Fuji wide primes 23mm or 18mm F2

[troutfisher]

I am looking for a bit of help and guidance on the above.
I bought earlier in this year a 35mm f2 for use on an EX-2 and XT-1 body.
I quite like the light weight and compact nature of the lens and a mulling the purchase of a wider version.
I am undecided between the 23mm and the 18mm F2 lenses , there are pluses and minuses for both and I wonder if anyone has or has used both and would care to comment.
I already have the XF 18-55 2.8-4 but would like to have something a bit lighter on the XE.
Thoughts would be much appreciated

Regards
Chris

 

[Paulie-W]

I am looking for a bit of help and guidance on the above.
I bought earlier in this year a 35mm f2 for use on an EX-2 and XT-1 body.
I quite like the light weight and compact nature of the lens and a mulling the purchase of a wider version.
I am undecided between the 23mm and the 18mm F2 lenses , there are pluses and minuses for both and I wonder if anyone has or has used both and would care to comment.
I already have the XF 18-55 2.8-4 but would like to have something a bit lighter on the XE.
Thoughts would be much appreciated

Regards
Chris

You might have more luck posting here

The Fabulous Fuji X owners thread

So who is interested in the Fuji X-T1 being released tomorrow? Im thinking this will be a good step forward for Fuji but at the same time feel that the X Pro 2 is now due. Although its actually a year away still it feels weird they have no flagship body anymore as such. Im hoping the X-T1 will...

www.talkphotography.co.uk

 

[Nod]

I'll reply here and if the thread gets merged, the answer should go with it!

There's a fairly big difference between 18mm and 23mm so I'd tape the 18-55 at 23mm for a walk around shoot and see if it's wide enough. FOR ME, I'd rather go as wide as possible and crop in for the 23mm angle of view than wish I could go as wide as 18mm. Of course, if size is the main consideration, there's the 27mm pancake as well...

 

[Harlequin565]

Gosh, it really depends on what you're taking pictures of. I guess my advice would be to get both - or either ! Both lenses are great IQ wise.

23mm on the Fuji sensor is a really good "does everything" lens. Not too wide so you can't always get a subject, and long enough to do nice environmental portraits with. A bit less flexibility with depth of field than the 18, but when you know what your subject is, it makes things easier. This sort of focal length is my go-to when I have no idea what might present itself.

18mm is wider, and requires a bit more work with composition to make those great images. More leeway with depth of field, more inclusion of backgrounds, and (in my opinion!) more dramatic images if your subject is "the scene". It's the focal length I go for if I absolutely know I won't be trying to do headshots, but know nothing else. If I'm certain there will be no portrait stuff involved, I'll go with this.

If I'm going on holiday with the family, I'll take a 35mm. If I'm going for a wander alone, I'll take a 28mm. If I'm doing street photography, I'll pick the one I fancy. If I was starting a Fuji system from scratch, I'd pick the 23 simply because of the versatility, but also because it's newer (unless I missed something) and hold out for an 18mm mk2 in then future. When I had a Fuji system, I picked the 23 and the 16 simply because there was more distinction in focal length, and also because that 16 was flippin' gorgeous.