so i just got the fujifilm x-s20 and i am honestly so stressed out right now because i thought it would just work but the lens that came in the box makes my head look massive when i try to film myself. i want to do vlogging for my trip to kyoto next month but i literally dont know anything about focal lengths or whatever. i was looking online and people keep saying i need a wide angle but then i saw the prices and i almost cried lol. my budget is maybe $350 max because i spent all my savings on the camera body itself.
i saw this thing called a viltrox 13mm or maybe a samyang? but then i got worried that third party lenses might break the camera or something weird?? sorry if this is a really dumb question but my logic was that a smaller number like 12 or 13 means i can see more of the background but i dont even know if i can use lenses that arent made by fuji. i really need something that isnt going to shake a lot because i have shaky hands and i just want to look normal on camera while walking. do i need a special adapter for those other brands? i am so lost...
honestly dont worry about third party lenses breaking your gear... that basically never happens. since you need to stay under $350, you might want to consider these specific options to get that wide view for kyoto:
- Samyang 12mm f/2.0 AF Fujifilm X-Mount is probably your best bet because the autofocus is snappy and the 12mm focal length gives you a better perspective.
- Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF Fujifilm X-Mount is technically superior for low light, though it might push your budget unless you find it used. you wont need an adapter if you buy lenses specifically for fuji x-mount. just be careful to avoid manual focus lenses while walking... it makes things way harder. definitely check the weight too, since heavy glass might make your hands shake more! let me know if you need help with more specs.
Re: "To add to the point above: I'm gonna..."
- Totally agree! If youre worried about reliability, get:
- Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Its cheap and the stabilization is fantastic for walking!
Like someone mentioned, those budget options from TTArtisan are definitely worth a look, but i'd be careful with the manual focus ones if you're walking around Kyoto. i once tried vlogging with a manual lens and half my footage was blurry because i forgot to check my distance... it was a total disaster and i ended up losing some great shots of the shrines. I would suggest keeping an eye out for the Meike 12mm f/2.0 AF Fujifilm X-mount. It's usually under $250 and actually has autofocus, which is huge for vlogging. Compared to the kit lens, the Meike lets in way more light (f/2.0 vs f/3.5), which you'll definitely appreciate if you're filming in those dim temples or at night in Gion. Just be warned that wider lenses can sometimes have barrel distortion, so check your camera settings to see if it can correct that automatically. Just make sure to check if the lens needs a firmware update right out of the box. I've noticed some third-party glass like Meike or the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF Fujifilm X-Mount can act a bit weird with the X-S20's newer AF system until you update them via the micro-USB or USB-C port on the lens mount itself. It's not hard to do, but it's a technical step you don't want to skip if you want the smoothest performance while walking.
> but then i got worried that third party lenses might break the camera or something weird?? Honestly, third-party glass is totally safe and wont damage your gear at all. I think as long as you get the X-mount version, it just snaps right on. Not 100% sure about every single brand, but someone told me the internal stabilization in your X-S20 should handle the shakes regardless. Ive been very satisfied using non-Fuji glass lately and it works well.
To add to the point above: I'm gonna politely disagree that you need to spend over $300. Recently, I've been super satisfied with the TTArtisan 12mm f/2.0 AF Fujifilm X-Mount. It's got snappy autofocus and works well for vlogging on the move. If you want even wider for Kyoto, the TTArtisan 10mm f/2.0 ASPH Fujifilm X-Mount is killer. It's manual, but at 10mm the depth of field is so deep you'll stay in focus anyway. No complaints here!
totally agree with SchuldtBorie on skipping manual focus... vlogging is hard enough without worrying if your face is actually sharp. over the years ive learned that keeping it simple is always better for travel. i want to help you figure out the shaking part tho, so i have a quick question:
- are you holding the camera at arms length or using some kind of handle?
- have you checked if you have the digital stabilization turned on in the settings yet? sometimes those settings actually make the image look even tighter, which might be why you feel like your head is too big in the frame. let me know what your current settings are and maybe we can tweak things before you spend more money... honestly, getting a good grip can solve a lot of the shakiness for way less than a new lens.
