honestly im just about at my wits end with trying to find a decent zoom that doesnt cost more than the actual camera body. i picked up the X-S20 a few months ago because the IBIS and the autofocus seemed like a dream for shooting wildlife while im out hiking here in Oregon but man the lens prices are just killing me right now. i thought i could just grab something used and be good to go but everything i look at is either way out of my budget or feels like a plastic toy. my logic was that switching to Fuji would be cheaper than my old Sony setup but i guess i was wrong about that. i looked at the 70-300mm because everyone raves about it but i cant justify spending almost 800 bucks right now especially since i need this for a trip to the coast next month. then i saw the XC 50-230 which is cheap sure but the slow aperture is already making me regret looking at it and i feel like im just gonna be frustrated with the image quality. is there some hidden gem im missing? i have maybe 400 or 450 to spend max and i dont mind third party like Tamron or Sigma if they actually work well with the Fuji autofocus system because im really tired of missing shots because my gear cant keep up...
Unfortunately, cheap native zooms disappointed me with slow AF tracking.
- get Fringer EF-FX Pro II Mount Adapter
- use Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Its much more reliable for wildlife.
> i feel like im just gonna be frustrated with the image quality Honestly the Fujifilm XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II is surprisingly sharp despite the plastic. Grab it used for 200. It leaves cash for the trip. It works tho.
I ran into this exact wall shooting eagles in the Cascades years back. My budget was tight, so I grabbed the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD. It tracks wildlife surprisingly well on the X-S20.
- Use your back dial for aperture control.
- Used copies often hit that $400 sweet spot. Its way lighter for those long coastal hikes than the metal Fuji lenses.
> i saw the XC 50-230 which is cheap sure but the slow aperture is already making me regret looking at it I completely understand the budget struggle. Honestly, you should look at the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS. I have been using it for a while and I am very satisfied with how it performs for the price. The dual linear motors provide fast autofocus which works well with the X-S20 tracking system. Its significantly sharper than the XC line and feels much more substantial in the hand. Quick tip: check the used market for this specific model. You can often find a copy in great condition for under $450. It offers a faster f/4.8 aperture at the 200mm end compared to the f/6.7 on the XC lens, giving you better light gathering for wildlife shots tho. I have no complaints about the image quality even after years of use.
