I just got the X-S20 and I'm honestly freaking out a bit because I have this big hiking trip to Glacier coming up in two weeks and I still havent picked a wide lens. So I was thinking about the Sigma 16mm f1.4 since everyone says it is the gold standard for sharpness but then I read it's kind of a brick to carry around all day and might feel unbalanced.
Then I saw the Samyang 12mm f2 which is way wider but I'm so confused about whether the autofocus version is actually reliable on Fuji bodies or if I'm just wasting money. My logic was that wider is better for the big mountain views but I dont want to be stuck with a lens that hunts for focus constantly... my budget is strictly capped at $350 which makes it even harder to decide which trade-off to make.
I've tested a ton of these and honestly, for hiking you really want light and weather sealed. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR is much better balanced on the X-S20 than that Sigma. It weighs just 155g and you can find used copies for under $300 easily. Native AF is consistently more reliable than third party lenses when youre shooting fast on a trail.
> Then I saw the Samyang 12mm f2 which is way wider but I'm so confused about whether the autofocus version is actually reliable on Fuji bodies Oh man you're gonna love Glacier! Its absolutely amazing! For your budget and weight concerns, definitely go with the Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 X. The autofocus is super snappy and reliable now so dont worry. Its so tiny too, way better for hiking than a heavy brick! You wont regret having that extra width for the mountains, trust me!
Honestly I disagree a bit with going for a prime lens for a place as massive as Glacier! It can be so limiting when you're on a trail and cant just walk closer to a mountain peak... But speaking of Glacier gear, have you sorted out your footwear yet? I went down this massive rabbit hole with hiking boots before my last trip there. It was actually insane.
- Spent weeks reading reviews on leather vs synthetic
- Bought three different pairs just to test on my local hills
- Ended up obsessing over waterproof membranes and lacing techniques I actually missed a whole weekend of shooting just because I was at the store arguing about arch support. My wife was so annoyed because the living room was basically just a pile of boot boxes for a month. Its funny how we get so focused on the glass but then your feet are what actually get you to the view! Anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there.
Building on the earlier suggestion, it's basically the light Fuji 16mm vs the wider Samyang. Just be careful tho, because third-party AF can be finicky on the X-S20. I would suggest looking at the TTArtisan 10mm f/2.0 AF X-Mount for maximum views. Its tiny and fits your budget easily, but make sure to update the firmware immediately... dont want it hunting for focus while you're staring at a glacier!
Before throwing more options at you, it might help to narrow down how you actually plan to use the lens on the trail. Are you planning on doing any astrophotography or night shots while you are camping at Glacier, or is this strictly going to be for daytime landscape hikes? Also, do you feel like you need the flexibility of a zoom lens to frame those distant peaks, or are you set on a lightweight prime? Knowing if you need that low-light performance or weather sealing makes a big difference in finding the right compromise for your budget.
👆 this
