I’ve shot with virtually every modern Fujifilm lens, and below are the ones I actually use to photograph my two daughters as they grow up (way too fast). I also use the Fuji X100 series , I’ve just written an article talking about another year shooting with the X100VI.

These are the lenses that don’t just record what happened — they help me remember it.

I’ve also written about the best cameras for family photography in which the X-T5 features.

Why lenses matter so much for family photography

If you want to capture those special moments of your children then (like me) you probably want to see a real jump up in image quality from what you can get on your phone camera. But not all lenses are equal. Basic zoom lenses, while versatile, don’t always separate your photos from the crowd or capture the feeling, character and fleeting moments that matter so much when your kids are growing up.

As I’ve got older, the photos that mean by far the most to me are not stunning landscapes or great street scenes — they are the ones of my daughters Sofia and Isobelle that capture their expressions or special moments that take me back in time to feel those moments all over again. These are not record shots that tell me we went here, we did this. They are more than that. I wasn’t conscious of all this when Sofia was very young, and I didn’t always capture those early years with the same intention. Now I’ve seen how fast she has grown, I have a tinge of regret — and a determination not to let those moments slip away again with Isobelle.

For this kind of family photography I want lenses that capture the depth, the color, the sense of being right there. That’s why I shoot with prime lenses. They give me greater ability to tell a story via subject isolation, rendering and that 3 dimensional look that separates photos from the “record shot” into something meaningful.

Sometimes it makes sense to use a small and lightweight prime as that encourages me to always have the camera with me. Sometimes nothing but a professional grade prime will do.

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XF 18mm f/1.4 WR — the storytelling wide

For those used to the view a phone gives, the 18mm f/1.4 WR is the perfect replacement — only it blows any phone shot away. The sharpness is incredible across the frame, and that f/1.4 aperture lets you isolate subjects far more than you’d expect from a wide lens. The colour, tonality and micro-contrast this lens gives is beautiful. There’s real depth to the images.

Technically it’s superb: weather-sealed, fast to focus and it easily keeps up with my children on the X-T5. But the strength of this lens isn’t actually the specs — it’s the way it renders. You can include context and the wider scene while still drawing attention straight to your child. Used well, this makes images more intimate and more memorable. If you want a deeper breakdown of how it performs, I’ve written a full review of the 18mm f/1.4 WR here.

One word of warning: if you stand too far back or don’t pay attention to everything in the frame, your images can look flat. This lens rewards getting closer, being intentional and including the right elements. Get that right, and the results can be spectacular.

XF 23mm f/2 WR — small, fast, and easy to live with

While the 18mm f/1.4 WR is a stunning lens, it does reward thought and intent. If you want something that offers a lot of the benefits of a wide focal length but makes things just a little easier, then 23mm is a great place to land. It’s still wide enough to capture context, but it’s also capable of genuinely beautiful environmental portraits — without the slight distortion the 18mm can sometimes introduce.

The 23mm focal length is incredibly flexible for everyday family use. And while this f/2 version isn’t as clinically sharp as the 23mm f/1.4 WR, it’s very light, compact and fast to focus. It’s also weather sealed and has an aperture ring, which combined with a camera like the X-T5 gives you full tactile exposure control while you’re shooting. If you want a deeper look at how it performs in everyday use, I’ve written a full review of the 23mm f/2 WR here.

Personally, I use the 23mm f/2 when I want a capable lens with me but I’m not on a specific “photography mission.” It’s light enough that when it’s slung over my shoulder, I hardly notice it — and I can still do the usual dad things like carry the pram, the baby bag, and whatever else ends up being handed to me.

One final note: I prefer the 23mm f/1.4 WR as a lens overall — but for family travel and day-to-day life, the f/2 version just makes more sense because when I’m shooting at 23mm, I’m usually stopping down anyway to keep the context in the frame.

XF 33mm f/1.4 WR — the “if I could only have one lens” option

This is where you start to easily create photos that blow you away. The 50mm equivalent focal length is popular for a reason — you can step back and include context, or move in close for detail. It’s perfect for contextual portraits, but it’s also more than capable of intimate portraits without being quite as specialist as the 56mm f/1.2 WR.

At this focal length I think it makes sense to choose the f/1.4 version over the f/2 for family photography. You gain the ability to create truly professional-level subject isolation and beautiful focus fall-off that makes the images stand head and shoulders above the typical family photo album snapshot.

