So I finally picked up the X-S20 after years of shooting on an old Nikon D7200 and the transition has been mostly smooth but the lens prices for native Fuji glass are kind of a shock lol. I have a family portrait session coming up in about three weeks out in a local park here in Seattle and I really need something that can give me that nice creamy background separation without breaking the bank because my budget is strictly under 400 bucks right now after spending so much on the body.
I was thinking about the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 because everyone raves about it but honestly it looks massive and I am worried it will be too front-heavy on the smaller X-S20 body plus it might be over my budget if I cant find a used one. Then my logic was maybe the Fuji 50mm f2 because it is tiny and fast to focus but is f2 enough for that pro look or should I be looking at the Sigma 56mm f1.4 instead? I have heard the Sigma doesnt have an aperture ring which kind of sucks but the image quality is supposed to be insane for the price. Does anyone have experience with how the IBIS on the X-S20 handles these third party lenses without stabilization because I really dont want to use a tripod if I can help it. What do you guys think for a budget portrait setup that isnt too bulky...
Congrats on picking up the X-S20! I have shot with Fuji for a long time now and honestly, the lens prices can definitely be a bit of a gut punch at first. In my experience, you want to be careful with balance on that specific body because it is quite compact. I have tried many setups over the years and here is how I see your options:
- Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary: This is probably your best bet. Its incredibly sharp and the bokeh is way better than the f2 Fuji for portraits. Its also light enough that it wont feel awkward on your camera.
- Fujifilm XF 50mm f2 R WR: Very reliable and a safe choice, but the background separation might feel a bit lacking for what you are looking for. The IBIS handles these non-stabilized lenses like a champ, so dont worry about needing a tripod for a park shoot. Personally, Id go for the Sigma even without the aperture ring... you just get used to using the command dial pretty quick. Let me know if you have more questions about the setup!
Just saw this. Honestly, the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 AF Fuji X is a bit of a letdown for hand-held work on a small body like the X-S20. I tested it and the center of gravity is way too far forward, which makes the IBIS work harder than it should. It is technically a 112.5mm full-frame equivalent, which is usually way too tight for park sessions unless you are doing strictly headshots. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fuji X has better resolution wide open than the Fuji f2, but the lack of an aperture ring is genuinely annoying and breaks the workflow. You lose that tactile feedback you probably bought a Fuji for. Unfortunately, the IBIS on the X-S20 doesnt magically fix poor lens balance. While it is rated for 7 stops, that data is based on specific internal testing with native glass. With third-party lenses like the Sigma, the sensor shift is often less effective at longer focal lengths compared to native glass that has better communication. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm f2 R WR is sharp but f2 on an APS-C sensor basically gives you a depth of field equivalent to f3 on full frame. Not exactly the creamy separation most people want for portraits. Before getting too deep into it tho, how many people are actually in this family? If you are shooting a group of five or six in a park, 56mm or 75mm is gonna be way too long. You will be backing up into the bushes just to get everyone in the frame...
Can vouch for this
Can confirm this works. Did the same thing on mine and its been solid ever since.
^ This. Also, honestly, the way manufacturers treat us lately is just ridiculous. I feel your pain so much. Everyone pushes these expensive, bulky lenses like they are the only way to get a decent photo, and it is honestly a total scam how much they charge for decent glass now. It really drives me crazy that you have to spend a fortune just to get basic background blur without your wrist snapping from the weight of the thing. I personally had issues with the newer third-party stuff feeling kind of cheap, and unfortunately, the quality just isnt as good as expected for the prices they demand nowadays. They just dont seem to care about the balance or build quality like they used to. It is so frustrating when you invest in a new body and feel like you are being held hostage by these companies who know you need something fast. Sorry you are dealing with this right before your shoot, it is honestly such a headache.
