In this guide, we’ll talk about the benefits of shooting street photography with a Fujifilm camera.
I’ve been a Fujifilm photographer for over a decade and primarily shoot street and travel photography.
Of course, I’ve also worked in a number of other genres, both professionally and casually.
I love street photography, and one thing has remained constant throughout my years: my Fuji kit has never let me down.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say that shooting street scenes with Fujifilm cameras and lenses has escalated my skill level and enhanced my joy of photography.
I know a lot of street photographers, and I meet many more while out and about hunting light.
Seeing a peer with a Fuji camera in hand never fails to make me smile.
As a street photographer and Fuji enthusiast, I’m well-placed to talk about how the genre and brand are a match made in heaven.
In this guide, we’ll discover why Fujifilm is an excellent brand for street photography and explore the Japanese brand’s kit options.
Let’s hit the streets!
Why Street Photography?
That’s me!
As a street photographer, I’m often asked about the genre, what defines it, and why I love it so much.
Street photography involves taking photos of people out and about on the streets of a village, town, or city.
Many argue that street photography must have a human element within the composition to meet the definition.
While that’s debatable, street photography tends to be more interesting when other humans are involved.
I define street photography as capturing unique moments when people interact with their world.
It’s a fast process that’s ever-changing and fleeting.
The scene, composition, lighting, and subjects will never be the same from one moment to another.
There’s no posing. No time. You either take the shot or move on.
Melbourne | Fujifilm X-E4 + XF 23mm f/2
I took up street photography not long after my wife passed away.
The experience and grief left me very broken and in need of answers to why life goes on when hers didn’t.
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I was fascinated by walking the streets, watching people interact, and witnessing the whole range of human emotions played out in public.
I was hypersensitive to others’ happiness but equally curious about their anger, sadness, love, and whimsy.
Street photography allowed me to view the world from behind the emotional barrier of the camera.
I stood back and watched the world around me—like a cat watching fish in a bowl.
That’s my street photography origin story, and it has taught me a lot about myself and the human experience.
Benefits Of Fujifilm In Street Photography
Fujifilm X70
In my experience, street photographers typically shoot with Leica or Fujifilm.
It’s far less common to see the bigger and more complex cameras from Sony, Canon, or Nikon on the streets.
Leica gear represents the ultimate street photography experience thanks to its heritage of reporter-style cameras, superb color rendering, and pristine lens quality.
However, the cost is the biggest challenge with using a Leica for street photography. The Leica Q3 is over three times the price of the Fujifilm X100 VI.
On the other hand, Fujifilm represents a far more affordable and less intimidating solution for street photographers.
Fuji cameras are featured heavily in our guide to the best street photography cameras.
Fuji gear features the exact formula required in a street photography camera, which looks a little like this.
Design Aesthetic + Manual Control Dials + Image Quality + Film Simulations + Fast Autofocus + Quality Lenses = Street Photography Kit
As a result, it’s no wonder that so many street photographers are walking around with Fuji cameras and lenses in their bags.
Asakusa | Fujifilm X70
While the newer flagship Fujifilm cameras, such as the X-T5 and X100 VI, feature higher-resolution sensors, fast fps, IBIS, video, and subject tracking, these features are not essential.
Even older Fujifilm cameras work wonders in street settings thanks to their manual control dials, image quality, exceptional color rendering, compact form, and discreet design.
What’s more, the Fujifilm X Mount lens range includes older, newer, cheaper, and pro-level prime and zoom lenses with fast autofocus, wide apertures, and sharp output.
The Fujifilm X Series range of cameras is smaller and lighter than the full-frame offerings from other brands.
It’s also essential to point out that street photography doesn’t require a high-resolution image sensor.
I shoot with a 12-year-old Fujifilm X70. It’s pocketable and features a wide 18mm f/2.8 fixed lens, a flip-up touch screen, and a 16MP X Trans CMOS II image sensor.
I’ve taken it on every trip to Japan and shot some of my best street scenes with it.
Cameras like the X70 and earlier X100 models are hot property in the second-hand market.
What’s The Best Fuji Kit For Street Photography?
Melbourne | Fujifilm X-E4 + XF 23mm f/2
I’m a big advocate for taking photos with the gear you already have.
Just because you’re interested in photography or a new genre doesn’t mean you must head to the store to drop a bundle of cash.
When it comes to street photography, any camera is up to the challenge.