The 33mm f/1.4 WR is sharp wide open, focuses very quickly thanks to its linear motor, and is weather sealed. The aperture ring has nicely defined clicks, and it balances really well on the X-T5. If you want to see exactly how it performs in real-world use, I’ve written a full review of the 33mm f/1.4 WR here

For family photography, if I could only have one lens to do it all — this is where I’d spend my money. The cheaper 35mm f/2 is also a good lens, but the 33mm 1.4 WR just gives me more magical images and that makes it worth every dollar. This was the only lens I took to shoot Isobelle’s first birthday celebration at a local beach — and I got images there that will be treasured for years. I’m not sure any other lens would have given me the confidence to use it as my only lens for such an important milestone.

XF 56mm f/1.2 WR — the emotional portrait lens

When I want to look into the soul of my children… when I want to extract their character, their thoughts, their feelings — that’s when I put the 56mm f/1.2 WR on my X-T5. This isn’t the lens I’d advise buying as your first lens. It doesn’t give enough working room and it’s not as flexible as the 33mm — but when you want a more intimate, emotional shot, this is the one that delivers the goods.

It’s sharp wide open, and with an aperture of f/1.2 you can melt backgrounds into a creamy oblivion and isolate your subject down to a single eye if you wish. Micro-contrast and rendering are stunning, and the colors I get on my X-T5 are rich and warm.

Be aware: this is another lens that benefits from intention. It’s not as fast to focus as the other lenses on this list, so it’s not ideal for highly active kids as they play. But for the special quiet moments — when you catch them deep in their own thoughts — this lens will give you photographs you’ll fall in love with. It’s also wonderful for details: tiny hands, tiny feet, those little elements that bring a story to life. To see exactly how it performs in real-world use, I’ve written a full review of the 56mm 1.2 WR here

One bonus: this lens makes photos of your partner that will impress them so much you’ll be in their good books for weeks.

And why not just get the cheaper 50mm f/2? Because it simply doesn’t produce photos of the same quality as the 56mm f/1.2 WR. In this case, the extra weight is absolutely worth it.

The 2–lens family kit I recommend (to avoid analysis paralysis)

If a friend came to me and asked which one lens he should buy to get the best family photos — I’d point him straight to the Fuji 33mm f/1.4 WR. No hesitation. It’s the most flexible and the best all-round lens on this list. It can do about 80% of what the 56mm f/1.2 WR can do for portraiture, and yet with a couple of steps back it can also cover 90% of what the 23mm will give you.

If he wanted to add just one more lens, for general everyday use, it would be the 18mm f/1.4 WR. It lets you get closer, gives the feeling of being amongst your children, and allows you to shoot from their viewpoint. Together, those two lenses give you the best coverage, the best image quality — and most importantly — the best memories.

If you want to keep things simple — this is the one lens I’d choose above all others:
Fuji XF 33mm f/1.4 WR — Check Current Price on Amazon (US)

Final Thoughts

Family photography isn’t about capturing every single moment — it’s about capturing the ones that matter in a way that tells the story beyond a snapshot.

That’s why I choose prime lenses.

It’s about freezing those tiny expressions and quiet moments that one day will mean more to you than any technical test chart ever could.

The truth is: our children grow faster than we expect. You only get each version of them once. So if you want those memories to feel real and to take you back — invest in the tools that help you do that.

These lenses aren’t about specs. They’re about preserving something precious — before it changes forever.

Last Updated May 2026: Of all the articles that I have written, this one remains one of my favourites as it is still highly relevant and its intent is to try and simplify things and save you money by avoiding the trap of buying too much. I still believe these lens kits make as much sense as ever.

So you’ve got your X-T5 — which I personally think is the best photography camera Fujifilm makes right now and the best travel camera. It is incredibly versatile, from family photography to travel. But with the sheer amount of Fuji lenses available, it can be hard to figure out what you actually need in order to shoot the kind of photos you want.

If you’re new, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need a massive bag full of lenses to cover every possible scenario. But as you gain experience, you start to realise that 2–3 quality lenses are all you really need. This holds true whether you’re shooting landscapes, wildlife, or just general travel and family photography.

If you just want to get straight to the best lenses for the X-T5 recommendations click the link below that most interests you.

