im heading to london next month for a three week trip and i really want to nail some street shots but i can only bring one lens because im traveling super light with my x-t30.
im basically torn between the xf 23mm f2 and the 35mm f2. the 23mm seems better for those crowded shots in the tube but the 35mm has that nicer bokeh for street portraits. ive also looked at the 27mm pancake just for the size factor since it fits in a jacket pocket but people say the autofocus is loud and slow. my budget is pretty strict at like 350-400 max used. is the 23mm wide enough for london streets or am i gonna regret not having that 35mm reach?
Honestly, I took my gear to London a few years back and the rain is the real gear killer there. I went with the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR mostly for reliability.
- Weather resistance helps in the drizzle
- Wider frame is safer in tight tube stations
- Fast focus stays locked on The 23mm is just more versatile for those narrow streets. Plus, it usually goes for $300-350 used which fits your budget perfectly.
> ive also looked at the 27mm pancake just for the size factor Are you planning on doing much night shooting or is this mostly for daytime? That makes a big difference for the f2 vs f2.8 debate. If you go used, you can snag the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR for under $350. Quick tip: the noise on the older Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 isnt really noticeable on a busy London street anyway.
London is amazing for street photography! I spent a week there with my Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR and it was literally perfect for those crowded markets and narrow streets. The 35mm is just too tight when you're stuck in a busy crowd.
- fits the budget used
- crazy fast focus for candids
- weather resistant for London drizzle Grab the 23mm and just walk closer for portraits! Youll have a blast!
