Travel and interior design photographer Anne Eeckeman takes the latest X Series camera and lens combination on a trip along the coast of northern France
Whether discovering new destinations or uncovering the inner beauty of homes, Anne Eeckeman’s passion is for finding pockets of aesthetic value and showing them to the world. “I am a photographer and content creator sharing my love for travel and interior design,” she begins.
“I conduct photo shoots for various home decor brands, tourist offices and companies dedicated to the universe of children – since I am also the mother of two little girls,” Anne adds.
The FUJIFILM X-T50
Always eager to accommodate love for her family within her passion for image making, when Fujifilm offered Anne the opportunity to try the new FUJIFILM X-T50, she knew exactly how she wanted to test it out.
“It was the perfect occasion to take my little family with me to the Bay of Somme, between Ault and Le Tréport,” Anne enthuses. “This is a place I love for its tranquillity, architecture and the charm of its houses, but most of all the beauty of its cliffs – the perfect playground to test the X-T50! With its compact size, intuitive ergonomics and responsiveness, it was the ideal ally for this photo report.”
The new X-T50 packs high-performance imaging hardware – like X-Processor 5 and the X-Trans CMOS 5 HR image sensor – into a compact and lightweight body, making it an excellent camera for life on the road.
“What defines my photographic style is its graphic aspect,” suggests Anne. “I love playing with shapes, shadows, the combination of colours and, above all, managing to photograph moments, smiles and light effects. So I need an intuitive, high-performance camera that allows me to focus on what’s most important to me: the image and its composition.”
Professional features
Despite its portability, the X-T50 offers a high-end photographic experience. “For my day-to-day photography, I use the FUJIFILM X-T5, and found that it shares many similarities with the new X-T50, including the 40-megapixel sensor,” remarks Anne.
“This offers impressive image resolution and allowed me to use Digital Teleconverter modes or easily crop my photographs in post-production, to improve composition without losing noticeable quality.”
The X-T50 also features in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), offering up to 7.0 stops of benefit. “For this photo report, we left in the middle of winter when the light became scarcer from the mid-afternoon,” remarks Anne. “I greatly appreciated the built-in image stabilisation – very handy for remaining handheld, even at the end of the day.”
Thanks to its updated hardware, the X-T50 also plays host to Fujifilm’s latest autofocus algorithms, including subject detection modes powered by artificial intelligence. “To photograph fleeting moments and moving subjects, I could rely on the fifth-generation autofocus – a real asset for this camera,” she adds.
New Film Simulation dial
“How can we talk about Fujifilm without thinking about their iconic Film Simulation?” asks Anne. “The great beauty of the X-T50 is the addition of a dial dedicated to these simulations,” she explains.
Located on the top-left of the camera, the new Film Simulation dial allows immediate access to a selection of classic Fujifilm looks alongside custom recipes.
“I’ve been working with Fujifilm bodies for eight years now, and I’ve always favoured the CLASSIC CHROME Film Simulation, which allows me to soften the image for a slightly desaturated colour rendering – closer to analogue photography,” says Anne.
The camera has 20 Film Simulation modes – including the new REALA ACE profile – and, like all Fujifilm cameras, allows users to get creative and customise their own unique looks.
“Here, with the X-T50 and its dedicated dial, I was able to switch from one simulation to another in an instant, choosing the colourful ambience that matched my desires according to the scenario,” explains Anne. “It opens the door to even more creativity!”
The FUJINON XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR
For the perfect travel set-up, Anne was also equipped with the latest X Series lens – the FUJINON XF16-50mmF2.8-4.8 R LM WR. This multipurpose zoom is compact, light and weather-resistant, making for a top-rate travel companion. It has improved resolving power, too, which allowed Anne to make full use of the X-T50’s powerful sensor.
Despite Anne’s usual preference for prime lenses, she found this new standard zoom to be ideal for her needs. “Regarding lenses, I must admit that I have my little favourite: the FUJINON XF35mmF1.4 R, which brings a lot of light and depth to images thanks to its wide aperture,” she smiles.
“But here, during this weekend, I was able to discover the brand-new XF16-50mm, with its internal zoom and aperture of F2.8-4.8. It has the advantage of being compact, light and versatile to quickly adapt to my framing needs and desires – unlike a fixed focal length which can be a bit more limiting in this context.”
Offering great wide-angle settings for landscape and architectural photography, a mid-telephoto focal length for stunning portrait work and a close focusing distance of just 24cm for great food photography and close-ups – if you only have room for a single lens on your travels, this all-rounder is a fantastic option.
“My conclusion? I loved wandering along the coast with my little family, having the X-T50 always on me, slung over my shoulder, ready to be drawn at any moment,” enthuses Anne. “It’s a model I recommend for those seeking a compact camera that’s high-performing, accessible and intuitive!”
