^ This. Also, in my experience, the anxiety about plastic mounts is usually way worse than the reality. I have used the Fujifilm XC 35mm f2 for plenty of trips and it has never once let me down. It is built to much tighter tolerances than people think, and the weight savings are a godsend when you are walking 20k steps around Shinjuku. If you really want that metal build for safety, here are two solid alternatives under $200:

• Viltrox 33mm f1.4 AF STM: You can grab these used for a steal. The all-metal housing feels incredibly premium and it is heavy enough to feel substantial. The AF speed is legit for street stuff.
• Meike 35mm f1.4 AF: Very new but it feels like a tank compared to the XC line. Great if you want that physical aperture ring too. Honestly, dont let the plastic mount scare you away from the Fuji AF reliability tho... it really is worth it.

@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, plastic mounts are way tougher than people think, but if youre set on a metal build, you might want to consider the Meike 35mm f1.8 AF X-Mount. Its dirt cheap and feels surprisingly solid. Just be careful with ghosting when shooting at night under Tokyo streetlights. MTF charts show the corners are a bit soft wide open, but for street it basically doesnt matter. Ngl, the value is insane.

> then I looked at TTArtisan but my logic was that third-party AF might be too slow for fast street stuff ^ This. Also, if you want that metal mount and killer speed without spending a fortune, you gotta check out the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary. You can snag them used for right around $200 and they are fantastic!! The AF speed on the Sigma is way faster than the TTArtisan stuff, totally reliable for those quick shots in Shinjuku. Comparing it to the Fujifilm XC 35mm f2, the Sigma feels way more premium and that f1.4 is gonna be a lifesaver for all the neon signs at night. Another dark horse is the Yongnuo YN33mm f1.4 DA DSM. It is super budget-friendly and gives you amazing bokeh. Tbh, dont sweat the plastic mount on the Fuji too much, but if you want that solid metal feel, Sigma is the way to go for sure! I am so hyped for your trip, Tokyo is a dream for photos!

Tokyo is gonna be amazing! For a strict budget under 200, I recommend focusing on these specific lenses:

• Fujifilm XC 35mm f2: Honestly, the plastic mount is fine. The internal glass is identical to the high-end version, making it an incredible value for fast street snaps.
• TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 AF: This is a fantastic pancake lens that makes your camera pocketable. AF performance is actually quite reliable for modern street photography.

im so stoked for your tokyo trip, its such a vibe for photography. i've been pretty satisfied with my kit lately and it works well for the street stuff i do, but i always try to be careful about what i pack for big trips because reliability is everything. before you decide, what camera body are you actually using? if its one of the smaller ones like the e series vs the t series, the balance of the lens really matters for all day comfort when you're walking miles. honestly though, you should just check out youtube for budget fuji prime shootout. i saw a great video on there a few weeks ago that compares all these cheap lenses side by side for build and af speed. itll give you a way better idea of the reliability than we can just typing here. basically just search that and look for the one with the most views, it was super helpful for me when i was stressing over my last purchase. also try checking the fuji subreddit, they have whole guides on exactly this.