First lens: XF 35mm f2 or Sigma 30mm?

philip_v · Jan 22, 2023

Hi everyone! I just bought my first Fuji, the X-T5. I’m coming from the Canon M-series. I had the Sigma 16mm and 56mm for the Canon mount and loved them.

For a Fujifilm noob, which do you think is the better lens to buy, Fujifilm 35mm f2 or Sigma 30mm? I’m comparing these two because they’re similar and price and I’m constricted by price and cannot splurge more.

I can’t seem to find a lot of comparisons between the two. The Sigma is always compared to the 1.4 version of the Fuji.

My initial thoughts:

Fuji - smaller, better colors?, better construction (metal) and weather-sealing, aperture ring

Sigma - brighter/faster, cheaper (but not by much)

Any thoughts? What would you buy and use?

Flying Fijian · Jan 22, 2023

philip_v said:
Hi everyone! I just bought my first Fuji, the X-T5. I’m coming from the Canon M-series. I had the Sigma 16mm and 56mm for the Canon mount and loved them.

Hey welcome to Fujifilm...there's a few of us here from Canon M. I had those 2 lenses too.

philip_v said:
For a Fujifilm noob, which do you think is the better lens to buy, Fujifilm 35mm f2 or Sigma 30mm? I’m comparing these two because they’re similar and price and I’m constricted by price and cannot splurge more.

I had the Fuji 35mm f2...nice compact lens but was a bit boring being f2 (for me). I swapped it for the old 35mm f1.4...there's a new 33mm f1.4 which is a lot more expensive. I love the old f1.4 lens...it's quite compact and has a nice rendering...maybe try used.

philip_v said:
I can’t seem to find a lot of comparisons between the two. The Sigma is always compared to the 1.4 version of the Fuji.

My initial thoughts:

Fuji - smaller, better colors?, better construction (metal) and weather-sealing, aperture ring

Sigma - brighter/faster, cheaper (but not by much)

Any thoughts? What would you buy and use?

It depends what you prefer but between these two I'd go with Sigma as it's f1.4 and a bit wider so a bit more versatile as a single lens (45 vs 52.5mm full frame equivalent).

As you said Fuji is smaller, WR and has aperture ring etc.

All good options..good luck.

Oscar Richard · Jan 22, 2023

I had the Fuji 35 f2, which is a very sharp little lens. It developed AF issues, so I bought a Viltrox 33 for $200 and I actually like it better than the Fuji. I just prefer the 1.4 at that FL. I haven't tried any of the Sigmas, but from the reviews I've seen, the 30 doesn't seem as good as the 16 or 56

philip_v · Jan 22, 2023

Flying Fijian said:
Hey welcome to Fujifilm...there's a few of us here from Canon M. I had those 2 lenses too.

Thank you. I feel that Fujifilm is the where a majority of Canon M users would head to.

Flying Fijian said:
I had the Fuji 35mm f2...nice compact lens but was a bit boring being f2 (for me). I swapped it for the old 35mm f1.4...there's a new 33mm f1.4 which is a lot more expensive. I love the old f1.4 lens...it's quite compact and has a nice rendering...maybe try used.

Unfortunately, there’s not much of a great used market here where I am.

Flying Fijian said:
It depends what you prefer but between these two I'd go with Sigma as it's f1.4 and a bit wider so a bit more versatile as a single lens (45 vs 52.5mm full frame equivalent).

As you said Fuji is smaller, WR and has aperture ring etc.

All good options..good luck.

Thanks. And good input, that the Sigma is wider and maybe a bit more versatile. Will keep that in mind.

philip_v · Jan 22, 2023

Oscar Richard said:
I had the Fuji 35 f2, which is a very sharp little lens. It developed AF issues, so I bought a Viltrox 33 for $200 and I actually like it better than the Fuji. I just prefer the 1.4 at that FL. I haven't tried any of the Sigmas, but from the reviews I've seen, the 30 doesn't seem as good as the 16 or 56

Thanks. I didn’t get the 30mm M-mount version as I had the EF-M 32mm, but I also read that the 30mm is the weakest of the prime trio.

I haven’t done any research on the Viltrox. Any issues with the 33mm?

7rvar · Jan 22, 2023

I like slightly wider than 35 and would like to try the Sigma 30 but I still think you should choose the XF35 to start.

Reason is to have WR, to have the aperture ring control, to have native interaction and reasonably fast focusing. You might find that you still like to use the front or rear dial for aperture control and keep the ring in A position but if you buy the Sigma how will you know?

Maybe if you plan on other lenses in the future Sigma is in your comfort zone and a good way to start. I started with X-A1, XC zooms and the original 27mm all without aperture control on the lens but when I got more XF lenses and used to setting it via the ring it is my preference ever since.

philip_v · Jan 22, 2023

Yes, I have never had a lens with aperture ring but I’m curious and I want to try as well.

Thanks!

a_c_skinner · Jan 23, 2023

I doubt there is much to choose really, but I know that really doesn't help!

biza43 · Jan 23, 2023

Yes, both will do fine and are great. It is up to you to decide, based on your requirements.