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Some of the best photographers in history have worked this way. Sebastião Salgado, Ernst Haas, Don McCullin — they each had a strong preference for just one or two primary lenses. And if you’ve heard of the so-called “Holy Trinity” of lenses (the standard ultrawide, standard zoom, and telephoto zoom setup), you’ll know it usually means 14–30mm, 24–70mm, and 70–200mm. The problem is, even on APS-C, that kit gets heavy fast.

I could just take the standard line and tell you to go out and buy all the best professional-grade zooms, mix in a handful of the top primes, and call it a day. But that simply isn’t true. For most people it’s unnecessary, it will cost you a fortune, and it won’t make your photos any better. In fact, once you have a bag full of heavy, expensive gear, it might put you off taking your camera out altogether.

If you’re looking for more detailed comparisons then I compared the Fuji 18mm 1.4WR vs the Fuji 23mm 1.4WR here. I also have other lens comaprisons on the website that can be searched.

That’s why I’m writing this article: to cut through the noise and clarify which Fuji lenses you really need for the X-T5 — and, just as importantly, which lenses pair together well. It’s not a comprehensive list that covers every scenario, but rather a set of 1- 2- and 3-lens setups that balance versatility, quality, and practicality. And if one lens doesn’t suit your exact needs, feel free to swap it — the idea here is to simplify the decision and help you build a kit that works.

Landscape Kit: Wide to Telephoto Versatility

A lot of people will tell you to go with the “holy trinity” of zooms for landscapes — an ultrawide, a standard zoom, and a telephoto. And while that’s perfectly valid, my own experience as a professional landscape photographer in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland taught me something different.

Like many beginners, I once thought landscape photography was all about going as wide as possible. I shot almost exclusively with the Canon 10–22mm and 17–40mm lenses. But after a while, I grew tired of the exaggerated perspective. I found myself reaching more often for the 24–105mm and even the 70–200mm, which allowed me to create more intentional, less “gimmicky” compositions.

On the Fuji system, the XF 10–24mm f/4 OIS WR hits the sweet spot. It gives you that option to go ultrawide when needed, but most of the time you’ll find the 24–35mm equivalent range more natural for landscapes. It’s compact, sharp enough, weather sealed, and a great all-rounder.

Why not the XF 8–16mm f/2.8? Several reasons. First, it doesn’t take filters easily — you need bulky, expensive mounting systems to use them. Second, it’s significantly heavier than the 10–24mm. Third, you don’t need f/2.8 for landscapes. Even with the 10–24mm, you’ll almost always be stopping down to f/5.6 or beyond. Yes, the 8–16mm may be sharper, but if sharpness alone makes or breaks your photo, then the composition probably isn’t strong enough in the first place.

Pair the 10–24mm with the XF 70–300mm f/4–5.6 OIS WR and you’ve got a landscape kit that covers everything from expansive wide views to intimate detail shots. The telephoto is an underused tool in landscapes — it allows you to compress a scene, isolate textures, or highlight patterns that would get lost with a wide-angle lens. The 70-300mm is sharp, relatively light and compact and is weather sealed.

Why not the XF 50–140mm f/2.8? Again, it comes down to practicality. The 70–300mm is lighter, covers a broader range, and for landscapes you’ll rarely benefit from the wider aperture of the 50–140mm. Weight and cost savings matter more when you’re carrying gear across long hikes.

If you feel the gap between 24mm and 70mm is too big, you can always slot in a tiny prime like the XF 35mm f/2 WR or XF 50mm f/2 WR . Both hardly add any weight to your bag, yet they give you a capable low-light option and round out the kit nicely.

Why this kit works: A lightweight, weather-sealed setup that balances the dramatic look of wide angles with the subtlety and precision of telephoto landscapes. Perfect for XT5 shooters who want flexibility without hauling a massive bag.

I’ve linked everything included in this landscape kit below, all in one place to make it easy for you to find.

Of course, not everyone is heading into the hills with their X-T5. For most people, the real challenge is travel photography — finding a kit that’s versatile enough for everything from city streets to sunsets on the beach.

