![\"Small](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/LEARNING_CENTRE_tip3-sethkhughes-landscape-photo.jpg?width=862&height=575\")
\nIf you already have a standard zoom lens, then you already have the ability to go pretty wide angle, so we recommend taking this even further by specialising with an ultra wide-angle lens. The XF10-24mmF4 R OIS WR is portable, features optical image stabilisation, weather resistance and boasts a useful focal length range that overlaps with that of the standard zooms in our range. If you want to go even wider, look at the XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR, which offers superlative image quality and weather-resistant sealing \u2013 useful if you\u2019re outdoors. There are ultra-wide prime lenses in the range, too, such as the XF14mmF2.8 R, which is super light and portable, and XF16mmF1.4 R WR, which is almost as wide, but with a super-fast aperture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- ADVICE<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s hard to keep vertical edges looking vertical, because of the way these lenses exaggerate perspective \u2013 try to keep the camera perfectly straight to avoid this effect. Also pay attention to how you\u2019re positioning the camera, since very small camera movements translate into big changes in composition in the finished picture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If You Like Portraits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In some respects, lenses designed for portrait photography have characteristics that are the exact opposite of those you\u2019d want for shooting landscapes. Instead of getting lots in the frame, portrait photographers like short telephoto lenses that help them fill the frame without having to stand too close, which can make a subject feel uncomfortable. These lenses also compress perspective somewhat, making foreground and background seem closer together (useful for making the tip of a rather large nose seem closer to the rest of its owner\u2019s face!). Be aware, however, that using too long a lens and standing too far away has the effect of making people look fatter \u2013 hardly flattering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/LEARNING_CENTRE_DSCF2081.jpg?width=862&height=646\")
\nPhoto \u00a9 Kara Mercer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Portrait lenses also typically have large maximum apertures, which let photographers generate a shallow depth-of-field that emphasises a pin-sharp subject against a soft, blurry background. Couple this with the fact that longer focal lengths inherently have shallower depth-of-field and you have a recipe for success!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are several lenses to look for in the X Series that cover these bases, depending on your budget and shooting style. The XF50mmF2 R WR is a highly portable, highly affordable prime lens with an F2 aperture that lets you generate good background blur and a focal length that gives you a comfortable working distance. It also focuses very quickly\u00a0\u2013\u00a0good for moving subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To generate even shallower depth-of-field, look at one of the 56mm lenses in the X Series. The XF56mmF1.2 R is built to exacting standards and its very wide aperture lets you restrict sharp focus to your subject\u2019s eyes only, with their ear and nose becoming blurred \u2013 it\u2019s a powerful look! The XF56mmF1.2 R APD is an even more specialised version of this lens, containing an apodisation filter that gives background blur (or \u2018bokeh\u2019) an even softer, silkier feel. To go to real extremes, look at the XF50mmF1.0 R WR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is also the XF90mmF2 R LM WR, which does much the same thing as the XF56mmF1.2 R, but from further away, so you don\u2019t need to crowd your subject. Whether you go 50mm, 56mm, or 90mm depends largely on how much room you have to play with when you\u2019re making images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- ADVICE\u00a0<\/strong>When using lenses like this, it can be hard to get your sitter\u2019s eyes critically sharp if you\u2019re not used to working with such shallow depth-of-field. We recommend using Face\/Eye Detection and continuous AF to make sure your subject is always looking their best.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If You Want to Get Closer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a fan of close-up photography \u2013 be that for wildlife, fine-art, or still-life photography \u2013 then a macro lens should be firmly near the top of your shopping list. The XF60mmF2.4 R Macro is very portable and sports a fast maximum aperture that makes it a useful portrait lens, too. It can focus as close at 27cm and gives a magnification ratio of 1:2, meaning that objects are reproduced on the camera\u2019s sensor at half the size they are in real life. This is ideal for product shots, still life, and wildlife on location, as well as tightly cropped portraits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/LEARNING_CENTRE_Leaf-pattern.jpg?width=862&height=575\")
\nPhoto \u00a9 Bill Fortney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro is larger, but gives a higher 1:1 magnification ratio \u2013 ie objects are reproduced on the camera\u2019s sensor at the same size as they are in real life. The lens also sports an Optical Image Stabilisation system and weather-resistant protective sealing, making it a popular choice with wildlife photographers for subjects such as insects and wildflowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- ADVICE<\/strong> At such close working distances, it\u2019s hard to maintain accurate compositions, since the smallest camera movements translate into big changes in the viewfinder. Try using your camera on a tripod when working with a macro lens for more precise results and an easier experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If You\u2019re a Traveller or Visual Storyteller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When travelling with your camera \u2013 be that on holiday or when working on a documentary photography project \u2013 portability becomes as important as anything to do with image quality or performance. There are a couple of different approaches to travelling light: either go for zooms that cover off multiple focal lengths in a single lens, or choose compact prime lenses that take up less space in your bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/LEARNING_CENTRE_almaraz2018_33.jpg?width=862&height=575\")
\nPhoto \u00a9 Afton Almaraz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n If you think the zoom approach suits your style of photography, look closely at what you already have. The FUJINON XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS is highly portable and delivers superb optical quality, and is included with many X Series cameras as a kit lens. If you want something with a wider aperture and even better performance, the XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR will impress you, while the XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR makes for a great all rounder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a whole series of compact prime lenses in the X Series that cover focal lengths from wide angle to short telephoto. You don\u2019t need all of them, but a kit that gives you wide, standard, and telephoto options will not take up much space at all. Take a look at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- XF16mmF2.8 R WR<\/li>\n
- XF18mmF2 R<\/li>\n
- XF23mmF2 R WR<\/li>\n
- XF27mmF2.8 R WR<\/li>\n
- XF35mmF2 R WR<\/li>\n
- XF50mmF2 R WR<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Their optical performance, great handling, and portability is perfect for any aspiring photojournalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- ADVICE<\/strong> At such close working distances, it\u2019s hard to maintain accurate compositions, since the smallest camera movements translate into big changes in the viewfinder. Try using your camera on a tripod when working with a macro lens for more precise results and an easier experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- ADVICE\u00a0<\/strong>When using lenses like this, it can be hard to get your sitter\u2019s eyes critically sharp if you\u2019re not used to working with such shallow depth-of-field. We recommend using Face\/Eye Detection and continuous AF to make sure your subject is always looking their best.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n