Which Fujifilm Lens Should You Get? 23mm vs 35mm F/2

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0:00 - Intro
0:12 - Why These Lenses
0:57 - The Similarities
2:36 - The Only Important Decision
3:00 - 23mm Review
4:47 - 35mm Review
6:09 - My Choice
7:09 - Alternative
7:49 - Final Thoughts
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[@dsego84]

The 35 has much nicer separation, it's great for people and candid photography since you don't have to be that close. The separation and field of view is such that the images feel more alive when viewing them, you can feel like you are there in the shot, it feels 3D. In comparison the photos I get from the 23 are a bit bland and flat, like a boring phone snap. Maybe it's my technique, it certainly requires better skills to get an interesting composition, but it's hard to get that separation. Also, getting real close to fill the frame is like real close, inches from someone's face, so it's harder not to disrupt your subjects, like my family and kids. That being said, I did purchase the new x100 because of compactness and other features, and even though the ND filter enables me to shoot wide open, I'm considering getting the TCL to fill that need for candid portraits. One interesting method I saw see online is that you can approximate the 35 framing on 23 by shooting vertical and cropping the top and bottom, it's a helpful composition tool.

[@itsr7studio]

The 23 f2 arrives next week! Looking forward to adding this to my kit. Excited about getting the 50 f2 next month. Thanks for this helpful review!

[@AlejandroPerez-kt8tb]

how is it going with your new 23?

[@oksanarepkina1176]

got the 23mm! and I like your photos so muuuuuch😍

[@drchtct]

Can't Fuji just do a 27mm F2 and we'd all be happy?

[@eastcoastiso3523]

I got both of these =) They're amazing !

[@0liver98]

Had the 35mm and just recently bought the 23mm! Excited to try them!

[@mattyloucas]

Epic choices!

[@Narsuitus]

With my first 35mm film SLR, I used a 50mm with a 135mm and a 28mm. With my second 35mm film SLR, I used a 35mm with a 105mm and a 28mm. With my first 35mm film rangefinder, I used a 45mm with a 90mm and a 21mm. With my second 35mm film rangefinder, I used a 35mm with a 90mm and a 21mm. Based on my experience with my film cameras, I knew what I wanted when I purchased my APS-C digital Fuji cameras. With my first Fuji APS-C digital, I used 24mm, 50mm, and 14mm Nikon F-mount prime lenses. With my second Fuji APS-C digital, I used 23mm, 56mm, and 12mm Fuji X-mount prime lenses. For my Fuji APS-C X-mount digital cameras, I do not have a 35mm X-mount lens. When I need the 35mm focal length, I use a Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8 X-mount zoom lens or an adapted 35mm prime lens. Since I know I prefer the 23mm focal length, I own and use a Fuji 23mm f/2 and a Fuji 23mm f/1.4 lens for my Fuji APS-C digital mirrorless.

[@Mamo878]

Get both!

[@voorachter2733]

Man my xf23mm f2 has been with me for years across multiple countries. Got it for a good price too, so many available on tbe used market. Can't commend it enough.

[@michael2968]

i started on 35mm but i wish i bought the 23mm first. still trying to decide whether to go for the fuji 23 f2 or the sigma 23 f1.4

[@stevegodsell]

Great video with sound advice. Buy both if you can. The XF23mm f2, XF(or XC)35mm f2 & the XF18-55 f2.8-4 will cover 95% of what most people need if not using them to make money. Then get out, use them & learn how they render before thinking about spending tons of cash on gear that is not needed.

[@jaapkamstra9343]

Hey great shots and great review. I wonder why youtube always converts focal lengths to full frame though. Fullframe is way to bulky for travel :)

[@Noobertmcnoob]

New to photography and ordered a XT5 with lense kit. For a prime I bought the 33mm. Is the 33 a good lense? Thanks 😅

[@frankartale1026]

23mm . I've had the f2 but i bought the new 23mm F 1.4 and its amazingly sharp. Like in a different league than any other lens i've owned. Maybe it's because i still use an X-E1 16mp camera idk. I also have the 35 f2 , 27mm 2.8 & the 18-55. 23 is my favorite.

[@ConstantinA1]

You need to add 50mm f/2 to the Fuji. Mate, without the 50mm f/2, you are missing a lot. What a banger of a lens it is! I have them all, and the compression, quality glass, and color rendering of 50 f/2 are on another level. BTW, I love your videos. Peace!!

[@manhealme]

I think the 50mm's performance is basically top 5 of all Fuji lenses. Possibly top 3

[@LucioParodi]

50 f2 is one of the best lenses I’ve ever used. It’s a great glass.

[@CallMeEsteban]

I have the 35 and took it to an event I was attending and it was a tight space, I looked through the viewfinder and just immediately turned off the camera knowing I wasn’t going to be able to get what I needed. But, it is amazing for so much other stuff, I don’t regret my purchase at all

[@DennisDomingo]

THanks Matty for this video. I just bought the 35m 1.4 and I have the 35mm f2.0. I'm looking to add the 23mm. I have 16mm-80mm f/4 which has it's positives, but the negative for me is the bulk .. I like the reach, but honestly I don't use the reach that much. When I went to Costa Rica, I didn't have long zoom lens, to capture seeing bats and hummingbirds, the guide just used his telescope to show me and I just put my iphone len on the telescope to capture video; that was enough

[@mattyloucas]

Ahhh totally feel you! That's the thing with gear hey, there's always a tradeoff no matter what price point / focal length!

[@prathyushraj2759]

I have Sigma 18-50 and Xc35mm for my XS-10 . Planning to get Sigma 23mm1.4 or viltrox 27mm 1.2. which one is better?

[@desmondedwards6309]

So if you had the x100v and got the TCL converter, you’d have the equivalent of a 35mm and a 50mm correct. Although the TCL is bigger than the prime you’re talking about.

[@EvigPoesi]

Good one!

[@mattyloucas]

Glad it helped!

[@leosaraiv]

I have both lenses, they are superb. How do you like the 18mm for travel/street?

[@ECDPhotography]

I have the same thought!

[@cdavey7654]

23 or 27 for me (or a good zoom)

[@nicoleclarisse7481]

got the 23mm!

[@mattyloucas]

Ayy love this!

[@jamestonbellajo]

One thing to call out is the 35mm f2 has a cheaper XC version where while the optics are exactly the same, the body is plastic instead of metal and there is no aperture ring. If you’re fine with that, it’s usually $100-$150 cheaper than the standard lens so you can grab that with the 23 mm f2.

[@LCM94120]

I have the 50mm f2 and tbh compared to the 35mm, it's "2 steps" difference to get the same field of view

[@slourme]

Is this the 23mm lens you're referring to? Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R LM WR

[@JamilMaqdis]

It’s the XF 23mm F2 he has in the video

[@gigsymon]

Sold my 23 35 f2 for the 27 f2 voigt! ❤

[@truongvien1172]

Why

[@patrickdoherty8701]

Yeah why 😂

[@torb-no]

@@patrickdoherty8701 It's less than half of the XF 35mm f2, yet it's still f2. Incredible lens. Also renders colours beautifully. You gotta be okay (or enjoy!) manual focus of course.

[@torb-no]

Kinda did the same, the Voigt is such a gem of a lens! Sold my 23 (and going to sell my 16 2.8), but still holding on to the 35m.

[@devenlad]

I choose 18-350mm

[@mattyloucas]

Nice!

[@jan-jans143]

Get the 27 f2.8

[@mattyloucas]

Also an epic option

[@PanditaP]

Am I the only one that think these lens are extremely ugly? I still love them though lol.