p.1 #1Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
Recently bought an X-E5. Was eyeing Sigma 18-50 f/2.8. But I have really not seen that much traction in general. Seems like a fine zoom for what it offers. any opinion if it's worth to get a new one? Seems light for what it offers
Goal is casual shots with family during my travel. Want something nice and compact bit can also double for portraits with some decent reach. already eyeing 23mm or 28mm pancake
Saw a few options including 16-55 f/2.8 (Version 1 -- very Heavy, version II - heavy
Other options:
16-50 (2.8~4)
15-45
Any thoughts or recommendations from other users or gripes with Sigma?
p.1 #2Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
I would also consider the new Tamron 16-50 2.8. It’s just enough wider than the Sigma to make a noticeable difference while losing nothing on the telephoto end or in aperture. And reasonably priced.
p.1 #3Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
The Fuji XF 16-50 kit is f/2.8 - 4.8 (not 4)...
But it is a very good lens, and when factoring in size and such, not that the Fuji 16-50 does NOT zoom externally. It is all internal.
p.1 #4Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
jwpstl wrote:
I would also consider the new Tamron 16-50 2.8. It’s just enough wider than the Sigma to make a noticeable difference while losing nothing on the telephoto end or in aperture. And reasonably priced.
p.1 #5Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
The Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is nice enough, very practical and compact for its performance. In my experience it isn't up with Fuji primes (comparing with 23mm f/2 and 14mm f/2.8) but I've still taken a lot of nice photos with it. I find it renders nicely but falls off in sharpness/acuity away from the centre, so I end up applying more sharpening in processing.
I haven't tried the Sigma 18-50 to compare, but I have a couple of other Sigmas which have been great lenses.
The Fuji 16-80mm has good reviews but f/4 might be limiting in lower light situations.
Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 seems nice but quite a bit bigger and heavier.
I would say that 16 vs 18mm at the wide end (24 vs 28mm full frame equiv.) does give a much bigger difference in perspective than you might think from the numbers.
p.1 #7Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
I agree with pw-pix, the XC 15-45 is a great, light, inexpensive lens. Even though it does not have an aperture ring and has a plastic mount, the images are fine. I had one and liked it.
p.1 #9Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
Yeah, I'd 100% go 16-80 for travel. It's somewhat heavier compared to the 16-50 or 18-55 but that extra 30mm at the long end and being f4 is a big win. If you live in the mid-range, the 18-55 is my next choice, but it's not wide enough for me personally.
I don't see having f2.8 at 16mm to be that big a win, but being f4 at the long end is really useful (remember the newer 16-50 is f2.8-4.8, not f2.8-4 like the older 18-55, and it's not OIS unlike the 18-55 or the 16-80)
the original 16-50 plastic fantastic also punches above its weight. I'd take it over the XC 15-45 personally if I could find one.
p.1 #11Starter travel zoom lens recommendation for X-E5
I am a fan of the Sigma 18-50 f2.8, having used one on my Sony A7CR for over 2 years and then when I got the X-E5 earlier this year I picked up a X mount version of it as well. Small, compact, lightweight and great IQ, other than the lack of an aperture ring what's not to like.
It is on sale right now in the US for $499, a great price.
