okay so I just got a Fujifilm X-S10 like two weeks ago and I am so obsessed with it even though I barely know what I'm doing lol. Right now I just have the kit lens that came with it but Ive been watching a bunch of YouTube videos and everyone keeps saying I need a prime lens because the background blur looks so cool and its better in low light. Im going on a trip to Chicago next month and really want to take some nice street and food photos. The problem is I am completely overwhelmed by all the options and my budget is pretty tight like I really dont want to spend more than 300 or maybe 350 dollars max since I just dropped so much cash on the camera body itself. My logic was maybe I should just buy the cheapest one I can find but then I saw like five different brands making lenses for Fuji and now my brain hurts trying to figure out if autofocus actually matters for a beginner or if manual is fine. Like what is the actual best budget prime lens for the X-S10 that wont make me want to cry trying to figure it out?
Congrats on the new camera, the X-S10 is awesome. Skip manual focus for now since street and food shots happen way too fast. Get the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR used or look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary if you want that extra bokeh on a budget. Autofocus makes life so much easier when youre walking around Chicago trying to grab quick moments.
> my budget is pretty tight like I really dont want to spend more than 300 or maybe 350 dollars max Adding my two cents here because Chicago is so much fun for photography! Before dropping cash on anything brand new, are you open to buying used gear, or do you definitely want something straight out of the box with a warranty? That makes a huge difference in what you can afford. If you can hunt down a used Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R or even the TTArtisan AF 27mm f/2.8 XF brand new, you'll easily stay way under that 350 limit. Chicago food spots can be super dim inside, so you definitely want autofocus for street stuff unless you wanna miss the moment completely. Let me know if you want links to reliable used shops!
@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, stick with reliable brands that have good weather sealing data and stable firmware. Just grab a standard prime from Fujifilm and you wont regret the purchase.
Autofocus definitely matters for street photography unless you want to zone focus manually. Look at the Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 STM XF for a solid budget alternative with fast AF performance and decent low light transmission. Sharpness is quite good centrally even wide open at f/1.4.