Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR Review | Best Lens for Street Photography?

When it comes to finding the best lens for street photography, having the right combination of features–subtle, compact, and sharp is key. The right lens can make all the difference in capturing moments as they unfold in front of you. 

The one that has become my go-to choice for street over the last couple of years is Fujifilm’s new(ish) 27mm f/2.8 WR. 

This is an upgraded version of their original 27mm pancake lens–the main differences being improved optical quality and weather sealing. 

It’s not quite the latest and greatest. It has limitations as an ultra-compact pancake, (and we’ll talk about those too) but there are so many shots I wouldn’t have if not for this lens.

Let’s talk about why Fuji’s tiny 27mm has earned a permanent place in my camera bag and whether it should be the next addition to your kit too. 

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Just a bit of context

Before we dive into the details, it's important to understand my point of view and the way I use this lens. The truth is, we don’t all want, need, or expect the same things from our gear, so it’s important to understand who you’re hearing from if you’re researching cameras or lenses to add to your kit. 

If you don’t know me, I’m a street photographer, filmmaker, and full-time traveler.

My criteria for gear is simply:

• As small and light as possible

• Weather-sealed

• Delivers professional/high-quality results

• Reliable/sturdy/predictable

My street photography shooting style:

I am not a Fujifilm ambassador–I think I’m too honest (blunt?) to ever become one–and I paid full price for this lens just like you would if you bought one yourself today.

I’m also not going to talk about barrel distortion, lens coatings, or anything like that, because I just don’t care. What I will discuss is the results I have gotten from this lens, real-world performance, and my thoughts after spending hundreds of hours shooting with it in cities all over North America over the last couple of years.

Form factor + the Fujifilm x100V

One of the standout features of the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR is its compact size. 

It's a pancake lens that is incredibly small and lightweight making it extremely portable and absolutely perfect for travel and street photography. If you’ve been interested in the Fujifilm x100V but understandably dissuaded by the absurd price gouging and lack of inventory around that camera, this is a great alternative. 

Build your own Fuji x100v

If it’s the form factor of the Fuji x100v you’re interested in. You can use this lens to build your own x100v by pairing the 27mm with a Fujifilm X-Pro3, X-E4, or really any other rangefinder from Fujifilm’s lineup.

In fact, that’s pretty close to the thought process I had when I picked up this lens in the first place. I wanted an “x100v” but with the option to use more than just the fixed 23mm featured on that camera.

Is the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR the best lens for street photography?

This lens gives you superpowers in the street photography world. Pair this lens with a rangefinder like we discussed a second ago, and you’re practically invisible. 

Even when people do happen to spot you working with this lens, there’s very little chance they’ll take you all that seriously. The whole combo makes you look like an amateur, and this perception always works to your advantage.

It allows for more candid shots without making your subjects feel intimidated, and people are so much more likely to assume they were just ‘caught in the crossfire’ than the subject of the composition itself.

I’m not condoning shady street photography behavior, that’s creepy.

But what I am saying is that taking candid photos of strangers with this lens is a much better experience than say… with some giant f/1.4 prime or a zoom lens the size of your forearm.

Trust me, I have plenty of experience shooting with those lenses too…

Another benefit? You might be less of a target

Street photography is a pretty safe pastime in my extensive experience, but there’s always some degree of risk when you’re walking around the city with a camera. However, unless someone is familiar with Fujifilm, the 27mm f/2.8 doesn't scream expensive or fancy. Especially when it’s on the front of a tiny rangefinder.

Again, this is all anecdotal, but there are literally zero drawbacks to receiving less attention when you’re out in the city taking photos.

The focal length

I love the 40mm equivalent (27 x 1.5 = 40ish) focal length. It feels like the perfect everyday length. I don’t notice much of a difference between a true 35mm and this lens. If anything, I appreciate the tiny bit of extra reach.

While conventional wisdom often recommends using 35mm or 50mm lenses for street photography, I've found the 27mm (40mm) strikes an all-too-perfect balance between the two.

If anything, it’s more likely to feel a bit too tight than too wide in my experience, so I often carry a backup–a Fujifilm 16mm f/2.8 WR–that I switch over to in those moments. 

Nonetheless, the 27mm lens serves as a fantastic middle ground, offering a versatile perspective that bridges the gap between wider and tighter focal lengths. If you find yourself torn between bringing a 35mm or 50mm lens, the 27mm lens could be the perfect compromise.

Autofocus and technical performance

Okay, the boring stuff. 

Weather sealing

The Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR is weather-resistant (read: WR), providing a little added security when shooting in challenging weather conditions. I honestly don’t know how much I trust the weather sealing, especially as the front element moves in and out when focusing. 

I could see that front sealing failing in heavy rain, but I’ve used the lens in several storms, snow, and dusty environments, and it still functions perfectly. Knock on wood. 

Autofocus

The autofocus is not mind-blowing. It isn’t particularly fast. It hunts in continuous. It’s loud as hell. Sometimes it just doesn’t acquire focus at all. The motor has been known to fail in some cases (insure your gear, please). Honestly, it’s probably my biggest complaint about this lens.*

If Fujifilm put out a V2 of this lens with improved AF, I’d 1000% upgrade to that. 

That said, it’s not bad, I’ve just seen better. I still get plenty of in-focus shots, and I’m intimately familiar with working around its limitations at this point. 

*I have heard reports of the AF motor failing in this particular lens, but have not had that issue with my copy after 2+ years of heavy use. 

Aperture

A maximum aperture of f/2.8 is relatively slow on an APS-C camera, especially one without stabilization like the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 which I pair it with most often. I don’t shoot a lot at night, but when I do I generally opt for something a little faster. 

If nighttime photography or professional portraiture (do you need BOKEH bokeh?) is your primary focus, this lens is not a wise investment for you. 

Image quality

Absolutely no complaints. For a lens of this size to perform as well as it does, I regularly question whether Fujifilm stumbled upon some form of photographic witchcraft or wizardry when they developed this lens. 

Quirks & lens hood

I really like shooting into the sun, and I really, really like lens flares. The ones this lens renders are really cool. Also note: there is no lens hood so if you’re trying to avoid this behavior, you’ll have to pick up a separate hood that screws on using the front filter threads. 

I own and like the official Fujifilm option.

Wrapping up

For street photographers, the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 lens is a powerhouse. The small size combined with its performance makes it an ideal addition to anyone’s kit. 

Is it the best lens for street photography? That’s for you to decide, but I can tell you it checks every single box for me. 

It’s an interesting one to review because in my view, the form factor and user experience sort of negate all of the cons I’ve been able to find after years of use and tens of thousands of photos. 

So, if you're in search of a fun, reliable, and compact pancake for your street photography endeavors, I really can’t recommend the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 enough. 

Have any questions or comments about this review? The best place to get in touch is Instagram.

Thanks as always for reading, get out and try something new today!