Last Updated on 07/04/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
Looking for some good options in the Fujifilm X-Series for portraits? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Portrait photography. Chances are, if you own a stand alone camera, you are probably using it to take portraits, at least on occasion. So it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say you may be in the market for a good lens for just that purpose – portrait photography. Well, if you are new to the Fujifilm X-Series or to mirrorless cameras in general, you may be wondering what your options are for good portrait lenses.
It just so happens that we are here to help you get that figured out. If you are shooting with Fujifilm and you want to do more portraits, definitely consider these lenses.
Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R
In our official review we had the following to say about the Fuji XF 23mm f1.4 R:
“Overall, it is the most versatile lens you can use for the Fujifilm X-Series system and we considering to be the single best lens for Street Photography using mirrorless cameras out there. This is due to the autofocus offering and the clearly readable depth of field scale on the lens when shooting with the zone focusing method.” — Read Our Full Review
That traditional 35mm full frame field of view is great for many genres of photography, but especially for portrait photography. Combine that with the focus scale, good AF and smooth manual focus? This makes the 23mm f1.4 R likely the best all around portrait photography lens out of Fuji’s native glass (on the mid-wide end of the spectrum).
Pick up an XF 23mm f1.4 R over on Amazon
Fujifilm XF 50mm F2
In our official review we had the following to say about the XF 50mm f2:
“What’s there to say about the Fujifilm 50mm f2 R WR? Well, it’s an interesting choice for sure. I personally would have liked a 56mm option to be a proper portrait lens, but the 50mm gives a bit more versatility. It’s a great lens for street photography for sure if you’re looking to give a bit more distance to you and your subject. For that reason, I really recommend it for street photographers and street portraiture.” — Read Our Full Review
If you are looking for an affordable portrait lens with fast AF, weather sealing, and excellent image quality on the Fujifilm system, then you need to at least consider the Fujifilm XF 50mm f2. This lens is versatile and is so small you really don’t have any excuse not to have it with you whenever you are with your camera, making it an excellent choice for impromptu portraiture.
Pick up an XF 50mm f2 over on Amazon
Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 WR
In our official review we had the following to say about the Fuji XF 35mm f2 WR:
“The Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR is also small and has a low profile build that won’t attract the attention of strangers or other people. Combine that with the fast focusing abilities and you’ll be able to capture that candid photo you want before someone has a chance to break the moment.” — Read Our Full Review
A great low-profile semi compact option for Fuji shooters, the XF 35mm f2 WR is fast focusing, weather resistant, and offers image quality equal to (and some say better) than its f1.4 brother in most respects. However, if you are a fan of manual or zone focusing, we would probably suggest grabbing other options instead. Possibly the fastest focusing Fuji lens right now if you rely on AF, this is definitely a lens to consider.
Pick up an XF 35mm f2 WR over on Amazon
Fujifilm 56mm F1.2
In our official review we had the following to say about the Fujifilm 56mm f1.2:
“Fujifilm’s 56mm f1.2 is the sharpest mirrorless camera lens we’ve tested. Not only that but it exhibits beautiful bokeh, pretty good color rendition, almost no distortion, focuses quickly, and is built well. It’s a bit expensive, and for that reason we really only want to recommend it to the creme de la creme of the X-Series users. Shooting images of your cat or breakfast with this lens is a total waste and will make the theoretical photography gods weep tears of fixer fluid.” — Read Our Full Review
Probably THE portrait lens in the Fujifilm X-Series system, the 56mm f1.2 offers that classic 85mm field of view while providing everything you want in a stellar portrait offering – beautiful bokeh, sharpness – all of it. The only real downside is the price (compared to other X-Series glass) and the size on some of the smaller X-Series bodies. But, really, you can’t go wrong with this lens for portraits so long as you have the space.
Pick up an Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 R over on Amazon now for $999.
Fujifilm 90mm F2
In our official review we had the following to say about the Fujifilm 90mm f2:
“When it comes to pure image quality, it’s tough to beat a Fujifilm X-Trans Sensor and the company’s lenses. But the 90mm f2 is something many have been dreaming of for a while. Of all the portrait lenses we’ve tested for the system, it’s by far the best… You’ll fall in love all over again with the bokeh, sharpness and consistent performance that gives you very little reason to do any sort of editing to images right out of the camera.” — Read Our Full Review
Weather sealing, that legendary 135mm equivalent field of view, stellar bokeh and sharpness – if you are a fan of tighter portrait lenses, then you really have nowhere else to look than the 90mm f2. This is quite possibly the best portrait specific lens in the Fujifilm lineup currently but, just as with the 56mm, it comes at a price.
Pick up an Fujifilm 90mm f2 R WR over on Amazon