fuji 23mm f1.4 vs fuji 23mm f2

when i shot film, my "walk around" lens was a 35mm f2...

i loved the lens for most all of my walk around snapshots and whatever...

im seriously considering the fuji x-e2s or x-e3 and would love to have a prime lens (most of my EF canon is fast zooms)...

other than the obvious stop difference in speed, and probably build quality is there any significant differences between the two? of course the price is double for that extra stop but in addition to it...

id like to NOT carry a speedlite, this would be the only photo gear i carry so that extra stop could very well come in handy in shade or evening/morning shooting...

i dont plan on any action shots or birding or anything of that nature...

Heya,

While this is not what you asked, sorry, have you considered a Fuji X100 series body? It has the 23mm F2 pancake, built in flash, a leaf shutter (sync at fast shutter even at F2 for fill which is awesome), built in other features, like ND, wifi, etc? It's basically a digital range finder with a 35mm FOV that you're used to, with F2 speed.

I have the old X100S, and it's my every day walk around camera. I went that way from using my full frame and 35mm F2. I don't miss the big camera anymore.

Very best,

Was about to say similar to the above, consider an X100t or X100s or better yet the new F. Might also stop you buying a load of Fuji glass as the lens is fixed.

Otherwise the 23/2 has quicker AF and is smaller and a WR lens. The 23/1.4 has a better manual focus set up and is optically better + the stop. For street a lot seem to use the f/2.

MalVeauX wrote in post #18541649
Heya,

While this is not what you asked, sorry, have you considered a Fuji X100 series body? It has the 23mm F2 pancake, built in flash, a leaf shutter (sync at fast shutter even at F2 for fill which is awesome), built in other features, like ND, wifi, etc? It's basically a digital range finder with a 35mm FOV that you're used to, with F2 speed.

I have the old X100S, and it's my every day walk around camera. I went that way from using my full frame and 35mm F2. I don't miss the big camera anymore.

Very best,

no. i hadnt even thought about it, because i like the option on interchangable lenses in case i move beyond the P&S format...

Two Hot Shoes wrote in post #18541698
Was about to say similar to the above, consider an X100t or X100s or better yet the new F. Might also stop you buying a load of Fuji glass as the lens is fixed.

Otherwise the 23/2 has quicker AF and is smaller and a WR lens. The 23/1.4 has a better manual focus set up and is optically better + the stop. For street a lot seem to use the f/2.

what exactly is a WR lens? i see that in the product descriptions but only "WR" with no real explanation...

WR = Weather Resistant

so ive been looking back and forth between the X100F and the X-E3


X100 much more compact and less obtrusive lens
X-E3 interchangeable lens if plans change down the road

X100 f2.8 non-interchangeable lens
X-E3 bigger package


both run about $1200 ready to go (the X-E3 needs a lens or as the kit)...

If you get smitten with the system, you can always sell the X100 series and go into the X-E*, X-PRO, X-TX series.

It's a 35mm equivalent FOV at F2 speed system with excellent quality, excellent sensor. And it's smaller than another body with a larger lens.

I started with an X100S for this exact reason. I still use it as my every day, all day. Does it all. Flash and everything. Dead silent. Can't even tell I'm taking photos. It was $350. The cost of a cheap lens.

Very best,

In hindsight I kind of think I should have gone with an X100 rather than the older X-Pro1 that I bought a few years ago. I got a deal on the X-Pro and a pair of lenses that made it far cheaper than a new X100S (at the time) but over time I've gone back to my Canon camera as neither of the lenses I have quite fits me - the 18mm f/2 (28mm) is too wide for how I like to shoot, and for some reason the 27mm (40mm) pancake doesn't work for me the same way the Canon 40mm does. I do need to go back to using the Fuji 27mm and see whether this is just in my head though.

I don't know if it's GAS but I think a 23mm would have been just right, and the X100 has the adapter lenses to go a little wider and a little longer which I think would have been ideal for me - shooting mostly at 35mm equivalent and occasionally adapting the focal length a little.

That's my experience and hindsight talking. Maybe if I had got an X100 and found the focal lengths just right I would have wanted to the upgrade to a full Fuji system anyway. Who knows. I'd look at the X100 though. Is there any way for you to try out the cameras you're interested in?

Best of luck with your decision.

Owain Shaw wrote in post #18542804
Is there any way for you to try out the cameras you're interested in?

as far as i know, there arent any camera stores left in my area. most of what was around "back then" were the generic stores that sold nothing but accessories. im going to have to look around online and see if there are any actual brick and mortar stores in existence...


thanks for everyone's thoughts on this...

Here's the X100S next to a Galaxy S7, next to a 1D.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/235k​XRZ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ZYNf​zb

Ltdave wrote in post #18542884
as far as i know, there arent any camera stores left in my area. most of what was around "back then" were the generic stores that sold nothing but accessories. im going to have to look around online and see if there are any actual brick and mortar stores in existence...

thanks for everyone's thoughts on this...

so i got a chance to do some web searching. low and behold there are 3 stores in the greater metro area. one is across the border in Canada but even with the exchange rate, their prices are about $200 more than here in the states...

of the other 2, one is the same store i got my very first camera (Canon AE-1) from...

if i get a chance, i guess ill be swinging by to peruse and buy. pricing looks to right on par with what ive seen on the interwebs...

Ltdave wrote in post #18542515
so ive been looking back and forth between the X100F and the X-E3


X100 much more compact and less obtrusive lens
X-E3 interchangeable lens if plans change down the road

X100 f2.8 non-interchangeable lens
X-E3 bigger package


both run about $1200 ready to go (the X-E3 needs a lens or as the kit)...

It's an f2 lens, not an f2.8.

I'm still debating whether to get the X-E3 or the X100F myself (to trade my X100T), I wouldn't even consider the X-E3 if I were primarily a 35mm equivalent "guy", but I much prefer 28/35mm equivalent FOV. I do love my X100T though.

Ltdave wrote in post #18543329
so i got a chance to do some web searching. low and behold there are 3 stores in the greater metro area. one is across the border in Canada but even with the exchange rate, their prices are about $200 more than here in the states...

of the other 2, one is the same store i got my very first camera (Canon AE-1) from...

if i get a chance, i guess ill be swinging by to peruse and buy. pricing looks to right on par with what ive seen on the interwebs...

I like to buy in brick and mortar stores more and more over time. There are things you don't get on the internet and maybe the prices are higher but you get that service and the chance to try things out, you have a place to take it back to if necessary. If you know exactly what you want then online is fine, although I still don't know exactly where we're heading with jobs and automation and drone deliveries ... anyway, if I have money to buy something then I probably have money to buy it in a store.

I am a little late here, but thought I would chime in. I did shoot canon for over 20yrs and was bored one day and bought a used Fuji xe1 a few years ago. Since then I have sold all my canon gear, and have bought and sold the xe1,xe2, x100, x100s, x100t, and currently have a xt1 with a 23, 35, both f2, and a 18-55.
If you go the x100 route, as others have said, it kind of gives you piece of mind, because it takes the should I by more lenses out of the picture. If you go down this path, go at least with the x100t, focus is faster than previous models, you get WiFi, and more presets that are very handy.
Interchangeable cameras with flash, xe2, xe3.
Lenses, the 18-55 is a great lens, with IS,
Primes, the 23 & 35 f2 are both lighter, and faster focus than there f1.4 brothers, and a lot less expensive. Some say the 23 f1.4 is magical, but I cant get over the focus.

X-E3 has no built in flash, it has the same EF-X8 flash that comes with the X-T1 & 2, so not quite as handy.
X-T1 probably the best value used Fuji X camera out there today.