Looking for the best street photography lens for Fujifilm X-T30 II.

Question

I finally pulled the trigger on a Fujifilm X-T30 II last week and I'm honestly loving the colors but the 18-55 kit lens is just too much for what I want to do. I'm heading to NYC for a week next month and I really want a setup that fits in my jacket pocket or at least doesnt look like a huge camera rig when I'm walking around. I want to keep it under 500 bucks so I'm looking at the used market mostly.

Im really torn between these three right now:

the 27mm f2.8 r wr pancake lens

the 23mm f2 r wr

the 35mm f2 r wr

The 27mm seems perfect because it makes the camera so tiny but I'm worried f2.8 might be too slow for some night shots in the subway or whatever. The 23mm is the classic focal length everyone raves about for street stuff but it sticks out more. Then there is the 35mm which is super sharp and fast but I'm scared it might be too tight for narrow streets. I mostly do candid shots and some architecture stuff. Which one should I go for if I can only bring one prime? I keep switching my tab between ebay listings and I just cant decide...

Marvinslaks · Accepted Answer

Totally agree with the previous post about the size factor, that really is the main thing to consider for a trip like this! Adding my two cents from a technical perspective because those little Fujicrons are fascinating pieces of glass. Since youre hitting NYC, you definitely want something that handles the high-contrast city light well. Here is how those specs actually translate to the street:Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR: This is the speed king here. It uses an internal focusing system that moves tiny elements in the middle, so focus is basically instant at 0.05 seconds. That 35mm equivalent field of view is much better for architecture than the 35mm lens.Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR: Only 84g! It is crazy how they fit an aperture ring and weather sealing in something that thin. Dont let the f/2.8 scare you away from night shots tho, your X-T30 II sensor handles ISO 3200 or 6400 with amazing grain that looks like film anyway.Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR: Technically the sharpest of the bunch with almost zero distortion, but yeah, it feels really tight when youre surrounded by skyscrapers. If you want to save some serious cash for your travel budget, you could even look at the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 AF Fujifilm X Mount which is a fantastic budget pancake that performs way above its price point. Honestly, for the subway and tight streets, the 23mm f/2 is the sweet spot for versatility! Feel free to ask if you want to dive deeper into the MTF charts or anything like that.

Trozzibycug · Answer

Choosing just one prime for a week in NYC is a tough call, especially when you are trying to keep the budget tight. Over the years I've tried many different setups for the city, but man, looking at your list reminds me of a trip I took a few years back. I had saved up about five hundred bucks for my travel fund and spent weeks overthinking every single gram of weight in my bag. I was so obsessed with being invisible that I wore this nondescript gray hoodie and kept my camera tucked under my arm like it was some kind of contraband. I spent three hours scouting this specific corner in Chinatown because the light was hitting the fish crates just right, you know? Anyway, while I'm standing there trying to look like I'm just waiting for a bus, this huge film crew rolls up with like four production trucks and they start setting up for a perfume commercial. Total chaos. I ended up getting into a long conversation with their craft services guy because he legit thought I was one of the production assistants. He actually gave me a whole box of those fancy artisanal donuts. I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on a fire hydrant eating maple bacon crullers and watching them film a scene about a guy losing his umbrella in the rain. I didnt take a single photo that entire day because my hands were too sticky from the glaze. Practical tip for you tho... always carry wet wipes if you're going to be eating street food near your gear. I still think about those donuts more than the shots I missed. Its funny how you plan every single detail of your setup and then life just hands you a box of donuts and a flat sky instead.

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Looking for the best street photography lens for Fujifilm X-T30 II.