I just got this X-H2S and I am honestly way out of my depth lol. It cost so much money and now I realize I dont even have a lens that makes people look good? I tried taking a picture of my sister for her engagement announcement and she looked kinda... wide? I dont know how to explain it. I have the kit lens thing that came with it but the background isnt blurry like the photos I see online and I feel like I'm failing already.
My sisters actual shoot is in three weeks at this park here in Seattle and I really dont want to mess it up because she is totally counting on me. I have maybe 800 or 900 dollars left in my budget but everything I look at has all these numbers and I just get so overwhelmed. I have been looking at a few options online:
- the 56mm f1.2 thing
- a 50mm f2 which seems cheaper?
- something called a 90mm
Is a bigger number better for portraits or does it make it harder to use? I keep seeing people talk about the 56mm one but then there are like two different versions and I am worried I will buy the old one by mistake or something. What is the top recommended portrait lens for this camera that a beginner can actually handle without ruining the photos because I am getting really stressed about it...
I felt the same way before my brothers wedding, but I finally got the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR and honestly I am so happy with it. No complaints at all. Quick tips:
- Get the 56mm; it creates that blurry background effortlessly.
- Keep your sister at least 10 feet away from the background to make the blur pop.
^ This. Also, if you’re stressed about the budget, the Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 XF Pro is a decent option. It’s built like a tank so it feels reliable, tho it’s kinda heavy.
- 75mm length fixes the wide face distortion
- autofocus is snappy enough
- fits your budget easily It works because the longer focal length naturally slims people down compared to your kit lens... itll make her look great.
^ This. Also, that wide look you're getting is basically perspective distortion. It happens when you use a shorter focal length too close to someone. To fix it, you need optics that allow you to stand further back. I've tested a lot of glass on the X-H2S over the years, and there are two technical standouts for your budget:
- Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary: This is objectively one of the sharpest lenses for the system. The f/1.4 aperture creates a shallow depth of field that separates your subject from the background perfectly. It's compact and won't have the autofocus hunting issues that some older lenses struggle with.
- Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 X: I've found that the 75mm focal length provides superior compression for portraits. It flattens the features just enough to be very flattering. It's also exceptionally lightweight, which helps with stability if you're feeling nervous about the shoot. Basically, higher focal lengths are better for portraits because they compress the scene. Both of these will deliver that blurry background you want without breaking your budget...
I was in your exact shoes a few years back! I grabbed a Sigma for my Fuji setup and it was an absolute game changer for my portrait work. Honestly, their glass is just so sharp and the bokeh is amazing! Just go with Sigma and you'll be set for that Seattle shoot. It totally saved my sisters graduation photos, no joke... definitely look at them.
Just wanted to say thanks for everyone chiming in. Super helpful discussion.
Just saw this thread... quick question tho, how big is this park in Seattle? If you have room to back up, it opens up more options. Im really happy with the Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR for reliability.
- Higher numbers (focal length) compress the scene, which fixes that wide face look from your kit lens.
- This specific glass is incredibly sharp and handles background blur beautifully. Is the park mostly open space or tight trails?
Exactly what I was thinking
