So I just got the Fujifilm X-S20 and honestly I'm totally overwhelmed. Its my first real camera and I'm still using the lens that came in the box but I keep hearing I need a prime lens for that blurry background look. I don't really know what I'm doing yet so sorry if this is a dumb question but I need help picking one because its all kinda confusing.
Heres what I'm looking for:
- taking pictures of my dog in the park
- walking around Chicago next month
- fits in a small bag
- budget is around $400-500 tops
Should I get a 23mm or a 35mm? I have no idea what the difference is really...
TL;DR: Get the 35mm for the best background blur and dog portraits! I absolutely love the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR for my X-S20, honestly its an amazing lens for your needs! The 35mm focal length provides much better subject separation for those blurry backgrounds compared to the 23mm. It is also weather-sealed, which is fantastic for walking around Chicago. Fits your budget perfectly too!
^ This. Also, unfortunately, f2 primes often feel underwhelming for subject isolation. I had issues with the autofocus tracking fast pets in low light, which was frustrating.
- Focal Length: 23mm is wide for Chicago, 35mm is better for dogs.
- Aperture: Viltrox 33mm f1.4 AF STM Fuji X provides more light for your budget.
- Performance: The Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fuji X is technically superior for sharpness and doesnt break the bank.
@Reply #2 - good point! regarding the autofocus speed. When I first started out with my X-S20, I made the mistake of just looking at the f-stop number and totally ignoring how the motor actually moves the internal glass. Technically, a 23mm gives you a wider field of view, roughly 63 degrees, which is decent for Chicago architecture, but for that blurry background you want, physics is kinda against you. The wider the lens, the harder it is to get that shallow depth of field unless you are right in your dogs face. I learned the hard way that fast glass doesnt always mean fast focus. Be careful with older designs that hunt forever in low light. Its super frustrating when you miss a shot because the lens is still buzzing around. Look for modern linear motors if you can. It makes a huge difference for tracking moving pets. Just something to keep in mind before you spend your cash...
I totally remember that stress. I spent way too long staring at MTF charts, just worrying about the motor failing or getting a dud with decentering issues... its kinda frustrating when you just want a reliable tool. Im happy and satisfied with how my current setup works well now, but the constant anxiety about electronic communication errors was just the worst tho.
