What prime lens should I actually go for if I want to do high-end portrait work on my X-T4 without losing my mind over autofocus? I’ve been using the 18-55mm kit lens for almost a year now and while it’s been a great learner lens for my hobbyist stuff here in Seattle, I’ve started getting paid for senior portraits and some family shoots lately so I feel like I really need that professional edge. My budget is capped at about $800, maybe I can stretch it if I buy used, and I need to make a decision before a big outdoor wedding I’m shooting in late July.

I’ve spent way too many hours on YouTube looking at the 56mm f1.2. Everyone says it has this incredible soul to the images, but then I read these horror stories about the autofocus hunting in low light or just being generally sluggish. That really worries me because kids never sit still and I dont want to miss a candid moment because my lens is still trying to find the eye. On the other hand, the 50mm f2 is supposedly a ninja when it comes to focus speed and it is super sharp, but I'm worried it won't give me that buttery smooth background blur that clients seem to expect when they pay for a pro.

I also took a look at the 90mm f2 because people rave about the compression and how sharp it is. It sounds amazing but I’m worried it might be way too long for some of the tighter garden spaces I work in. Is the older 56mm f1.2 still worth it in 2024 or should I look at something like the Sigma 56mm f1.4? I heard the Sigma is great and way cheaper but does it have that same fuji look or is it a bit too clinical and boring?

Im just torn between:

• The classic 56mm f1.2 for the aesthetic
• The 50mm f2 for the size and reliability
• The Sigma 56mm as a middle ground

Has anyone used both the Sigma and the Fuji 56 on an X-T4? I just want something that makes my subjects pop but wont frustrate me during a fast-paced session...