Ive been shooting Fuji for five years but my old 56mm f1.2 is suddenly hunting like crazy on the X-H2S. Its so frustrating because speed was the whole reason I upgraded. I have a wedding in Chicago next month and need something that actually nails eye-af. New 56mm WR or just get the 50mm f1.0?
Jumping in here because I went through the same headache when I got my X-H2S. That original 56mm is legendary for the rendering, but the AF motor just cant keep up with the newer tech anymore. It feels like putting old tires on a supercar, just doesnt make sense for professional work where you need speed. If you are looking at the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR, it is a massive upgrade in terms of sharpness and it finally has weather sealing which is great for Chicago weddings. However, it still uses a DC motor. While its definitely better than the old one, it isnt nearly as fast as Fujis LM (Linear Motor) lenses. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR is an absolute low-light monster, but honestly, its huge and heavy for an all-day event. It hits focus well, but the paper-thin depth of field at f1.0 can be pretty risky when people are moving around during a ceremony. Tbh if you want something that actually takes advantage of the X-H2S speed, you should check out the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR. Those quad linear motors are basically instant and it never hunts, even in dim receptions. If that is too long for the venue, the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is another one that just nails eye-af every single time. The 56mm WR is probably your best bet for the classic portrait look tho, just dont expect it to be a total speed demon compared to the LM options.
Just catching up on this thread. Tbh if you're doing a wedding in Chicago, you cannot risk missing focus during the vows. I had a nightmare once where my older glass just wouldnt lock on, so I totally get the anxiety! For pure reliability and speed on the X-H2S, you really want a lens that can handle the 40fps burst and high readout speed of that stacked sensor. These are my go-to for fail-safe shooting:
- Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR
- The AF is insanely fast, like basically instant due to the quad linear motors.
- Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
- Essential for when you cant move around much, plus the OIS is amazing. Quick tip: Set your AF-C to Zone and keep the box over the upper body. It helps the eye-AF stay prioritized even if people walk past the frame. Love the X-H2S but it definitely needs modern glass to shine!
