Which prime lens is best for Fujifilm street photography?

TL;DR: Grab the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR because its a totally safe bet for dark streets! I love it so much! I was super nervous about blurry photos but this lens is amazing and locks focus so fast. It makes me feel way more confident at night. 18mm is fantastic for London because you can fit the whole scene in easily. Its so reliable and wont let you down!

Saw your post earlier and wanted to jump in because Ive dealt with that exact AF hunting frustration during night shoots. If your 23mm f2 is struggling, its usually because that older motor design just cant keep up when the light drops in the city. For London at night, you definitely want something that locks on without thinking twice, especially if youre moving fast. I shifted over to the newer f1.4 primes last year and the reliability is night and day. Im really satisfied with how they handle dark environments... they just work without any fuss. Here are a couple quick tips for keeping things reliable:

• Stick with lenses that have the LM (Linear Motor) designation. The Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is dead silent and snaps to focus instantly even in dim pubs or dark alleys.
• Always verify the lens has WR (Weather Resistance). Since you are in London, having that protection gives a lot of peace of mind so you can keep shooting through the drizzle. Regarding the 18mm, it is wide, but the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR is incredibly sharp if you like that look. If you are worried about the width tho, the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is a safer bet for street portraits and stays within your 900 dollar budget easily. Having that extra light and the faster motor is a total game changer for your confidence. You wont be staring at a red focus box all night. Good luck with the gig, youre gonna nail it with the right glass!

Not sure if the 18mm is actually too wide for you, but going from a 23mm down to 18mm is a pretty massive jump in field of view. You gotta get way closer to people. I think the newer f/1.4 primes have those linear motors which basically solve the AF hunting issue youre having. IIRC, the 33mm f/1.4 is also in your budget and has that same fast AF tech, though it might feel a bit tight for London streets. If you need to stay close to the 23mm field of view, maybe look into the newer version of the 23mm 1.4 if you can find a deal. Dont stress too much, youll get it sorted before Saturday. Let me know if you need help digging up more info on them.

> Is the 18mm 1.4 too wide? Honestly, I struggled with the 18mm when I shot in Soho last year. It was just too wide for my style. I ended up renting the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR from Lensrentals and it solved all my AF issues. If you check MPB, you can grab a used one well under your $900 budget before Friday.