honestly im just so fed up with my 23mm f2 right now. i bought it because everyone says its the gold standard for street on the x-pro3 but i swear every photo i take lately looks so flat and boring. my logic was that the 35mm equivalent would be perfect for just walking around downtown chicago but everything feels way too far away or just lacking any kind of character. it feels like i'm shooting with a phone sometimes and it's making me not even want to bring the camera out anymore which sucks because i have this big trip to nyc coming up in three weeks.
i was thinking about maybe the 35mm f1.4 since people say it has that special magic or whatever but then im worried itll be too tight when i'm in a crowded spot. or maybe i go the other way and try the 18mm? i have around 700 bucks to spend on something new and i really need to find a prime that actually feels fun to use. i keep looking at reviews but they all say something different and im just stuck. what are you guys actually using on the xpro bodies that doesnt feel so clinical and perfect all the time...
I went through the same phase with that 23mm. It is technically fine but lacks soul. I moved to the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R and it has way more character, though the autofocus is definitely slower and noisier than modern lenses. Quick tip: use the manual aperture ring to stay engaged. The tighter 50mm field of view helps isolate people in busy spots like NYC, making photos feel less cluttered.
Just saw this. Are you shooting mostly people or architecture downtown? To add to the point above: check out the Fujifilm XF 18mm f2 R. Its quirky, small, and I'm super happy with it.
No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.
man i feel this so hard... i remember taking my x-pro to a wedding in seattle last year and i was in that exact same headspace. i spent weeks overthinking which glass to bring because i was so worried about things failing on me or just not looking right. i ended up packing way too much stuff just in case because i didnt trust my primary setup to handle the lighting or the vibe. my bag was so heavy i could barely walk five blocks downtown without needing a break. by the time the ceremony started my strap actually snapped because of all the weight... it was such a total nightmare. i spent the whole time worried about my gear breaking or being the wrong choice instead of actually taking photos. it really kills the mood when you cant rely on whats in your hands and you feel like you're fighting the equipment instead of it just working. i basically left my camera in the drawer for three months after that trip cuz i was so burnt out on the whole ordeal. honestly its just exhausting when the gear doesnt feel right.
