My Photography Gear, Part 2 My Camera Lenses
After introducing my Fujifilm X-T30 II, today I want to share the lenses that help me capture the world around me.
4 min read
My lenses
Taken by natalia justiciaIn my kit, I have one zoom lens, handy for changing focal lengths easily, and a couple of prime lenses, which I prefer for their compact size, light weight, and above all, the way they help me focus.
Before getting into each lens, it's worth mentioning that my camera has an APS-C sensor. This means focal lengths don't translate directly as they do on a full-frame camera. Due to the so-called crop factor (1.5x), a 27mm lens, for example, gives me a field of view equivalent to around 40mm. That’s why I include an approximate full-frame equivalent when I talk about each lens, to better convey how I see through them.
📸 Fujinon XF 16–50mm f/2.8–4.8 R LM WR
The most versatile lens I own, and while I acknowledge its usefulness, great for travel or unpredictable situations, it doesn’t quite fit the way I see. Zoom gives me options, but that’s exactly what distracts me. I often feel I spend more time turning the ring than observing. Framing becomes harder… and when that happens, I lose connection with the scene.
I keep it because I know it can be useful at times, but I rarely choose it first. At this stage in my photographic journey, I value the simplicity and creative discipline that prime lenses give me.
That said, it’s a very good lens with fast autofocus, sharp images, and consistent results. For those who enjoy the flexibility of a zoom, it’s a solid recommendation. It’s also a great starting point, one that can help you discover which focal length suits you best.
Captured with the Fujinon 16–50mm lens © eyeofnat
🌄 Fujinon XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR
This wide-angle prime is a favorite for landscapes, architecture, and open scenes. It forces me to get closer, to include more context, to think differently.
It’s compact, weather-resistant, and surprisingly sharp. The image quality is excellent with clean colors, well-defined lines, and very good flare control. I reach for it when I want to convey space, or when I want to play with lines, shapes, and perspective. It often pushes me out of my comfort zone, and I appreciate that.
Captured with the Fujinon 16mm lens © eyeofnat
🐾 Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR
My “invisible” lens. Light, small, and very discreet. It was my first lens, and it’s still one of my favorites. Perfect for travel: compact, fast, and efficient. Paired with the Fujifilm X-T30 II, it becomes an almost unnoticeable setup, ideal for staying under the radar.
The 27mm perspective (equivalent to 40mm) is very natural, close to how the human eye sees. Perfect for street photography, personal diaries, or spontaneous scenes. The autofocus is quick, and although it’s not very bright (f/2.8), it performs well in most situations. That said, it’s not the best choice for night or low-light environments.
I love it because it helps me stay in the moment. When I want to travel light or connect without overthinking, this is the lens I take.
Captured with the Fujinon 27mm lens © eyeofnat
🌙 TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 II
An affordable lens that truly surprised me. I enjoy it for portraits, details, and low-light moments. Its f/1.8 aperture gives me soft blur and a more intimate feel.
Though it’s not a Fujinon, it fits nicely into my flow. It has character. When I want something different, a bit imperfect, I reach for it. It’s great for portraits and close-up shots, where I can play with depth and let the scene breathe.
It’s not perfect. In backlight it tends to lose contrast, and the image can feel colder, almost washed out. It’s not ideal for tricky lighting or night scenes, but in the gentle shadows of the afternoon or quiet indoor light, it can be beautifully poetic.
Lightweight, metal-bodied, and quiet… a discreet companion that sometimes helps me see things anew.
Captured with the Artisan 35mm lens © eyeofnat
Fixing the Eye, Letting Go of the Rest
More than specs, what matters most to me is how a lens makes me look. Prime lenses, with all their limits, open up space for me to explore more intentionally. They invite me to walk, to get closer, to stand still and observe.
When I have too many choices, I hesitate. And in that hesitation, sometimes the essential slips away. So at this point in my journey, I choose to simplify in order to see more clearly. Choosing a lens isn’t just a technical decision. It’s a way of deciding how I want to be in the world when I take a photo.
Coming up next: I’ll be sharing more about my analog companion, the Ricoh Pentax 17, a different kind of seeing.
