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I am in that curious situation where I managed to give in to lust one year ago, at the painful cost of ten year of accumulated gear in the lovely micro 4/3 - I wanted sensor, I wanted available light, and for my sins I got my wishes in the form of the smallest black duck : the Fujifilm X-E4 and two lenses convering about 78% of my historical shooting (16mm and 27mm - both f/2,8 - for the curious, ie. 28mm and 40mm in full frame speak). Added a 56mm Sigma on the cheap, loved it, got an adaptor for my Hexanon oldies, fetched a 23mm TTartisan like the cool guys. A friend saw the pictures from my little niece wedding, and did the Ask, and I was easily convinced as always it is when it's ladies asking things of me being all cute and smiling - and with my dearest immedately jumping on the occasion for some dressup party and volounteering to assist for the boduoir shooting (it works wonders for making the subject relax and feel confident when there's a lady around, and quite curiously she happens to be very present, cute and affectionate whenever I happen to be around beauties of the more or less undressed variety, which around here includes most of elegant wear). Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF16mmF2.8 R WR ISO 640 16mm f/2.8 1/400s Disagree with this one if you dare She even got me a second X-E4 courtesy of the bride to make sure no emergencies arise on the day, and the lovely Fiona and her cameras as third weel free shooter to complete the package. A little 15-45 got in as stabilized wideangle for party pics. Then the bomb dropped - the marriage is to be postponed for a few months while a few medical inconveniences on both sides get solved allowing for much more relaxed celebrations. Much simple for my dearest - just more time to prepare Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max back triple camera 6.86mm f/1.78 ISO 80 6.9mm f/1.8 1/879s So here I am: you don't see me much around here publishing, but that is because I am out shooting like mad, culling and processing, and most of the times I won't publish without a little of story to go with the images. I am of course to fall into the largest of GAS attacks as now I have the time for it, with a little time expected to be Out There (central Asia in the Mangystau and then to be in Samarkand at last) and then this Mission. Of course I must need something to do all this special shooting, of course I must be not enough ready with what I have. You all know this situation. But I'm stumped. Should I want a 70-300 for the loveliest desert in the world? A 18-300? Or should I save for the 17-70 (or 16-80, I trust you) for the marriage moment? Maybe add a little flash like those cute godox senior lux for that? Meanwhile I shoot shoot shoot and I realize I need help to concentrate on what's important. I can't go on only doing this: Fujifilm X-E4 SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary 018 ISO 320 56mm f/1.4 1/1250s Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ ISO 320 15.2mm f/4.0 1/6000s Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 640 27mm f/2.8 1/22000s Or this: Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 800 27mm f/2.8 1/9s Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 80 27mm f/2.8 1/1500s Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 640 27mm f/8.0 1/110s Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 800 27mm f/2.8 1/56s Even yesterday afternoon, Mayday at the Museum to see the new Kimono collection and some restored pieces from the archives - and new old machinery too: Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 6400 27mm f/2.8 1/80s Fujifilm X-E4 TTartisan 23mm f/1,4 ISO 8000 23mm f/1.0 1/100s Being where the stuff is made gives you a lot of prospective, as friends are working the fashion industry and can explain it all. Fujifilm X-E4 TTartisan 23mm f/1,4 ISO 6400 23mm f/1.0 1/100s Fujifilm X-E4 TTartisan 23mm f/1,4 ISO 3200 23mm f/1.0 1/80s Yes, she wore almost all of these at least once. Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF27mmF2.8 R WR ISO 640 27mm f/4.0 1/280s I need help

