I finally pulled the trigger on the X-T30 II last week and honestly I am panicking a little bit because I spent almost my whole budget on the body itself and now I realize the kit lens just isnt gonna cut it for what I want to do. I have this family wedding coming up in like ten days and I really want to get those nice blurry background shots but I'm basically broke now lol. I spent all night looking at stuff online and I keep seeing people recommend these two specifically:
- the fujifilm xc 35mm f2
- the ttartisan 27mm pancake lens
The problem is I read the XC 35mm is made of plastic and doesnt have the aperture ring which everyone says is the best part of owning a fuji camera so I feel like im missing out if I get that one. But then the ttartisan is super cheap and some people say it has bad vignetting or the colors look weird and I dont want my brothers wedding photos to look like garbage because I was being cheap. My budget is strictly under 200 bucks at this point because I'm a student and rent is due soon. I just need something sharp enough that wont fail on me mid-ceremony. Are there any other hidden gems I missed or should I just suck it up and get one of those two? I'm just so worried about making a mistake and wasting the little money I have left...
Look, i totally get the panic but you gotta be careful here. For a wedding, you really need autofocus that you can actually trust or you are gonna end up with a bunch of blurry faces. I would strongly suggest you go with the Fujifilm XC 35mm f/2. I know the plastic build and missing aperture ring feels like a bummer when you just bought a fancy new Fuji, but honestly, the optics inside are identical to the expensive version. It is sharp, fast, and more importantly, it wont hunt for focus while your brother is doing his vows. I would be very cautious about getting that TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 AF for this specific job. At f/2.8, you arent gonna get that super creamy background you are looking for, especially on a crop sensor. Plus, 27mm is a bit wide for flattering portraits; it can make people look a little distorted if you get too close. If you can find one used or on sale, maybe check out the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 AF. It lets in way more light which is a lifesaver if the wedding is in a dark church or dimly lit reception hall. But if you are stuck under 200 bucks, just get the XC 35mm. Make sure to practice using the command dial on the camera body to change your aperture since there isnt a ring on the lens. It takes like ten minutes to get used to it, seriously dont overthink the plastic thing too much right now.
