Before the 23mm was ever added to my kit, the 35mm f/2 was the lens. I remember thinking the 35mm would be part of my travel gear for years, and it has, but not in a way that I anticipated. I still have it; I bring it with me on every trip, but the 23mm has become my first choice for a travel lens. But that doesn’t mean it only sits in my travel bag; I still use it, especially on recent travels, as I make the effort to incorporate it more to add uniqueness and freshness to my photography.
Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR Specs
Focal length: 35mm (53mm full-frame equivalent)
Weight: 170g
Filter size: 43mm
Maximum aperture: f/2, minimum aperture: f/16
Lens construction: 9 elements in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical elements
Autofocus: Inner-focus stepping motor
Length: approx. 1.8 in / 50mm
Weather sealing
Metal exterior, manual aperture ring with click stops
The First Few Months
I bought the 35mm in January 2022. So we are closing in on five years now. I bought it soon after I got the X-E4, as I wanted a compact lens to go with the compact body and one that was versatile, one I would probably want to keep on the camera 95% of the time.
When I first got the 35mm, I remember the build quality being the first thing that struck me: it has a good weight without being heavy, and there’s genuinely something satisfying about the tight fit and click it makes when locking onto the camera. It’s a small detail, but one that tells you a piece of gear was made properly. It definitely instills confidence.
Before the 35mm, I was using the 18-55mm that came with the X-E2. I hate the term “kit lens” as it immediately denotes it as a lower-quality lens, one that will do until you replace it with something dedicated. However, looking back, I thought it was a great lens; I used it a lot, and the results at the time were nothing short of great. Keep in mind that at the time, the X-E2 was my secondary camera, so the lens I used wasn’t much of a consideration. It got the job done. But after the X-E4 came into the picture, it quickly became my primary travel camera; I wanted a more compact camera-lens combo to replace the 18-55mm, and that’s where the 35mm came in.
The 35mm focal length itself felt immediately natural, wide enough to take in a scene, tight enough to feel intimate. Compact and lightweight, and easy to carry all day without adding bulk. All of that has held up exactly as well as I hoped, and the lens transitioned smoothly as I moved from the X-E4 to the X-H2.
Five Years On
I still have this lens for a reason: it’s great overall. The combination of cost, size, and ability makes a compelling package; one that I see no reason to part with. Yes, it’s taken a backseat to the 23mm, but the 35mm is making a comeback in my approach. It’s a variation I think I need, and one that is welcome in my photography.
I’m not shooting the 35mm daily the way I once did, but when I do reach for it, when I want a slightly tighter, more compressed perspective than the 23mm gives me, it still does exactly what it did on day one. It still fills that gap. The build quality remains the same: nothing about it has loosened or begun to feel worn. It’s the same lens, performing the same way, just occupying a different, smaller role in a kit that’s simplified around a single focal length most of the time.
A lens that only gets used occasionally can often feel like an afterthought, something you keep out of habit rather than for any legit use case. The 35mm hasn’t drifted into that territory. In fact, it’s a great lens to reach for when I require some variation. It’s tighter than the 23mm, which can be an advantage while travelling.
The 35mm is just a great lens. It’s hard to go wrong with this focal length.
Why I Haven’t Sold It
The interesting aspect of lenses is that the good ones tend to retain their value. That’s a testament to the reputation of some of these lenses. People who seek them out know what they can do, and the secondhand price reflects that. I could sell it and not lose too much money. I could use the cash for something else entirely, or I could replace the lens.
I’ve clearly leaned into the 23mm, but it wouldn’t feel right to abandon the variation the 35mm provides. As a secondary choice, it has earned a permanent place in my camera arsenal. I’d rather keep a lens I use occasionally than force every situation into a single perspective. Too much choice and variation can hurt your creativity, creating a paradox of choice that cripples decision-making. But limited variation is beneficial. You need to figure out where that is for you. For me, these two lenses are where I want to be. I don’t know what I would replace it with, and if I haven’t figured that out yet, there probably isn’t anything that fits for me quite like the 35mm.
Is There Anything Generally Bad About the 35mm?
After five years, it may seem easy to spot shortcomings, but I don’t see any. When considering an addition to your camera gear, I feel it’s important to weigh cost vs. features. I got this for $400 CA. For a lens that hits f/2, that is a bargain. It’s compact, well-built, reliable, and delivers superb results. If you want a 35mm focal length on a camera sensor like the X-H2, you cannot go wrong with the 35mm f/2. You will not be disappointed.
Would I Buy it Again?
Having a secondary lens that’s held up this well for this many years has made me more confident in Fujifilm’s build quality. The 23mm gets the daily wear and the travel mileage now. Still, the 35 mm’s reliability under much lighter, more occasional use demonstrates that this isn’t a lens that needed to be used constantly to prove it was worth keeping. It just needed to perform precisely every time I actually reached for it. Years later, it still does.
Recently, I have been reaching for the 35mm more than I usually would. It’s a creative choice. Even though I love what the 23mm provides, I don’t want to be limited to one focal length. I think this is where it can fit into a workflow. If you are considering adding the 35mm, it can easily be your primary lens; for many, it is. Even if it isn’t, it’s a tried-and-true lens you can always count on as a great all-rounder for travel.
