I'm stuck between the Fujinon 23mm f2 and the 35mm f2 for my X-Pro3 and really need to know which one feels better for fast street shooting. I just picked up a used X-Pro3 body because I love that rangefinder style but now I'm paralyzed by lens choice. I'm heading to Chicago next month for a week of just wandering around the Loop and I want to keep things super minimal—just one lens on the camera the whole time.
I like the idea of the 23mm because it gives that classic 35mm equivalent field of view which is like the gold standard for street stuff I guess? But then the 35mm f2 is so tiny and I've heard the autofocus is snappy which is a huge deal when people are moving fast. I also looked at the 27mm pancake since it makes the setup pocketable but I'm worried the f2.8 might be too slow for evening shots or if the focus motor is gonna be annoying and slow compared to the f2 series.
My budget is pretty tight after buying the body so I'm looking at the used market around $350 to $450 max. I really want something that doesn't block the optical viewfinder too much because thats the whole reason I got this camera anyway. Does the 23mm block the OVF a lot more than the 35mm or is it basically the same? Hard to tell from photos online...
> Does the 23mm block the OVF a lot more than the 35mm or is it basically the same? I went through this exact same panic last year before a trip to NYC with my own X-Pro3. Buying the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f2 R WR seemed like the smart move since its the classic street focal length, but you really gotta be careful with the OVF blockage. It sticks out just enough that the bottom right corner of your frame is basically a guess. A street performer shot I took was ruined once because I couldnt see a pole in the way. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f2 R WR is much safer for that rangefinder experience. It tapers down so it stays out of your sightline much better. While the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f2.8 R WR is tiny, that focus motor is older and might struggle in the shadows of the Loop. Sticking with the 35mm is probably your best bet for reliability.
Totally agree with the warning about that 27mm pancake, it's basically a snail when things get dark. Saw this earlier and wanted to add a caution about your Chicago trip... you really gotta be careful with the weather there. Those streets get super damp and the wind pushes moisture everywhere. I'd suggest looking into the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X instead. It's technically sharper than the f2 primes and that extra light is a lifesaver in the Loop's shadows. I once lost a whole day of shooting because my non-sealed gear got too damp and started acting wonky, so reliability is huge. Just a heads up tho, it lacks a physical aperture ring. Also, the OVF framelines for 30mm are much more natural on the X-Pro3 than the 23mm ones, which basically touch the edges of the finder. Usually goes for around $300 used too.
Jumping in here because I am honestly so happy with how these little f2 primes feel on the X-Pro series. They just balance perfectly and don't make your wrist ache after four hours of walking. Regarding the OVF blockage, the 35mm is definitely a bit slimmer towards the front element, so it feels less intrusive than the 23mm when you are looking through the glass. It is a subtle difference but if you are sensitive to that kind of thing it might matter. Quick question though to help narrow this down... are you planning on doing a lot of shooting after the sun goes down in Chicago, or is this mostly a daytime thing for you? Also, do you usually like to get right up in the action or do you prefer keeping a bit of distance from your subjects? That choice between 23 and 35 usually comes down to how much you like to interact with the scene vs just observing it from the sidewalk.
Honestly, I have had issues with both when it comes to the OVF blockage on the X-Pro3. To answer your question directly, the 23mm does block a bit more than the 35mm, but neither lens is as good as expected for a truly clear view. I even tried some DIY vented hoods to fix it, but it still feels like a compromise... the 23mm is especially disappointing because it sits right in that corner where you notice it constantly. To help clarify what you need:
- Are you mostly shooting during the day, or is low-light performance your priority?
- How much do you value weather sealing for your time in Chicago? Neither of these is a perfect solution, so knowing your focus would help.
Just catching up on this. You might want to be careful with that 27mm pancake tho... its focus motor is pretty loud and might hunt too much in those darker Chicago alleys. If you need speed on a budget, I would suggest the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 AF X-Mount instead. It handles evening shots better than the f2s, but just be aware it will definitely block more of your OVF than those slim Fuji primes.
^ This. Also, that 27mm pancake really is a letdown once the sun drops. I tried it for a while and just couldnt deal with the hunting in low light. Honestly tho, ive been kinda disappointed with those f2 Fujicrons lately. Everyone raves about them but they just feel a bit clinical and soul-less for street work imo. Boring, basically. Since youre looking at the used market and want a different flavor, maybe try to find a Zeiss Touit 32mm f1.8. The autofocus isnt quite as fast as the Fuji 35mm f2 and it can be a bit noisy, which is annoying for stealthy street stuff, but the rendering is way better. It has that punch the f2 series lacks. Another brand to look at is the Tokina atx-m 33mm f1.4 X. Its basically a cousin to the Viltrox but the build feels a bit more solid in hand. Unfortunately, it still has that chunky barrel that blocks a good chunk of the OVF... which is such a drag when you actually want to use the rangefinder features properly. Chicago streets are wide enough that 23mm is great, but man, the blockage on these fast third-party primes is always a bummer. Just keep an eye on your budget because prices on the Zeiss fluctuate a lot.
