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What should be my second lens for XT3?

Started Apr 2, 2020 | Discussions thread
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jonathanblanchflower Regular Member • Posts: 225
What should be my second lens for XT3?

Last year I bought myself an XT3 with the kit 18-55 for video and photography work. Prior to this my only cameras were a Canon AE1, T90, and an X100S which was my first introduction to digital photography. As the 18-55 was my first ever zoom the novelty of that  has kept me perfectly happy for the past year and change. A lack of money to buy a new lens has also helped curb the itch!
Thanks to paid leave from work due to the virus, I've had a lot of spare time to photograph and am now in the market for a new lens. I'll list them as follows, with a small explanation for why I'm considering them.
1. Mitakon 35 0.95 - Both my film cameras have 50mm lenses on them and it's a focal length that, for all of its middle-of-the-roadness, I have grown to love a lot in my few years photographing. Even when I'm out on the street I prefer to hone in on a single figure rather than capture the whole scene so it suits me very well. I've heard great things about this lens and because I live in China I'm well situated to get a good deal for it. The only things that really concern me is that I've heard it is a little soft in the corners and also that as only my second lens it is arguably perhaps a little too 'special use' with the lack of AF.
2. Fuji 35 1.4 - In a similar vein to the Mitakon, really enjoy 50mm focal length and heard great things about the Fuji (a placeless 'special' quality that the cynic in me questions a little). AF speed is not terribly important for me although motor sound could be for video occasionally. I can see it being more useful more often than the Mitakon though! Curious how people feel the focusing compares to the 18-15?

3. Viltrox 85 1.8- I only learnt about this lens recently! Again, because I'm in China this lens is very reasonably priced (the cheapest on this list by a good 1000rmb). I enjoy shooting portraits and often find myself at the long end of the 18-55, where subject separation is just so so. While the Viltrox is a very tight and not terribly practical focal length for a casual shooter like myself I do like to isolate my subject in general. Furthermore, because I stick out like a sore thumb in my city (Chengdu) I do try to hang back more than is typical to keep my shots candid, so the added reach does have some strong positives. I do think I'd prefer it if it were a 85mm equivalent though, just for some flexibility. 
4. Fuji 55-200. The most expensive lens on this list but I have heard many singing its praises. Like the viltrox, offers a lot of reach albeit with less subject separation, is stabilized which is great for casual video work and handheld photography which is 95% what I do.
I just don't know! I welcome any suggestions or helpful insights from people who've tried one or several of these lenses. I'm open to other suggestions but am certain I don't want a 23 (35mm Equiv) - For some reason I don't get along with it! I'm probably leaning most strongly towards the Mitakon so any words of encouragement/caution regarding that lens would be particularly helpful. Thanks!

Fujifilm X100S Fujifilm X-T3
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