So I finally picked up the X-S20 a few months back after rocking the X-T20 forever and honestly the IBIS is a total game changer for the handheld stuff I do. I mainly shoot travel and street stuff and Ive been relying on the old 18-55 kit lens which is decent but man it struggles when the sun goes down and Im trying to keep the ISO from blowing out.
Im heading to Japan next month for three weeks and I really want to commit to a single prime lens for the whole trip to keep things lightweight. Im caught in this weird internal debate between the 23mm f2 and the 33mm f1.4... the 23mm is so tiny and perfect for walking around all day but that 33mm f1.4 has that rendering everyone talks about. Ive got about $700 saved up so I could go for the 33 if its actually worth the extra weight and cash.
Main things Im looking for:
- fast autofocus (the kids dont sit still lol)
- good low light performance
- weather sealing would be nice but not a dealbreaker
Anyone here used both on the X-S20 sensor? Im worried the 33 might feel a bit front-heavy on this specific body since the grip is different than the T series. Is the extra stop of light really worth the bulk for street photography? Im kinda leaning towards the 23 just for the size but then I see the bokeh from the 33 and get second thoughts...
To add to the point above: > ...the 23mm is so tiny and perfect for walking around all day but that 33mm f1.4 has that rendering everyone talks about. I actually picked up the Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR last year for a big trip thinking it would be my forever lens, but unfortunately, it didnt live up to the hype for me. It felt super front-heavy on my X-S10, which has basically the same grip as your Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Camera. After three days of walking 20k steps, my wrist was genuinely sore. The rendering is nice, sure, but I found myself leaving the camera in the bag more often because it was just too bulky for casual street stuff. I also tried the Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR as a cheaper alternative to the 33mm, but I had issues with the autofocus speed. It struggled way more than I expected with moving subjects, which is a bummer if you are chasing kids around. It felt like it was hunting every time the light dipped even a little bit. Honestly, Japan is cramped. I brought a 35mm focal length there once and felt totally claustrophobic in those narrow Kyoto streets. You end up having to step into traffic just to fit a building in the frame. Even though the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR is technically older, the size and the wider field of view are way more practical for travel. The extra stop of light on the 33mm is cool for bokeh, but your IBIS is gonna handle the low light stuff just fine. Dont make the same mistake I did by over-prioritizing specs over actual comfort.
In my experience, the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR is the smarter choice for a big trip. Heavier glass like the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR feels front-heavy on bodies like the X-S20, tbh. The 23mm is reliable, fast, and tiny. For street stuff, that 35mm equivalent is basically the gold standard. In my years of shooting, lighter is always better for travel. Stick to the simple setup.
Regarding what #4 said about "Same setup here, love it" - it is a solid kit for sure, but i actually disagree with the idea that you should stick to the f2 lenses just for weight. Japan at night is half the fun and f2 gets limiting once you're in the narrow alleys. Since you're worried about the 33mm being heavy, look at the Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X. It balances better on the X-S20 grip than the Fuji 33mm does. Its snappy and gives you that f1.4 light for around $550. Another decent option is the Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4 R. Its way smaller than the new 33mm and fits the budget easily. The AF is a bit slower but on the X-S20 sensor it holds up fine for kids. Dont settle for f2 just because of the size... you'll want that extra stop for the street photography vibe in Tokyo.
> I really want to commit to a single prime lens for the whole trip to keep things lightweight. Unfortunately, I had issues with that one-lens strategy on my last trip. I found it kinda limiting and actually felt a bit unsafe trying to frame shots in crowded spots. Is your main goal to capture the wide street atmosphere or are you focusing more on the kids? Im also curious if youve considered how much the extra weight might ruin your ergonomics after walking 20k steps.
Same setup here, love it