So I just bought a Fujifilm X-S20 because I want to take nice pictures of my sister at her outdoor wedding in Vermont next month. I only have the lens it came with but the pictures look kind of flat and I really want those ones where the person is sharp and the background is all soft and blurry. Someone told me I need a prime lens but I dont really know what that means or which one fits my camera. My budget is about $500 max. Im a total beginner so sorry if this is a silly question but what should I actually buy? I just want her to look amazing in the photos...
Honestly, that kit lens is pretty disappointing for weddings. Its not as good as expected for getting that background blur. Since your budget is tight, native Fuji glass is unfortunately mostly out of reach. I've had issues with the cheaper f2 lenses not being fast enough tho.
- Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fujifilm X Mount
- Viltrox 56mm f1.4 AF Lens for Fujifilm X The Sigma is way sharper.
Hey congrats on the new X-S20! Thats a solid choice for a first camera. To get that blurry background youre after, a prime lens is exactly what you need... it basically just means the lens doesnt zoom in or out, which lets it have a wider aperture for that pop effect. Honestly, Ive been shooting Fuji for a long time and you really dont need to blow a ton of money to get amazing wedding shots. Im super satisfied with the more affordable f2 series because theyre small, fast, and they just work without any drama. Since you mentioned being a beginner, keeping things simple and reliable is the way to go.
This is my go-to recommendation. It is weather-sealed, which is nice if it gets misty in Vermont. Its incredibly sharp and Ive never had a complaint about the focus speed or reliability. Its a very safe buy.
If you want the absolute blurriest background for the price, this is it. Its a bit heavier but the results are stellar for portraits and it fits your budget perfectly. Its a great value for what you get. Stick with one of those and youll be golden. Id personally go with the Fuji 50mm just because its so reliable and easy to carry around all day. It fits the X-S20 perfectly without making it feel lopsided... plus youll have some cash left over for extra batteries or a fast memory card.
Re: "Hey congrats on the new X-S20! Thats a..."
- Ive been shooting with Fuji for a few years now and honestly, the best advice I can give is to not be afraid of third-party glass. People used to be snobs about it, but brands like Viltrox have changed the game for those of us who dont want to spend a grand on a single lens. In my experience, you get about 90% of the performance for half the cost. For an outdoor wedding in Vermont, you're gonna have plenty of space to move around. That means you can use a longer lens, which actually helps with that blurry background look even more than just having a wide aperture. I've used the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 STM II Fuji X for tons of portrait sessions and it punches way above its price tag. It is usually under $400, which leaves you some cash for a spare battery or a memory card. Some quick practical tips for the day:
- Stand about 10-15 feet away from her for a good head-and-shoulders portrait.
- Make sure there is actually distance between her and the trees or mountains behind her. If she's standing right against a wall, the background wont blur much.
- Stick the camera in Eye AF mode so you dont have to worry about manually moving focus points. If the 85mm seems like it zooms in too much, check out the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 AF Fuji X. It hits right at your $500 limit, but that f1.2 aperture is basically cheat mode for making backgrounds disappear. I've tried many lenses in this range over the years and these two are the most cost-effective ways to get that pro look without the pro price tag.
Same boat, watching this
