The Best Travel Photography Lens - Fujifilm 23mm F2

A FREE Preset on me (updated) 🤝 - freepreset.carrd.co/ Choosing the right lens for your travels can be quite a challenge! That's why today I hope I can offer some insight into the one lens I think every travelling photographer should consider - the Fujifilm 23mm F2
0:00 - Intro
0:38 - Why I have this lens!
1:35 - Image Quality
3:41 - Build & Ergonomics
5:11 - Auto-Focus
5:55 - Video
7:11 - Overall Impressions
//
Sign up for my newsletter and receive a FREE Lightroom Preset! - mattyloucasvisuals.com/subscribe
//
Support my work while receiving exclusive photo content - / mattyloucas
Me:
Website - mattyloucasvisuals.com​​
Instagram - / mattyloucas
Twitter - / mattyloucas

[@sawmusic6717]

Simple but informative review. That’s what I looking for herein KZbin. Thx young man.

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

Hi Matty, I have just decided to get one of these lenses along with a new X-PRO 3. This is my first step into the Fuji Family. Thanks for your videos and advice you give. Cheers from Australia.

[@Glazehikes]

Great images. Really loved your use of Astia. So glad to see this video as it makes me feel Good about ordering one of my own. Peace

[@videobyjnt]

Great video. You have a good delivery. I also have this lens and use it often on my E-E2 and E-T30.

[@alishmaly1]

Love it. Thanks for the real world \ situational review

[@pas0003]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@didimartaditia]

thanks for sharing, i'm planning to get one soon

[@jpr-tech]

Yep, I also use the 23mm f2 about 90% of the time. I only put on the 15-45mm for wide shots and the 50mm f2 wr for portraits. But the 23mm F2 is great for all the reasons you mentioned. And actually it saved me yesterday when I got caught in a sudden rain storm. My X-H1 and the 23mm f2 wr survived just fine!

[@andreasordi119]

I also have the 23 and the 15-45 but i’m not sure to keep them both cause are pretty similar, can you tell me your thoughts about this?

[@heisenberg470]

I had this lens but at the end I changed it for the 23mm f/1.4. It's very much better in my opinion, not only for the widest aperture but also for his character.

[@duncanmacleod8066]

Your pics on the xe4 are AMAZING

[@bushigi5913]

I used to own this lens and I really enjoyed taking pictures with it. Later I purchased Sigma 30mmF1.4 for fuji which is even better in the sense of aperture(better bokeh). From time to time I still miss the wideness and lightness of 23mmF2. Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@mattyloucas]

Ahhh nice! Thanks for tuning in

[@bobmichaelsphoto]

After many many years of using a film rangefinder with a 35mm f2.0 lens, the Fuji 23mm f2.0 works the same for me. So I shoot it 90% of the time as well. I have six Fuji lenses but feel confident just carrying this one.

[@albertsmith9315]

I have many cameras and lenses, my potential selections are numerous and varied. That said, I have a chrome 23mm f/2 permanently mounted to my Chrome X-E3 which would be my grab-and-go setup for when I don't have a specific requirement for other gear. This lens is terrific working within its strengths. There is a known weakness which is wide-open aperture at the minimum focus distance. So knowing that, either stop down a bit or move back a bit. For most any other situation, shoot at f/2 without fear. Like you say, this might be the only lens that you really need.

[@visualsbypreet]

Nice review mate, this lens looks great on my X-Pro3 too 😊

[@mattyloucas]

Don’t doubt that mate! Love it

[@fotogmike5887]

Very nice video. The talking head part looks great. What camera and lens did you use for making that part of the video? Thanks!

[@sykoNR]

Nice review. I struggle between this fuji setup and Eos R + 70-200 f4. I use Fuji xt30ii in the past and I enjoy a lot that's why I am not sure if I will like canon ...

[@lstarkiller1]

Awesome review! Curious if you considered the 27mm F2.8 at all.

[@alejgr]

great video, also kastellorizo is amazing island 🙂

[@mattyloucas]

Thank you! Yes, it's a beauty - good pick up!

[@opensourceside]

I'm just starting out in the Fuji world and I have an XT30 II with an XC 15-45 kit lens that confuses me a bit with a strange zoom that I control badly for now and that F3.5 doesn't convince me much I read conflicting opinions. I'm tempted to buy this lens too. I would like to leave for my next trip with a compact and good optics but I'm very doubtful at the moment because I've tried very little the 15-45 and such a compact and light zoom with wide angle could be a good choice.

[@nelmopaes]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@josephlai1078]

Great video. What is your experience with this lens at night? I have the aperture open to 2 stop and sometimes still need to crank up the ISO in order to get a decent shutter speed in order not to blur the image.

[@jakesteurrys4225]

I have this lens for my xe4 it's so good

[@Deetroiter]

I was conflicted on which lens to get when I got my first fuji (xp3)...it was the 23mm f1.4 or the f2....I ended up going with the f2 and couldn't be happier. It does most everything I want it to very well. I couldn't justify paying twice the price for the 1.4 when there's only a fraction I wish the f2 did better. Great lens at its price point, most definitely.

[@violettamae9388]

Is this lens will be good for video?

[@sidharthjoshi2979]

Hi, great review. I am changing over from Canon. What lens would be good for travel, street and video ? Appreciate its a big ask for all three in one.

