What lens should I actually get for street photography on my new Fujifilm X-T30? I literally just bought the camera last week and feel super lost looking at all the options online. I am pretty excited to start shooting around downtown Chicago since the weather is finally getting nice, but honestly I dont know the difference between a prime or a zoom lens yet. My budget is like 500 bucks max, is that enough? I just want something small that doesnt look too intimidating when Im taking candid shots of people walking by. Seriously sorry if this is a totally dumb question, I have no idea what Im doing...
Congrats on the new camera! Honestly, skip the zoom lenses for now. Theyre bulky and frankly ruin that discreet vibe you want for Chicago streets. You definitely want a prime, which just means a fixed focal length, because they are smaller and faster. With 500 bucks, you can easily snag a Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR. Its essentially a pancake lens. Unfortunately, the autofocus motor can be a bit noisy compared to newer designs, and Ive had issues with it hunting in low light, which was not as good as expected. Still, the form factor is unmatched. If you want something sharper, the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR is the gold standard for street. It might push your budget if you buy new, but keep an eye on used listings. Dont stress too much about the tech specs yet, just get out there and shoot.
Re: "Just catching up on this thread now. Honestly,..."
- I totally agree. Sadly, I had issues with the autofocus speed on the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR, it felt kinda sluggish.
To add to the point above: focus is everything. Before you drop cash, do you prefer a wider field of view or something a bit tighter for portraits? In my experience, the Fujifilm Fujinon XC 35mm f/2 is a safe, reliable pick that stays way under budget. It's super sharp and feels way more solid than the price suggests. Just dont rush into buying until you know what focal length you actually prefer.
Just catching up on this thread now. Honestly, you picked a solid little body with the X-T30. If you want to keep things compact and low-key for shooting downtown, you really cant go wrong with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR. It is basically a pancake lens, so it barely sticks out from the camera mount. It is super light, easy to stash in a jacket pocket, and the focal length feels super natural for street stuff since it mimics what your eyes see. Primes are just fixed focal length lenses, which means you have to use your feet to zoom. It sounds annoying at first, but it actually makes you a better photographer because you start thinking about your composition way more. If you really want something a bit faster for low light or that blurry background look, definitely look into the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR. It is a bit chunkier than the 27mm but it focuses faster and that f/2 aperture is great for those moody Chicago evenings. Both of these fall right in your budget if you look for them used or on sale. Dont worry about not knowing the difference, we all started exactly where you are. Just grab one, hit the streets, and dont be afraid to miss some shots while you learn the gear. You will figure it out way faster than you think.