Travel Kit: Zoom Plus Prime for Flexibility

There are two main ways to approach travel photography. These days, I tend to keep it simple with a prime-only kit. But for someone starting out, I recommend going with a zoom plus a prime lens. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, a zoom lens gives you the flexibility to capture a wide range of subjects — from street scenes and architecture to tighter portraits and details — without constantly changing lenses. Second, when you’re new, you might not have worked out your shooting style yet or which focal lengths you prefer. A zoom lets you experiment, while the prime gives you a taste of faster glass for low-light and portraits.

For the zoom, I recommend sticking with the XF 18–55mm f/2.8–4 R LM OIS. It’s one of the best “kit” lenses on the market, and when bundled with a Fuji body, it often costs less than $100 extra. At 18mm (27mm full-frame equivalent) it’s wide enough for storytelling, street, and architecture. At 55mm (82.5mm equivalent) it reaches into portrait and detail territory. It’s sharp, relatively bright for a kit lens, and thanks to optical image stabilization, it’s surprisingly capable in low light — as long as your subject isn’t moving too much. It’s compact and lightweight, though not weather sealed. Honestly, unless you specifically need more reach (as with the 16–80mm) or pro-level sharpness and build (as with the 16–55mm f/2.8II), the 18–55mm is good enough to get you started — and far more portable.

To complement it, add a fast prime. The XF 35mm f/2 WR is an excellent lightweight choice — discreet, weather-sealed, and sharp, it’s a perfect walkaround lens that can handle evening street shooting and portraits. If you want something with more character and even better performance, go for the XF 33mm f/1.4 WR. It’s larger and more expensive, but the image quality and low-light performance make it a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about travel photography.

Why this kit works: It covers almost every travel scenario while keeping weight down. The 18–55mm handles daytime flexibility, while the 35mm or 33mm prime lets you shoot confidently in low light and gives portraits that extra special look.

I have linked to this kit below. If you don’t already have the 18-55mm lens then I have also included the XF 16-80mm lens in this kit. It gives a little more reach, a constant aperture and weather sealing. All the items are linked in one place to make it easy for you to find them.

If you already know you prefer primes, there’s an even simpler and more focused way to travel — leaving the zoom behind and committing to fast Fuji primes only.

Travel Kit: Prime-Only for the Purist

If you prefer to shoot primes, like I do, then Fujifilm gives you fantastic options ranging from compact and affordable to pro-level optics. For the sake of this section, I’ll assume that if you’re considering a prime-only travel kit, you’ve already got some experience, you value image quality, and you appreciate just how compact Fuji’s best primes are compared to full-frame equivalents.

My go-to two-lens travel kit would be:

• XF 23mm f/1.4 WR → This is my storytelling lens. The focal length is flexible enough for street photography, group shots, and everyday context, while offering superb image quality, fast autofocus, and weather sealing.
• XF 56mm f/1.2 WR → This gives you the ability to capture portraits and tighter details with beautiful subject isolation and pro-level rendering. Fuji 56mm 1.2 WR review here

Together, these two lenses cover everything from mild wide-angle to intimate portraits in a lightweight package that delivers professional image quality.

• XF 23mm f/1.4 WR → My storytelling lens. Flexible for street, groups and everyday context, with superb image quality, fast AF and weather sealing.
• XF 56mm f/1.2 WR → Portrait/tight detail specialist with beautiful subject isolation and pro-level rendering.

If you want a one-lens setup, I’d suggest the XF 33mm f/1.4 WR. The 50mm-equivalent field of view is, in my opinion, the most versatile single focal length for travel — wide enough to tell a story, long enough for portraits, and with excellent low-light performance.

If you prefer a three-lens setup for more separation between focal lengths, I’d recommend:

• XF 18mm f/1.4 WR
• XF 33mm f/1.4 WR
• XF 56mm f/1.2 WR (or XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR if you want extra reach)

All of these lenses are excellent. The Fuji 18mm 1.4WR lens is immersive for landscapes and cityscapes, the 33mm is a classic all-rounder, and the 56mm/90mm give you beautiful portrait options. While the 56mm autofocus is a touch slower, it’s still more than good enough for most travel scenarios.

Want to travel even lighter? I often go with Fuji’s compact “Fujicron” primes (the XF 23mm f/2 , reviewed here, 35mm f/2, and 50mm f/2) and just take two or three depending on the trip and subjects I expect. They’re discreet, weather-sealed, and offer excellent image quality in a tiny package. if you are trying to decide, I compared the Fuji 50mm f2 against the 56mm 1.2WR.

