So just, what is the best Fuji prime lens for travel? Well, that depends. There are many factors to consider when choosing a lens to take with you on your travels.
Prime lenses often get a bad rap with travel photography because you need multiple lenses to be prepared for every possible scenario, and you have to move closer or farther away from your subject to frame the shot.
However, prime lenses have some distinct advantages for travellers:
- With an excellent prime lens, you can get fantastic image quality without spending as much money as you would on a zoom lens – which comes in handy when your budget also has to accommodate travel costs.
Fuji Prime lens for Travel Comparison Table
- Prime lenses have far fewer moving parts and glass elements than zoom lenses. As a result, they are more compact and weigh less, which is ideal if you enjoy travelling without carrying too much gear.
- Prime lenses have wider apertures than zoom lenses at a similar price range, so you don’t need to spend extra money to get good photos in lower light.
Here are some of the top contenders for the best Fuji prime lens for travel.
Best Fuji Prime lens for Travel
Now that you know what a prime lens is, below are some of the best Fuji prime lenses for travel offered by Fuji in their X mount range and the perfect match for your Fujifilm cameras.
The best Fujifilm lens is the one that suits your needs, something people often need to remember. So don’t let someone upsell you on a 200mm prime lens when you are going to be shooting landscapes.
Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 R
Pros
- Full metal construction
- Sharpness
- Superfast autofocus
Cons
- Need to update your camera body’s firmware before using this lens
- Aperture ring can slipped frequently
- Expensive
This ultra wide angle lens is purely for travel landscape lovers. This 21mm equivalent focal length is perfect for capturing those architecture, interior photography and landscape vistas of the exotic locations you find yourself in.
Anyone who has a creative perspective will love this lens with the minimised distortion that this lens offers.
The f/2.8 aperture means faster shutter speeds in minimal light. That, coupled with a smooth and fast autofocus system, makes it an almost perfect travel lens for landscapes.
Fujinon XF16mm F1.4 WR
Pros
- Weather and dust resistant
- Low light capability
- High-speed autofocus
Cons
- Expensive
- Large and heavy for its size
The Fuji 16mm F1.4 wide angle lens is probably the best Fuji lens for landscape photography, this 24mm equivalent focal length will be the perfect companion for landscape travel photographers.
If you want to immerse your followers in the beauty of the environment, then this is the best travel lens. The F1.4 aperture gives you super-smooth bokeh while the weather resistant, so you can use it in any condition, whether it’s rainy, dusty, or even subzero temperatures.
The image quality is impeccable, providing sharp images with an incredibly hard depth of field to match.
It is on the larger side, so it will take up more space and weight within your bag. The 16mm is among the best wide angle lenses in the Fujifilm X series line-up.
Fujinon 16mm F2.8 R WR
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Good value for money
- Quiet and fast
Cons
- No image stabiliSation
- Higher aperture of f/2.8
This Fuji lens is the perfect entry-level lens for wide-angle images. This lens is for those on a budget but who still want a wide angle for those stunning Bali landscapes.
A smaller and lighter version of the f/1.4, this lens does however lack autofocus and has a higher aperture of f/2.8. Make sure to wear gloves to avoid the shakes on those cold winter days, as having no optical image stabilisation can be challenging.
Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R
Pros
- Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture
- Creates beautiful bokeh
- Great build quality
- Great image quality
Cons
- Bulky
- More expensive compared to f2 version
This is one of the best Fujifilm lenses for travel and is a perfect balance of wide angle lens. This 35mm equivalent is amazing in low-light conditions.
This lens would make landscapes and cityscapes of Rome jump out at anyone who sees them. It is equally capable of capturing street photography on your trip.
It is large and bulky, so it might take up extra room in your camera bag.
