Ive been shooting with my Fuji X-T30 for a couple of years now mostly doing street photography and casual portraits when travelling and honestly Ive always just stuck to the XC 15-45mm kit lens that came with the body. It gets the job done in bright daylight but Im getting super frustrated with the slow aperture especially when the sun goes down or I end up in dim cafes around downtown Chicago. Im heading on a two-week trip to Japan next month and I really need something that can handle low light better and give me some nice background separation without breaking the bank since I only have about 250 to 350 bucks to spend right now. I know everyone raves about the Fuji 33mm f1.4 or the 35mm f1.4 but those are way out of my budget and manual focus vintage glass is fun sometimes but I need autofocus for quick street shots. Ive been looking at third party options like TTArtisan or 7Artisan lenses with autofocus or maybe picking up a used Sigma 30mm f1.4 if I can find one cheap enough but I keep reading mixed reviews about their AF motors on older bodies like the X-T30. Should I just save up a bit more for a used Fuji 35mm f2 or is there some hidden budget gem Im totally overlooking for this trip...
Honestly ditch the kit lens ASAP before your trip. Over the years I ve shot tons of street stuff in low light and you really need a fast prime for Japan's neon-lit alleys. In my experience you should hunt for a used Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR because it fits right in your budget if you buy second-hand. The autofocus is lightning fast on the X-T30 which you wont get from those cheap manual third-party lenses when you need to grab a quick shot. It is weather-resistant too which is super handy if you get caught in the rain over there. If you cant find a used Fuji for under 350 look at the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary instead. It gives you that extra bit of light and the bokeh is gorgeous. Have an epic trip!
If you want autofocus without spending a fortune, look at the Viltrox AF 23mm f1.4 XF or a used Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 R WR.
- Viltrox gives you great low light performance and a wider field of view for tight streets.
- Fuji pancake is super compact for travel but has a slightly slower aperture. Both fit your budget if you shop used. Check MPB or KEH before you leave.
No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.
The Sigma AF motor definitely struggles with tracking in dark alleys on the X-T30. Had issues with hunting and missed shots during evening tests. Check out the Viltrox AF 33mm f1.4 XF instead. Firmware updates fixed most of the old AF stutter. You can find solid pricing over on Fred Miranda forums or MPB right now.
- Faster aperture for neon shots
- Better AF reliability than 7Artisans
- Right in your price range