Just picked up the X-S20 last month and honestly I am totally in love with this little thing. The IBIS is a game changer compared to my old camera but now I am realizing my kit lens just doesnt cut it for the landscape shots I want to take on my upcoming trip to Iceland in September. I need something wider because whenever I try to capture these massive mountain ranges I feel like I am missing half the view. Ive been scouring forums and watching way too many YouTube reviews lately. I read a lot of good stuff about the Fuji 8-16mm but man that thing looks huge and heavy plus it is way out of my budget range right now. Then I saw people talking about the Samyang 12mm f/2 and while the price is definitely right I am a bit nervous about going fully manual focus since I am still pretty new to photography and dont want to mess up shots when I am out hiking in the wind and rain. Is there a middle ground here? I really want to keep it under 800 bucks if possible. Here is what I am looking for:
- Needs to be somewhat portable since I am backpacking across Iceland.
- Definitely need autofocus because manual is just a struggle for me right now.
- Weather resistance would be a huge plus given the unpredictable weather out there.
- Ideally something sharp enough for landscapes but I might do some astro shots too if the lens is fast enough.
Im also looking at the Sigma 10-18mm and it looks super compact but I keep seeing conflicting reports about the distortion correction on the Fuji bodies and whether it looks natural enough for architecture. Im so torn because I dont want to buy something and regret it a week later while I am thousands of miles from home. Has anyone used the Sigma or maybe the Viltrox options on an X-S20 specifically? I just need a solid wide angle that wont break the bank or make my bag weigh a ton...
@Reply #3 - good point! Honestly, weight is everything when you are trekking. Before I suggest anything, are you planning to do any night sky photography in Iceland? Knowing that helps me pick between the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary and the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF.
- The Sigma is tiny and super sharp
- The Viltrox is faster for astro Honestly, both are amazing deals right now. Let me know!
Honestly, grab the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR. It is the gold standard for your trip, offering weather resistance, sharp optics, and reliable autofocus for those Icelandic vistas.
@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, I totally get where you're coming from about the weight. When I first started traveling, I lugged way too much gear and honestly, it just killed the joy of the hike. I eventually realized that for landscape stuff, simpler is almost always better. Here is what I learned from my own trial and error:
- Dont stress about having the widest possible lens. You can always stitch a panorama together in post, which works surprisingly well for those mountain views.
- Manual focus is honestly way easier than you think once you turn on focus peaking. It was a total game changer for me when I was starting out.
- Budgeting for a decent rain cover matters more than having the most expensive glass. I ended up with a setup that wasnt the most popular choice, but it was light enough that I actually took photos instead of just staring at my bag.
Honestly, skip the huge 8-16mm. Lugging that around Iceland while hiking is a recipe for back pain. I took the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary on my last trip and it is tiny. It fits right in a jacket pocket which is a lifesaver when the weather turns. The distortion stuff people mention is mostly handled by software profiles now, so you wont notice it unless you are shooting brick walls for a living. AF is snappy enough for landscapes and the aperture is fine for basic astro. If you really need a bit more reach and weather sealing, check out the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR. It isnt as bright, but that OIS helps a ton handheld. My advice? Just pack light. You will enjoy the trip way more when your gear isnt dragging you down.