Which cheap prime lens should I actually get for my X-S10 before my trip to Portland next month because Im seriously losing my mind trying to compare them all. Ive got about 300 bucks max to spend and Im completely torn between the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 and the old school XC 35mm f2. Everyone says the Fuji is sharper but the pancake size of the TTArtisan is super tempting for street shots and walking around all day without killing my neck. Is the autofocus on the cheap Chinese third party lenses really that bad for everyday stuff or am I just overthinking it...
Honestly id skip the pancake and just grab the Fujifilm XC 35mm f2 if you actually want reliable focus in the city. The autofocus speed on the fuji is way faster, especially when light drops or you are trying to grab quick street shots. Ive messed around with third party glass before and while the size is nice, missing a shot because the motor is hunting makes you want to throw the camera in a river. That being said, make sure to update the firmware on whatever lens you pick up before leaving for Portland so you dont deal with weird stuttering issues. Another quick tip is to check the aperture ring feel if you can before you go, since some of the cheaper third party options have loose detents that shift way too easy when pulling it in and out of a bag. I would suggest sticking with the official fuji glass for peace of mind, trust me on this one.
Just get the Fujifilm XC 35mm f2 and dont look back. You need something reliable for a trip, and cheap third party focus motors will just frustrate you when it counts.
Adding my two cents here because trust me, you do not want your gear acting up while traveling! Autofocus reliability matters way more than saving a few bucks or getting a slightly smaller profile. Stick with official glass from the camera maker for your trip. Third party motors can hunt constantly in low light and you will totally miss those spontaneous street shots.
To add to the point above: totally agree about sticking with reliable gear. I learned that the hard way on a rainy trip when my cheap third party motor just gave up entirely.