I finally upgraded to the X-T5 and I'm heading to the Scottish Highlands next month for a hiking trip. I really want to capture those massive vistas but I'm torn on glass. I read that the Fuji 10-24mm WR is the best all-rounder but then people say it struggles with the 40mp sensor and gets soft in the corners.
Then there is the Viltrox 13mm which looks super sharp but I dont know if losing the zoom range will frustrate me on narrow trails where I cant move around much. My budget is about $800 so I gotta pick one. Should I go for the zoom convenience or the prime sharpness for this body?
I went through this exact struggle when I upgraded. Unfortunately, I was really let down by the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR. It sounds great on paper but it honestly had issues resolving enough detail for that 40mp sensor... the corners were just super soft and disappointing for high-res landscapes. It is not as good as expected on the newer bodies, which sucks because the weather sealing is perfect for rainy Scotland. If you want to stay under your $800 budget and actually get sharp shots, the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF is a total beast. Its way sharper than the zoom. If money is tight, you could even grab a used Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS for cheap and save the rest for your actual trip. Dont compromise on the glass quality tho, you'll regret it when you look at the files later. Let me know if you need more help with lens picks!
Just catching up on this! ^ This. Also, if you are heading to the Highlands, you gotta be careful because that weather is no joke. I'm always a bit paranoid about my gear getting soaked or failing mid-hike, so reliability is huge for me.
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