Im literally tearing my hair out trying to pick a portrait lens for a wedding next month. Torn between the 50mm f1.0 and the 56mm f1.2 WR.
My budgets tight at $1500 and I need fast AF on my X-H2S. Which one has the smoother bokeh for professional headshots?
Go for the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR. The 50mm f1.0 has that unique look but its heavy and pricey. For weddings, you want the faster AF on that new 56mm anyway. Tbh, if you want to save even more, find a used Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R original. Its a total steal right now and the bokeh is still buttery smooth for professional headshots.
TLDR: Grab the Viltrox for the best bokeh per dollar! The Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 Pro X-Mount is absolutely fantastic for weddings and has that creamy look you want. AF is snappy too! Another amazing option is the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X which is super light and hits focus instantly. Honestly, both are way easier on the wallet than that 50mm f1.0!
Tbh I just found this thread and unfortunately, I had some real issues with the AF consistency on that Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR when things got hectic. It was honestly not as good as expected for a pro body like the X-H2S, especially for a wedding where you just dont want to miss those big moments. Kinda disappointing since its such a heavy beast to lug around for hours. Before you spend that 1500 bucks tho, are you planning to do mostly posed headshots or are you gonna be chasing people around the dance floor? Also, does it absolutely have to be one of those two or are you open to something with a totally different focal length... just curious what your workflow is like.
To add to the point above: honestly, everyone usually defaults to the big names but I've found some real gems by looking elsewhere. Over the years I've realized that weight matters just as much as glass quality when you're on your feet for ten hours straight... my back literally cant handle the heavy stuff anymore.
- the Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 X is a total sleeper hit for the X-H2S.
- its way lighter than those chunky f/1.2 options which helps if you're handheld.
- that 112mm equivalent focal length is basically perfect for tight headshots. I remember one gig where I had to swap to a lighter lens halfway through because my wrists were killing me. Honestly, the clients loved those shots. If your budget is tight, getting this Samyang lets you save nearly a grand. Use that cash for a backup body or some nice lighting instead... it gets the job done without breaking the bank or your shoulder.
