Ive been agonizing over the 23mm f2 vs the 35mm f2 for my X-Pro3. Im heading to Tokyo next month for a solo trip and really want to travel light with just one lens. Online reviews say the 23mm is the gold standard for street but then I see people complaining about softness close up, and others swear by the 35mm for that tighter cinematic look. Im just worried the 35mm might be too narrow for the tiny alleys in Shinjuku.
My main things:
- needs to be small so it doesnt block the OVF
- budget is around $450 used
- fast autofocus is pretty important for moving subjects
Which one handles better on the rangefinder body without feeling cramped...
Honestly, if youre heading to Shinjuku, you're gonna want the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR. Ive spent years shooting in Tokyo and those narrow alleys in Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho get cramped fast. In my experience, the 35mm often feels like your back is against a wall trying to get the whole scene in. The 23mm gives you that classic 35mm full-frame equivalent which is the sweet spot for street. The softness people complain about with the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR is basically a non-issue unless youre shooting macro at f2. For street photography, its snappy and sharp where it counts. Plus, on the X-Pro3, it barely clips the corner of the OVF. Its a tiny lens. I've tried many combos on my rangefinder bodies over the years and this one just balances the best. You can easily find a used copy for under $350, well within your budget. The Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR is a fantastic lens too, but for a solo trip where you only want one focal length, the 23mm is way more versatile. If you find it too wide, you can always crop a bit later, but you cant un-crop the 35mm when you're stuck in a tiny ramen shop... it's just a tighter squeeze.
