Honestly, if you want that pro look for a wedding, the 56mm is the way to go. Over the years ive found the 56mm really makes people pop compared to wider lenses. Definitely check out the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X. Its well within your budget and way sharper than expected. It gives those blurry backgrounds you're after and works great for headshots.

Late to the party but building on the earlier suggestion, you might want to be careful with the 33mm if you're specifically aiming for headshots. > I saw a 56mm one and a 33mm one and I thought maybe the 33 is better because it's smaller? But then someone said 56 is better for faces? Basically, the 33mm is a great all-rounder, but it can cause some unflattering distortion on faces if you get too close. For your 600 dollar budget, I would suggest checking out the Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 Pro XF. It delivers that professional background blur you're after and is built like a tank. Just keep in mind it's quite a bit longer, so you'll need to stand several feet back from your sister to get the shot. If you find that too restrictive for a busy wedding, the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR is a much smaller, safer bet that's very sharp, tho the background wont be quite as buttery. Make sure to test whatever you buy before the ceremony starts...

@Reply #2 - good point! Catching up on this thread and honestly, the focal length is what really gives you that pro look. Since you are working with a $600 budget after that X-H2S purchase, you should definitely look at some high-quality third-party options. I have been very satisfied with my Viltrox glass lately... they feel premium but dont break the bank. Here are a few practical suggestions that work well for weddings:

• Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 Pro Lens for Fujifilm X
• It is slightly longer than the 56mm, which means even better background blur for those portraits. Might be a bit tight for indoor shots tho.
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR
• Super compact and weather-sealed. The autofocus is incredibly fast, which is a lifesaver when people are moving around during the reception.
• Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF for Fujifilm
• Very affordable and gives you that classic look without the Fuji brand-name price tag. Tbh, I usually buy used from sites like MPB or KEH. You can find gear in perfect condition for way less than retail. It is a smart way to stay under budget while getting higher-end glass. Also, check out some reviews on DPReview or watch Dustin Abbotts technical tests on YouTube... his breakdowns are very methodical and help you see exactly what the lens can do. Just make sure you practice a bit before the big day so you get used to how the autofocus behaves on the X-H2S.

If you want that pro look, you definitely need to skip the 33mm for portraits. Its okay for general shots, but the 56mm makes people look way better by compressing the background. Since youre on a budget, be careful with the official Fuji glass because it gets expensive fast. You might want to consider the third-party stuff to save some cash for extra batteries. Keep it simple:

• Viltrox AF 56mm f1.4 XF is way cheaper than the Fuji version and still looks amazing for the price.
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f2 R WR is a safer bet if youre worried about autofocus speed, tho it wont give you as much blur. I would suggest staying away from the high-end Fujifilm XF 56mm f1.2 R WR for now since it will eat your whole budget. Just make sure to practice your positioning before the wedding starts. Stand way back. You dont want to be accidentally bumping into the guests while trying to frame a headshot... that would be kinda embarrassing.

> I only have about 600 dollars left after buying the camera so I dont want to mess this up. Honestly its ridiculous that after spending so much on an X-H2S you're still stuck stressing over whether $600 is even enough to not look like a phone. It drives me crazy how the industry is set up lately. Basically feels like a scam where you buy the fancy body but the brands still gatekeep the actual pro look behind another massive paywall. I totally commiserate with you on this, it is such a headache. Why does a piece of glass have to cost a fortune just to get some decent background blur? Companies just dont care about making things accessible for real people anymore. You might want to be careful because even the budget gear is starting to creep up in price. Its honestly exhausting trying to keep up without going completely broke just to take some nice wedding photos for your family.

Following this thread

Helpful thread 👍