Portrait Lens Options: Fuji 90mm F2 vs Sigma 50-100 F1.8 w/Fringer

I have the X-H1, and a decent set of Fuji glass, including the 50-140 F2.8 (a great lens), and the 80mm Macro F2.8, which I sometimes use as a portrait lens.  I am on the verge of selling my X-H1 to go buy the X-T4, but before I pull the trigger on that, I am considering lens options.

I am considering the Fuji 90mm F2, because I would like a longer portrait lens, with a faster aperture.  It would have been useful on my most recent photo shoot, to get a bit more creamy bokeh.  However, I am wondering if I should also consider the Sigma 50-100 F1.8.  I used to shoot Sony A-mount and had the A-mount version of the Sigma 18-35 F1.8, which was an awesome lens, so I am kind of partial to Sigma Art lenses.  However, the Sigma Art lenses are all very heavy, I just don’t know if the extra weight is worth it.

I wonder about this too. I've been interested in the Sigma 50-100 for a while now, and I used to have the 90 f/2 as well as the Sigma EF 18-35 with the Fringer, both used with my X-H1.

First, about the 18-35. Long story short, I ended up selling it and getting the 16-55 2.8. Sigma was sharp (faultless to my eye, really) but I didn't love it. I wouldn't swear on it, but to my eye, it produced "flat," two-dimensional images. This could be due to the complex optical construction, or perhaps it was just in my head, but I couldn't get past it. The AF worked as well with the Fringer as it does on Canon cameras--quick and accurate, but I did not use AF-C much so I can't comment on that. Still, that experience made me hesitate about going for the 50-100, and I would really have to try it out before committing to it.

The 90 f/2 was flawless. It is sharp wide open and makes really nice bokeh. I also have the 56 f/1.2 APO, and I would consider them comparable in this respect, but I don't spend time pixel-peeping the blurry parts. Most importantly, the 90 had that 3-D magic, if you believe in that sort of thing. The clanky AF was weird at first, but once the camera is switched on, it is simply amazing. I ended up letting go of it because I just did not use that FL enough, but I do regret it now and then when I look at those images. I will say this: despite its stellar reputation, this lens does not get much love on the used market (maybe because of the limited usefulness of that FL), so it pays to get a nice, used copy if you end up going that route.

I had the Sigma 18-35 when I shot A-mount, and I LOVED it.  I really loved the images, but it is totally subjective.  I have the 16-55 F2.8, and I really like that lens, and it is also weather-sealed.  I really don’t need the Sigma 18-35 now.  
However, I would like a short/medium telephoto, that has a faster aperture than my 50-140 F2.8 (another great lens), or my 80mm F2.8 macro.  My 56 F1.2 is great, and I use it a lot, but I would like a faster lens at a longer focal length.  So my choices are the Fuji 90 mm F2, the Viltrox 85mm F1.8, or the Sigma 50-100 F1.8.  The Sigma is more flexible as a zoom, but it is a really heavy lens, and that also has an impact.
Hopefully someone on here has experience with some of those 3 lenses.

A very close friend of mine shoots Canon and the 50-100 is his go-to portrait lens. I've shot a little with his gear and it's a great piece of glass. If you were comparing it with anything else I'd say go for it (cost comparison dependent).

That said, the Fuji 90mm is just a stunning bit of kit. the 56/90mm combo Fuji have produced in portrait lengths is just outstanding and I haven't really found anything that matches it.

Keep in mind that I'm heavily invested in Fuji as a system so likely have a little - or a lot - of bias happening.

Any more views or feedback on this? Also considering my options (56 F1.2 / 90 F2 / 50-140 F2.8 / Sigma 50-100 F1.8) so keen to hear more feedback and user experience.

Is the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 out of the running?
I've not had the pleasure of using it but I'm surprised no-one has mentioned it. If blurry bokeh and extra light are two of your main aims then surely it should be considered?

From a purely personal POV I would find the 75mm more useful than 90mm. I will echo what cancolour mentioned further up, the 90mm is probably one of Fuji's best lenses and certainly the best lens I've ever owned. But I too sold mine and replaced it with the 50-140 as I just didn't find the 90mm FL particularly useful to my needs. YMMV of course.

GMacF wrote:

Is the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 out of the running?
I've not had the pleasure of using it but I'm surprised no-one has mentioned it. If blurry bokeh and extra light are two of your main aims then surely it should be considered?

From a purely personal POV I would find the 75mm more useful than 90mm. I will echo what cancolour mentioned further up, the 90mm is probably one of Fuji's best lenses and certainly the best lens I've ever owned. But I too sold mine and replaced it with the 50-140 as I just didn't find the 90mm FL particularly useful to my needs. YMMV of course.

This thread hails from 2020, the Viltrox was not born yet! For me, it is semi in the running, but I figure why be limited to just 75mm when you can have 50 all the way through to 100 at F1.8.

The_Crow wrote:

GMacF wrote:

Is the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 out of the running?
I've not had the pleasure of using it but I'm surprised no-one has mentioned it. If blurry bokeh and extra light are two of your main aims then surely it should be considered?

From a purely personal POV I would find the 75mm more useful than 90mm. I will echo what cancolour mentioned further up, the 90mm is probably one of Fuji's best lenses and certainly the best lens I've ever owned. But I too sold mine and replaced it with the 50-140 as I just didn't find the 90mm FL particularly useful to my needs. YMMV of course.

This thread hails from 2020, the Viltrox was not born yet! For me, it is semi in the running, but I figure why be limited to just 75mm when you can have 50 all the way through to 100 at F1.8.

Oh so it is! 

I never even noticed! That's one heck of a bump.

I own the sigma 50-100 and it is probably the best lens I have owned, the images are just amazing and even better than the 18-35 which I also used to own. It is also the most impractical lens I have owned, it is very big and incredibly heavy which on the thinner Fuji bodies will be imbalanced especially when hanging off an adapter- I have tried it on xh1 with a dumb adapter but it felt so unbalanced I put it back on my dlsr and kept that to use with the lens.

if using with a tripod that won’t matter as has inbuilt tripod collar