I've been thinking about your NYC trip for a few hours and honestly, you might want to consider the Fujifilm XF 18mm f2 R if you want a wider perspective. I carried it around for a week in a crowded city and loved the size, but be careful because the autofocus is definitely old school. I remember trying to catch a guy on a bike near a subway entrance and the lens just couldn't lock on in time, which was super frustrating. You could also look at the Fujifilm XF 16mm f2.8 R WR. Its way more reliable and has that fast weather-sealed motor for peace of mind. Just make sure to check if f2.8 is fast enough for you. Tbh, I found it a bit dark for late night street shots compared to an f2 lens, and you really dont want to be pushing your ISO too high in those dark corners. Just something to watch out for.

I'm very satisfied with the Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR. It's fast. Its got a silent stepping motor that focuses in 0.08 seconds.

• Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR: f/2 aperture is great for night shots, weighs 170g, very discreet.
• Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 R WR: Only 84g but f/2.8 is limiting in low light compared to the f/2. The 35mm works well. It stays way under your budget too.

Go for the Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR! its seriously amazing for street work, super fast, and fits NYC vibes perfectly. youll absolutely love it!

Just found this thread. Honestly, NYC is a beast for street stuff because everything happens so fast. I remember my first trip there years ago... I brought this massive zoom lens thinking I needed the versatility but I felt like a giant target. People definitely react differently when they see a big lens hood pointed at them. I eventually learned to stick to smaller setups, but you have to be careful about focus speed when things get crowded near Times Square or the subway. Just because a lens is small doesnt mean it will keep up with a crowd. Before you jump on one of those f2 options, think about how you actually shoot:

• are you the type to use back button focus or do you rely on the eye detection stuff?
• do you usually find yourself wanting to capture the whole environment or do you prefer tight portraits of people? The T4 is a great body but some of those smaller lenses have older motor designs that hunt a bit in low light, which can be a nightmare for night shots in the city. I would suggest really thinking about how much you're willing to trade off in terms of autofocus silence versus raw speed. I found that even a slightly larger lens was worth it if it meant I didnt miss the shot because of a slow motor. Just make sure to test whatever you get in a dark room first to see how it handles those deep shadows. Im here if you need more details on the focus tech tho.