ive been looking into lenses for my new x-pro3 for a while now but i keep going back and forth between the 23mm f2 and the 35mm f2. i read that the 23mm is the standard for street stuff but then i see people saying the 35mm is better for getting those tight shots without getting right in peoples faces which i'm kinda nervous about. i'm heading to chicago in a few weeks and i want to really get into street photography there. i really want something that doesnt block the optical viewfinder too much.
here is what i'm looking for:
- budget is under $500 so maybe used is fine
- must be weather sealed for the lakefront wind/rain
- small enough to keep the rangefinder vibe
- snappy autofocus is a huge plus
is there another option i'm missing or should i just pick one of those two...
saw this earlier and just getting to it now. honestly you might want to consider the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR instead. i used to carry both 23 and 35 but swapping lenses in a windy city is risky for your sensor. just make sure to get the R WR version specifically so it survives the rain. the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR is super snappy too, but i found it way too tight for general street stuff...
I've stuck with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR for years and honestly im still super satisfied. It handled a messy trip to London once without a single issue and I have no complaints at all.
- pick it up used for $300
- tiny and fast AF
- doesnt block the OVF much Saving money on a used copy lets you buy more gear later anyway!
Quick reply while I have a sec. Like someone mentioned, the 23 is solid, but I've spent years shooting the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR and it's perfect if you're nervous about getting close. It doesnt block the OVF at all and the AF is snappy. I took mine through a rainy Chicago winter once and it never skipped a beat. Check used prices, usually around $300.
Regarding what #3 said about "saw this earlier and just getting to it...", the point about swapping lenses in a windy city is a big deal for reliability. I remember shooting a series in a dusty area and even with the sensor cleaning on, I ended up with spots that were a pain to edit out. If you are worried about the lakefront wind, picking one lens and sticking to it is probably the smart move for the health of your sensor. Not sure but I think some people have mentioned the Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X as an alternative.
- It has a gasket at the mount for some weather protection
- The AF is supposedly very quiet because of the stepping motor
- Its a bit larger tho, so IIRC it might cut into your OVF more than the Fuji f/2 version I havent personally tested how the OVF parallax handles the Sigma glass on the X-Pro3, so that might be a gamble. Honestly, the Fuji f/2 primes are designed specifically for that rangefinder style. I've heard the weather sealing on the native glass is a bit more comprehensive than the third-party stuff, but I dont have the teardown data to prove it. Just make sure whatever you get has that R WR designation if you go Fuji, otherwise the Chicago mist might eventually get inside the barrel.
Great info, saved!
