I'm leaving for my trip to Japan in literally three days and I still haven't settled on a lens for my X-Pro3. It's making me so anxious lol. I've spent hours on YouTube and forums and honestly I'm more confused now than when I started.
I keep seeing everyone say the XF 23mm f2 is the gold standard for street photography because of the 35mm equivalent field of view, but then I see others arguing that the 35mm f2 is better because it gives you a bit more reach and better subject separation. My problem is I'm kinda shy when it comes to taking photos of people, so I'm scared the 23mm will force me to get way too close, but I also don't want to miss out on those cool wide alleyway shots in Shinjuku if the 35mm is too narrow.
Here is what I definitely need:
- Budget is around $500 max, totally fine with used gear
- Must be compact because I want to use the optical viewfinder without the lens blocking half the frame
- Weather sealing is a big deal since I'll be out in the rain a lot
- Fast autofocus because I'm not great at zone focusing yet
Should I just stick with the safe 23mm choice or is there something else I'm overlooking like that 27mm pancake lens? I'm running out of time to order anything and I need to make a move tonight...
Regarding the 23mm #1 mentioned, I used mine in Osaka and loved the fast AF. Question: you shooting at night?
Agreed on the 23mm, but unfortunately buying new is a rip-off. To save cash:
- Buy a used Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR
- Avoid the 27mm, its AF motor is way too slow
Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I have to jump in here because this entire gear hunt is just driving me up a wall. Honestly, it is such a scam how these companies act like you need a specific thousand dollar lens just to take a halfway decent street photo. I have spent years shooting everything from candid street to architecture, and honestly its ridiculous how much they jack up the prices for weather sealing alone.
- It is truly exhausting how much time people spend splitting hairs over focal lengths when the real problem is that QC has been slipping across the board.
- Everyone is so obsessed with the perfect glass that they forget half these modern lenses feel like plastic toys compared to the older stuff.
- Watching folks scramble for gear right before a big trip is the worst kind of anxiety, and it just shows how much the industry loves to prey on that panic. Companies honestly do not care about the user experience anymore, they just want you to keep refreshing your kit every two years. It makes me want to scream how complicated it all is now, when back in the day you just grabbed a body and shot. Good luck with the trip though, try not to let the gear stress ruin your shots.
> I keep seeing everyone say the XF 23mm f2 is the gold standard for street photography because of the 35mm equivalent field of view, but then I see others arguing that the 35mm f2 is better In my experience, you should grab the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR and stop overthinking it. I've spent years wandering around Tokyo with an X-Pro body and that specific lens is the sweet spot for a few reasons. First, the OVF experience is just better. If you use the 35mm, the frame lines get pretty small, but the 23mm fills the finder perfectly without blocking your view with the lens barrel. It's much more immersive for that style of shooting. I totally get being shy, but Japan's alleys in places like Shinjuku or Golden Gai are incredibly tight. If you go with the Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR, you'll constantly find your back against a wall wishing you could go wider. The 23mm gives you that environmental context that makes street photos actually look like stories, not just random portraits. I've tried the Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 R WR too, and while it's a great middle ground, the autofocus is noticeably slower and clunkier than the f2 series. Since you're worried about missing shots, the 23mm is the way to go. It's snappy, weather-sealed, and tiny. You can find them used for around $350 easily right now. People in Japan are generally very polite and won't even notice you with that tiny setup anyway... just keep the camera moving and you'll be fine.
> I'm scared the 23mm will force me to get way too close, but I also don't want to miss out on those cool wide alleyway shots Just catching up on this thread. Everyone makes valid points about the standard focal lengths, but honestly, you might want to consider just grabbing a versatile prime from a third-party manufacturer. I totally agree with the others that you should avoid that specific pancake lens if speed is your priority! I've used plenty of glass from reliable alternative brands and they're usually awesome for traveling light without breaking the bank. Make sure you check the weather sealing ratings on those options though, as some third-party stuff isn't always as robust as the native gear. If you're stressed about the timing, just pick a reputable brand and go for it. You really can't go wrong if you stick with well-reviewed glass from the major lens makers. Don't overthink the gear too much, Japan is amazing and you'll get the shots regardless!