The same applies to lenses – however, it’s not terribly discreet to be out on the street with a 100-400mm telephoto zoom.
People will see you coming from a mile away, and that’ll change their behavior and how they react to your presence.
Hence, a smaller and more discreet camera kit is ideal.
Melbourne | Fujifilm X70
Another topic for debate is the best focal distance for a street photography lens.
I’m not a big fan of this debate, as what you see and how you view the world is unique and personal.
If a wide 16mm (24mm full frame) view suits your approach and style, that’s the best choice.
Some street photography fanatics will argue that a 35mm (50mm full frame) focal distance is the ultimate and only choice.
Pooey to that!
I shoot street photography with a range of prime lenses – I prefer primes over zooms.
My primary street kit includes the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8, XF 23mm f/2.8, and the XF 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens.
They’re all compact and lightweight, and when paired with the Fujifilm X-E4, they form a very discreet kit.
That’s my preferred kit – but there are plenty of other options.
Fujifilm X100 Series – My Top Pick
Fujifilm X100 VI
The original Fujifilm X100 was the first X Series camera launched in March 2011.
It instantly caught the attention of street and urban photographers thanks to its compact form and retro styling.
It resembled a rangefinder film camera yet packed a 12MP CMOS APS-C image sensor, a fixed 23mm f/2 Fujinon lens, and a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder.
The X100 was the first Fuji camera I owned, and I attribute my experience with the little camera to setting me on the path to Fujifilm street photography.
Due to its popularity as a street, travel, and everyday camera, Fujifilm continued to update and upgrade the X100 series.
Today, the Fujifilm X100 VI boasts flagship power and performance while retaining the same compact and stylish form.
Shinjuku | Fujifilm X-T3 + XF 23mm f/2
The Fujifilm X100 VI houses an impressive list of features and performance specifications.
It houses a 40MP CMOS APS-C X Trans 5 HR image sensor, the latest X Processor 5, and 5-axis image stabilization.
I recently reviewed the X100 VI and found it to be one of the most capable cameras I’ve ever shot with.
While the Fujifilm X100 VI is the latest and greatest, it’s also pricey and hard to find in stock.
However, any of the previous five generations of X100 will do the job for street photography.
The X100 series are compact cameras with a discreet profile, excellent color rendering, and fast enough focus for the streets.
Also, the fixed 23mm f/2 Fujinon lens is an ideal focal length and aperture.
Fujifilm X Pro Series
Fujifilm XPro 3 + XF 16mm f/2.8
Much like the original X100, the Fujifilm X Pro series of premium mirrorless cameras has established itself as a leader in street photography.
The original X Pro 1 launched not long after the X100, and it came with the first three Fujifilm X Mount lenses.
Like the X100, the larger X Pro series retains a gorgeous film rangefinder camera aesthetic while hiding impressive performance and output.
The first X Pro camera featured a 16MP APS-C CMOS X Trans image sensor that lapped up street scenes like a pro (pardon the pun).
The X Pro 2 jumped to a 24MP CMOS X Trans III sensor, and the X Pro 3 jumped again to a 26MP BSI-CMOS (Back Side Illuminated-CMOS) sensor.
The most significant benefit to the X Pro Series was the growing range of Fuji premium lenses.
While the X Pro 1 launched alongside the XF 18mm f/2, XF 35mm f/1.4, and XF 60mm f/2.4, there are now close to 40 lenses in the X Mount range.
I’m not counting third-party lenses with an X Mount.
Melbourne | Fujifilm X Pro3 + XF 16mm f/2.8
A popular focal range for street photography is 35mm, so the original Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 was a winner for the genre.
Fujifilm also offers the compact and significantly faster XF 35mm f/2 that makes the most of the faster autofocus performance of the X Pro 3.
Check out our guide to the best lenses for the X Pro 3.
The X Pro 3 launched in late 2019, and there has been no word of its successor to date.
Granted, the Covid years set everything back. Fujifilm street photographers eagerly await news of the next X Pro model.
Fujifilm X-E Series
Fujifilm X-E4 + XF 27mm f/2.8
I believe the Fujifilm X-E series cameras are the unsung heroes of street photography.
We’re also awaiting news of an updated model to take the reins from the X-E4.
The Fuji X-E4 is actually the fifth interchangeable lens camera in the series.
The X-E2s introduced a minor update to the X-E2.
