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Best Fuji x lens and body combo for backpacking

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J. Paul

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Hello all,
I'm going on a long hike soon and want to take one camera body and one lens. I have both the XT-5 and XT-4 Bodies, and want to use either the Fuji 16mm 1.4 or the kit 18-55mm F2.8-4. I did a preliminary test with the kit lens on the XT-5 but the results are inconclusive. I know the kit lens is not on the recommended list for the larger sensor. I could use it with the XT4 but I would prefer to use my XT5. I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J. Paul
 
No one will carry the 4 when they have the 5, so that is easy.

I'd take the zoom. The 16 is too wide for general use and the zoom will be excellent.
 
J. Paul said:
Hello all,
I'm going on a long hike soon and want to take one camera body and one lens. I have both the XT-5 and XT-4 Bodies, and want to use either the Fuji 16mm 1.4 or the kit 18-55mm F2.8-4. I did a preliminary test with the kit lens on the XT-5 but the results are inconclusive. I know the kit lens is not on the recommended list for the larger sensor. I could use it with the XT4 but I would prefer to use my XT5. I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J. Paul
Click to expand...
I have only gone hiking once ~24km in two days and I had the X-T2 with the newer kit 16-50mm. It was a fantastic combo and served my well, also used it for two short trips which included a lot of walking.


So with that in mind I would definitely pick the X-T5 and the 18-55mm. I would also not bother at all with the list regarding the 40mp sensor.

--
https://www.instagram.com/filippos.drylerakis/
flickr.com/photos/194737069@N06
 
Last edited:
J. Paul said:
Hello all,
I'm going on a long hike soon and want to take one camera body and one lens. I have both the XT-5 and XT-4 Bodies, and want to use either the Fuji 16mm 1.4 or the kit 18-55mm F2.8-4. I did a preliminary test with the kit lens on the XT-5 but the results are inconclusive. I know the kit lens is not on the recommended list for the larger sensor. I could use it with the XT4 but I would prefer to use my XT5. I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J. Paul
Click to expand...
I also think only the 16mm is rather limited. I would go for the 18-55mm. The XT-5 gives always slightly better results than the XT-4, no matter what lens is attached. Doesn't matter if the lens is on the recommended list or not.

Fuji has better standard zooms than the 18-55mm now, but you probably know that. It is not strange that a direct comparison with a 16mm prime shows that.
 
I did a 10-day backpack through Grand Canyon, last October, with my X-T20 and 18-55mm f/2.8-4. I've been backcountry hiking with that kit for years. Here's a link:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67986618

As much as I enjoy the zoom, I can also appreciate the creative inspiration that comes with using a prime lens. I think you'll come home with great images, whichever one you take. Follow your inner muse :-)
 
Last edited:
J. Paul said:
Hello all,
I'm going on a long hike soon and want to take one camera body and one lens. I have both the XT-5 and XT-4 Bodies, and want to use either the Fuji 16mm 1.4 or the kit 18-55mm F2.8-4. I did a preliminary test with the kit lens on the XT-5 but the results are inconclusive. I know the kit lens is not on the recommended list for the larger sensor. I could use it with the XT4 but I would prefer to use my XT5. I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J. Paul
Click to expand...
I gather you already own the 18-55, but the newer Fuji 16-50 would be a far better choice for hiking, not just because it is sharper, smaller and lighter (which it is), but because it is fully weather sealed and zooms internally. The 18-55 has no weather or dust sealing and the excellent IBIS in the X-T5 makes lens OIS unnecessary.
 
Also consider the kit weight & size, expected environmental conditions, battery life, and the cost. For some, the cost of replacing/repairing a damaged camera may be inconsequential, but for me it matters. So, in more rugged conditions I carry my older equipment, in case it gets damaged, lost or worst - stolen.

Also, not mentioned, but recommended - a small/table tripod for selfies and long exposures.
 
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The XF 18-55 will not suddenly perform worse when attached to the X-T5.

But it may well be that the old kit lens does not utilize the full potential of the larger sensor.

You cannot lose. Maybe you don't win a lot.

