Ive been shooting Fuji for years but the X-S20 grip changes the balance for me, looking for a new prime for a trip to Chicago next week.
- Budget: $600 max
- Use: Street and Video
- Needs: Aperture ring
- Quiet AF
Should I stick with the f2 Fujicrons or go for the newer 1.4 stuff?
I tried the older 35mm 1.4 recently and unfortunately it wasnt as good as expected for video... the clunky autofocus noise ruined my clips. If you need an aperture ring and silence under $600:
- Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF Fujifilm X
- Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro The 13mm is killer for big city architecture and the AF stays quiet while you film.
Bulky 1.4 glass really disappointed me. Unfortunately Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR was too distorted for Chicago street video, so I used Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR for better reach.
Honestly, if you are doing video, you need to be careful with the older primes because the motors can be pretty noisy. Since you are worried about balance on the X-S20, I would suggest sticking with the f2 series. The newer 1.4 lenses are amazing but they definitely blow your budget new and might feel a bit front-heavy on that body.
- Make sure you get the WR versions for Chicago weather.
- Avoid the older 1.4s without the Linear Motor (LM) or the video AF will hunt and click. I would grab the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR. It is small, fits the budget, and the AF is basically silent. The Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR is also solid but might be too tight for Chicago street shots... just depends on how you shoot tho. Dont overthink it, those f2 lenses are popular for a reason.
omg i am struggling with the exact same balance issue on my X-S20 right now! The grip is honestly fantastic for ergonomics but it totally changes the center of gravity compared to the older bodies. I have been researching this like crazy because I need something reliable for an upcoming trip too. Since you mentioned video reliability is a priority you really need to look at the stepping motor specs for silence to avoid that internal motor noise. I am personally leaning towards the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR because the AF is basically instantaneous and silent which is perfect for street work. It fits well under your $600 limit too. Another fantastic option for the technical crowd is the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR which has incredible edge-to-edge sharpness for such a compact build. Both have the physical aperture ring and the weather sealing you definitely need for Chicago wind and rain. I love how the f2 series handles... the response time for AF-C tracking is so much better than the older 1.4 glass!
Solid advice 👍
