Parting Shots
Not really. But kind of. Last night I took a short stroll after sunset to take a few random shots with one of my most important lenses. Just enjoy some moody photos if you’re inclined; the words aren’t necessary to them.

It would only be of interest to me, but sometimes I feel like I should briefly write out my history with 35mm lenses on crop sensors, just because it’s been ridiculous (or rather I have). No other lens type has provoked in me so much indecision, philosophizing, reassessment, self-criticism, confidence, frustration, and I suppose interest on some level. But that’s another story. I don’t really intend to make this blog too much about gear talk, but right now I just feel like acknowledging a piece of gear that I think has played an interesting role for me. And in a way, I think this is somewhat about me, examined through the lens of lenses. But really….

This is about my Fuji 35mm f1.4. It’s not going anywhere, but its routine is about to change. This was the last day before the arrival of a new lens that I expect to replace it as my primary general purpose normal prime. The 35 has really been my workhorse lens since I got it more than two years ago. Seriously, I think I used it for 90–95% of everything I shot for the first six months I had it. Anything I could shoot with it, I did. It’s been invaluable in super low light situations. It’s been my go-to when shooting theatre promotions. It’s been the lens I’ve trusted to handle whatever comes up, because it can handle so many subjects and situations, in whatever terrible lighting I find myself in. And it’s pretty compact. For those reasons, it’s been the one lens that’s always in my bag, whether I’m planning to use it or not. I’ve sometimes thought, if I had to select one lens to use, for purely pragmatic reasons, it would have to be this one just on the basis of how often it’s my first choice, how often it’s my only choice, and how often it’s workable when it’s not my first choice. It’s the lens I seem to really need… even if it doesn’t usually resonate with me as much as my preferred lenses.

And that’s how I relied on the original XF35mm as one of my most important lenses for more than two years, only to now give in to my long suppressed secret desire for the Zeiss Touit 1.8/32mm, which has subtle rendering differences that do resonate with me. As much as I’ve appreciated the XF’s capabilities, I just couldn’t get over the realization that one of my most used and relied-upon lenses is also the one that least often impresses me with its output.



I wasn’t intending to pile on the complaints, but it’s also mildly annoying to use in very quiet environments (constant little aperture noises when stopped down, and a chkk! every time I switch between shooting and reviewing). And, this might seem ridiculously trivial, but I have a habit of shooting while sitting or crouched, then resting the front of my lens hood on my leg and hitting the playback button, but with the 35 I have to remember to not do this because I don’t want the focus motor going in and out of standby position under the weight of the camera. And I have to keep my hand away from the front when focusing, and can’t place a free finger under the hood for extra support. Maybe that usage routine reminded me a little too much of using my old Canon 50/1.8II, watching out for the extended section and making sure it’s stowed away after use. Maybe it’s that every other lens I use these days just feels better than that. Little things, but they add up. When it’s a bunch of little things, constantly, over a period of years, they sure do add up—especially if the return doesn’t feel rewarding. It sounds like I’m talking about a breakup, and I guess in a way I am.
So, for my dear little XF35mm, this isn’t goodbye, but I think it’ll be good for us to spend less time together.