Why this kit works: A prime-only setup requires a shift in mindset. Instead of trying to cover every possible situation, you commit to a small number of focal lengths and make them work. That limitation forces you to slow down, think about your compositions, and ultimately come home with stronger images — even if you miss the odd shot along the way.

I have linked to all of these primes in the kit below for ease.

But what about closer to home? For me, the most meaningful photos I take with the X-T5 aren’t from travel or landscapes at all — they’re the ones of my family as my daughters grow up.

Family Kit: One Lens, One Perspective

When it comes to photographing my family, I don’t want to cover every possible scenario. My wife has a phone for snapshots — the “we were here” photos. What I want to create are images that stand out: pictures of my daughters that capture emotion, interaction, and milestones in their childhood. The kinds of photos I can print, frame, and look back on years later to feel all those moments flood back.

That’s why I don’t recommend buying a bag full of lenses for family photography. Instead, pick one truly great lens and learn to use it for everything. Over the years, you’ll build a catalogue of images tied together not only by emotion and quality, but also by a consistent perspective.

For this approach, I recommend either the XF 23mm f/1.4 WR or the XF 33mm f/1.4 WR.

• The 23mm f/1.4 WR gives you more context. It’s wide enough for capturing your children in their environment — playing in the living room, baking with grandparents, blowing out candles at a birthday party — while still being fast and sharp enough to handle low light.
• The 33mm f/1.4 WR offers a more intimate look. The tighter field of view helps you isolate your subject and create photos that feel closer, more personal, and emotionally charged.

Both lenses are among the sharpest I’ve used, well built, and compact compared to zooms or full-frame equivalents. Both are weather-sealed, so you don’t have to pack your camera away the first time your kids play in the rain or snow. And both deliver professional-looking shallow depth of field that transforms everyday moments into something timeless.

Why this kit works: By choosing one high-quality lens and committing to it, you free yourself from gear decisions and focus entirely on moments. Whether you prefer the wider storytelling perspective of the 23mm or the intimate feel of the 33mm, you’ll end up with a consistent body of work that documents your family’s life in the best possible way. That’s not to say you can’t add a second lens to your bag — I sometimes do. But the key is knowing why you’re carrying it, rather than trying to cover every possible moment. Most of the time, I still follow this one-lens approach because it keeps me focused and results in stronger photos.

You can find both of the primes plus others linked below:

Final thoughts

The Fuji X-T5 is an incredibly versatile camera, and yes — you could build an entire bag of lenses around it. But in my experience, you don’t need to. Whether it’s the 10–24mm paired with the 70–300mm for landscapes, a flexible zoom-plus-prime travel kit, or simply one exceptional lens for documenting family, you’ll find that keeping things simple actually leads to stronger photos.

But what about wildlife shooters? Honestly, I only write about what I really know, where I feel I can add value. Yes, I’ve shot wildlife, in fact I shoot it regulalry on the Nikon Z system here in Scotland but I haven’t shot it on Fuji so I can’t give you the kind of deep, trustworthy advice I’d want to stand behind. I’d rather give you fewer, better recommendations than generic advice on every topic.

If you specifically want guidance in those areas, I’m happy to help — just leave a comment below or contact me directly. Having run a camera store and worked professionally as a photographer, I can point you in the right direction. But for this article, I’ve focused only on the setups I truly believe in and have been using consistantly myself.

The right kit isn’t about covering every scenario. It’s about choosing the lenses that inspire you to pick up the camera, learn them deeply, and focus on the moments that matter.

If you’re building out your Fuji X-T5 kit, don’t miss my XT5 Accessories Guide for the best add-ons, and grab my free XT5 Setup Files to get the most out of your camera from day one.

As a long time Fuji user, I’ve shot the below lenses in a variety of settings from candid quick grab shots to more posed portraits. The great thing when you are looking for the best portrait lens to pair with your Fuji camera is that there is an option to fit most budgets and requirements. From the 90mm f2 to the small and light 50mm f2. A great portrait lens allows you to capture the character of the subject, give the ability to isolate them from distracting backgrounds, focuses quickly and accurately and is well built. All of these X-Mount portrait lenses are fully compatible with all Fuji cameras whether it’s your old school X-Pro 2 or the latest X-T5. The best lenses also allow you to capture a story.

