XPro2 + 23mm or 35mm?

[saigontom]

Hi,

 

I went to check out the price of an XPro2 here in Vietnam and the the store gave me the following deals if I buy in February, if I leave it 'til March the price will shoot up substantially, and I'm unsure of what to go for because there's a bundle deal on the body + 23mm lens. 

 

Xpro 2 Body Only = $1591

 

XF35mm 1.4R = $357 [This is the lens I originally wanted]

 

Xpro 2 Body + XF23mm 1.4R = $1653

 

 

I hadn't intended to buy a 23mm as I have an x100s and although I find the 23mm fine, I miss having a bit of distance between myself and the subject, to get a good portrait with the x100s I have to often get so close it's painful.

 

I was planning on going for the body + XF35mm 1.4R (or XF35mm 2R), however that will total an extra $357, leaving me just short of $2000 for the body and one lens. which is a pretty high outlay for an APS-C body + 1 prime lens.

 

So knowing the lenses better than I, what advice can you guys offer me, I've been using Fuji for 3 years but this is my first foray into their interchangeable system with them.

 

Would you stick to the XPro2 + 23mm bundle and take advantage of the fairly substantial saving on that lens (the standalone price is the same price as the XF35mm 1.4R), or is the 35mm f1.4R worth shelling out the extra cash? Also, without trawling through old threads, what are the key differences in handling between the 35mm f2 and the f1.4 model?

 

I'm considering adding the 14mm f2.8 at a later date for something a little wider.

 

Thanks all!

[Warwick]

Why not get the 23mm for $60 in the deal, then sell it on eBay for a couple of hundred, then buy the 35mm?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[saigontom]

Yeah I thought about that, my only issue is I live in Vietnam - no Ebay, no Amazon, no reliable / affordable post service, which would mean waiting until my next visit back to the UK in October.. otherwise it'd be a no brainer.

[milandro]

well, considering this lens normally retails, on it own, in Europe even if bought in a set, for a LOT more than that ( in the NL, €899 lens alone in a kit with a X-Pro 2 €2,689) Buying a set at a;most HALF of the cost here seems to offer a huge possibility to make some serious money.

 

IF that price is correct, can only be a bargain.

[Nick05]

I have the same feelings as you about the focal lengths. I much prefer the 35mm lens over the 23mm for focal length. The 23mm lens is a better build quality, and is extremely sharp. If I was offered this deal, I would buy both lenses if it was a possibility. Paying around $60 for the 23mm is an amazing deal. If you can buy the x-pro 2 with the 23mm and still buy the 35mm for the price listed, you get two lenses and body for $60 more than your original plan. The 23mm is significantly better than the one on the x100 series.

[Aswald]

23mm if you love some street photography too. It's a little wide for typical portrait but has a certain effect which is nice for portrait too.

 

Otherwise the 35 is a very good portrait and all rounder lens.

[Nero]

I'd definitely go do that deal with the 23mm and like others have said, get the 35mm too if you can. The 23mm deal is too good to pass up though. I own both of those lenses and would not part with either. It's worthwhile owning both if you can do it.

[milandro]

I have no idea of how it is possible to sell camera and lens for half the price that they sell it here.

 

€2689 =  $2965 you are saying you can pay $1653! But if that is the case you should buy plenty and sell them in the UK and in the EU