Jump to content

Choosing a lens


Stormphotos

Recommended Posts

I recently just bought a Fuji xt4 and I bought a used 23 f/2 . I’ve been reading a lot of articles and I still don’t know which lens to get next. 
I love to shoot portraits and landscapes. 
I would like suggestion of where to move next , I would like to get a zoom lens that’s great for either or

Link to post
Share on other sites

Two zoom lenses come to mind:

The relative new 16-80 f4 which is a nice all-purpose travel zoom lens and does a bit of everything. From wide-angle (urban) landscape, travel to portraiture. It goes well with the X-T4 (in terms of size and weight). This lens outperforms the somewhat older 18-135. 

The other one is the more ambitious 16-55 f2.8 which also goes well with the X-T4 (with its IBIS and in terms of size and weight). The 16-55 is a professional grade reporter lens. At 45-55mm it's a great portraiture lens with a relative shallow depth-of-field. At wider view angles it can act as a good landscape lens, however don't expect it to be as good as the 14 f2.8, the 16 f1.4 or the 10-24 f4. I just returned from a mountain trip and this lens was kind of glued to my X-H1. Since the 16-55 f2.8 is rather big and heavy for a Fuji XF lens, the combination with the 23 f2 is nice and gives you an option to carry around. An option for the 16-55 can be the 18-55 f2.8-f4. Much smaller and less pricier, but quite good. You have to remember though that the 55mm end is not the strongest part of the lens and needs some stopping down. Not specifically designed for portraits, but clearly a good standard universal zoom lens.

In primes there are a few option I can recommend: for landscapes the 16 f1.4 is stellar, but also the older 14 f2.8 is a great lens. For traditional portraiture focal lengths the 50 f2 or 56 f1.2 are good choices. The 50 combines well with your 23 f2 and is often underestimated. The 90 f2 is a specialist lens for portraits. Although this 90 is stellar in performance, the 50-140 f2.8 is for most people a bit more useful. Finally, you could look at a second-hand 60 f2.4. It's labeled as macro, but it doubles very well as a portraiture lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Herco's advice is well thought out. I have an 18-135 that is my standard go to lens. Being WR so good outdoors regardless of weather has been very useful. For wide angle shots, travel in old cities/towns and landscape, the 10-24 is an amazing lens. Recently I picked up an 80mm f/2.8 and have been blown away at the great portraits as well as. the Macro side of this lens.

Link to post
Share on other sites

For landscapes, you probably want something wider. For a native AF lens that means the 14/2.8 or one of the 16mm's, or the 10-24 zoom. 

For portraiture you probably want something longer. The 50/2, 56/1.2 or 55-200 come to mind there. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...