Dear All, what should I want?

[AlfRjw]

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

Edited May 2, 2023 by AlfRjw
spelling

[Blue Zurich]

Hi,

imho the 70-300 is very underrated, so many head to the 100-400 but the former keeps you in the small-ish Fuji world with incredible IQ, takes an extender well as well. My recommend would be the XF90. I believe it pairs very well with the 27, close to the classic 35/135 FF 2 lens combo I have and many have used over the years. IQ wise the 90 is closer to the 35 but 50mm isn't my cup of tea. So if you are focused on a new lens being a zoom, the 70-300 is a great addition to your current focal lengths, if I was you though, I'd head to Fujifilm refurb and get a 90 for $640. It's magic and in those locales you have coming up, it would be nuts. Good luck!

[biglouis]

Looking at your photography you don't need another lens to create good photographs.

However, we all like to experiment with lenses and I'd recommend you choose something unusual for your style and just enjoy using it.

The good news here in the UK is that there are several good second hand sources of lenses so the cost of experimentation is not that great (you can always, send back, resell etc for no/very little difference in purchase price).

For example, I am blessed with acquiring and owning a lot of Fuji glass over the years. But I never had the 56mmf1.2 and although I didn't need it I bought one (from eBay this time) just to 'play' with. I like walking around and with only this lens and then finding ways to create interesting compositions.

So, my advice is to do that. Buy something you don't necessarily need but would enhance the pure enjoyment of photography.

Just my two cents.

LouisB

X-T4, XF 56f1.2, f1.2, iso250 1/200 56mm

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Edited May 11, 2023 by biglouis