None of the lenses in this guide have been replaced or made obsolete, and Fujifilm’s current bodies get the best autofocus performance yet from them — so every recommendation here remains fully relevant in 2026.

This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It helps support the site and keeps the content ad-free. I only recommend gear I’ve personally used or seriously considered using.

Fujifilm 33mm 1.4WR

This is the updated version of the classic and much loved original 35mm 1.4 prime lens which was one of the original lenses released by Fujifilm. I owned the 35mm 1.4 alongside my X-Pro 1 and really loved that lens. It had beautiful rendering in a flexible focal length and was small in size. That meant you could use it for a wide variety of scenarios including more contextual portrait shots where you include some of the surroundings. The main issue with the original 35mm 1.4 was that it was slow to focus and would often hunt back and forth before locking on to your subject. This could make it challenging to nail focus and it also doesn’t help with flow when you are in the middle of an actual portrait session. If you want something wider than the 33mm for contextual portraits then these two 23mm options are the best.

The 33mm 1.4WR lens has basically taken what was good about the original and then improved on its weaknesses. It now has a linear motor which makes its auto focus among the best that Fuji offers. It is quick and silent when focusing. Fuji also added weather sealing to the lens. It is now larger than the original 35mm 1.4 but its still pretty compact and pairs well with most Fuji bodies. I use mine as a general purpose lens but with the roughly 50mm full frame equivalent focal length it is perfectly capable of doing double duty as a high quality, fast focusing portrait lens. The large 1.4 aperture allows you to throw the background out of focus, it is sharp across the frame, well corrected for chromatic aberations and distortion and is probably the most versatile lens on this list. If you’re still deciding on your Fuji setup, my X-T5 vs X100VI comparison shows how lens flexibility compares to an all-in-one camera.

Buy this lens if you want to be able to take beautiful portraits but don’t want to commit to a purely portrait focused lens. It’s the best all rounder here.

Check Latest Price for the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 WR

XF 56mm f/1.2 WR – The Gold Standard for Portraiture

If you are looking for a portrait lens for your Fuji then you will likely be well aware of the 56mm 1.2 as it has a stellar reputation. Again, I owned the original and it produced beautiful results. It suffered with the same autofocus issues as the original 35mm 1.4, where you didn’t quite feel that you could trust it. It was noisy, would hunt back and forth, and sometimes just gave up altogether, leaving you scratching your head. But when it did lock on, the results were beautiful. To get the most out of your Fuji XT5 I’ve got a setup guide here.

The updated 56mm 1.2 WR has improved on the autofocus performance of the original lens, focusing much more reliably. I used it this weekend to photograph my daughter’s birthday party and had no issues with hunting at all. It’s still not perfect, and with such a large aperture you do still miss focus sometimes due to the razor-thin depth of field at 56mm (85mm full-frame equivalent) and 1.2 aperture, but in my use, I feel it is reliable and quick enough, even for kids jumping and splashing about in the pool. But it does still make the same noise as the original when focusing.

So what do you get with the 56mm 1.2 WR? Well, the autofocus upgrades definitely improve things but it’s still not the fastest focusing lens in the lineup. Fuji added weather sealing while retaining a pretty similar size. But you buy this lens for the photos it lets you create. It’s razor sharp wide open and has beautiful, smooth, buttery bokeh that really allows you to isolate your subjects. The rendering is perfect for a portrait lens, with good contrast, and it is well corrected. This lens, in my opinion, is the best portrait lens I have used for Fuji and one of the best in terms of image quality of any I have used. After years of shooting various portrait focal lengths, I’ve found 56mm to be the one I like the most. It offers enough compression to be flattering, yet it doesn’t flatten the image as I find longer focal lengths can. It is also more flexible than the 90mm f2, which requires larger working distances and can be difficult to use indoors and in tight spaces. 56mm enables me to shoot a little wider when needed but still looks great when shooting tight.

Buy this lens if you want the best image quality for your portraits and you still want flexibility in your framing options.

Check Latest Price for the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 WR

XF 90mm f/2 WR – For Compression, Sharpness, and Subject Isolation

I owned the Fujifilm 90mm f/2 lens back in 2016/17. I bought it as it was a much-vaunted new lens at the time, and the autofocus was said to be a big leap up from my original 56mm f/1.2 — and it was. This is a very fast focusing lens, as Fuji added a linear motor to it, resulting in fast, accurate, and near-silent performance. I wish they had put a linear motor in the 56mm f/1.2 WR lens.

