i finally saved enough for the fuji xt5 for my london trip next month and im so pumped! thing is i have no clue which lens to buy and all the numbers are confusing.
sorry if this is dumb but what prime lens is best for street photography on this camera? i only have $500 left...
> i only have $500 left... Congrats on the X-T5! That 40.2MP BSI CMOS 5 HR sensor is absolutely incredible but it really needs high-quality optics to resolve all those pixels properly. Since you are heading to London, you 100% need weather resistance for the inevitable rain! I highly recommend the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR. It fits your budget perfectly and provides that classic 35mm equivalent field of view which is basically the gold standard for street photography. The internal stepping motor is lightning fast for autofocus which is vital for capturing candid moments. I love how compact it is too; the tapered design keeps you low-profile so you arent sticking a huge lens in peoples faces. Its honestly the most efficient combo for that specific body! Youll get sharp edges even wide open at f/2.0 which is fantastic for low-light London evenings.
Quickly adding my experience while I have a sec. Unfortunately, I had issues with my first lens setup on a similar trip. Saving money seemed like a good idea, but the performance was not as good as expected for such a high-res camera.
- The autofocus missed fast moving subjects.
- The glass couldnt resolve fine details.
- It felt fragile in the rain. Basically, cheaper optics often hamper these newer sensors.
Like someone mentioned, that 40MP sensor is pretty demanding. Ive been very satisfied using the Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lately. It basically gives you a 35mm equivalent view which is perfect for street photography. It handles the resolution well and fits your budget. The autofocus is fast and it works well in low light. No complaints from me, its a solid, cost-effective choice.
Would love to know this too
TIL! Thanks for sharing
> i only have $500 left... Just catching up on this thread. Honestly, with that budget and a 40MP sensor, you might want to consider the physical condition of whatever you buy very carefully. I think I heard that some older lenses can have slight mount play on the X-T5, which can actually tilt the focal plane and mess up your sharpness. Not sure if it's common but IIRC it was a talking point for a while. Make sure to inspect the lens mount for any signs of shimming or DIY repairs from previous owners. I would suggest checking the rear gasket too. If you are worried about the London weather, you can actually improve the seal yourself with a tiny bit of vacuum grease on the rubber ring, tho you have to be incredibly careful not to get it on the glass. Someone told me that certain budget primes also suffer from internal dust more than others. Since you are going to be in a city, you might want to look into a cheap UV filter just to seal the front barrel, tho some say it degrades the image. Just double check the alignment by shooting a flat wall before your trip starts... better safe than sorry.
unfortunately i had issues with my own gear recently and it was not as good as expected. i put a lot of faith in the technical specs but the reliability just wasnt there in the field. its a major letdown when you realize the glass cant actually handle what the sensor is putting out...
- the mechanical tolerances on some of these cheaper primes are pretty loose.
- i found that edge-to-edge sharpness really falls off on that 40mp sensor if the build isnt perfect.
- technical charts dont always account for how a lens feels after a long day of walking. tbh you should just search for fuji xt5 street photography lens reviews on youtube. there are a few guys who have done really deep technical dives into what actually works for that specific sensor. honestly just check reddit too, theres a whole thread about this that goes into way more detail than i have time for right now...