Which prime lens is best for street photography on Fujifilm X-T4?

Ngl, street photography is why most people buy Fuji in the first place, so you made a solid choice with the X-T4. In my experience, for a trip like NYC where things are cramped and fast, you definitely want the 23mm over the 35mm. The 35mm is nice for portraits but in a busy city, youll constantly be backing up into traffic trying to fit a building or a group of people in the frame. Over the years, I've tried a lot of glass and I always come back to the f/2 series because they are tiny and weather-sealed. Here is what I would look at for your budget:

• Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR is the best all-rounder. Its about a 35mm equivalent on full frame, which is basically the gold standard for street. Its fast enough for night shots and fits easily in a jacket pocket.
• If you really want to keep the wife happy and save money, look at the Fujifilm Fujinon XC 35mm f/2. It lacks the aperture ring and weather sealing, but the glass inside is the same as the more expensive version and it's way cheaper.
• Seriously, check the used market. You can usually snag an XF 23mm f/2 for way under $400, leaving you extra cash for pizza in the city. Dont overthink the technical stuff too much. Just pick one and get used to how it sees before your trip. The 23mm is much more forgiving for beginners because you dont have to be as precise with your framing. Tbh, being able to fit more in the shot makes it easier to capture the vibe of a place like New York... you can always crop the photo later if it feels too wide.

> I just want something small that takes sharp pictures and isnt too hard for a beginner to use. Since you're trying to keep the budget down and stay low-key, you might want to consider some third-party glass instead of the native Fuji ones. I would suggest the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 AF Fuji X. It is a pancake lens, which means it's incredibly thin and light. It basically turns your X-T4 into a stealth machine. It is way cheaper than the first-party options, so youll have plenty of cash left over for your trip. Be careful with the "what the eye sees" advice for the 35mm. In tight spots like the NYC subway or narrow alleys, the 35mm can feel really zoomed in. You might find it hard to capture the whole scene. If you want a wider look for buildings but still want a fast lens for nighttime, the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 AF for Fujifilm X is a beast. It is super sharp and the f/1.4 aperture means you can get those blurry backgrounds easily, even as a beginner. Just a warning tho, make sure you look for the "AF" versions of these lenses. Some cheap primes are manual focus only, and trying to focus manually while people are walking fast in Manhattan is a nightmare for a beginner. The Viltrox and TTArtisan both have autofocus, so you should be good. Personally, I'd grab the pancake lens and just enjoy the walk... it makes the whole experience way less stressful when the camera isnt heavy.