Comments on: Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 WR vs XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II: Do You Really Need the Prime?

By: David Fleet

David Fleet — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:36:17 +0000

In reply to Yoann.

Hi Yoann,

Thanks for you rkind words.

While the choice is always subjective and personal, if you are not limited by budget the combination I would choose would be the zoom for general shooting and covering a wide focal range with brilliant quality. I’d pair that up with the 33mm 1.4wr as its probably the best of the Fuji primes and its a focal length that really takes advantage of the larger aperture with the ability to create family/kids photos that will stand out and offer better low light performanc and subject separation than the zoom. Why I’d choose it over the 23mm 1.4WR when paired with the zoom is simply becasue at 23mm , depth of field control is simply less desirable and less important.

All the best whatever you end up deciding.
David

By: Yoann

Yoann — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:10:39 +0000

Hi David, first i d like to acknoledge the quality of your articles, they are the best real workd i found so far.
i just got a xt5, my interest will mainly be family, kids, landscape/travel and a bit of street. I shoot only with a rollei 35s so far. But find it too tight sometimes. What i loved was having it with me all the time. I cant decide what should i get between the 16-55, the pancake 23 , or the 23 f 1.4 and 33 f 1.4. I m not too restricted budget wise so i could get the zoom and a prime… what are your thoughts? Thank you!
Yoann

By: David Fleet

David Fleet — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:28:13 +0000

In reply to David.

Hi David,

That sounds like a great setup, similar to how I use my X-T5 and X100VI.

All the best
David

By: David

David — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:37:47 +0000

I love the 33mm, it’s locked to my X-T5 I have the 23mm coverage through my X100VI (although I do also own the little 23mm pancake for out in the mountains with the X-T5.