09/05/2026 9:31 pm
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Should I grab the Tamron 150-500mm or is the 18-300mm actually enough for birding on the X-T5? Ive been shooting Fuji for years and just upgraded to the X-T5 for that 40mp sensor but I'm struggling with which third party glass to pair it with for a trip to the Everglades next month.
My budget is strictly under $1200 and the native XF 100-400 is just too pricey right now. Im worried the 150-500 is gonna be a brick to carry around all day but that extra reach is tempting for distant herons. Ive heard the 18-300 might not resolve well on this high-res sensor though. Is the weight trade-off worth it for the 150-500 or am I just overthinking it...
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09/05/2026 9:55 pm
Quick reply while I have a sec. I actually took my X-T5 out to some local wetlands last spring and had a similar dilemma. I started with a super-zoom because I hated swapping lenses in the mud, but the image quality just didnt hold up once I started cropping into those 40mp files. The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is super convenient for hiking, but it honestly struggled to resolve fine feather detail when I pushed it. Heres what I noticed comparing them:
- Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD: Much sharper at the long end and the AF is snappy enough for flight shots, though it really is a heavy beast after three hours.
- Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD: Great for general travel, but felt soft on the high res sensor and 300mm is just never enough for small shorebirds. I also looked at the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary which is lighter, but for the Everglades you really want that extra reach. The 150-500 weight is a pain but the files look way better when you have to crop.
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09/05/2026 9:31 pm
Ngl birding with only 300mm is tough... those birds are always further away than you think. Id definitely go for the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD. It is kind of a brick, but it handles the 40mp sensor way better than the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD will. Better to have the reach and deal with the weight than miss the shot.