The 90mm f/2 is very sharp, and combined with the focal length and bright f/2 aperture, you can blow backgrounds out of focus to your heart’s content. It is sharp wide open, is well corrected, and I never found any issues with image quality at all. It is also weather sealed, unlike the original 56mm f/1.2 that I owned at the same time — but it is also significantly longer, yet narrower than the 56mm. This is just personal preference, but I like a wider, shorter lens for handling and balance.

The reason that I sold it was that I found I just didn’t use it as much as the 56mm — and it has nothing to do with the performance of the lens, which is excellent. I simply find that I prefer the look of photos taken at 56mm than at 90mm (135mm full-frame equivalent). The 56mm gives just enough compression to make subjects look good, but I find the 90mm flattens images a little too much for my taste.

You should buy this lens if you’re heavily into portrait photography and prefer a classic 135mm equivalent focal length over (the also classic) 85mm.

Check Latest Price for the Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 WR

Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 – A Wildcard Worth Considering for Serious Portrait Shooters

I’ve been reading lately about the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 lens and, from what I’ve seen, it is getting rave reviews from almost everyone who has purchased it. Let me be clear — I haven’t used this lens, but I have asked to be notified by my camera dealer when it becomes available in the UK again, as I’m heading back there in a couple of weeks’ time and am seriously tempted to pick it up.

So let’s quickly talk about why I’m considering it (and maybe you should too).

At 75mm, the focal length sits right in between the 56mm and 90mm Fuji lenses. With an f/1.2 aperture, it’s going to offer more ability to isolate your subjects than the 56mm f/1.2, yet not compress them as much as the 90mm f/2. It should also be easier to use in confined spaces than the 90mm, which makes it more flexible — and all reports say that it’s sharp wide open (almost too sharp) and has beautiful rendering. It’s also cheaper than the Fuji options, yet still by all accounts offers fast autofocus performance, with most saying it’s quicker than the Fuji 56mm f/1.2 WR lens. It’s also weather sealed.

So what are the potential downsides?

Well, it’s a big beast at 670 grams, and with a lens filter diameter of 77mm, we’re up into professional full-frame lens size territory. I’m not sure I want to carry that size of lens with my X-T5, even if it does offer a unique focal length and image quality. Still, it is tempting at around $580.

What do you think — should I get this lens and put it to the test?

Check Latest Price for the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2

XF 50mm f/2 WR – Compact, Reliable, and Surprisingly Capable

I own the Fuji 50mm f/2 — and for a reason. I often travel, and I do quite a lot of candid photography on the street. I bought the 50mm f/2 to give me a longer focal length in a very compact and lightweight size, in order to pair with my 23mm f/2 and 35mm f/2 Fujicron lenses to give me a very lightweight, weather-sealed kit that covers a wide variety of shooting situations. If you’re more focused on versatility for travel or family trips, check out my guide to the best Fujifilm lenses for travel photography.

The little 50mm f/2 barely takes up any room in my bag, and yet it offers the ability to shoot details and portraits. At f/2 you can still isolate subjects with a fairly narrow depth of field, especially if you can move around your subject to change the camera-subject-background distances. It is sharp wide open, and as with all the little Fujicron lenses, it focuses very quickly. It is also the cheapest option on this list. I like this series of lenses, and they are one of the reasons that I sold all my other gear and went all in on Fujifilm. Light, compact, weather-sealed, bright aperture, relatively cheap, and good image quality — they’re the perfect lightweight travel kit.

I shot this lens at the weekend alongside my 56mm f/1.2 WR, and while it didn’t create images with the same wow factor as that lens, it did do very well photographing Sofia’s birthday party. For more on how I actually use Fuji gear to capture family moments, you can read this piece on photographing emotion with the X-T5.

Buy this if you want to be able to shoot portraits and cover this focal length without breaking the bank or your back. It won’t give you quite the same quality as the other options on this list, but if you’re not primarily a portrait shooter, then at the price and weight, the 50mm f/2 gives good results — and you can always have it with you. It will even fit in your pocket.

Check Latest Price for the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 WR