Which Tamron lens is best for landscape shots on Fujifilm cameras?

Question

I just got my first real camera which is a Fujifilm X-T30 II and honestly I am so lost with all of it. I have been using my iPhone for years but I finally saved up because I am going on this big hiking trip to Olympic National Park in about three weeks and I really want to take those massive pretty mountain and forest photos you see on the travel blogs. The kit lens that came with it is okay I guess but it doesnt feel like it gets enough of the view in the frame if that makes sense?

I was looking at the lenses Fuji makes and they are just way out of my price range right now. Someone in a Facebook group told me that Tamron started making lenses for the Fuji X mount recently and they might be cheaper but I am so confused by the numbers. I see a 17-70mm one and an 18-300mm and then another one that is 11-20mm and my head is just spinning. I dont know what focal length even means in real life and I am terrified of spending $700 on the wrong thing and then being stuck with a lens that cant even see the whole mountain range.

My budget is really strict at $750 max because I still have to buy a tripod and some extra batteries since I heard the Fuji batteries die fast. I really just want one lens that can stay on my camera the whole time because I am scared of getting dust inside the camera if I try to change them while I am hiking in the dirt. Is there one specific Tamron lens that is the gold standard for landscape stuff? I keep reading that wide is better but then I see people saying you need to zoom in on the peaks so I dont know what to believe anymore. If you were a total newbie like me and only had one shot at buying a good landscape lens for a Fuji camera before a big trip which Tamron one would you actually pick?

Extractionvbt · Accepted Answer

Logging in a bit late here but I've spent years lugging gear through parks like Olympic and honestly... the perfect lens doesn't exist. Since you're terrified of dust and want one lens to rule them all, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD for Fujifilm X is probably your best bet. People call these superzooms and they're perfect for your situation. Here's why I'd pick it over the others:Versatility: You can shoot the whole mountain range at 18mm, then zoom way in to 300mm to see a bird or a jagged peak. You won't have to change lenses once which solves your dust fear.Cost: It usually lands right around $600 or $700, which leaves you just enough for accessories.Learning curve: It's easier to just twist the zoom ring until it looks right than to worry if you have the right lens attached. The downside is it's not as good when it gets dark compared to the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fujifilm X mentioned earlier. But for daytime hiking? The 18-300 is king. Go to the DPReview galleries and search for that lens to see what real people are getting with it. It'll help calm your nerves about the numbers. For the tripod, maybe look at the SmallRig Selection Lightweight Travel Tripod to stay under budget. You're gonna have a blast at Olympic, just don't overthink the gear too much.

VelocityShade · Answer

Regarding what #1 said about a one-lens setup, do you want huge vistas or zoom? Consider the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD for Fujifilm X but watch the range. Tip: buy used.

Fortresseox · Answer

Honestly, for a one-lens setup that stays on your camera, you should grab the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fujifilm X. It hits your budget and is the most practical option for a trip like Olympic. Focal length numbers basically tell you how wide the view is... lower numbers like 11 or 17 see more of the landscape, while 70 or 300 zoom in on things. The 17-70mm is the sweet spot. It is wide enough for the mountains but still lets you zoom in on distant peaks. Since your X-T30 II doesnt have built-in stabilization, the VC (Vibration Compensation) in this lens is a lifesaver for keeping your shots clear. The 11-20mm is wider, sure, but you will miss the zoom constantly. Stick with the 17-70mm, leave it on the camera to avoid dust, and you will be fine.