Best Fuji Street Lens Under $400?

Find this lens on Amazon: amzn.to/3vxeQEu
The fancy (F1.4) alternative: amzn.to/3HGJ8XU
Is 24mm the new 28mm? My quick review of Fuji's compact and very sharp 16mm F2.8 lens, specifically for urban street photography. This little lens absolutely sings... if you know how to use it!
DISCLAIMER:
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[@lensvana]

Find this lens on Amazon (AFFILIATE LINKS): amzn.to/3vxeQEu The fancy (F1.4) alternative: amzn.to/3HGJ8XU

[@swagonman]

LOL, I have same camera, lens, and grip. I bought the XT1 seven years ago when it was new. These days, I mostly use a bunch of small lenses: Fuji 16/2.8 & 35/2 plus Laowa 9/2.8 & 65/2.8 macro. I also have a few larger lenses. But generally, the 16/2.8 is the default and lives mounted on the body. One tip: you can enable the electronic distance scale. It also shows the DOF on the scale. Works well.

[@lensvana]

Thanks for that DOF tip, Karl. I like your choice of primes, almost a clean 2x each time from 9-16-35-65 and each lens serves a distinct purpose. The 16/2.8 is such a good fit for this camera!

[@swagonman]

@@lensvana Thanks. The 2x from lens to lens is on purpose. They are all small and feel really good. The 65mm is slightly bigger, but it is 2x macro and APO and focuses out to infinity. Also, it is crazy sharp.

[@raymeedc]

The Fujinon Street Sleeper, the under rated diminutive, light as a feather, cheap as dirt, plasticky & quirky but optically excellent 15-45mm zoom..... give it a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised. Can be had everyday on EBay in mint condition for under $200.

[@lensvana]

Thank you for the tip!

[@barrycohen311]

I have the 18mm f/2. People hate this lens but I love it. Fairly low cost on the used market.

[@lensvana]

I'm determined to try this lens out precisely because it gets a lot of hate. It's already a focal length I like and from what I hear/see renders things really nicely.

[@BradMorrisKA3YAN]

I love how you explained that street photography with the 16mm requires knowledge of composition to avoid dull or bland shots. Having a subject or object in the foreground really makes photo more interesting. Great video!

[@lensvana]

Thanks, Brad! Yea the wide angle shots are tougher, my street approach with this lens is to prefocus and compose everything and wait for an interesting foreground element to appear. Applies even more for landscape photography where lack of foreground can lead to a lot of dead space

[@WarpedTrekker]

That may be so, but the subject has to be very near on a 16mm wide angle. It only works in some instances. You dont need a person in every photo.

[@photoreviewed-com]

Great content, happy to share!

[@user-rn5hi5cv9x]

Thanks for the video. I love that Fuji.XT1, but for now i have a ricoh griii

[@lensvana]

GR III - nice! That's the real street king! :)

[@konradkoeppe2840]

Im still rockin my pentax mx1. Maybe not quite up to fuji level but a darn fun camera.

[@lensvana]

@@konradkoeppe2840 That one looks nice - like something out of a sci-fi movie! Fun factor is the most important factor at the hobbyist level anyway

[@DANVIIL]

New sub, you got some really great images with that Fuji 24mm lens. I liked them the most of what I"ve seen, but I only started yesterday.

[@lensvana]

Thank you for the support! I find that just standing at a busy intersection with a wide lens is practically cheating--so many interesting subjects pass through in just a few minutes

[@simonefaluschi3940]

Nice review, thanks. I already have the 16 1.4, that is a wonderful lens, but I am seriously thinking to get ALSO the 2.8 for street, to be mounted on my x-e4 (my x-t3 + grip is very well balanced with the 1.4 but too much eye-catching).

[@lensvana]

Thanks, Simone! I agree x-e4 and the 2.8 would be a nice pairing. When the light starts dropping though, you're going to wish you brought the 16 1.4 :)

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

The 16 mm F 1.4 is pin sharp from corner to corner. The only other lens that is that sharp is the 50 mm 2.8 .

[@lensvana]

That 16mm F1.4 is very tempting especially with manual focus clutch mechanism

[@edc5338]

I have the Sigma 16mm 1.4. It is a bit bigger but very sharp and inexpensive.compared to Fuji's.

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

18-55

[@lensvana]

I need to try this one, people say it's great for video too