Whats the absolute best wide angle lens for landscape stuff on the X-H2S right now? I just grabbed the body a few weeks ago mainly for the video features but Im heading out to Glacier National Park next month and really want to capture some high quality landscape stills while I'm there.
Ive been doing a bunch of reading and everyone keeps pointing toward the XF 10-24mm f4 R WR because it's the standard choice, but then I see people in other threads saying it's getting a bit soft on the edges and maybe isnt the sharpest compared to newer glass. Then there is the 8-16mm f2.8 which sounds like a beast, but honestly it's so heavy and I dont think I can even put my normal screw-on filters on it without some crazy expensive adapter? I really need my polarizer for the lakes out there.
My budget is hovering around $1100-1300 and I'm totally fine with buying used if it gets me better glass. Should I be looking at the 14mm f2.8 prime even though it's pretty old at this point or maybe that Viltrox 13mm everyone talks about? The Viltrox is cheap but I worry about the colors matching my other Fuji lenses. Just feeling a bit stuck between going for a versatile zoom or a really sharp prime for those mountain shots...
I'd suggest looking closely at these two options before your trip.
- Fujifilm XF 14mm f2.8 R is remarkably sharp. It's older glass but handles high resolution better than most zooms. Very clean.
- Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4 XF offers great value, but be careful as the color rendering is slightly different from native lenses. Make sure to skip the 8-16mm. Standard polarizers won't fit.
You should seriously look at the Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary for your trip! It is an amazing lens that offers fantastic sharpness in a tiny package. It features a standard 67mm filter thread, so it is perfect for your polarizer needs. Going this route saves you a ton of money, which you can put toward a high-end B+W 67mm Master Circular Polarizer MRC Nano for those lakes!
Regarding what #1 said about "I'd suggest looking closely at these two options..." the 14mm is a total classic but you might find it a bit limiting for those massive mountain vistas. Since you're worried about the 10-24mm being soft and the 8-16mm being a tank, here is a middle ground i would suggest considering.
- The Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 Di III-A RXD is a serious contender. It's weather-sealed which is huge for Glacier, and it uses 67mm filters so your polarizer will work fine. It's generally sharper than the Fuji 10-24mm in the corners on the X-H2S sensor.
- Be careful with the Viltrox 13mm color cast... it's a real thing and can be annoying to fix in post if you're trying to match it with native glass for a consistent look.
- If you do go for the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R WR, make sure it's the newer WR version. The weather sealing is much better for mountain mist, even if the glass inside is the same as the old one. Honestly, the Tamron gives you that f2.8 for some light astro if the sky clears up at night. It fits your budget perfectly and leaves room for extra gear like a used Fujifilm XF 16mm f1.4 R WR later on.
