Fuji X Series

Finally upgraded my X-E3 to an XT-5 after 5 years and picked up a few extra lenses too. I already had the 50-140mm f2.8 and the original 27mm f2.8 pancake. I added the 14mm f2.8 and 35mm f1.4. (roughly matches my nikon kit which is 20mm f1.8, 55mm f2.8, 80-200mm f2.8)


Changed the eye cup to a GFX one as I prefer the round shape. Thus far, the AF has been the biggest revelation followed by IBIS. Way faster and eye AF is pretty impressive.
 
Nice upgrade!

I’m still content with this little beaut.

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Had the 23mm F2 for eons now, despite being a good lens and very portable it’s the weakest in my lineup.

I’m borrowing the 33mm f1.4 from Fujifilm over the weekend to potentially replace it. Has anyone had any experience with this?

I see a lot of comparisons between the 33 and 23 f1.4 so I guess I could also consider the 23 1.4 but one thing that escapes me is why everyone seems to think the 23 is better for street photography? If it was more discreet than the 33 then I’d understand but they are more or less identical. Also, with street photography surely having more reach is a good thing. I bought the 56mm a few years ago for portrait work and now use it as my main street photography lens, so I think the 33 might be a better fit for me despite not having the flexibility of the 23.
 
Barks said:
Had the 23mm F2 for eons now, despite being a good lens and very portable it’s the weakest in my lineup.

I’m borrowing the 33mm f1.4 from Fujifilm over the weekend to potentially replace it. Has anyone had any experience with this?

I see a lot of comparisons between the 33 and 23 f1.4 so I guess I could also consider the 23 1.4 but one thing that escapes me is why everyone seems to think the 23 is better for street photography? If it was more discreet than the 33 then I’d understand but they are more or less identical. Also, with street photography surely having more reach is a good thing. I bought the 56mm a few years ago for portrait work and now use it as my main street photography lens, so I think the 33 might be a better fit for me despite not having the flexibility of the 23.
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There is also the Vltrox 27/1.4 to consider, right in between and its meant to be excellent and not that expensive.
 
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Barks said:
Had the 23mm F2 for eons now, despite being a good lens and very portable it’s the weakest in my lineup.

I’m borrowing the 33mm f1.4 from Fujifilm over the weekend to potentially replace it. Has anyone had any experience with this?

I see a lot of comparisons between the 33 and 23 f1.4 so I guess I could also consider the 23 1.4 but one thing that escapes me is why everyone seems to think the 23 is better for street photography? If it was more discreet than the 33 then I’d understand but they are more or less identical. Also, with street photography surely having more reach is a good thing. I bought the 56mm a few years ago for portrait work and now use it as my main street photography lens, so I think the 33 might be a better fit for me despite not having the flexibility of the 23.
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33 for me is a better subject focused lens. 23 is better for capturing more of the scene. I prefer the 33 as it has that camera look. The wider I go the more phone/mundane the photos become ime.
 
LiE said:
33 for me is a better subject focused lens. 23 is better for capturing more of the scene. I prefer the 33 as it has that camera look. The wider I go the more phone/mundane the photos become ime.
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I also have the 16mm f1.4 for wider stuff but that lens is also incredible at portrait photos. I’ve never known anything like it to deliver such rich bokeh and a sense of the surroundings.
 
I've never really understood the fixation with specific focal lengths for "Street Photography" (whatever that is). I'd say the focal length that fits your style of photography and what you're used to using is far more relevant. When I'm out and about I usually have my 12mm fitted by default, but that's just me, and I like ultrawide!
 
CGrieves said:
I've never really understood the fixation with specific focal lengths for "Street Photography" (whatever that is). I'd say the focal length that fits your style of photography and what you're used to using is far more relevant. When I'm out and about I usually have my 12mm fitted by default, but that's just me, and I like ultrawide!
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I enjoy the challenge of shooting different focal lengths and using primes. Agree though I don’t think you can read any amount of reviews to make the decision you just have to experiment and find what works for you.

The 56mm f1.2 is an interesting example. It is absurdly bad at focusing yet that’s exactly one of the reasons I enjoy using it for street photography, it makes the whole process more challenging. Sometimes I get a great photo but it’s a bit soft or not quite in focus - but actually moving beyond the need to have every shot technically flawless opens up more creativity IMO.
 
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I find it very interesting shooting with an old MF 1970s Pentax 50mm f1.4 on a Fuji. The lens is technically incapable of what we'd call sharpness nowadays, so I just don't worry about it. Lots of dreamy pics with unreal bokeh and inaccurate colour- good fun.
 
Barks said:
Had the 23mm F2 for eons now, despite being a good lens and very portable it’s the weakest in my lineup.

I’m borrowing the 33mm f1.4 from Fujifilm over the weekend to potentially replace it. Has anyone had any experience with this?

I see a lot of comparisons between the 33 and 23 f1.4 so I guess I could also consider the 23 1.4 but one thing that escapes me is why everyone seems to think the 23 is better for street photography? If it was more discreet than the 33 then I’d understand but they are more or less identical. Also, with street photography surely having more reach is a good thing. I bought the 56mm a few years ago for portrait work and now use it as my main street photography lens, so I think the 33 might be a better fit for me despite not having the flexibility of the 23.
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It's because the 23mm allows for more of the background/setting/scene in the image compared to the 33mm that is more subject focused. This is why the 27mm works so well, as it's a blend of both.
 
Drollic said:
It's because the 23mm allows for more of the background/setting/scene in the image compared to the 33mm that is more subject focused. This is why the 27mm works so well, as it's a blend of both.
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Yep 27mm has become my new favourite “walkaround” focal length - it hits that sweet spot.
I initially bought the XF 27mm f2.8 purely for its size but, as I said, it has become one of my favourite lenses and it’s plenty sharp to boot.
 
Took the XF33mm f1.4 out for a test drive yesterday and it’s an incredible lens.

Superior in every single way to the XF23 F2 and the XF56 1.2. The focusing in particular is incredible, I could just point and shoot at the GF as she was walking at 1.4 and most of the photos were still razor sharp in focus.

The focal length enables more creative photos than the 23 IMO but obviously this is subjective. I don’t personally think it will bother me not being able to go as wide.

Going to order one of these and keep my 23mm F2 for the rare occasion I want to travel super light but still take my camera. Will probably pair the 33 with my 16 and ditch the 56. Now the question is do I buy a brand new one or try and get a decent second hand deal.
 
Looks like £699 is the best price brand new and there are some used ones in good condition going for around £550.

Is anyone aware of any other offers buying new? If that gap is narrower I might as well just go new.
 
Barks said:
Looks like £699 is the best price brand new and there are some used ones in good condition going for around £550.

Is anyone aware of any other offers buying new? If that gap is narrower I might as well just go new.
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I’d go used like new with 12 month warranty. Or wait until there’s an eBay code to reduce the 699 by 75 on a new one.
 
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