Honestly so frustrated with the fixed lens on my X100V. I love the camera body but the 23mm just feels a bit too tight for the cramped alleyways here in Seattle when im trying to capture some street scenes. My logic was that a wider converter might work but they look so bulky and Im already tired of carrying extra weight. Ive been looking at the WCL-X100 but is it actually worth the 300 bucks or am I just wasting money on a piece of glass thatll make the camera annoying to use? Im planning a trip to Tokyo in a month and I need something more versatile. Does anyone actually use these converters or should I just ditch the system entirely...
Jumping in here because I totally get the frustration. Before you ditch the X100V, have you tried simply stepping back? I used to struggle with the same tight feel until I started shooting with the Fujifilm X-T5 40.2MP APS-C and a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR lens. It made me realize that sometimes the gear isnt the issue, just how we frame the shot. Tokyo is amazing, dont overthink the gear too much.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I have been thinking about your struggle with the X100V focal length. If the native 35mm equivalent field of view feels too tight for those narrow Seattle streets, you are basically trying to shoot wider than the lens allows, which is tough. Honestly, before you sell the body, have you considered how much wider you actually need to go? If you just need a little more breathing room, the Fujifilm WCL-X100 II Wide Conversion Lens is okay, but it does change the character of the camera quite a bit. Here is the reality of using that converter:
- It pushes you to a 28mm equivalent, which is classic for street but definitely makes the camera feel front-heavy.
- You lose that pocketability that makes the Fujifilm X100V 26.1MP Digital Camera so good in the first place.
- It is optically sharp, but you are adding an extra element that can flare if you are shooting into bright Tokyo neon lights. If you find yourself needing to swap lenses constantly, maybe the X100 series just isn't your vibe for travel? Have you ever thought about picking up a Fujifilm X-E4 26.1MP Mirrorless Camera with a Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R Wide Angle Prime Lens instead? That setup gives you a true wide prime without the bulk of a conversion piece. Do you think you would actually be willing to carry a small interchangeable lens body, or is the fixed lens experience the only thing keeping you on the system?
TL;DR: Honestly, before you dump the whole system, you should really think about whether you actually need more width or if your composition style is just hitting a wall. I have used those wide converters for a bit and they do add some bulk, but they are decent if you want to keep the same look without swapping bodies entirely. The main issue is that they make the camera feel a bit front-heavy, which gets old after a full day of walking around a city like Tokyo. Before you spend the money, a few things to consider: are you finding that 23mm is physically not wide enough to fit the subject matter in the frame, or do you just find the field of view too claustrophobic for your taste? Also, what exactly is your budget for a potential new setup if you decided to switch systems? Moving to another system might give you more flexibility, but you lose that compact profile that makes the X100V so convenient for street work in the first place. If you are dead set on wider angles, you might even consider renting a converter for a few days to see if the handling bothers you before you commit to the purchase. Might save you some cash and frustration.
Just catching up on this thread. Honestly, before you make any drastic changes, I am curious: are you currently shooting exclusively in JPEG or are you utilizing the RAW files to their full potential in post-processing? Sometimes a simple crop or perspective correction in software can provide the breathing room you need without additional hardware. If you really crave a wider perspective for your trip to Tokyo, I have been very satisfied with a reliable secondary body setup for travel. My current kit stays light and consistent:
- Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera
- Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R Lens This combo is incredibly compact and gives you that wider field of view without the bulk of front-heavy conversion glass. It feels very secure in the hand and works well for all-day shooting. Have you looked into the used market for a smaller body like the X-E series instead of going the converter route?
Tokyo is gonna be wild for street shots, seriously dont stress too much about the gear before you go. I totally agree with the software crop idea mentioned above, but if you want another angle to look at, check out the FujiXWeekly blog for some awesome custom film recipe inspiration that totally changes how you see different focal lengths. Also, Tokyo camera shops like Map Camera are super fun to browse if you end up wanting to grab something local over there.