While it’s often considered a paired-down X Pro, the X-E4 boasts excellent specs and performance, making it ideal for street photography.
Furthermore, the compact form is around the same size as the X100 series, yet it’s an interchangeable lens camera.
Melbourne | Fujifilm X-E4 + XF 23mm f/2
The X-E4 houses a 26MP X Trans 4 CMOS sensor, X Processor 4, manual control dials, and a handy flip-up screen.
It’s compact and lightweight and doesn’t look like a fancy high-end camera. However, I love the images this little camera produces.
The color reproduction, image resolution, and overall quality work for me.
Out of the forty Fujifilm X Mount lenses, the smaller primes are the best for street photography.
We also feature a guide to the best compact lenses for the Fujifilm X-E4.
The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 is a tiny compact prime lens with fast focusing, manual aperture control, and a nice wide aperture.
23mm is my preferred focus distance for street photography, and I’ve shot streets in Melbourne and Tokyo with that lens.
Another great option is the smaller Fuji XF 16mm f/2.8, which adds more width and context to a street capture.
Fujifilm X-T Series
Fujifilm X-T5 + XF 16mm f/2.8
While the original Fujifilm X100 was my first street photography camera, the Fujifilm X-T1 wasn’t far behind.
The X-T series has always been considered the enthusiast range among Fuji photographers.
Once again, the X-T series is aesthetically gorgeous thanks to its classic film camera vibe.
Every generation of X-T cameras brings terrific image quality, fast autofocus performance, and a high-quality build.
I’ve owned or shot with every generation of the X-T series, and they’ve served me well when out on the streets.
The latest Fujifilm X-T5 is a masterclass of features and performance and probably one of the best cameras I’ve ever reviewed.
It boasts a 40MP X Trans 5 HR image sensor, X Processor 5, 5-axis IBIS, vertical and horizontal tilting touch screen, and one of the biggest and brightest EVFs I’ve ever held to my eye.
Melbourne | Fujifilm X-T5 + XF 16mm f/2.8
It’s super fast and highly responsive on the streets, especially when paired with a fast prime.
It’s also weather-sealed, allowing for all-weather street photography.
I recall standing in the pouring rain in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with my weather-sealed X-T3 and XF 23mm f/2, utterly confident that my street kit would survive the day. It did!
As for the best lenses to pair with the X-T5, there’s a lot to choose from.
If zooms are your thing, it’s hard to beat the recently announced XF 18-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR.
It’s intended as the new standard kit lens ideal for the larger 40MP sensor cameras.
As for primes, the new Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 LM WR delivers an excellent field of view, is relatively compact, and has a gorgeous wide aperture for narrow depth-of-field shots.
The WR 23mm replaces an older XF 23mm R lens that was exceptionally sharp but slow on focus.
FAQs
Which brand is best for street photography?
Fujifilm is one of the best brands for street photography, thanks to its compact, lightweight, and highly capable cameras and lenses. Fujifilm cameras dominate the charts of best street photography brands.
Is the Fujifilm XT5 good for street photography?
The Fujifilm X-T5 is an excellent street photography camera when paired with a compact Fuji prime or zoom lens. The X-T5 features fast autofocus, outstanding image quality, and exceptional JPEG or RAW color rendering.
Final Words
Shinjuku | Fujifilm X-T2 + XF 23mm f/2
Fujifilm cameras have become synonymous with street photography and the joy of photography.
The other day, I was in a busy Melbourne camera store and was amazed at how many customers were carrying Fujifilm cameras.
More were browsing the Fujifilm display cases. I was there picking up a new Fuji XF lens – that’s a story for another day.
I mentioned to the store manager that many Fuji photographers were in the store. He replied that Fujifilm is currently the most popular brand, and everyone is after them. It made me very happy.
Osaka | Fujifilm X-T1 + XF 16mm f/1.4
That same day, while shooting street photography in Melbourne’s laneways, I constantly saw Fuji cameras capturing street scenes in the hands of locals and tourists.
A British tourist asked me about my camera and whether the Fujifilm X-T5 was a good choice.
I was in heaven and talked the guy’s ear off!
The point is that Fujifilm is the ideal street photography choice for a very good reason. They’re also sought after for travel and everyday use.
Fujifilm cameras and lenses are affordable, approachable, and deliver exceptional results on the streets.
A Fuji street photography kit delivers upon the formula for success.
