23mm f/2 vs 35mm f/2

notchy wrote:

eRaCer001 wrote:

Hello,

I'm excited that I'm getting back into photography after a hiatus. I'm kind of a newbie. I'm going to be purchasing the new Fujifilm X-T30 with the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens. However, I've realized that many sellers are offering a bundle with this lens and either the XF 35mm F/2 or the XF 23mm F/2. The 35mm is bundled for an additional $100, and the 23mm is bundled for an additional $150. So--my question is this: Given that I'll have the 18-55mm lens, which one would you recommend getting?
My uses will include travel (upcoming trip to Israel!), taking pictures of my kids, and other general use shooting. Thanks in advance for your help! Any other suggestions to a Fuji newb would be appreciated!

Heh, nice problem to have

I have the three lenses you are contemplating, and I don't suppose it's helpful to recommend all three? I voted for the 35mm, not because I think it's a better lens than the 23, but because I suspect it might be more useful to you for isolating elements in a larger scene, obtaining more dramatic/intimate pictures of your children, etc. The 23mm is a fantastic lens too, but I suspect you'll notice more clear blue water between the 35mm and the 18-55mm zoom at the same focal length than between the 18-55mm @23mm and the 23mm prime. Of course, this is based on my own subjective evaluations, with due nod to sample variation. In other words, your M may V

This is a bit controversial around these parts, but the 18-55mm is not my favourite lens for people shots. Some of my most breathtaking landscape and environmental shots have been with that zoom, but I feel obliged to say that some of my most disappointing shots of people have been with the same lens. It's probably just my lack of skill and experience, but I just don't use it for people any more (unless the light levels are really high). Another reason why I think you should go for the 35mm as a companion lens.

Just to clarify, by "people" I mean specifically "faces". I find the 18-55mm's ability to render skin tones and texture in pleasing fashion drops off alarmingly with increasing distance (or with shrinking subject size). More so than any of my other Fuji lenses.