So Ive been staring at my X-Pro3 for like three days now trying to decide which lens to pull the trigger on for this portrait gig Ive got coming up. My best friend is getting married in about a month and Im doing the couple shots—no pressure, right?
Im basically torn between the classic 35mm f1.4 and the 56mm f1.2 R. My logic was that the 35mm is way more 'X-Pro' because its small and doesnt block the OVF as much, plus that lens has that weird magic everyone talks about. But then I look at shots from the 56mm and that background blur is just insane for portraits.
My budget is pretty firm at like 700 bucks max so Id have to find a used copy of the 56mm or maybe go for the Sigma 56mm f1.4 instead? Im kinda worried the 56mm will feel too big and front heavy on the Pro3 though since its not exactly a huge camera body. I mostly shoot street but this wedding thing is making me overthink everything. Is the 35mm enough of a 'portrait' lens for a wedding or am I gonna regret not having that extra reach and compression...
Regarding what the previous post said about balance, I've shot dozens of weddings with the Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4 R and it's a reliable choice that never fails me.
^ This. Also, if you want to keep the kit compact and stay way under budget, consider these facts:
- The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm f2 R WR provides great value and doesnt block the OVF. Its sharp enough for wedding work.
- A used Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2 R usually costs about 450 bucks now... leaving 250 in your budget.
- Use that extra cash for a SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card or extra batteries since wedding days are long.
Ngl you should totally grab the Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X! It is seriously fantastic and way cheaper than the Fuji version while being super sharp. I love how it handles on the Pro3!!
- killer bokeh for weddings
- fits your budget easy Dont overthink it, that lens is amazing for portraits and you are gonna do great!
In my experience shooting with the X-Pro series, the balance of the camera is just as important as the glass. If you go too heavy, the handling gets awkward during a long event like a wedding. I've tried many different setups over the years, and while everyone raves about the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 R for its character, it might feel a little wide when you are trying to isolate the couple from wedding guests in the background. If you want that massive blur but find the Fuji 56mm too pricey or heavy, you should really look into the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 AF Fuji X. It is a bit of a beast, but for under $600 you can get a brand new one and it gives you a look that even the 56mm struggles to match. The compression is beautiful for outdoor couple sessions. Another thing to consider from a cost perspective is that you might need some lighting help. Since you have a firm budget, maybe look for a used Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f2 R WR which is tiny and fast-focusing, then use the extra money for a Godox V860III-F Flash for Fujifilm. Having a flash is gonna save your life when the lighting gets tricky at the venue. Honestly, having a reliable setup that doesnt hunt for focus is better than having the most expensive bokeh machine. Over the years, Ive found that being able to move quickly matters more than having that extra stop of light. Plus, that 35mm f2 wont block your OVF much at all which keeps that X-Pro3 experience exactly how you want it.
man i feel your pain... literally going through this right now and it is the worst. i actually picked up a used Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2 R and was totally let down by how sluggish it felt on my x-pro3... definitely not the fast-paced wedding machine i was hoping for. it was way more clunky than i expected tbh. since the usual suspects arent working out for me either, im looking into some off-beat stuff to save cash and maybe get a better experience:
- Tokina atx-m 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X
- TTArtisan 50mm f1.2 Fujifilm X
- 7artisans 55mm f1.4 II Fujifilm X if you go the manual route like the ttartisan you gotta practice like crazy before the wedding though or youll miss every shot. honestly im still stuck too... just feels like every lens is either too big or too slow for the pro3 body. kinda frustrating when you just want something that works.
To add to the point above, I am honestly in the exact same situation right now. I have a big family event coming up in a few weeks and I have been swaping lenses on my X-Pro3 every night trying to decide which one to commit to. It is such a head scratcher because you want that range but dont want the bulk of a huge lens. I have been really satisfied with the Viltrox AF 56mm f1.4 XF for a while now and it hasnt let me down yet. If you are worried about third party stuff tho, I found the Tokina atx-m 56mm f1.4 X to be a very safe and reliable alternative. It feels a bit more robust and conservative in its design which works well with the Pro3 aesthetic. Both are way more budget friendly than the Fuji 56mm and handle the weight balance much better on that body. You are gonna do a great job with either of those, just stay calm and focus on the couple! Its easy to overthink the gear but those lenses are solid performers that I trust for big days.
