I'm looking to do more low light and night photography with my Fujifilm X-T4. Any recommendations on the best Fujifilm lenses for this type of shooting? I mostly photograph cityscapes and street scenes at night.
^ This. Everyone has summarized the big ones perfectly, basically the f/1.4 primes are the heavy hitters for low light. But in my experience, you dont always have to spend a fortune to get great results. I've tried many different setups over the years and I'm always a bit cautious about recommending the most expensive glass right away if you are just starting out. If you are looking to save some money, definitely check out the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fujifilm X. It is a solid alternative to the native 16mm and handles night scenes beautifully for a fraction of the price. Also, if you are mostly doing cityscapes where you might have a tripod or a steady hand, dont overlook a used Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS. The OIS is actually incredibly helpful for street photography when you cant carry a tripod. It is usually a safer bet to start with something versatile before committing to a pricey prime. Honestly, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Fujifilm X is another great budget pick if you want that f/1.4 speed without the Fuji tax. Just my two cents after years of trying to balance gear lust with a realistic budget...
> Reliability and autofocus speed in the dark matter just as much as light gathering, especially for street stuff. To add to the point above, if you're after pure performance on the X-T4, I've been very satisfied with the newer LM WR primes. I've used the older glass for years, but the focus hunting in low light used to drive me crazy sometimes. The Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR has been my workhorse lately. It's incredibly sharp and the linear motor makes a huge difference when you're trying to nail focus on a moving subject at night. If that's too wide, the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is another solid bet. No complaints with either tho... they're just reliable tools that get the job done without the slow focus of the older f/1.4 versions.
- 18mm for wide cityscapes and environmental street shots
- 33mm for that classic 50mm equivalent look with modern speed
For night photography with Fujifilm X-T4 cameras, I recommend the following lenses:
Zoom Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR (II)
This versatile zoom lens offers a constant aperture of f/2.8, making it great for low-light conditions while providing a useful focal length range for various compositions.
Prime Lens: Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R
This prime lens features a fast f/1.4 aperture, allowing for excellent low-light performance and beautiful bokeh, perfect for capturing stunning night scenes.
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR - This wide-angle lens has a fast f/1.4 aperture, which is great for capturing starry skies and low-light scenes that perform well in low light while still delivering sharp images and good contrast. It also features weather resistance, making it suitable for outdoor shooting.