One of the biggest questions photographers get asked and that they ask themselves after purchasing a new camera kit is, “What’s next?” What lens should they add to their kit or upgrade to next? Well, today we start our new series looking at just that, with 5 killer upgrade options for photographers looking to go beyond the kit lens to improve their capabilities in the new year.
The first system we are looking at is the Fujifilm X-Series, so if any of you got a new X-T2 or X-Pro2 for the holidays, this will be a post you want to take a look at.
Two Primes
Fujifilm is renowned for their lens quality, so as good as the kit lens is, there are some incredible prime lenses in the lineup that you should be considering right out of the gate.
XF 35mm F/2 R WR
Fujifilm’s XF 35mm F/2 R WR is without a doubt one of the best options for someone looking to upgrade from their kit 18-55mm lens. It is small, fast, light weight, and weather resistant. It also features some of the fastest and most accurate AF in the Fujifilm system, so if you are looking for a killer 50mm equivalent prime, we highly recommend this be one you consider.
Read our review here, or Buy one here.
XF 23mm F/1.4
Fujifilm also has a XF 23mm F/2 R WR, but for those looking to add a little extra something to their kit, the 23mm F/1.4 is a magical lens that is simultaneously great for street photography, portraiture, landscapes and a wide variety of other niches. If you are in the market for a killer 35mm equivalent prime lens, than we think this should be near the top of your list.
Read our review here, or Buy one here.
Two Zooms
More of a zoom lens fan? Well, your options are currently pretty limited with native Fujifilm glass, but the options that you do have are really good. Here are a few options for you…
XF 16-55mm F/2.8 R LM WR
The 16-55mm offers a very similar focal range to your 18-55mm fujifilm kit lens, but with a constant F/2.8 aperture throughout the entire range, weather sealing, and overall better build quality. It doesn’t come cheap, being one of Fujifilm’s most expensive lens offerings currently, but if you prefer a zoom to a trio of prime lenses, than this is the lens for you.
Read our review here, or Buy one here.
XF 50-140mm F/2.8 R LM OIS WR
Do you shoot weddings, sports or wildlife? If that is the case than the Fujifilm 50-140mm F/2.8 is a lens that you will be wanting to add to your kit sooner rather than later. This lens has it all, a fast F/2.8 aperture, OIS, weather sealing and a great build quality. This is the 70-200mm equivalent that you want in your kit.
Read our review here or Buy one here.
Third Party
Of course, Fujifilm is not your only option if you are looking to expand your X-Series kit a little. There are plenty of great options to consider, but today we are featuring the Rokinon 50mm f/1.2.
Rokinon 50mm F/1.2
There is something truly special about the F/1.2 aperture, especially with Fujifilm. It just gives you a look you can’t achieve with slower apertures on the X-Series. If you are a bokeh fanatic and can handle manually focusing (which, let’s be honest, is a piece of cake with Fujifilm), then this is a lens you should heavily consider adding to your kit.