Well my friends I went and done it! Some of you guys who have been here a while may recall my daughter "borrowed" my X-T1 and my "don't leave home without it lens" the Fuji 18-55. For the last several months I've been photographing using my primes only -- the fabulous 16 f1.4, the 23 1.4, 35 1.4, and 60 2.4 plus the 55-200 zoom. And I loved doing that. I've truly enjoyed making images as I have to be slower, and more thoughtful in the process plus, let's face reality, the primes will always beat a zoom with regards to sharpness, and micro-contrast among other things. However, the 18-55 is a lens I cannot live without! I love it. There I said it. If I loved it any more I'd have to name it and provide it it's own ss number for tax purposes. I do plan on continuing to use primes for most of my images as I really enjoyed using them and have weened myself off the zoom, but I will feel much better knowing my 18-55 is back in my bag just in case I need it! To be completely honest: I looked at the 16-55 2.8. Many of you who "know me" know that I've said I would never purchase this lens, and it's brother the 50-140 2.8 due to 1) the weight and 2) price. I looked at the 16-55 2.8, i thought about it, but I just couldn't bring myself to purchase this heavy, and expensive lens when for a quarter of the price my 18-55 works wonders, is super tack sharp, and has provided me with YEARS of use -- my original 18-55 was the kit lens that came on my Fuji X-E1 I purchased back in February 2013! This image below is one of over 16,000 images I have taken in various locations ranging from Key West, to Prince Edward Island in Northern Canada between mid-July, and early November. I believe I "lost" the 18-55 to my daughter when I returned from the Keys and was prepping to head north -- this image was in fact taken with the 18-55 lens. So, I'm now whole again and I couldn't be happier knowing it's there in case I need it. PS: Here in the Classifieds I'm offering for sale my Zeiss/Touit 12mm F2.8 lens. Check it out if you are in the market for a wide-angle for your Fuji!

I just want to get some help from you guys on what lenses and accessories may I need for the celebration of a 15 years birthday party. Photography is a hobbie but a friend that is budget restrained needs my help. I already explained to him I am not a pro. I will be using my camera Fujifilm X-T2 with 14mm f2.8, 23mm f1.4, 35mm f2 and 90mm f2 lenses. I know it is kinda special event and don't want to miss any important moment so, I also use a 5D Mark 3 with 3 zooms (24-70mm f4L IS, 16-35mm f4L IS, 70-200mm f2.8L IS II) and 3 primes (15mm f2.8, 50mm f/1.8 STM, 100mm f2.8L IS). I will have a set of 3 Canon 600EX-RT and transmitter (and umbrellas/softboxes) for the Canon and a hotshoe speedlite for my Fuji camera in case I needed. In this event, there is no such a church ceremony like weedings but a ceremony/party at a medium-lit hall. After all this story, which gear and set up would you suggest? Thanks in advaces for your suggestions.

Warning, long post… This is my background: When I travel, I always struggle selecting the gear I’ll use on the trip. I try to keep it as simple/light possible to enjoy the trip (normally walk 6-10 hours a day) while being flexible enough to avoid missing shoots because of gear limitation. Also, I have a concern on safety in dangerous places or pickpockets, so I try to be as low key as possible too. Besides traveling, I do a lot of street photography but also wedding and social events (not as first income) so most of my gear is more an expense than investment. I’m very critical with gear results/quality, so I tend to avoid cheaper lens/bodies/accessories and high ISOs so tend to pick faster lenses. Unfortunately, my budget is not unlimited so I have to pick gear wisely. I’m mostly prime shooter and have 14, 23 F1.4, 35 f2 and 56. XT2, XT1 and X100s cameras I have 2 type of travel that I have this problem: Local Travel, Small Towns/Villages, Hiking. I try to travel very light and shoot documentary, portraits, with some landscape. With X100s I miss a lot of wide shots, specially on interiors, close-ups (do not like the lack of sharpness at f2-f4 of x100s here) and tele shots. With the XTs I have to carry at least 3 lenses to cover what I normally shot and end up changing lenses a lot. Should I go with a zoom instead? Guided Tours or Photo Expeditions to tourist or exotic locations Big/long trips that you go once in your lifetime where photo opportunities are too varied within the trip and between trips, like the north/south pole, Africa, jungles or rainforests or cultural like Europe or Asia. Here I shot everything (photo or video) I face and struggle the most to plan if I need a telephoto or a wide angle or zooms or WR lenses or tripod or monopod…. I only went to Europe with XT and 14,23,35 and while weight was not an issue I changed lenses too much and was not enjoyable. For places where wildlife is the main attraction I’m doomed with my longest lens being the 56. I plan to travel more, so I want to hear your recommendations not only on lenses, but also on bodies, accessories, filters, bags etc. as I may change (sell) or add gear based on your recommendations. I greatly appreciate your help in advance Happy Holidays

During last year trip to Schwarzwald, I took several pictures of my buddies and their way how they protect their gear during rain.

I all, I am searching for a good tripod to use with my X-T1. I don't need something too big and heavy since I am not planning to buy and use lenses bulky as the 50-140mm. Instead I'm searching for a tripod to carry on long trips in the nature, one that can be placed close to the ground and lets say up to 1.50m I would like to hear opinions and experiences of other X-shooters. cheers