Travel lens for X-S10, 18-55 / 16-80 + prime?

Hi,

Lens choice is personal - there's no right answer. The used camera with the 16-80 had the more versatile lens. I find 16mm very much worth having over 18mm - it's just that bit wider. That has sold. The one you're considering now has the 18-55. Both are good lenses for travel (as long as the lens is in sound condition), but obviously you'd lose the 16mm and longer focal lengths with the 18-55.

If you were going to consider a supplementary prime lens on the wide side for the 18-55, you could consider the 14mm f2.8. It's a very good lens and faster and wider than the 16-80 for interiors. It's also very good in terms of rectilinear correction which might suit you for your architectural interests. You could also consider the 16/1.4 or 16.2.8.

If you want to consider a supplementary prime lens on the longer side, things get a bit more difficult. The 60mm is only a whisker longer than the 18-55. The 80mm macro is big and very heavy. The 90mm is faster and longer. Both are expensive, a bit more specialized, and at >500g, on the heavy side to travel with for FLs you may not use often.

The alternative would be to consider a longer zoom. The 50-230mm zoom is neat and light @ 375g and IMO good for travel. They've a slow aperture, but the IQ is excellent value for money and certainly good enough for travel memories. The AF is good enough in any reasonable light for common travel subjects (but wouldn't tackle sports or BIFs). Their OIS is effective. They're inexpensive if you can find a used one. They came in two versions. The early one is marked 'OIS' the second is marked OIS II. They're optically the same - the only difference is the upgraded OIS. The other alternatives are the 55-200 and 70-300, both better but significantly heavier and dearer.

Hope that helps.

Regards, Rod