Having had to flee our home in Ukraine, 2022 was a year of rebuilding, both our lives and my camera gear. Some gear remained in Ukraine, some was traded in here in the UK. That said, my primary camera system is still Fujifilm. I had brief flirtatious thoughts of Sony but Fuji kept me with their brilliant X-H2. Our creative vision can only be translated to beautiful images if we use the right tools of the trade.
More most of my photographic life, I worked with Nikon systems. Starting with the Nikon F401 and ending in 2014 with my six year old Nikon D3. It was that year that I made the switch to Fujifilm X series cameras. There was nothing wrong with my Nikon gear, however, for my needs as a travel photographer and videographer the Fujifilm system just worked better. And that’s the key, you need to work with a camera system that suits you and your style of photography, not one that may be perceived as a better brand.Â
OF course as photographers we adapt and we change, so whilst the Fujifilm X series may be right for me now, who knows what I will be using in 6, 12 or 18 months time.Â
But for now my workflow is based around the Fujifilm X-H2. Here’s a comprehensive list of the tools of the trade that I am using as of the beginning of 2023. Please note that these are affiliate links, clicking them will not cost you anything but if you do decide to make a purchase, I will get a small commission.Â
My Cameras and Lenses - The Fujifilm System
Fujifilm X-H2
The Fujifilm X-H2is now my primary shooting camera for both stills and video. As a hybrid camera and at it’s price point it is unrivalled in my opinion. It shoots 4k at 60fps in 10bit, with an Flog profile. For still images Fujifilm X series cameras have an enviable reputation for their color science. That color science is based around the many different film stocks that Fuji have produced including Velvia and Astia.Â
Fujifilm X-T2
My first flirtation with the T series of cameras, the Fujifilm X-T2 is still my backup camera. It has a slightly lower megapixel count than the Fujifilm X-T4 and is a less capable video camera. The still images it produces however are stunningly good.
Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4.0
Previously Ihad written a blog post about my experiences with the Fujifilm XF14mm f/2.8. Spoiler alert, I really liked it. However with my move more towards landscape and seascape photography I needed something a little bit wider and more flexible. Up step the brilliant little Fujifilm XF 10-24mm.
Fujifilm XF16-80 f/4.0
The Fujifilm XF18-55mm is a kit lens in name but in reality an extremely good mid range zoom. Unlike most kit lenses, it is relatively fast, has a metal construction and boasts very good image quality. It came as a package with my Fujifilm X-T2 and to this day is my primary lens for travelling. IÂ have kept this lens as a backup lens for my Fujifilm X-T2.
Its replacement is the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4.0. A slightly slower but more versatile lens that is on my Fujifilm X-H2 about 80% of the time. Its a good sharp lens, perfect for general travel and walk around shots and was bought as part of a package deal with the X-H2
Fujifilm XF60mm Macro
I have buyer’s remorse about the Fujifilm XF60mm Macro. I originally bought it for my Fujifilm X-Pro1 but to be honest rarely use it. It’s not a real macro (micro if we are to be pedantic) in that it does not focus at 1:1. The closest it gets is 1:2. It’s 90mm equivalence is already covered by another of my lenses, the Fujifilm XF55-200mm. It will probably be sold in 2022.
Fujifilm XF100-400mmÂ
Gone is the Fujifilm XF55-200mm and in comes the Fujifilm 100-400mm. Much stock video these days is shot with wide or standard lenses as it’s easier to shoot without a tripod. However I really like the compressed look of telephoto video shots and they really stand out in stock libraries, the 400mm end is an equivalent of 600mm full frame One of my best purchases to date. It requires a tripod for pretty much any video shooting but it's OIS - optical image stabilisation makes it very usable handheld for stills photography.
Other Tools Of The Trade
DJI Ronin SC Gimbal
I am a big fan of gimbals for video work. My first flirtations, using the Zhiyun Crane did not go well. The Zhiyun was extremely unreliable even when it was replaced for a better model by the company I bought from. Enter the DJI Ronin SC, excellent quality, powerful and a perfect match for my Fujifilm X-T4. The gimbal is currently at our home in Odesa, Ukraine. Hopefully, soon we will be able to rescue it.Â
Atomos Shinobi Field Monitor
Another really good and useful purchase, I use the Atomos Shinobi on many of my video shoots. The large screen and abundance of video aids make it a powerful tool.
Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fibre Tripod
Most photographers, myself included have a love/hate relationship with tripods. They are a cumbersome necessity. My Manfrotto 055 is some 14 years old and a little lacking in some of the more modern tripod innovations. It is however immensely strong and yet compact and light. All that’s really needed.Â
Manfrotto Befree Live Tripod
This is a lightweight video tripod and I hate it. Yes it’s small, yes it’s light but the fluid head, just isn't and it’s lightness makes it useless in it’s primary goal. Another product for the eBay files in 2020 I suspect.Â
DJI Air 2S
A 2022 purchase to replace my venerable yet brilliant DJI Phantom 4 Pro. When the war in Ukraine started, IÂ saw a post from a friend that ran a DJI dealership in Odesa asking for drones to be donated to the military. It was a no brainer. IÂ was in England, my drone at home in Odesa so IÂ arranged for the activists to collect it and deliver it to the front lines.
As we settled in the UK it came time to replace the P4P and the Air2S was the best bang for buck. Despite being a level below the Phantom 4 Pro, it was two to three generations newer. It had a 1" sensor, 10 bit video and a much longer battery life than the Phantom. I am very impressed with the output of this small drone but am also considering adding the Mini 3 Pro to it with a DJI Remote replacing the borderline obsolete Smart Controller. IÂ also took the CAA A2 CofC this year giving me the ability to fly in much more restricted locationsÂ
DJI Osmo Action
I am not a surfer, I do not jump off cliffs using a reconfigured tent, so why a DJI Osmo Action? Put simply, to vlog, something it excels at. Unless of course you need good sound. For that, you are going to need an adaptor, a 2022 purchase.Â
In 2023, IÂ plan to do a lot more landscape and seascape photography.Â
What I know is that this list will be constantly evolving over the months and years. The tools of the trade need constantly updating.