[@peterhuang5011]

I would recommend XF23mm f1.4 instead of the f2 version. I owned f2 before and I don't like the annoying busy bokeh. While the f1.4 lens produces much creamy background blur.

[@engelbert611]

do you sometimes miss the small 23mm lens of the x100 and it's nd-filter?

[@phil1353]

Why is it that when I go to menu I only have the option of MF I can’t even click it to try and change to AF. Does anyone know how?

[@macfc440]

I use the 35mm F2, but the 23 looks amazing too

[@dzikraeka]

so it ends up being 55mm?

[@mtv4008]

Bro can you do a video on your camera settings on xe4 and also film simulations that you use. I’m a beginner thank you 🙏🏽

[@CasperLabuschagne]

I have almost the identical use case, a single lens to accompany the X-S10 that goes down to F2, is versatile and compact enough to carry all day.

[@Furkan-vm5nt]

Hi , I want buy 23mm f2 lens for my xs-10 body , what do you think about this lens ? I will use this lens for video

[@CasperLabuschagne]

@@Furkan-vm5nt I have yet to buy the lens but it ticks all the boxes and should be highly suitable for blogging-style video with interviews etc. That Fujifilm uses the 23mm format as the standard lens on the X100 series of cameras that are highly acclaimed tells me that this is probably the most versatile lens for family and street-photography type of applications.

[@oheey8161]

What camera did you used for this video? Thanks

[@Furkan-vm5nt]

Hi , I want buy 23mm f2 lens for my xs-10 body , what do you think about this lens ? I will use this lens for video

[@lxhk3595]

I find myself more and more using the 18-55 because I find the images superb. Particularly the dimensionality of the pictures is sometimes amazing for a zoom. Something I rather miss with the 23mm f2.

[@nicholasnathan7331]

Do you prefer the 18-55mm lens? I bought the kit lens with the X-T30ii, but I might return it for the 23mm

[@lxhk3595]

@@nicholasnathan7331 I struggle with the 23mm f2. The pictures look flat to me. And what's bad too is that it isn't able to shoot clean pictures wide open and close. That's a known weakpoint too. I keep it only for rainy days with my x pro3.

[@TerraMagnus]

I'd suggest the 27mm would be an even better match for the X-E4. It comes in at about 40mm focal length which is pretty close. But it ends up being a much lower profile. The other thing I might prefer is the Voigtlander 23mm, only because I enjoy manual focus lenses more than AF.

[@Amcacs5654]

I like the form factor of the 27mm more but would rather have a 35mm equivalent than a 40mm.

[@iamfyrus]

I use to own all 27mm. The old and new version plus TTartisan 27mm. 40mm field of view is tight for me. Went back to 23mm f2

[@desmondedwards6309]

So is this lens basically the same lens on the x100v or does it have different aspects to consider? Thanks

[@_noahrh]

Do you sense that there's a noticeable difference in image quality between the 23mm f2 vs the 18-55 at 23mm? The 18-55 is hard to beat! Very cool review thanks for putting so much effort into it - fun to watch!

[@atlasmoon5497]

i wonder the same thing

[@iandisney4872]

I have an X S10 and just the 18-55 so I would also be very interested in a comparison of the 23mm f2 vs 23mm on the 18-55 which is f3.2

[@alexmdangelo]

Just curious, what was the b-roll shot on?

[@xhonyalla6013]

Wow who is this guy and why is he not famous

[@akhilguru443]

I have subscribed but I didn't receive the preset!

[@axlasthejunior7921]

Are you in kastelorizo right ?

[@voorachter2733]

Does the standard lens hood of the XF35mm f2 fit in the XF23mm f2?

[@imshms2012]

Yes

[@carlosalientes151]

Hi, how would you rate the 23mm f2 for low light or night photography?

[@Eaton.]

f2 gets a lot of light in, so put the iso at like 800 and I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

[@brokenhomefc]

i love the color of your pictures! do you sell presets?

[@mattyloucas]

At this stage I don’t! If you follow the link in the description, you can sign up to my mailing list and receive a free preset of mine!

[@jakubw8535]

@@mattyloucas Are all you photos from Greece are edited by your presets or some are SOOC? They look awesome, the colors and overall vibe - asking since I'm going to Santorini next week ;)

[@douggoodhill]

i sold my X100F and bought a 23mm f1.4 r and had 700.00 left over, not to mention a far superior lens. the f2 is long overdue for a redesign

[@drchtct]

Guy at 1:19 didn't get the "light travel kit" memo :D

[@method341]

Hey mate, what setup did you use to actually shoot this video?

[@mattyloucas]

My Sony A7IV with the 24-70 GM!

[@zevik84]

Xt4 doesn't have any ibis? In what universe?

[@InertiaEffect]

X-e4

[@vigodrakken7916]

I must be the only one who doesnt care for this lens. I had the 27 and thought the 23 would be so much better, so I purchased one brand new. After using it Im not sure I want to keep it, cant put my finger on it but I just dont know why Im not loving it.

[@Flybeck]

How much would you sell it for, if you do? Id be interested depending on your location :)

[@HH60gPaveHawk]

You’re not the only one. The acuity dropoff as you get closer to your subject is so rapid and unpleasant that this soured me from Fujis f/2 line for years.

[@iamfyrus]

Which "made" your 23? Japan/China/Pilippines?