My Favourite

Unlike most Photographers, it took me a long while before I gelled with my 50mm 1.8. This Lens I got for my Nikon D90.

It felt long and at that time I didn’t know about the 1.5 Crop Factor. It turned this Lens into a 75mm Lens. I was confused about the Niffty Fifty for a long time.

This messed up my vision some what.

I eventually got the lovely DX 35mm which I use on my D7100. Things began to make sense as far as field of view is concerned.

Enter Fuji.

My second Fuji Lens was the XF35mm 1.4 which is a gorgeous optics - however, the 1.5 crop means it is a 53mm not a true 50mm.

What’s the big deal with 3 extra mm?

Nothing…

I zoom with my feet..

I became comfortable with the XF35mm and continue to enjoy using it.

Until I made a discovery.

Once I discovered the difference in view of those extra 3mm, I began to wonder. 50 divided by 1.5 = 33.333333

I began researching for a Lens with a 33mm Optics - I found one.

The Viltrox 33mm 1.4.

Well now, this is a conversation because here we have a Lens which is 49.5mm when multiplied by the 1.5 Crop.

I have to say, I really love this field of view.

It feels “normal” to my eyes.

Psychologically, I feel “relaxed” using it.

Look at these images for a second.

These were all created using The Viltrox 33mm 1.4 on my Xpro2 - it’s not coming off. It’s a perfect match, well balanced and feels right at home.

This Len has really grown on me.

I can’t explain it scientifically, I just don’t understand how these optics work.

What I do know is that my eyes have been a big problem in my life. Numerous operations on my left eye. My right eye is off balance and short sighted.

This means I am constantly compensating no matter which Lens I am using. The physicality of my image creation means I have to work the scene with real intent. Fortunately, I have trained my eyes and mind to see at 16mm, 18mm, 23mm, 27mm, 35mm, 50mm, 56mm, 60mm & 90mm - these are all of my Prime Lens in my tool box.

Now that the 33mm has joined the family, I have a normal Lens for my everyday images that feels just right. I known exactly how to work this beauty.

What does this mean for my 35mm?

This is the beginnings of my Telephoto Portrait Kit.

The 35mm, 50mm, 60mm and 90mm all feature in my Portrait Life Style work.

Strangely enough, the 35mm on my Fuji puts me 2mm closer to 55mm on my xpro 2 which is a perfect distance for three quarter length portraits. Longer Lens means head and shoulders.

So my favourite Lens for everyday usage, the streets, street portraits is The Viltrox 33mm 1.4.

I hear that Fuji will be releasing their own XF33mm 1.4. I have no doubt this will be epic. It has to be because third party companies are now catching up.

I support the third party creativity because I use Sigma and Tamron on my Nikons when I do Events.

I am not sponsored by anyone.

I support myself and enjoy my passions.

The one thing I have learned is that it’s important to discover how I see.

How does my eyes work?

What is my vision like?

What lens works best for my eyes?

This discovery has given me a wonderful database of knowledge about how to use a Lens on my camera. This means even when I’m using a zoom, I know exactly where to position it for the image I need to create.

Consequently, I will zoom with my feet to fill in the gaps.

I have trained myself using Prime Lens. So a Zoom Lens means having more than one Prime in one Lens, like the wonderful XF18-55mm F2.8-4, albeit with a different maximum Aperture.

That doesn’t bother me.

What’s important is learning the vocabulary of all my Lens.

Mission accomplished.

Thanks for reading x