So I have been dragging my X-T3 everywhere lately but the 18-55mm kit lens is just getting a bit annoying to carry around all day while I am roaming around downtown Chicago. I really want something smaller and faster for street stuff. I am definitely looking for a prime, like something I can just leave on the body and not worry about.
My budget is around 400 to 600 bucks, maybe a little more if I go used on MPB or something, but I dont want to go totally broke since I am saving for a trip next summer. Right now I am stuck between the Fuji 23mm f2 and the 27mm f2.8 pancake lens. My logic was that the 27mm makes the camera basically pocketable which sounds like a dream for candid shots where I dont want to look like a tourist, but then I worry about losing that extra stop of light since I do a lot of evening walks. And then there is the 23mm, which feels more like a classic street focal length, but it definitely adds more bulk to the front.
I also looked at the Sigma 23mm f1.4 just because the reviews are so wild lately, but I am nervous about the size compared to the Fuji glass. Is it actually worth the extra weight? I am super torn because I want the sharpness of the Sigma but the convenience of the pancake. Has anyone actually made the switch to the 27mm for daily carry and regretted it? Or is the 23mm just the objectively better lens for composition? I just cant decide if I want to prioritize the form factor or the aperture speed for my night shots...
Honestly, grab the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR if you want that true pocketable magic! I used to stress about the aperture, but for street, the size is just a game changer. You will actually take the camera out way more often. If you really need low light, just bump your ISO on that X-T3. It handles noise like a champ anyway! You'll love it.
> I want the sharpness of the Sigma but the convenience of the pancake. Be careful chasing sharpness over ergonomics. You might want to consider the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR instead. It is wider, which helps with city shots, and extremely reliable for street work. Honestly, the 27mm pancake is notorious for having a noisy autofocus motor. Make sure to test one first if you go that route. Don't risk your travel budget on gear that might fail you.
To add to the point above: those lenses are great, but have you considered just sticking with the kit lens for a bit longer? Saving that cash for your trip is honestly the smartest move you can make. Plus, I once spent all my travel funds on a new bag and had to eat plain bread in Venice for a week. The views were nice but I was starving! Anyway lol, hope you make the right call.
Jumping in here to say the choice really comes down to your shooting style. If you really care about the evening walks, that extra stop on the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR is legit helpful. The 27mm pancake is awesome for size, but it can be kinda frustrating when the sun goes down and you have to bump your ISO into noise territory. I wouldnt sweat the Sigma being too big tbh. The Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is sharp as a tack and the f/1.4 really makes night shots pop. If you want the best of both worlds, maybe look for a used Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR first since it balances well on the X-T3 without feeling like a brick. It is a solid middle ground between the pancake and that larger Sigma glass.
