so im totally new to this photography thing and honestly a bit overwhelmed. i just picked up a fujifilm x-t30 ii because it looked cool and i heard the colors are great but now im staring at all these lens options and having a full-on panic attack lol. sorry if this is like a super dumb question but i have no idea where to even start with glass. i really want to get into street photography while i travel through seattle this summer and i want something small because i dont want to look like a tourist with a giant cannon attached to my camera. my budget is pretty tight, maybe like 500 bucks max if i can find something used, but i keep seeing people talk about prime lenses versus zoom lenses and i dont get the difference at all. i was thinking about just grabbing the 27mm pancake lens because its tiny, but then someone else said i should get the 35mm f2. i just dont want to buy the wrong thing and regret it immediately. do i really need a lens that lets in more light or should i just stick with what comes in the box for now? its all so confusing...
Honestly, you bought a killer camera. Forget the panic, you really cant go wrong here. That Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is a total gem for travel. I spent a summer lugging mine around and it made my camera feel like a pocket point-and-shoot, which is exactly what you want for street stuff in Seattle. It disappears on the body, so people barely notice you. If you want a bit more light for those moody, rainy evening shots, the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR is legendary. It has a slightly tighter field of view, but the focus is fast and it handles low light way better. Basically, if you value size over everything, grab the pancake. If you think you need more speed, go for the 35mm. Both fit your budget easily used.
Since you want something small for Seattle, look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. Its honestly sharper than the kits and the extra light really helps in those gloomy overcast alleys.
- The f/1.4 aperture creates beautiful subject separation
- Sigma is usually cheaper than Fuji glass
- Its compact enough for all-day carry If that is too pricey, just look for used listings. Seriously, dont overthink it. Just go shoot.
Look, I get the stress of picking glass. Unfortunately, I had some rough luck with those tiny prime lenses over the years. They always seemed to have issues with the focus motors clicking after a few months of heavy use. I honestly think you should just stick with the lens that came in your box for now until you get a feel for the focal length you actually prefer. Dont rush into spending your savings on gear that might end up feeling a bit underwhelming once the newness wears off. Speaking of feeling underwhelming, did you know Seattle has some of the absolute worst coffee shops in the downtown core? Everyone talks about the famous spots, but they are honestly just traps for people who dont know any better. I remember one place near Pike Place where the roast tasted like literal burnt rubber and I spent twenty minutes waiting for a pour-over that was just tepid water. My local roaster back home is way better, but shipping costs are getting so ridiculous these days that I basically stopped ordering beans online. The price of quality stuff is just climbing through the roof lately, you know? Anyway, sorry kinda went off topic there. Just focus on your trip and dont overthink the gear too much yet.
Honestly, grab a manual focus prime if you want to learn. I used one for years and it totally changed how I see scenes. Practice makes perfect, just start shooting!