Martin
 
J. Paul said:
Hello all,
I'm going on a long hike soon and want to take one camera body and one lens. I have both the XT-5 and XT-4 Bodies, and want to use either the Fuji 16mm 1.4 or the kit 18-55mm F2.8-4. I did a preliminary test with the kit lens on the XT-5 but the results are inconclusive. I know the kit lens is not on the recommended list for the larger sensor. I could use it with the XT4 but I would prefer to use my XT5. I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J. Paul
Click to expand...
Hi, as one who hikes a lot and is a XT5 user, for camera bodies, I'd take the XT5 over the XT4 (I used to own a XT4, but traded it for the XT5). The body of the XT5 is lighter than the XT4.

As for lenses, I had the 18-55 and have used it for hiking, including in the Alps, Switzerland. It did a good job, but I then also carried a 14f2.8 for wider alpine shots. I have since traded the 18-55 for the new XF16-50/f4.8. The image quality of the newer lens is better at all focal lengths (in my unscientific testing), it starts at 16mm (negating from me the need to carry a wider lens), it is marginally lighter than the old 18-55, and it has weather resistance (reassuring when hiking). As the XT5 has IBIS (as does the XT4), the lens does not need image stabilisation.

On the XT5, the 16-50 makes for a compelling one combo package. Indeed, I often use this lens when I want to go light over my 16-55f2.8 Mk II.

Hope that helps and enjoy the hike. Where is the hike?
 
There is no best; what is best for me, for example, is sometimes to take my 2 XT5s each with one lens. Other times, best for me is just the XT5 with Voigtlander 27mm lens.

So it depends, as always.
 
The zoom will be better on the 5 than the 4. All lenses are. Physics. It is just the better the lens the bigger the improvement.

To be honest the benefit of the 5 over the 4 will be modest and if you have other reasons to favour the 4 you'll lose hardly anything.
 
For backpacking, where the space taken by the camera should be the smallest possible, a versatile lens would be prefered.

I would also recommend a weather sealed lens, but it seems neither of yours are (if not to avoid damage because of rain, at least to avoid dust ingresss after extensive periods inside a bag).

If I was goig backpacking, I would look into a zoom, or several little primes (which is what I'm doing with my current backpacking setup with an Olympus E-M5 mark II)
 
jhorse said:
J. Paul said:
Hello all,
I'm going on a long hike soon and want to take one camera body and one lens. I have both the XT-5 and XT-4 Bodies, and want to use either the Fuji 16mm 1.4 or the kit 18-55mm F2.8-4. I did a preliminary test with the kit lens on the XT-5 but the results are inconclusive. I know the kit lens is not on the recommended list for the larger sensor. I could use it with the XT4 but I would prefer to use my XT5. I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

J. Paul
Click to expand...
Hi, as one who hikes a lot and is a XT5 user, for camera bodies, I'd take the XT5 over the XT4 (I used to own a XT4, but traded it for the XT5). The body of the XT5 is lighter than the XT4.

As for lenses, I had the 18-55 and have used it for hiking, including in the Alps, Switzerland. It did a good job, but I then also carried a 14f2.8 for wider alpine shots. I have since traded the 18-55 for the new XF16-50/f4.8. The image quality of the newer lens is better at all focal lengths (in my unscientific testing), it starts at 16mm (negating from me the need to carry a wider lens), it is marginally lighter than the old 18-55, and it has weather resistance (reassuring when hiking). As the XT5 has IBIS (as does the XT4), the lens does not need image stabilisation.

On the XT5, the 16-50 makes for a compelling one combo package. Indeed, I often use this lens when I want to go light over my 16-55f2.8 Mk II.

Hope that helps and enjoy the hike. Where is the hike?
Click to expand...
 
J. Paul said:
...I have had great results with the XT-5 and the 16mm 1.4 but I'm giving up image stabilization and a more flexible zoom. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Just thought I'd mention that both of your cameras have IBIS stabilization even with the 16.

Take the XT5.

You can even use the Fuji app to compose for selfies/self portraits instead of requiring the X-T4's front facing screen.
 
I have an X-T5 with the new 16-50 zoom and it is a very versatile, and relatively light combination .

I use a Peak Design Capture Clip (and neoprene wrist strap) on my backpack strap because I can quickly clip on the camera and free up both hands to move tree branches, use a rock as a handhold for balance, etc. It keeps the camera close to my body, and it doesn’t swing around like it would on a neck strap.

For a “belt and suspenders” approach in rough ground I both clip the camera on the capture clip and run my sternum strap through the wrist strap loop dangling down. I’ve never had a camera inadvertently come off the clip, but there is always a first time.
 
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