Fujinon XF 23mm F2 R WR
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Affordable
- Weather and dust resistant
- Quick and silent autofocus
- Wide field of view /wide-angle
Cons
- Not optimal when shooting close up
- No image stabilisation
- Bokeh is good but not great
- Image sharpness fades at the corners
The younger brother to the f/1.4 version, this newer lens is arguably the best lens for travel. This Fuji 23mm F2 lens is smaller and lighter than the f/1.4 model, perfect for those pesky cabin baggage weight allowances.
The f2 is a high-quality camera lens made up of 9 diaphragm blades that can produce stunning bokeh and shallow depth of field.
The Fuji lens also has a smoother focus system and is weather sealed to protect it from the dusty mountains of Peru to the harsh winters of Iceland. The lower price is also an attractive option, given that travelling is never cheap.
This lens will be perfect for those landscapes and portraits of the locals.
Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Weather resistant
- Fast autofocus
- Wide F2.8 aperture
- Affordable price
- Produces sharp images with beautiful bokeh
Cons
- No image stabilisation
- Focusing not super fast
- Not great close focus
The pancake lens from Fuji is an ultra-compact normal lens that’s a staple in most gear bags. This entry-level lens is one of the cheapest X-mount lenses available and is perfect for environmental portraits.
The trade-off of a lower price means a larger aperture of f/2.8.
This lens is ideal for everyday use travel photographers who mainly capture portraits of people or street scenes while exploring.
Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4
Pros
- Very wide maximum aperture
- Brilliant image quality
- Top-notch build quality
- Lightweight and compact
- Versatile focal length
- Great for low light photography
Cons
- Not weather resistant
- No image stabilisation
- The aperture ring can feel a little loose
One of the original Fujifilm XF lenses, this 53mm equivalent lens is brilliant in low light conditions and provides an incredible depth of field.
The Fuji 35mm F1.4 is one of the staples in all camera bags, with the added bonus of a marked aperture ring. This also happens to be the best Fuji lens for street photography.
For travelling, this lens is ideal for street scenes while exploring the city and capturing moments. The lack of weather sealing could be problematic for travel photographers in colder and more humid climates.
Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 R WR
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Bright f/2 maximum aperture
- Brilliant image quality
- Lightweight and compact
- Weather-resistance
Cons
- Continuous autofocusing poor
The Fuji 35mm f2 is a newer, lower-priced version of the f/1.4 model. This lens will give you a few extra pounds to spend on your morning coffees. Without sacrificing performance, this is one of the best Fujifilm lenses available.
Unlike its older brother, this version comes with weather sealing and a smooth, fast autofocus system.
This makes it safe to use in a range of climates and ideal for capturing the everyday life of the city you’re exploring. More suited for portraits than landscapes, this is one of the must-have lenses.
Check out my post about the Fuji 23mm vs 35mm for a more detailed comparison and review of these two lenses.
Fujinon XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
Pros
- Weather sealed
- Image stabilisation
- Versatility
Cons
- Manual focusing can be tricky
- Heavy at 750grams
- Focus ring is hard to use with gloves on
Fuji’s first macro lens for the X mount system and the first 122mm equivalent telephoto lens on this list.
This lens gives you the flexibility of taking incredible macro images and capturing images from a distance. A portrait-friendly lens that works on the streets of any city you are visiting and can take immensely detailed images in the process.
This lens is perfect for those safari holidays, or somewhere you might have restricted access to your subjects.
The powerful image stabilisation system, weather sealing and manual aperture ring add to this already feature-packed lens.
Fujinon XF 90mm F2 R LM WR
Pros
- Sturdy weather-sealed construction
- Versatile lens
- Spectacular image quality
Cons
- Lens hood becomes increasingly loose over time
This Fuji lens is one of the most versatile of the telephoto lenses, giving you the option for beautiful portraits and long-lens landscapes. This all-metal and weather-sealed lens works in all conditions and will be an ideal travel partner.
You can take images of stunning faraway mountains or your partner exploring the streets of your latest destination. This super fast and sharp lens can do almost anything with relatively low weight and takes up practically no space.
