Which Sigma lens is best for landscape shots on Fujifilm X-T5?

Question

Ive been shooting Fuji since the X-T2 days but this new 40MP sensor on the X-T5 is absolutely brutal on my old glass. Everything looks soft in the corners when Im stopped down for scenery. I have a trip to the Dolomites in three weeks and a $600 budget... which Sigma lens is actually sharp enough for this resolution?

PhantomCacheX · Accepted Answer

Regarding what #2 said about the 18-50mm zoom... unfortunately, that sensor is a total lens killer. I had issues with corner smearing on that glass. Its just not as good as expected for high res work. Grab the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X instead. It handles edges way better for scenery. TL;DR: Get the 10-18mm, its basically the only decent wide option under $600 tho.

DeepOrbit · Answer

Re: "Honestly, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary..." - while that zoom is a solid little lens, I gotta respectfully disagree about it being the best choice for a 40MP landscape setup. Zoom lenses involve too many optical compromises when you are trying to maximize resolution. When youre pixel peeping files from an X-T5, you start seeing the limits of the contemporary zoom glass, especially in the corners where things get a bit muddy. I've tried many lenses on this specific sensor and primes are just better at resolving that level of detail. If you want real sharpness for the Dolomites, look at the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X. In my experience, its one of the few sub-$600 lenses that doesnt fall apart when you look at the 100% crops. Its definitely heavier than the zoom, but the optical throughput is significantly higher. Tbh, the 16mm focal length is a sweet spot for mountain scenery anyway. Quick tip for that sensor tho... watch your aperture. On the older 26MP sensors you could stop down to f/11 without a care, but on the 40MP X-T5, diffraction starts softening things up earlier. In my experience, you hit the limit around f/6.3 or f/7.1. Stick to f/5.6 and use focus stacking if you need more depth. Ngl, that 16mm prime at f/5.6 is basically surgical.

JunctionJedi · Answer

Honestly, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X is probably your best bet. It handles that 40MP sensor way better than the old Fuji kit zooms I used to carry.

Super sharp even in the corners when stopped down.

Insanely light for hiking the Dolomites.

Fits right in your $600 budget. Its missing the aperture ring which kinda sucks on an X-T5, but the optical quality is definitely there.