leaving for a trip to tokyo in like literally ten days and i still havent decided on a primary lens for my x-h2s. i mostly do street stuff at night so i need something fast but the x-h2s is a bit chunky compared to my old x-e4 so weight is kinda a concern if im walking 20k steps a day. i am totally torn between the xf 23mm f1.4 r lm wr and the xf 33mm f1.4 r lm wr. the 33mm seems so sharp but im worried itll be too tight for those narrow shinjuku alleyways ya know? but then the 23mm is wider but maybe too wide for portraits?
i have about 900 bucks to spend and i need to order it tonight to get it in time for the flight. i keep looking at sample images and i just cant decide which one fits the x-h2s autofocus better for fast moving subjects. i also thought about the little 27mm pancake just for the size but i feel like the x-h2s needs the newer linear motor glass to really shine for what i'm doing. should i just go with the 23mm for the versatility or is the 33mm the magic lens everyone says it is? what would you pick for a high speed street setup...
Tokyo alleys are way tighter than they look, so I would suggest the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR. I tried a 50mm equivalent in Shinjuku once and it was a total struggle...
- be careful with the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, youll be backing into walls constantly
- the 23mm is way more versatile for night street stuff
- make sure to stick with the LM glass for that fast x-h2s focus
Honestly I think you should just stick with the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR. I have been very happy with this lens on my H2S and it is definitely the safer bet for a busy city like Tokyo. It handles the fast autofocus system perfectly and I have no complaints about the sharpness even wide open at night. Technical tips for your trip:
- The linear motor (LM) is essential for that body, dont settle for the older non-LM versions.
- 23mm is much more forgiving when you cant step back any further in narrow streets.
- Weather sealing works well for peace of mind during travel. The 33mm is a beautiful lens but it can feel restrictive in tight crowds. I find the 23mm works well for almost everything. It is a solid, reliable choice that wont let you down.
Yep, this is the way
To add to the point above: do you prefer wide shots?
- Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR: reliable, works well.
- Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR: happy with sharpness, but tight.
Would love to know this too
@Reply #4 - good point! honestly i agree that the 23mm is the safer bet for an area like tokyo. i saw this thread earlier but am just now getting to it. since you're using the Fujifilm X-H2S, sticking with the updated linear motor glass is the smart move for consistent results.
- the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR provides a more natural field of view for tight spaces compared to the 33mm.
- weather sealing on the WR lenses is definitely worth having if you run into rain while walking those 20k steps. for night photography, the wide aperture is consistent across both options, but the wider focal length is just much more forgiving for street work. grab the 23mm and dont look back.