Superscroll · Jan 23, 2023

I have the 35f2 and love the size, build and performance in well lit situations. However that FL is my family pics tool and that is often indoors without flash. So with that thought I bought the new 33 and will be selling the 35.

iirc you can get the old 35 1.4 for just a bit more than the f2.

I’m somewhat new to serious digital cameras so don’t have a point of comparison but I love the aperture ring on Fuji lenses. Seems very intuitive to me.

a_c_skinner · Jan 23, 2023

Re-reading the OP talks about being budget limited so what about the much cheaper optically identical XC version of the 35/2?

Bonusbartus · Jan 23, 2023

a_c_skinner said:
Re-reading the OP talks about being budget limited so what about the much cheaper optically identical XC version of the 35/2?

philip_v · Jan 23, 2023

Superscroll said:
iirc you can get the old 35 1.4 for just a bit more than the f2.

I’m somewhat new to serious digital cameras so don’t have a point of comparison but I love the aperture ring on Fuji lenses. Seems very intuitive to me.

Thanks. In here, the 35 1.4 costs 40% more than the f2. I’d rather use the difference to fund other lens purchases.

philip_v · Jan 23, 2023

a_c_skinner said:
Re-reading the OP talks about being budget limited so what about the much cheaper optically identical XC version of the 35/2?

Tim van der Leeuw · Jan 23, 2023

I'm also coming from the EF-M system and I had both the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 and 56mm f/1.4 - loved both lenses.

The 30mm f/1.4 has a reputation for being rather soft though. The Viltrox 33mm is sharper, I believe.

It does not have weather sealing though and the aperture is stepped yet the aperture ring is clickless.

The price is attractive though so I'm considering to get this lens myself.

Oscar Richard · Jan 23, 2023

philip_v said:
Oscar Richard said:

I had the Fuji 35 f2, which is a very sharp little lens. It developed AF issues, so I bought a Viltrox 33 for $200 and I actually like it better than the Fuji. I just prefer the 1.4 at that FL. I haven't tried any of the Sigmas, but from the reviews I've seen, the 30 doesn't seem as good as the 16 or 56

Click to expand...

Thanks. I didn’t get the 30mm M-mount version as I had the EF-M 32mm, but I also read that the 30mm is the weakest of the prime trio.

I haven’t done any research on the Viltrox. Any issues with the 33mm?

Buying camera gear is almost always about compromises.

If money were no object, I'd have bought the new XF33, which from the reviews I've seen, has little to no issues, optically. If $800 isn't a problem for you, that's your best bet.

The 'old' XF35 1.4 has legions of loyal fans, but even most of them will admit it's not the fastest or most accurate focusing lens. $500 - 600 seems a lot for this lens in 2023.

The Sigma price makes it tempting, despite mixed reviews, but I prefer to have an aperture ring, maybe for you that's not a problem.

The Viltrox surprised me, I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. It's probably my most used lens and I've used it in all kinds of situations. The AF is fast and accurate, it's pretty sharp at 1.4 and very sharp at 2.8. I've heard reviewers talk about color fringing, and lack of sharpness across the frame, but for how I use the lens it hasn't been a problem. Again, I'm sure the new Fuji 33 is better, but if budget is a factor, the Viltrox at 1/3 or a 1/4 of the price is worth looking into.

It's a tough decision, but the good news is you can't really go wrong with any of the options.. Good Luck

johncecilian · Jan 23, 2023

That would be incorrect regarding the sharpness of the Sigma, a quick google search demonstrates that many reviewers find the lens plenty sharp even from 1.4 and certainly from 2.0. I have found it more than adequate to satisfy any sharpness issues. My thought would be if you havent used the lens or actually tried it perhaps weighing in only after reading random reviews is not a basis for a reasoned opinion. Here is a good example. I’m happy with it, and my guess is that most people would be. The OP should try it out himself.

Zoey the bulldog

Tim van der Leeuw · Jan 23, 2023

johncecilian said:
That would be incorrect regarding the sharpness of the Sigma, a quick google search demonstrates that many reviewers find the lens plenty sharp even from 1.4 and certainly from 2.0. I have found it more than adequate to satisfy any sharpness issues. My thought would be if you havent used the lens or actually tried it perhaps weighing in only after reading random reviews is not a basis for a reasoned opinion. Here is a good example. I’m happy with it, and my guess is that most people would be. The OP should try it out himself.

Well - good that you say that but still I do see many reviews saying it is not as sharp as their 16mm and 56mm. But pixel peeping at 100% is not how one usually views images.

johncecilian · Jan 23, 2023

Yeah I am unsure which of the three is really the “best” in terms of sharpness, I wanted to get one of the other two, but just dont know which way to go.

Tim van der Leeuw · Jan 23, 2023

johncecilian said:
Yeah I am unsure which of the three is really the “best” in terms of sharpness, I wanted to get one of the other two, but just dont know which way to go.

You mean the Sigma 16mm and 56mm f/1.4 lenses?

They are very very different lenses. Wide angle and medium zoom portrait lens. So it really depends on what kind of shots you want to take.

I used my 16mm mostly for astro but that doesn't mean you have to use it for only that. :-D

Both are great lenses, it just really depends on what you want to shoot.

Great thing is that they're not too expensive.

First lens: XF 35mm f2 or Sigma 30mm?

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