Learning

Photography is more than just pointing and shooting—it’s about capturing the world in a way that tells a story or evokes emotion. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, there’s always something new to learn. From choosing the right gear and mastering light to nailing composition and post-processing, these tips will help refine your skills and make your photos stand out. Dive in and explore practical advice to take your photography to the next level!

Mitakon Vintage

Mitakon Vintage

There’s a special kind of joy in using a manual lens like the 35mm f/0.95—large aperture, dreamy bokeh, and that tactile focus feel. Pair it with a vintage filter, and you’ve got a recipe for instant creative vibes. It’s less about perfection and more about the process, and every shot feels personal. Definitely a combo…

X-H1 IBIS
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X-H1 IBIS

With IBIS on the X-H1, even small prime lenses can be stabilized: here the 23mm/f2 handheld at 1/4s. Long exposure with motion blur creates such dynamic and artistic shots. Whether it’s streaking lights, flowing water, or blurred movement of people, it adds a sense of energy and time to an image. The effect transforms everyday…

Subway Speed
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Subway Speed

Testing the X-H1 with the 10-24mm to see if IBIS makes a difference, but it turns out I still can’t push beyond 1/4s—about the same as I could manage with the X-T2. Not that I’m complaining, as 1/4s is already pretty solid for handheld shots. Just wanted to see if the IBIS would let me…

787 Narita
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787 Narita

Took two shots with the Zhong Yi Optics 35mm f/0.95, one wide open and one at f/5.6, and the difference is fascinating! At f/0.95, the dreamy, creamy bokeh takes over, isolating the subject beautifully with a soft, artistic vibe. It’s perfect for creating that shallow depth of field look. At f/5.6, the scene becomes much…

Zhong Yi Optics
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Zhong Yi Optics

First day with the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II on my Fuji X-T2, and I’m seriously impressed! The results are remarkable—it reminds me of my beloved Canon 50mm f/1.2L, but sharper and much easier to focus. That Canon lens produced stunning images but was notoriously tricky to nail focus with. I think it…

Christmas Mood

Christmas Mood

The festive lighting at Omotesando Hills for Christmas is nothing short of spectacular. The elegant displays and twinkling lights create a warm and inviting atmosphere, blending modern style with holiday cheer. It’s a perfect spot to soak in the Christmas spirit while enjoying the chic vibe of Omotesando. For reference, the same scene but in…

XF 55-200mm

XF 55-200mm

Took some handheld shots at 1/15s using the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, and I’m impressed. This “cheap” zoom really delivers. The image stabilization is fantastic—better than I expected and even better than the Canon 100-400mm I used to own. With the Fuji, I can still get sharp shots at 1/15s, whereas with…

Traffic Lights

Traffic Lights

As I mentioned earlier, playing with the focus ring of the little Zeiss Biogon is such a treat. Here’s a defocused shot of the road while waiting at a traffic light in Tokyo. The blurred lights and soft bokeh create a dreamy, abstract vibe—proof that even a mundane moment can turn into something visually interesting…

Biogon Focus

Biogon Focus

The focus ring of the Zeiss Biogon 35mm is such a joy to use—smooth, precise, and with just the right amount of resistance. I find myself often playing with it, even when I’m not shooting, just because it feels so satisfying. It’s a reminder of how much fun manual focus can be with the right…

Biogon Bokeh

Biogon Bokeh

I’m loving how the little Zeiss Biogon (35mm) beautifully blurs the background at a large aperture. The soft, creamy bokeh adds so much character to the shots, making subjects stand out while giving the images a dreamy, artistic feel. This lens has a way of turning everyday scenes into something special!

Station Agent
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Station Agent

The 56mm f/1.2 APD has become a permanent fixture on my X-T2—it’s just that good! Incredible sharpness, dreamy bokeh, and perfect for portraits or anything with a shallow depth of field. On another note, The Station Agent was the first movie I saw with Peter Dinklage, long before his Game of Thrones fame. Such a…

Biogon at Night
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Biogon at Night

Tried the little 35mm Zeiss Biogon on the Fuji X-T2 for some night shots around Kagurazaka, just a few steps from home. No post-processing aside from a red filter, and I’m loving the result. The lens captures such rich tones and character, with a natural, almost film-like feel. A great match for night photography!

XF 23mm f2

XF 23mm f2

The latest addition to my Fuji XF lens collection is the 23mm f/2 (35mm equivalent), and I’m loving it! It’s super light, incredibly sharp, and focuses lightning fast. I’ve always preferred a 35mm equivalent as my go-to walk-around lens, and this one is a perfect replacement for the Sigma ART I used on my 5D…

Boarding Train
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Boarding Train

I’m really happy with the bokeh and colors of the XF 35mm f/2. It’s much lighter than the f/1.4 and focuses significantly faster—perfect for quick shots and everyday use. The weather resistance is an added bonus too. If you’re on the fence, I’d say make the switch—you won’t regret it!

XF 90mm and Dust

XF 90mm and Dust

I had to return my first Fuji XF 90mm lens because it came with dust inside straight out of the box. The replacement was clean initially, but after just three months of use, I’ve noticed around 20 specks of dust inside. While I understand that this doesn’t impact image quality, it’s frustrating for a lens…

X-T2 Limit
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X-T2 Limit

Pushing the Fuji X-T2 to its limits at night with boost mode at 14fps, face tracking AF, a minimum shutter speed of 1/200s, and very high ISO—it’s definitely a challenge, but the results are seriously impressive! The camera handled the fast action and low light beautifully, capturing sharp details and keeping noise surprisingly under control….

Kagurazaka Night
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Kagurazaka Night

Went wide angle, large aperture, and close to the ground with the XF 16mm f/1.4 in Kagurazaka at night. The lens captured stunning detail with a shallow depth of field, turning the glowing streetlights and narrow alleys into a dreamy, cinematic scene. This lens continues to amaze, especially in low-light conditions!

Baseball at 8fps

Baseball at 8fps

Testing out the X-T2’s 8fps mode—it’s already fast, though half the speed of its max burst at 15fps. Honestly, what would I even do with that many shots at the highest speed? :) 8fps feels plenty quick for most situations, and it still captures all the action without filling up the card too fast!