Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 street photography in Harajuku
In November 2022, I bought a Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR lens. I first tested it at the Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum in tandem with the XF 16-55 mm. This time, I would use it for street photography. Harajuku would be my target. By the end of the day, I had fallen in love with this tiny gem.
I started my walk in Takeshita-Dori, Tokyo’s hub of pop culture. It was crowded. Life has returned to the famous street (read more here). Everyone was enjoying their crepes and shopping. The Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 handled the close ranges easily with its snappy auto-focus.
Then the rain started. Umbrellas went up. A few were colorful. Plastic transparent ones have been ubiquitous over recent years. Those are incredibly boring. Seeing reds, polka dots, and frills was a pleasant surprise. Anyway, the rain didn’t worry me as the lens was weather-resistant.
While I was in Takeshita-Dori, I made a detour to Togo Shrine. Again I was fortunate. A couple in their kimonos were taking their wedding photos. That was a good chance to get some pictures of my own. I actually wished I had a zoom as I couldn’t get too close to them.
The rest of the day was standard street photography fare. People were on Omotesando. I took more photos of people and their umbrellas than architecture. But a mirror shot made its way into my camera. I was satisfied even though I didn’t catch anything outstanding.
So, what can I say about the Fujifilm XF 35mm? It’s awesome. I never thought I’d enjoy a prime this much. My photography life has changed track.
Why is the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR lens great?
- It’s small and light. Shooting with the camera in one hand and an umbrella in the other is no problem. With the heavier XF 16-55 mm it was difficult.
- The lens is weather-resistant. That doesn’t mean waterproof, but you have some protection in the rain.
- I love the images it creates. In the middle, it is amazingly sharp. The extreme corners are a little soft, but it doesn’t bother me.
- Build quality is great. It is a solid lens.
I will be shooting with the XF 35 mm a lot more. Prime lenses never used to attract me. Well, things change is all I can say. They have suddenly become very attractive. I might buy more in the future.
You can expect more street photography articles from now. With it being a fast lens, night shoots will be easier. Yes, I have definitely fallen in love with the Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR lens. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More street photography articles:
External related websites:
- Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR lens (official Fujifilm website)