Overview:

As an introvert, my approach to street photography often involves blending into the background and observing the world from a distance. The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens has become my trusted companion in this quest for unobtrusive storytelling. Here's my perspective on this lens, taking into account an introvert's viewpoint:

Compact and Unobtrusive:

One of the standout features of the XF 27mm lens is its incredibly compact and unassuming design. As someone who doesn’t like drawing too much attention to himself, I appreciate its discreet appearance, allowing me to remain inconspicuous while I observe and capture the world around me. It's an unobtrusive tool that matches my style of photography perfectly.

Versatile Focal Length:

The 27mm focal length (41mm Full Frame) is an excellent choice for street photography. It's wide enough to capture the essence of the urban landscape while being versatile enough to snap candid shots of people, providing a natural perspective that doesn't distort your subjects. After starting with a 50mm (85mm Full Frame) often I felt like I needed more space for my images to breathe.

This little gem allows me to capture the nuances of the urban environment without getting too close to my subjects, thus respecting their personal space. It's an ideal choice for quiet observations and candid moments.

Image Quality:

The image quality from this lens is superb, even in hushed, low-light settings. The lens produces sharp and richly detailed images with soft colours that resonate with the subtleties of street life. The f/2.8 aperture excels in low-light situations (as long as there’s a clear source of light) and delivers soft bokeh providing just enough separation between subjects and their surroundings, without being overly intrusive.

Although it’s not the fastest lens, f/2.8 is fast enough for my work and excels at capturing well-lit subjects (even through reflections) while keeping your focus area razor-sharp. This is crucial for those moments when I want my subject to stand out in a busy urban environment especially when shooting through obstruction.

Weather Resistance:

The "WR" in the lens's name stands for weather resistance, a valuable feature for a street photographer. It provides peace of mind when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions, protecting your gear from unexpected drizzles or dust. This adds to the lens's reliability on the streets.

IMPORTANT!: Please don’t make the mistake of assuming that weather-resistant means waterproof because it is NOT waterproof! any excessive time you spend in harsh environments can cause internal damage to the lens (and your camera) resulting in lofty repair costs and some unwanted alone time away from your dear camera.

Quick Autofocus:

Street photography often demands speedy shooting. The XF 27mm lens's autofocus is not only fast but also relatively silent as well. This is ideal for capturing candid moments without drawing attention to yourself. It's precise and responsive, making it a breeze to focus on your subject.

Although there is very little it struggles with, it’s worth noting the lens seems to struggle when it tries to focus on flat surfaces like the sky for instance, which is worth keeping in mind if your composition involves quite a lot of negative space and you’re trying to expose for the light.

Build Quality:

Despite its compact size, the lens feels solid and well-built. The metal construction gives it a premium feel, and the plastic aperture and focus rings are smooth and responsive. This lens can withstand the rigours and fast-paced nature of street photography while maintaining a sleek and inconspicuous design.

Affordability:

At £420 it’s hardly a bargain but when compared to other Fujifilm lenses, the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is relatively affordable. This is a great value considering its performance, build quality and versatility.

What I Didn’t Like:

While the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens is a solid choice for street photography, it's important to note a few potential drawbacks that annoyed me enough to mention:

Limited Aperture: Yes I know! I said this lens is superb in low light so why are we here then? Well, the maximum aperture of f/2.8 is great as long as there’s a clear source emitting direct light on your subject and therefore it’s relatively modest and definitely not the fastest option out there. This might not be ideal for those who frequently shoot in extreme low light conditions or desire a more pronounced background blur (bokeh).
No Image Stabilization: Although new top-of-the-range FujiFilm cameras usually have IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) built-in this lens lacks optical image stabilization. Those who still shoot on older bodies or some of the pocket-sized models in the range might find it more challenging to capture stable shots in low light without a tripod.
Noisy Autofocus in Video: By far my biggest annoyance. If you plan to use this lens for video, be aware that the autofocus can be audible and might be picked up by the camera's microphone (I advise you to use an external mic whenever possible). Although the noise the AutoFocus makes isn’t as much of a problem when trying to shoot in noisy environments it’s something that will draw your attention when shooting in a quieter environment.
No Manual Focus Distance Scale: Some photographers (myself included) prefer a manual focus distance scale for quick and precise manual focusing, which this lens lacks. It is also worth noting that due to the size of the focus ring (or my fingers) on many occasions when shooting in full manual, it’s not uncommon for the focus to adjust by mistake when trying to adjust the aperture ring resulting in an annoying Focus Check (if switched on).

These negatives should be considered in the context of your specific needs and shooting style, as they might not be significant drawbacks for all photographers.

In conclusion, the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens is a must-have for any street photographer. Its compact size, versatile focal length, excellent image quality, and weather resistance make it the perfect companion for urban photography. Whether you're capturing the vibrant street life or the architectural details of the city, this lens delivers exceptional results. It has quickly become an integral part of my photography kit, and I wouldn't hit the streets without it.

TL;DR:

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens is a quiet introvert's dream. Its compact design, versatile focal length, excellent image quality and quick autofocus make it an ideal choice for those who prefer to observe and document the world discreetly as well as those looking to avoid bulky heavy gear. This lens has found a permanent place on my camera, and It's a must-have for those who seek portability and balanced performance in a compact lens.

FujiFilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR: a quiet introvert's dream | Review