Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a Fujifilm X-S10 mirrorless camera and I'm looking for advice on the best lenses to pair with it. This is my first Fujifilm camera, so I'm not very familiar with the X-mount lens ecosystem yet.
I'm interested in shooting a variety of subjects, including:
- Landscapes
- Portraits
- Street photography
- Some video work
I'd like to put together a versatile kit of 2-3 lenses that will cover my needs without breaking the bank. I'm open to both Fujifilm and third-party lenses.
From the research I've done so far, it seems like the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is a great standard zoom lens to start with. For portraits, the 50mm f/2 or 56mm f/1.2 primes look appealing. And for a wider angle, maybe the 10-24mm f/4 or 16mm f/1.4?
I'd really appreciate any insights from X-S10 owners or those experienced with the Fujifilm system. What lenses do you think make the most sense as a starter kit? Are there any sleeper lenses I should consider?
Thanks in advance for your help! I'm excited to start exploring the Fujifilm lens lineup.
For the Fujifilm X-S10, here are three recommended lenses:
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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR: A compact and lightweight prime lens that is ideal for street photography and everyday shooting, offering a versatile focal length with excellent sharpness.
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Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS: This standard zoom lens provides a great range of focal lengths, making it suitable for various subjects, from landscapes to portraits, with good image stabilization.
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Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R: A fast prime lens ideal for portraiture, delivering beautiful bokeh and exceptional low-light performance.
I highly recommend three lenses for Fujifilm X-S10 as below:
These lenses cater to different shooting styles and preferences, ensuring you have versatile options for your Fujifilm X-S10.
I have been quite satisfied with the X-S10 for my own work. It is a very versatile machine. Before finalizing a kit, I think it is important to address a few specific factors that will influence which brands you should look at:
- What is your maximum total budget for this lens setup?
- Are you looking for the traditional Fuji experience with a physical aperture ring, or are you comfortable using the camera command dials? The reason I ask is that sticking to Fuji glass is usually more expensive, while brands like Sigma or Tamron offer incredible value. I dont think you need to stay native to get great results, but the ergonomics change quite a bit between brands. Knowing your budget will help determine if those third-party alternatives are the better way to go.
ngl i am in the exact same boat as you right now. i have had my x-s10 for a while and i still find myself totally paralyzed every time i look at new glass. its a huge investment and you really want to make sure you are getting something that actually stays in your bag instead of gathering dust. i have been eyeing some of those same options but i keep worrying if i am overspending on features i might not even use yet. before you dive in though you might want to consider how much weight you are actually willing to carry around all day? i have found that some versatile setups get really heavy after a couple hours of street shooting and it ruins the fun. also are you planning on doing mostly handheld video or will you be using a gimbal? the ibis on our camera is decent but i have noticed some lenses handle the jitter way better than others... just something to be careful about before you drop the cash.
Adding my two cents from a more technical angle... since you are doing video, you might want to be careful with older DC motors that hunt or make noise. I would suggest looking at these specific options for the best data-backed performance:
- Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X
- Technically, this is one of the sharpest zooms for the price. If you check lab tests on sites like OpticalLimits, the center resolution is basically prime-level. It is also way lighter than the kit lens which helps with the X-S10 balance.
- Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fujifilm X
- This one is a beast for video because you get dual stabilization (lens VC + your cameras IBIS). The minimum focus distance is also super short, which is great for close-up b-roll stuff.
- Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4 XF
- For landscapes, the coma control on this is actually better than the Fuji 10-24mm in most tests I have seen. Definitely browse through the reviews on DPReview or FujiRumors before pulling the trigger. Make sure to double check firmware compatibility too, especially with third party glass... it can be a bit of a headache if the AF isnt optimized for the latest body updates.
Here are some great options to consider for your versatile starter kit:
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Standard Zoom: Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS
- As you mentioned, this is a fantastic all-around lens that covers a very useful focal range.
- It offers excellent optical quality, fast aperture, and built-in image stabilization (OIS).
- Perfect for landscapes, portraits, and general photography.
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Prime Lens for Portraits: Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR
- The 50mm f/2 is a compact and affordable prime lens that delivers stunning portrait results.
- Its f/2 aperture allows for beautiful background separation and low-light performance.
- The lens is also weather-resistant (WR), making it suitable for outdoor shoots.
- If you have the budget and want the ultimate in portrait quality, the 56mm f/1.2 is indeed incredible, but the 50mm f/2 is a more cost-effective option.
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Wide-angle Lens: Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR
- For landscapes and street photography, the XF 16mm f/2.8 is a fantastic choice.
- It's compact, lightweight, and offers excellent image quality with minimal distortion.
- The f/2.8 aperture is fast enough for low-light situations and provides some background separation.
- If you need an even wider field of view, the XF 10-24mm f/4 is a great option, but it's more expensive and less compact.
Some sleeper lenses to consider:
- Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR: A versatile prime lens for street photography and everyday shooting.
- Viltrox 56mm f/1.4: A third-party alternative to the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 at a much lower price point.
Overall, the combination of the XF 18-55mm, XF 50mm f/2, and XF 16mm f/2.8 would make for a highly capable and versatile starter kit. They cover a wide range of focal lengths, offer excellent image quality, and won't break the bank.
Just saw this and man, I totally feel your pain. Picking lenses for the first time is actually the worst part of getting a new camera. I remember spending like three whole days just reading reviews and ended up more confused than when I started. Its such a headache trying to figure out which ones are actually sharp vs just hyped up by influencers... honestly, I still get anxious every time I hit the checkout button on a new lens because what if the autofocus is trash for video? Anyway, if you want the real info without the fluff:
- Go check out Reddit. The fujix sub has a huge megathread about this that is way more detailed than anything here.
- YouTube is your best friend here. I saw this one video once, think it was titled something like Every Fuji lens explained or something similar, and it was a lifesaver. Just search for that and it should be right at the top.
- Maybe check some gear rental sites or forums like Fred Miranda to see what people actually keep in their bags. Just be careful with the older stuff though because sometimes the motors are super noisy for video work and you might want to consider how that affects your mic. Good luck tho, its a rabbit hole for sure...
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.
Nice, didn't know that
Here's my take on a versatile kit:
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Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR: This lens is incredibly versatile, covering wide-angle to telephoto. It's perfect for landscapes, street photography, and even portraits. The constant f/4 aperture and OIS make it great for video too.
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Viltrox 56mm f/1.4: This third-party lens is a fantastic budget alternative to Fuji's 56mm f/1.2. It's great for portraits and low-light situations.
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Rokinon 12mm f/2: If you want an ultra-wide prime for landscapes or astrophotography, this manual focus lens is excellent and very affordable.
This setup gives you a do-it-all zoom and two specialized primes without breaking the bank.