Just picked up an X-T5 and I am totally in love with it so far but I am struggling to settle on a walk-around prime for street stuff. I live in Chicago and I spend a lot of weekends just wandering around the Loop or Logan Square trying to get candid shots of people and architecture. My budget is around 800 bucks give or take and I really need something that isnt going to make the camera feel like a brick around my neck since I walk for hours at a time.
Im torn between the 23mm f/2 and the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Part of me wants that extra speed from the 23mm, especially when it gets overcast and dark here in the city, but the 27mm looks so tiny and discreet. I keep reading about the focus motor in the older 27mm being noisy but then there is the WR version... maybe I should even look at the 35mm f/2? I dont know. Does the size difference actually matter that much for a day of shooting, or am I gonna regret not having the extra stop of light if I go with the pancake?
I used to carry the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR all over downtown and my neck definitely felt it after four hours. Grab the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR WR instead, you wont regret the tiny size for street wandering.
- Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR offers better low-light performance and manual aperture ring feel, though it adds noticeable front weight.
- Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR makes the setup pocketable but lacks a dedicated aperture ring and struggles slightly more when twilight hits the Loop. Both focal lengths handle city architecture well, but the optical formulas serve different carrying preferences.
^ This. Also, honestly dont stress the gear too much. I tried the Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 R WR but unfortunately had issues with the focus motor being louder than I expected. It was a bit clunky for me. You should really check out the sample images on Flickr or the street photography threads over at DPReview to see which focal length fits your eye better before dropping the cash. TL;DR: Check samples online first, dont rush into buying.
@Reply #3 - good point! Man, chasing street photography gear gets exhausting so fast. Honestly im so tired of constantly stressing over weather sealing and weather elements destroying gear while out wandering. Chicago winters and random downpours are brutal on camera electronics and its honestly terrifying watching moisture seep into manual focus rings.
- Never trust standard non-weather resistant setups in heavy lake effect snow
- Always double check lens mount gaskets before walking out into freezing rain
- Avoid cheap third party adapters that let dust straight onto the sensor Its just so frustrating when you buy something expensive only to have the weather ruin a shoot halfway through the afternoon. Stay safe out there and protect your gear from the elements!