im honestly so fed up with this XC 15-45mm kit lens that came with my X-S20. i blew my whole savings on the body because i wanted that IBIS for my trip to Chicago next month but now im stuck with this cheap piece of plastic. the power zoom is literally the worst thing ever it keeps resetting every time the camera sleeps and i keep missing shots because of it. i just want something sharp that doesnt feel like a total toy but i literally only have maybe 250 or 300 bucks left tops.
im looking for:
- something fast for street stuff
- actually decent build quality
- under 300 dollars
are there any decent primes or maybe some third party glass like Viltrox or TTArtisan that actually work well with the AF on this thing?...
The 15-45 is literally so annoying, i totally get it! Tbh it feels like a toy. Check these out:
- Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 AF XF is super bright and built like a tank.
- TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 AF Fuji X is a tiny pancake lens thats perfect for staying low key. Both have fantastic autofocus and way better build quality. Youll save tons of cash too!
Like someone mentioned, those Viltrox lenses are okay, but honestly, I'd be a bit careful going with some of the super budget brands for a big trip like yours. I have seen some weird quality control issues with the cheaper third party stuff and the autofocus can sometimes be a bit jumpy on newer bodies like the X-S20. Since you spent so much on that IBIS, you really want a lens that talks to the camera properly so you dont waste that tech. I would suggest looking at these instead for better reliability:
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fujifilm X
- This is usually right around 300 bucks new, sometimes less on sale. Its built way better than that kit lens and the autofocus is totally rock solid.
- Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR
- You might have to find this one used to stay under budget, but it is weather sealed. Chicago weather can be unpredictable, so having that extra protection is a smart move. Make sure to check sites like MPB or KEH if you go the used route... they give you a legit warranty which is way safer than buying off some random person on the street. You definitely dont want your only lens failing while you're out exploring! Happy to help if you have more questions about those specific ones tho.
^ This. Also, i have been shooting with fuji gear for a long time and i have seen so many people get burned by picking up random cheap lenses right before a big trip. Honestly, that 15-45 is a total nightmare with the power zoom resetting every time you look away, i totally feel your pain there. But in my experience, when you are on a tight budget, you have to be really careful about the trade-offs you are making with some of these third party options. Taking a budget prime on a trip to seattle a few years ago really taught me a lesson when the autofocus just could not keep up with people on the sidewalk. It was hunting constantly and i ended up with a bunch of blurry shots of absolutely nothing. The X-S20 is such a snappy camera, so you really dont want to cripple that amazing AF system with something that has flaky firmware or slow motors. Reliability is everything when you are traveling and cant just go home to grab a different lens. You want to be looking at the city, not fighting your gear. Before you drop that last bit of cash, i gotta ask... do you prefer a wider view for the architecture in chicago or are you looking for something tighter to focus on people? And how much do you care about having a physical aperture ring vs just using the command dials on the body?
