Got a Fuji camera? Have a passion for shooting in public? You aren’t sure which Fuji lens would work best for street photography, are you? You’re in luck because the purpose of this essay is to provide an answer to that pressing topic.
Small camera bodies and lightweight lenses are ideal for street photography because of their portability and convenience. When you aren’t carrying a large DSLR camera with a cumbersome telephoto lens, you won’t put as much pressure on your body, and it will be much easier to get those beautiful candid images.
In the following paragraphs, you’ll find our recommendations for the top Fuji lenses to help you become a master of street photography.
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Best Fuji Lens for Street Photography
1. Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R
Even though it is a 35mm lens, it will provide you with an equivalent focal length that is somewhere around 50mm when used with an APS-C sensor. This is a fantastic focal length for general-purpose photography, and it lends itself quite well to the genre of street photography. In point of fact, one of the most outstanding street photographers of all time, Henri Cartier Bresson, chose to use a 50mm lens on his Leica rangefinder camera.
Even when set to its widest aperture, the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 lens maintains an exceptional level of sharpness. You can use this lens in bright sunlight at an aperture of f/16, or you can use it in a room with dim lighting at an aperture of f/1.4. The entire picture quality is really breathtaking, boasting vivid color reproduction and a silky, velvety bokeh effect. Even when there is a lot going on in the background, the bokeh will not become choppy (like foliage).
Although it is not the most affordable lens, the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 is priced competitively considering the high-quality flagship product that it is. If having the newest and most technologically sophisticated lenses is not a priority for you, then the 35mm f/1.4 is an excellent investment to make.
2. Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R
$475.00
Save: 424.95
To go from automatic to manual focus, all you have to do is pull the focusing ring toward you. In other words, the process is straightforward and uncomplicated, and there are no switches to fiddle with. Those who like to use manual focus can take advantage of this feature. This lens does not come with image stabilization, so having an ultra-wide aperture is quite beneficial since it allows you to shoot with a faster shutter speed in low-light circumstances. This is especially essential because the cheaper version of this lens, which has an aperture of f/2, is shown below.
The Fuji 23mm f/1.4 lens has an effective focal length of 35mm, making it an excellent choice for shooting street photography. In addition, the lens possesses exceptional levels of sharpness and image quality. The colors are reproduced really well, and the background blur between f/1.4 and f/2.8 is absolutely stunning.
Because of how quickly this lens can focus, it is an excellent choice for capturing moving subjects in street photography. In general, the Fuji 23mm f/1.4 is an excellent lens; but, it is not weather sealed, which may be a deal breaker for you if you frequently take photographs in inclement weather such as rain or snow. It is not the least expensive Fujifilm lens, but it is fantastic for photographing people and scenes in public places.
3. Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR
However, I ask for your patience. A focal length of 76 millimeters enables you to get quite near to your subject without having to go right up in their face. This is a great perk for introverted street photographers as well as those who adore taking candid pictures of people going about their daily lives. Because wider lenses encourage you to come closer to the action, larger focal lengths provide you the opportunity to shoot photographs from a variety of perspectives.
The Fuji 50mm f/2 is an outstanding tiny lens, and the cost of purchasing it is really reasonable. Because of how very quickly the autofocus works, this lens is fantastic for shooting action. The aperture priority mode prevents the use of the manual focus ring during AF operation; however, this is not likely to be a significant obstacle for the majority of street photographers.
You may take pictures in the rain, snow, and other inclement weather as long as your camera can withstand the elements as well as this lightweight and the compact lens offers weather and dust protection.
The bokeh is quite pretty and unbroken, and the image quality is very high. The sharpness is quite good over the entire aperture range, and the sharpness in the center is exceptional from f/2 to f/4. In general, this is an excellent lens that can be had for a very reasonable price.
4. Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR
This little lens is built like a tank, despite the fact that it has a compact and lightweight construction. The body and lens mount are both made entirely of metal, and it also features weather sealing for added protection. You won’t have to worry about the inevitable knocks and bumps that come with shooting on the street because this lens is lightweight and compact enough to carry about all day.
Even in challenging lighting circumstances, the autofocus on the Fuji 16mm is lightning quick, and it is also exceptionally accurate. However, it does not feature image stabilization, which is something that would have been useful, but its absence is not likely to be a deal-breaker. You can get your hands on this incredible lens for an incredible price, and it is perfect for telling the stories that the streets have to tell.
5. Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R
$799.00
Save: 200.95
The lens has an effective focal length of 85 millimeters, which may confuse some street photographers. However, I find that shooting street photography with longer focal lengths is more fun for me since it rattles things up and enables me to capture some really creative shots. It also indicates that you are able to shoot your subjects covertly from a distance, without getting in their way. Additionally, it is the ideal focal length for taking street portraits.
The nighttime performance of this lens is outstanding when it comes to capturing images of city streets. The crispness is remarkable, in addition to the depth of the colors. This lens creates some of the most beautiful backgrounds of any of the Fuji lenses, especially when used at f/1.2, and the bokeh is outstanding across the aperture range.
Although it is robustly made, this lens does not have any kind of weather sealing. Another disadvantage is that it can be excruciatingly slow to focus, which means that it is not appropriate for subjects that are constantly moving. Nevertheless, in spite of these drawbacks, the 56mm f/1.2 is a lens that has a great deal to recommend, and the image quality it produces in low light is absolutely outstanding.
6. Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR
To begin, the price is a significant amount lower than that of the f/1.4 version. Additionally, it is resistant to the elements. Because of its compact size and low weight, this lens makes for an excellent traveling companion that won’t bog you down even during long days spent walking around the city. In addition, the rapid and noiseless autofocus makes the camera ideal for street photography, particularly when capturing movement in relatively quiet environments.
You don’t get the really tiny depth of field that you can attain with the f/1.4 lens when using larger apertures, but the bokeh is very good in these situations. Sharpness is not an issue with the f/2 version, and in fact, some expert lens testing has shown that it is actually a bit sharper than the 23mm f/1.4.
The f/2 lens does not have image stabilization, which, when combined with the smaller maximum aperture, makes it less optimal for photography in low-light conditions. However, the f/2 lens is still an excellent compact lens in general. If you don’t require that additional stop of light, you should think about purchasing the (way more affordable) f/2 version rather than the f/1.4 one.
7. Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR
Because of this range, you are able to capture wide-angle street vistas or zoom in for a more intimate look at your subject without having to be physically close to them. If you only need one lens to cover all of your photographic needs, you won’t have to spend money on or lug around as many prime lenses.
The Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8 lens has a sturdy construction, and it also has weather protection incorporated into it. Incredible in terms of optics, especially when compared to the majority of other Fuji lenses, which are somewhat mediocre. In point of fact, it has a crisper image than a good number of the Fuji prime lenses that are now available.
Unfortuitously, you have to pay a price in terms of weight for this optical superiority: the lens is cumbersome, hefty, and can cause some camera bodies to seem off-balance. Although it comes with a hefty price tag, this lens is built to professional standards and is designed to last for a good number of years.
The Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8 is equipped with a blazingly quick autofocus system. In addition to this, it performs well in all types of light circumstances and does very little focus hunting, even when the light levels are low. If you are seeking a Fuji zoom lens that is both adaptable and of great quality, then this one might be the one for you.
