I finally saved up for this X-Pro3 because I saw it online and it looked so cool and vintage but honestly Im so frustrated right now. I thought it would be simple but it didnt even come with a lens and now looking at all these options is giving me a massive headache. I dont know what any of these numbers mean like what is f2 vs f1.4 and why are some so much more expensive? I am going to Chicago in three weeks for my cousins wedding and I really wanted to walk around the loop and take those cool candid street shots but I feel like an idiot because I cant even figure out which piece of glass to buy.
I spent way too much money on the camera body alone like almost 1700 bucks and now my budget is basically gone I only have about 400 left for a lens which I realize now might have been a huge mistake. I just want something that isnt huge and heavy because I dont want to look like a total tourist with a massive telescope hanging off my neck while I walk around. Someone told me to get a 35mm but then someone else said that actually means something else on this specific camera and my brain is melting. Sorry if this is a dumb question but what is the absolute best lens for street photography for someone who has no idea what they are doing and is on a tight budget?
Dude, dont even sweat it! We all start somewhere and the X-Pro3 is an amazing piece of gear to learn on. I remember when I first got mine, I was so confused why my 35mm lens felt way tighter than my friends phone camera... basically it is because of the 1.5x crop factor on these APS-C sensors. Since you are going to the Loop, you gotta get the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR. It is super tiny, weather-sealed, and the autofocus is blazing fast! It gives you a 35mm equivalent field of view which is basically the gold standard for street. I honestly prefer the f2 series over the chunky f1.4 glass because they are way lighter and fit your 400 dollar budget perfectly. If you want something even smaller, the Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 R WR pancake lens is fantastic. It weighs almost nothing and makes the camera look way less intimidating to people on the street!
Regarding what #5 said about "Just found this thread. I totally get the..." - yeah, dropping nearly two grand on a body and having zero left for glass is a total rite of passage lol. Dont beat yourself up! That X-Pro3 is a beast and you are gonna love it. Since you are on a super tight budget, you gotta look at the hidden gems that arent the super expensive fancy metal lenses.
- Check out the Fujifilm XC 35mm f2. It is basically the exact same glass as the expensive version but made of high-quality plastic. It is super light, fits your budget perfectly, and the autofocus is lightning fast for those candid shots in the Loop.
- If you want to save even more cash for deep dish pizza, look at the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 AF. It is crazy small and honestly punches way above its weight class for like half your budget. It keeps the camera looking vintage and sleek.
- To explain the numbers simply: a smaller f-number (like f1.4) means the lens can open wider to let in more light, which is great for blurry backgrounds. But for walking around Chicago during the day? An f2 or f2.8 lens is plenty small and way easier on the wallet! You are gonna have a blast at that wedding. Just keep it simple and dont overthink the gear too much yet...
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
Honestly im in the same boat. Been shooting for years but finding a good street lens under 400 that isnt massive is basically impossible. It is just so frustrating.
> what is the absolute best lens for street photography for someone who has no idea what they are doing and is on a tight budget? You made a killer choice with the X-Pro3! Seriously such a vibe. Since you are worried about the budget and size, you 100% need to look at the Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 R WR. It is a pancake lens, which basically means it is tiny and flat. It turns that camera into a stealth machine for the Chicago Loop because it doesnt look like a big scary professional setup. About that 35mm confusion... basically a 23mm or 27mm lens on your camera looks like what people call a normal view on older cameras. If you want to save even more cash, the Fujifilm XC 35mm f2 is a total steal at around 200 bucks. It is made of plastic instead of metal but honestly the image quality is amazing for the price. Just grab one and start clicking... you are gonna love it!
Just found this thread. I totally get the budget stress. When I first started out, I dropped all my cash on a body and had to wait weeks just to buy a memory card... it was a nightmare. When you are walking around the Loop, you really gotta be careful about not looking like a target with flashy gear or a massive setup. I once had a lens get bumped pretty hard in a crowded train station, so I always prefer something low-profile now. I would suggest looking at these two to stay under $400:
- Fujifilm XC 35mm f2. This is basically the 'budget' version of Fuji's fancy metal lenses. It is made of plastic which makes it feel a bit like a toy, but the glass inside is actually great. It is super light and you can usually find it for around 200 bucks. Be careful tho, it is not weather-sealed.
- TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 AF. You might want to consider this third-party brand if you want the smallest lens possible. It is incredibly cheap at about 150 dollars. Just keep in mind that third-party glass can sometimes have weird autofocus glitches compared to official Fuji stuff. I would personally go with the XC 35mm for reliability. You dont want a lens failing while you are at the wedding. Make sure to grab a decent neck strap too so the camera stays safe while you are exploring.
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