Ugh, Ive been shooting with Fuji systems for like six years now and honestly thought I had my kit dialed in, but my recent switch to the X-S20 for some light travel vlogging and landscape work has been such a headache. I kept my old 18-55mm kit lens thinking it would handle wide shots, but honestly its just not cutting it for the tight city streets here in Chicago. The distortion is killing me and I feel like Im losing so much of the frame. Im trying to prep for a trip to Japan in November so I really need something wider and sharper, preferably under 800 bucks if possible. I was eyeing the Samyang 12mm manual focus because its cheap, but is it worth dealing with no autofocus while Im trying to move fast in crowded areas? Or should I just bite the bullet and save for the Fuji 8-16mm or maybe the 10-24mm? Dealing with the crop factor is just annoying me today and I really dont want to regret my purchase once I get overseas. What wide-angle lens are you guys using on your X-S20s that actually stays sharp in the corners without costing me a fortune...
Honestly, trying to vlog in tight spots with manual focus sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen. You really dont want to be fiddling with focus rings while navigating crowds in Japan. I would suggest looking at the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR instead. It gives you that necessary width without the massive distortion you get from the kit lens, and the stabilization is a lifesaver on the X-S20 for handheld video. The 8-16mm is a beast, but be careful with the bulbous front element, it makes using filters a pain. Make sure to check the used market for the 10-24mm, as you can often find it well under your 800 dollar budget. It balances way better on that smaller body too.
Totally agree with the previous advice about avoiding manual focus for travel vlogging. Seriously, the last thing you want is blurry footage because you were too busy trying to nail focus in a busy Tokyo station. Be careful with those cheap manual primes, they sound great until you actually have to use them under pressure. Since you are budget conscious, here is what I would look at instead:
- Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is way sharper than the older glass and surprisingly compact for your X-S20.
- Fujifilm Fujinon XF 14mm F2.8 R is a solid prime if you dont mind a fixed focal length; it is super sharp in the corners. Make sure to check the used market for these. You can often find them in great condition for way less than the 8-16mm. Just dont rush into buying the first thing you see.
Late to the party but honestly, skip the manual focus headaches for travel. If you want something super wide and sharp without spending a fortune, you gotta check out the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens. I grabbed this recently for my X-S20 and it is seriously a game changer for street stuff! It is tiny, way lighter than those Fuji zooms, and the sharpness across the frame is just fantastic. Plus having that constant f/2.8 aperture is a massive win for dim city evenings or indoors. Another solid pick if you really need to pinch pennies is the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 lens. It is not quite as wide as the 10mm options, but the light it lets in is insane. For vlogging in Japan, that extra light helps keep your ISO low, which keeps the footage looking clean. The autofocus is surprisingly snappy for the price, and it feels built like a tank. Youre gonna love having the extra reach without the massive weight of the 8-16mm glass. Don't overthink it, grab the Sigma if you can swing it—the zoom flexibility makes travel way less stressful!
To add to the point above: autofocus is definitely the way to go for travel. I learned the hard way that manual lenses just fail when you need to be quick.
- Stick to native mounts for better electronic communication with your X-S20 body.
- Having reliable eye-tracking during your Japan trip will save your footage from being a total blur. Focus on lenses with fast, silent motors so your audio stays clean too.