Fujinon XF 200mm F2 R LM OIS WR
Pros
- Flawless optics
- 1.4x extender included
- Weather resistant
Cons
- Bulky
- Expensive
- No aperture ring lock
This Fujifilm lens is one of the most expensive lenses on the market. This ultra-fast telephoto lens offers incredible sharp images with a maximum aperture of f/2 for low light performance for travel photography.
This would be perfect for travellers who are heading on an African safari and will be far away from all the action. But can equally be happy shooting portraits in the city.
This lens comes with a 1.4x extender as well to increase the focal range equivalent to 427mm focal length; quite a bonus, right? This is quite a large and heavy lens, so travelling with it can be difficult.
Fuji Prime Lenses – What to Know
You might wonder what a prime lens is and what makes one the best lens for travel photography. For those unfamiliar with a prime lens, it is a lens with a single focal distance.
They come in various focal lengths, from wide angles to telephotos, to suit specific scenarios. You might be limited by the focal length, but there are benefits to using prime lenses.
Generally, prime lenses have a maximum aperture that is higher than a zoom lens. They also usually have higher-quality glass and mechanisms because of fewer moving parts.
These lenses are much better in low light conditions and will give you sharper image quality.
But, most importantly, prime lenses weigh significantly less than zoom lenses and are compact. This is a critical factor for travel photographers who always have that luggage weight allowance in their minds.
They are easy to walk around with and don’t take up too much space in your daily travel bag.
They are incredibly reliable, so there are no taking detours to the local camera shop to fix lenses all the time.
They are more robust and can handle a little more knocking around than a zoom lens, perfect for that on-the-move lifestyle where accidents can happen.
Although travel photography is a style of its own, there are preferences for other styles.
Some travel photographers prefer to capture the beautiful landscapes of the places they visit. A 14mm wide angle is best for this type of photography.
Others prefer to take portraits of the people they meet on the journey and highlight their culture. The 35mm should be your first choice in this situation.
The lens you take with you should be appropriate for your style, so don’t take a 200mm lens if you prefer to shoot landscapes.
What you shoot will ultimately guide you on what lenses you should be packing in your case and what to purchase for your Fuji camera body.
Best Fuji Prime Lens for Travel FAQs
Which prime lens is best for travel photography?
There is no one “best” prime lens for travel photography, as the best lens for a given situation depends on the specific subject matter and shooting conditions.
However, a few general categories of prime lenses are particularly well-suited for travel photography. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing sweeping landscapes and vast cityscapes, while telephoto lenses are great for picking out details from a distance and isolating subjects from their surroundings.
For general-purpose travel photography, a standard prime lens in the 35-50mm range is often a good choice, as it strikes a balance between wide-angle and telephoto perspectives. Ultimately, the best Fuji lens for travel photography is the one that helps you capture the images that you want to take.
Is prime lens good for travel photography?
There’s no right answer regarding whether or not a prime lens is suitable for travel photography – it depends on your personal style and what you’re hoping to capture on your trip.
However, prime lenses have some advantages that may make them a better choice for travel photography than zoom lenses.
For one, prime lenses tend to be smaller and lighter than zoom lenses, making them easier to carry around with you on long days of exploring. They also tend to have wider apertures, which means they can capture more light and produce sharper images.
And because they have a fixed focal length, prime lenses can help you really hone in on your subject matter and composition. So if you’re looking for a versatile lens that will help you capture stunning travel photos, a prime lens may be the way to go.
If you are new to photography, my guide on the best mirrorless camera for travel will also be perfect for you.
Best Fuji Travel Lens – The Ultimate Travel Companion
When choosing your Fuji lens to take with you on your travels, it’s best to sit down and think. Consider where you are going, your style, and what type of travel photography you would like to shoot. This list includes the best Fuji lenses for travel.
This is about telling a story and showcasing these beautiful locations to the world. Giving your friends that wanderlust feeling and inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.
So buy that ticket, pack your bag and document your adventures for the world to see. What Fuji lens for travel are you going to take with you?