Best Long Zoom for XT-5

[jpnwdc]

I would like to add a long zoom to my kit. I think 200mm or 300mm is sufficient for me (travel, landscapes, maybe wildlife). There are plenty of used 55-200mm lenses available for around $400. The other one I am considering is the 70-300mm but at a substantially higher price. Both are similar size and weight. My favorite shorter zoom in my kit is the Sigma 18-50mm. I also have the 16-80mm that came with my XT-5 but I hardly use it. Thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Samuraidog]

One thing to consider is that the 70-300 is compatible with teleconverters, whereas the 55-200 is not. If you think you'll ever use a TC, get the 70-300.

 

[Peter Foiles]

XF 70-300 is best followed closely by the XF 55-200 then the XC 50-230. Of course there is the XF 100-400 but I get the impression that is out of your budget. The XF 70-300 works with teleconverters the 55-200 and 50-230 are not if that is a consideration.

 

[JNR]

XF 70-300 is best followed closely by the XF 55-200 then the XC 50-230. Of course there is the XF 100-400 but I get the impression that is out of your budget. The XF 70-300 works with teleconverters the 55-200 and 50-230 are not if that is a consideration.

I'm not sure what qualifies as "best" because there are many variables involved in all three consumer Fuji variable aperture lenses. If weight, size, overall zoom span (5.6:1) and quality of bokeh are your highest priorities, the 50-230 is actually pretty far ahead on all those counts. If speed is the main concern (they are all pretty slow), the 55-200 wins (by about one-sixth of a stop) over the 75-300 with the 50-230 trailing by a full stop. Sharpness and reach goes to the 75-300, but the bokeh is rough in many situations unless you stop down.

If the light is good, I'll be shooting with the 50-230 if I don't need the extra reach because the rendering is so much better than the 75-300 - and the sharpness is not that much better with the long lens. The 55-200 is a good value used if you don't need that extra reach. All three lenses are good overall.

--
JNR

 

[McWoodley]

XF 70-300 is best followed closely by the XF 55-200 then the XC 50-230. Of course there is the XF 100-400 but I get the impression that is out of your budget. The XF 70-300 works with teleconverters the 55-200 and 50-230 are not if that is a consideration.

I'm not sure what qualifies as "best" because there are many variables involved in all three consumer Fuji variable aperture lenses. If weight, size, overall zoom span (5.6:1) and quality of bokeh are your highest priorities, the 50-230 is actually pretty far ahead on all those counts. If speed is the main concern (they are all pretty slow), the 55-200 wins (by about one-sixth of a stop) over the 75-300 with the 50-230 trailing by a full stop. Sharpness and reach goes to the 75-300, but the bokeh is rough in many situations unless you stop down.

If the light is good, I'll be shooting with the 50-230 if I don't need the extra reach because the rendering is so much better than the 75-300 - and the sharpness is not that much better with the long lens. The 55-200 is a good value used if you don't need that extra reach. All three lenses are good overall.

Agreed. The 50-230 is a great lens unless you need a faster aperture or faster focusing lens. Best? Optically and overall IMHO the 100-400 is one of my favorite Fuji lenses.

 

[ChrisGibbons001]

70-300mm is the best tele zoom I had that wasn't the 150-600. I have huge regret selling it and will likely buy it again one day. Its perfect for travel and the image quality is brilliant.

 

[grey pilgrim]

I have to agree with the 70-300. It's a solid jack of all trades. Solid construction, good quality images, decent closeup, works with teleconverters. It's a constant presence on my camera.

Doug

 

[GMacF]

Another vote for the 70-300. What Fuji crammed into such a small package is nothing short of miraculous. It was only the second Fuji lens I bought brand new (the first I bought on release) and it has been a joy to use. It's very versatile as well. As mentioned further up, it's a jack-of-all-trades lens but it does stand out on its own in certain areas as well.

If you have the budget that is the one to get - and you can ultimately add the 1.4x TC down the line to give yourself a cheap 420mm option should you want it.

If budget is a concern, then as others have said, I would likely side with the newer 50-230 as opposed to the slightly more premium 55-200.

 

[baobob]

Agree Below a sample during my test with the XH2 (same sensor XT5), I wanted in real life bad conditions what the combo 70-300mm+2.0TC can produce distance 80m at 600mm




whole frame, some branches in the frame




crop of the center AF on the yellow circle

The results of the combo are quite good

--
Good judgment comes from experience
Experience comes from bad judgment

 

[biza43]

I went with the 70-300 because I need the 300mm. No regrets on X-T3 and X-T4.




X-T3.




X-T3.




X-T3.




X-T4.





--
www.paulobizarro.com

PauloBizarroPHOTOBLOG – Some of my photography

 

[Craig268]

XF 70-300 is best followed closely by the XF 55-200 then the XC 50-230. Of course there is the XF 100-400 but I get the impression that is out of your budget. The XF 70-300 works with teleconverters the 55-200 and 50-230 are not if that is a consideration.

I'm not sure what qualifies as "best" because there are many variables involved in all three consumer Fuji variable aperture lenses. If weight, size, overall zoom span (5.6:1) and quality of bokeh are your highest priorities, the 50-230 is actually pretty far ahead on all those counts. If speed is the main concern (they are all pretty slow), the 55-200 wins (by about one-sixth of a stop) over the 75-300 with the 50-230 trailing by a full stop. Sharpness and reach goes to the 75-300, but the bokeh is rough in many situations unless you stop down.

If the light is good, I'll be shooting with the 50-230 if I don't need the extra reach because the rendering is so much better than the 75-300 - and the sharpness is not that much better with the long lens. The 55-200 is a good value used if you don't need that extra reach. All three lenses are good overall.

Agreed. The 50-230 is a great lens unless you need a faster aperture or faster focusing lens. Best? Optically and overall IMHO the 100-400 is one of my favorite Fuji lenses.

Another vote for the terrific XC50-230. Sharp, lightweight, has OIS and a nice price. Under typical daylight conditions, you can't go wrong with this often overlooked winner.

 

[fotoword]

Hi

I came across a series of yt videos today where the presenter did a number of lab comparisons with all the Fuji zooms (and one prime) from 200 up to 400 (at their longest end). The video is about a year old so predates the 150-600.

It might be of some use.

Don't know much about him but he did a lot of measurements and charts but presented them in a simple way

He seemed to think the 230 stood out in some situations.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Birddogman]

Dunno what's "best". Pretty much horses for the courses.

I have a 55-200. It is inexpensive, plus small and light enough for me to take to the field occasionally.











I also have a 100-400. It is costly, big and heavy. But it has a lot of reach.









Greg

--
Check out my photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/137747053@N07/

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

I wouldn’t worry about the aperture differences between the 70-300 and 55-200; I bet the 70-300 is pretty close to it from 70mm-200mm.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com