Ugh so I just got the X-S20 and I'm already losing my mind trying to pick a prime lens. I spent like three hours watching YouTube videos last night and I'm honestly more confused than when I started. I see everyone saying the XF 35mm f2 is the perfect starter because it's tiny and weather sealed but then other people swear that the newer 33mm f1.4 is the only way to go if you want that pro look. The 33mm is way more expensive and heavy though and I'm trying to keep things light for my trip to Tokyo next month.
I just want something that makes my photos look better than my phone without carrying a brick around. Here is what I'm looking at:
- Budget is around $600 max (buying used is totally fine)
- Needs to be fast enough for night shots in the city
- I mostly do street stuff and some portraits of my girlfriend
- Not too big because the X-S20 is already kinda chunky with the grip
Like is the 35mm f2 gonna be disappointing? I keep reading about focus breathing on the older lenses and I dont even know if that even matters for what I'm doing. Should I just save my money and get the 23mm instead? I just cant decide...
You're totally overthinking the focus breathing thing... unless you're shooting professional cinema, you wont even notice it. Since you're heading to Tokyo, I would suggest sticking with the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR. The Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is a beast of a lens, but be careful because it will make your X-S20 feel super front-heavy after walking 20k steps. Keep these points in mind:
- The f2 lenses are tiny and wont scare people during street photography.
- Weather sealing is a lifesaver if you get caught in a Tokyo drizzle.
- Your camera has IBIS, so f2 is plenty fast for night shots. Make sure to look at the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR instead tho. 35mm is often too tight for narrow Japanese alleys and you might struggle to get the scale of the city. It was a struggle for me in Shinjuku last year.
Tokyo is gonna be absolutely incredible! Honestly dont stress the 33mm... its way too heavy for a vacation where you're walking 20k steps a day. If you want that fast f1.4 look without spending a fortune, you gotta check these out:
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X: This lens is a total steal! It gives you that amazing blurry background for portraits of your girlfriend but costs way less than the Fuji version. Its fantastic in low light tho.
- Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR: Since you're doing street stuff in Tokyo, the 23mm is basically a cheat code. Its wider than the 35mm so you can actually capture the scale of the city and those neon signs. Tiny, fast, and super light.
- Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR: The ultimate pancake lens. If you want the smallest setup possible, this is it. It makes the X-S20 feel like a totally different camera, almost pocketable. I'd grab the Sigma if you really want that pro bokeh or the 23mm f2 for the best street vibes. Both are way under your 600 limit if you buy used... seriously dont overthink it!
Commenting to find later
Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
