so i finally saved up enough to get the fujifilm x-s20 and i am seriously so excited to start my travel vlog but i think i messed up already lol. i bought the kit with the 18-55mm lens because everyone said it was great but when i try to film myself holding the camera at arms length my head is just way too big in the frame and you cant even see the scenery behind me. i'm going on a trip to japan in like three weeks and really need to figure this out fast but i have no idea what all these lens numbers mean or what wide angle actually looks like in real life.
sorry if this is a dumb question but is there a cheaper lens i can get that will show more of the background while i'm talking? i'm a total beginner and all the tech talk about apertures and focal lengths is just super confusing to me right now. my budget is pretty tight since the camera was so expensive so i'm hoping to find something for maybe $350 or less if that's even possible. i saw some stuff about a 12mm lens or maybe a 10-24mm but those seem really expensive new. are there any third party brands like viltrox or sigma that are good for vlogging and actually have autofocus so it stays on my face while i'm walking? i really dont want to spend a fortune but i want my videos to look decent...
To add to the point above: i've tried many wide primes over the years. the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fujifilm X is tack sharp but 24mm equivalent is still kinda tight for vlogging. tbh the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF is better, giving you a wider 20mm field of view. it weighs 420g and the stepping motor is great for x-s20 face tracking. look for used deals to stay under $350.
Regarding what #2 said about "To add to the point above: i've tried..." - those are fast lenses, but native glass usually handles AF-C transitions smoother for vlogging. Check the Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ. Since it starts at 15mm, it gives you a wider field of view than your current 18mm.
- 15mm is noticeably better for arm-length shots.
- Extremely lightweight for travel.
- Budget-friendly under $200. It lacks weather sealing tho, so dont get it wet in Japan.
Unfortunately, that kit lens is way too narrow for vlogging. I had issues with my head filling the whole frame too... honestly wasnt as good as expected for a do-it-all lens. Since your budget is tight, look at these:
- Samyang AF 12mm F2 X-Mount
- TTArtisan AF 12mm F2.8 The Samyang is solid for the price and has the autofocus you need. Its basically your best bet for Japan.
Building on the earlier suggestion, i actually think looking just at focal length misses the bigger picture regarding long-term reliability. when i was prepping for my last trip, i spent weeks digging into AF algorithm compatibility and firmware update cycles because having a lens hunt while youre walking through shibuya is a nightmare. honestly, some of those third party options have weird jitters on the newer processors that can ruin a shot if the lighting isnt perfect. instead of just picking based on price, you should really check out some of the deep-dive comparison videos on youtube. just search for xs20 wide angle vlogging roundup and you will find a couple of creators who actually show the side-by-side face tracking reliability for like ten different lenses. there is also a massive megathread on the fujifilm subreddit that lists all the known firmware bugs for various x-mount glass which saved me a ton of headache. definitely worth the 20 minutes of research before you drop cash on something that might lose focus during a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
