Forum

Which Fujifilm lens...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Which Fujifilm lens is recommended for street photography on X-Pro3?

5 Posts
6 Users
0 Reactions
180 Views
0
Topic starter

I'm moving to Tokyo next month and spent way too much on my X-Pro3. My logic was getting the 23mm f2 for those wide shots but I read it's super soft up close. Then everyone says the 35mm is sharper but I'm worried it's too tight for narrow streets. I'm just frustrated cause I can only afford one lens right now...


4 Answers
12

Like someone mentioned, third-party lenses are a total lifesaver when you have blown your budget on a beautiful body like the X-Pro3! I love it when people find ways to make this hobby affordable. Since you are hitting Tokyo soon, you seriously need to look at these:

  • Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF
  • This lens is fantastic! It is way faster than the Fuji f2 and gives you that creamy background for way less cash.
  • Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
  • Honestly, this might be the best budget move. It is super compact and covers everything from wide alleys to tight portraits. Its gonna be amazing!! Tokyo streets are narrow but 23mm usually fits just fine. Ngl, most of that softness talk is overblown unless you are shooting bugs or something... go enjoy your new life there!


10

> Then everyone says the 35mm is sharper but I'm worried it's too tight for narrow streets. I'm just frustrated cause I can only afford one lens right now... In my experience, the fear of a lens being too tight usually vanishes after your first hour in Shinjuku. I have spent years wandering those alleys, and I actually prefer the slight compression you get from something a bit longer. One time, I got caught in a massive summer typhoon near Shibuya crossing with my Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR. Most people with their fancy kits were scrambling for cover, but that little lens just kept ticking because of the weather sealing. Reliability is huge when you only have one piece of glass and you are thousands of miles from home. You dont want a lens that feels like a toy or risks bricking your expensive X-Pro3 if a little humidity gets in. If you are really stressed about the width but want something better than that 23mm, you gotta check out the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR. Its basically the ultimate street lens for that body because it keeps the whole setup low profile. In my experience, locals react way differently to you when your camera looks like a tiny point-and-shoot. Plus, the newer version has an aperture ring and proper sealing, which is a lifesaver for Tokyo winters. Quick tip: Stick to the optical viewfinder on your X-Pro3 when using the 27mm. It lets you see what is about to walk into your frame before it actually happens, which is way more useful for street work than obsessing over corner sharpness. Just get out there and shoot, you wont regret the pancake lens.


5

Technically, the 23mm softness at f/2 is mostly spherical aberration at minimum focus distance. Annoying, but manageable. Since youre on a budget, i'm quite satisfied with the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 AF X-Mount. It works well. The 40.5mm equivalent field of view is a perfect middle ground for Tokyo. Costs way less than first-party glass and the pancake profile fits the X-Pro3 perfectly. No complaints about the sharpness honestly.


2

Tokyo is going to be absolutely amazing for your X-Pro3!! Honestly, you made a fantastic choice with that body. For the streets there, you 100% need to stick with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR. I have used this lens for years in heavy rain and crowded spots, and it never lets me down! People talk way too much about the softness at close range, but for street photography, you are rarely shooting at the minimum focus distance anyway. It is such a reliable workhorse and the autofocus is lightning fast which is exactly what you need in Shibuya or Shinjuku! Here are my quick tips for making that lens shine:

  • If you are worried about the softness, just stop down to f/2.8 or f/4 when you are shooting close up subjects and it becomes tack sharp.
  • Trust the weather sealing because Tokyo gets some crazy downpours and this lens handles it like a total champ. You really dont need to worry about the 35mm being too tight because it definitely is for those small side streets. Stick with the 23mm and you will have a blast capturing the energy of the city! It is the safest bet for a one-lens setup and I promise you will love the results! It is just a fantastic piece of glass that feels like it was made for that camera. Let me know if you need anything else!


Share: