okay so I just pulled the trigger on the silver X-T5 and it gets here tomorrow but honestly im panicking a little bit because I still havent picked a lens and I fly out to Japan in literally ten days. My budget is pretty tapped out after the body but I saved about $850 for a solid prime lens that can stay on the camera the whole time. I really hate swapping lenses when I travel so I just want one do it all focal length that actually takes advantage of that 40mp sensor.
Right now I am totally torn between the new 23mm f1.4 R LM WR and the 33mm f1.4 R LM WR. I know the 23mm is the classic 35mm equivalent which everyone says is the king of street photography but im worried it might be a bit too wide for portraits or detail shots of food and stuff and I dont want my wife to look distorted if I take a close up. On the flip side the 33mm (50mm equiv) is supposed to be optically perfect and I love that look but will I feel claustrophobic in those tiny Tokyo alleyways or when we are inside small ramen shops? I also briefly thought about the little 27mm pancake just because its so tiny and would make the X-T5 actually fit in a big jacket pocket but I dont want to compromise on that autofocus speed or the weather sealing since we might get rained on while we are hiking near Mt Fuji.
My main priorities for this choice are:
- must have weather sealing for the trip
- needs to handle the 40mp sensor without looking soft
- fast autofocus so I dont miss candid shots
I usually shoot a mix of everything - street, some landscapes, and definitely lots of photos of my partner. I need something that focuses fast because I dont want to miss shots while we are moving around. My last camera was a Sony and I used a 35mm all the time but Ive heard the Fuji 23mm is a different beast. If you had to pick just one of these to live on your camera for a two week trip which one is the better all-rounder for the high res sensor on the X-T5? Is the 23mm really that much more versatile for travel or should I go with the 33mm for that extra bit of reach and the bokeh? I need to order tonight to get it in time...
honestly i would play it safe and go with the Fujifilm XF 23mm f1.4 R LM WR. for a trip to Japan those narrow alleys and indoor spots are gonna be super tight and with the 33mm you might find yourself backing into walls constantly just to fit a building or a group shot in the frame. since you have that 40mp sensor on the x-t5 you can always crop in a bit if you need that 50mm look for a portrait but you cant exactly un-crop if a lens is too tight. the autofocus on this one is basically instant and it handles the high resolution without breaking a sweat. the weather sealing is also top tier so it wont let you down if it gets drizzly near mt fuji. the Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR is technically more clinical but for travel versatility the 23mm is the more reliable choice for a one-lens setup. it just works for everything.
Just seeing this now and honestly im a bit disappointed that more people arent mentioning the weight and size trade-offs here. I went through a similar phase when I upgraded to the Fujifilm X-T5 Digital Camera and I had some real issues with the larger primes. I bought the Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR thinking it would be my forever lens but unfortunately it stayed in my bag half the time during my last trip... it just felt so restrictive. Here is what I learned the hard way about these new LM primes:
- They are chunky. The Fujifilm XF 23mm f1.4 R LM WR is optically amazing but it really changes the balance of the camera. After walking 10 miles in Osaka, I was definitely missing a smaller setup.
- The 33mm is just too tight for travel storytelling. I had issues trying to capture the scale of temples because I literally couldnt step back far enough without hitting a tourist or a wall. It was super frustrating.
- The 40mp sensor is a double-edged sword. While these lenses resolve the detail, they also show every tiny bit of motion blur if your shutter speed isnt high enough, and the heavier glass makes it harder to keep steady when you're tired. Since your budget is tapped out, maybe dont stress about the perfect lens as much as the usable one. Ngl, the 23mm is the only choice if you refuse to swap. The 33mm is technically better for your partners portraits but youll hate it for everything else in Japan. Its a bummer there isnt a cheaper mid-ground that hits all your WS and AF requirements perfectly without being so heavy.
Any updates on this?
Jumping in, I actually hated using the Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR in Japan. Too narrow.
- try Fujifilm XF 18mm f1.4 R LM WR
- wider for 40mp landscapes Its amazing.
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Can confirm this works. Did the same thing on mine and its been solid ever since.
