So I finally pulled the trigger on a Fujifilm X-S20 last month and honestly I am loving the body, but the kit lens is starting to feel super limiting. I have a trip to Iceland coming up in about six weeks and I really need something wide to capture those massive landscapes. My budget is probably around 800-900 bucks, maybe a little more if it is actually worth it but I am trying to be realistic.
I have been doing way too much research and my brain is kind of fried. I looked into the Fuji 8-16mm f/2.8 because everyone says it is the gold standard but damn that thing is heavy and expensive. Then I saw people recommending the Samyang 12mm f/2 AF and the price is amazing, but is a prime going to be enough for a trip where I cant always walk back to get the shot? I also stumbled upon the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 which seems to be the sweet spot for size but some reviews say the corner sharpness is a bit meh and honestly that makes me nervous when I am spending this much money.
My logic was to go for the widest zoom I can get without needing a gym membership to carry it around, but then I read a thread where someone said third-party glass on Fuji can be hit or miss with autofocus tracking which is a big deal since I also like to film my dog running around in the backyard. Is the Sigma really that much worse than the native Fuji glass for video? I keep going back and forth between saving money for a nice tripod or just blowing the whole budget on the lens. If you were packing for a once in a lifetime trip would you just suck it up and go for the Fuji lens or is the Sigma actually good enough for the X-S20 sensor?
> I ended up picking up the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR used to save some cash. @Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, saving on Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR leaves money for an amazing tripod!
Honestly, grab the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary. It is incredibly light for travel, the autofocus is totally fine for video, and you will love the wide perspective!
Late to the party but I actually went through the same dilemma last year. I ended up picking up the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR used to save some cash. It is not as fast as the Sigma but having that extra zoom range saved me in spots where I could not move. I have been really happy with the stability too. Honestly, save the extra money for a good bag or gear insurance instead.
> save the extra money for a good bag or gear insurance instead. Spot on. In my experience, weather sealing and peace of mind matter way more in places like Iceland than having the absolute sharpest corners at 100 percent crop. I learned this the hard way years ago when a rogue wave splashed my gear on a coastal shoot. The lens I was using survived because of solid weather resistance, but my cheap backup body packed it in. Ever since then, reliability trumps everything else for travel. Focus on what wont let you down when the wind is howling sideways and it starts sleeting. You'll thank yourself later.