 23mm f/2.8 should be just as good a choice if you prefer the slightly wider angle of view. (I’ve made prints with 30” width from shots done with the 27mm lens.)
Some are going to tell you that you need a larger aperture, but my experience (as a person who used to travel with f/1.4 lenses) is that the f/2.8 lenses, IBIS, and cameras that perform well at higher ISOs make the smaller f/2.8 lenses a great option.
I round out my usual travel kit by adding the 14mm f/2.8, an outstanding lens overlooked by many Fujifilm users, and the excellent 50mm f/2 lens.
p.1 #17 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Eduard wrote:
I had high hopes for the TTArtisan 14mm pancake but returned it because I found it too soft. I’m using the Viltrox 15mm Air instead. It isn’t a pancake but I’m very pleased with the results.
A couple of snaps from this morning's dog walk with the TT Artisans 14mm f3.5. Whether one regards it as usable depends on how demanding one's need are. I wouldn't be surprised if the Viltrox 15mm Air is better. My Viltrox 25mm f1.7 is a very impressive optically. The Fuji 14mm f2.8 is also very good.
p.1 #19 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
gdanmitchell wrote:
I use a Fujifilm XT5 for travel/street photography.
The 27mm f/2.8 pancake is probably on the camera 90% of the time. It is small, light, and produces excellent results. It would work well with your XE5. Alternatively, that 23mm f/2.8 should be just as good a choice if you prefer the slightly wider angle of view. (I’ve made prints with 30” width from shots done with the 27mm lens.)
Some are going to tell you that you need a larger aperture, but my experience (as a person who used to travel with f/1.4 lenses) is that the f/2.8 lenses, IBIS, and cameras that perform well at higher ISOs make the smaller f/2.8 lenses a great option.
I round out my usual travel kit by adding the 14mm f/2.8, an outstanding lens overlooked by many Fujifilm users, and the excellent 50mm f/2 lens. ...Show more →
I’ll add a couple of notes to my earlier post.
Regarding hte 56mm Fujifilm primes, they are fine lenses but you can get a lot of similar mileage out of the less expensive and considerably smaller 50mm f/2. It really is a great lens, and its smaller size makes it extra useful for travel.
If you want a bit longer prime, Fujifilm’s 90mm f/2 is a good candidate in some cases, too. It is also a great optical performer, though it is larger, as we would expect.
For many of us, travel photography calls for some compromises that lean toward smaller size, lighter weight, and perhaps giving up some coverage that we would want in other situations where we are more willing to put up with more gear. There aren’t any inviolable rules about what works for travel, but do consider that.
