Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR Review — Beautiful, Sharp… but Do You Really Need f/1.2?

A Fujiiflm XF 56mm 1.2WR lens mounted on a Fuji X-T5 camera. Photographed on a black background in dramatic lighting. This image shows the view from the front of the camera including the lens element.

Last Update February 23rd 2026:I’ve continued shooting with the XF 56mm f/1.2 WR this year, it’s a lens I’ll likley never sell. My impressions remain the same: the autofocus isn’t as quick as Fuji’s linear-motor primes, but the image quality wide open is still fantastic — and every time I use it, I’m reminded why … Read more

The Best Gifts for Photographers in 2026 (That They’ll Actually Love)

A pile of lots of camera bags of all different kinds including those from Peak Design, Lowepro, Manfrotto and others.

Update — 24th May 2026 In January I moved to Scotland and since then I’ve been shooting a lot more wildlife and landscape photography. Despite that shift in what I photograph, the best gifts for photographers remain largely the same because the genuinely useful things tend to stay useful regardless of genre. Good bags, reliable … Read more

Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 vs XF 23mm f/1.4: Which Fast Fuji Prime Should You Choose?

The Fujifilm 18mm 1.4WR lens next to the Fujifilm 23mm 1.4WR lens on a balck background in dramatic light.

Last Update – May 20th 2026I’ve continued shooting with both lenses since this review was first published, and my impressions haven’t changed — if anything, they’ve strengthened. The 18mm keeps surprising me with its rendering and how naturally I’m adapting to its wider field of view, while the 23mm remains my most intuitive all-rounder. It’s … Read more

Fuji XF 18mm f/1.4 WR Review – The Lens That Surprised Me

The Fuji 18mm 1.4WR lens next to the Fujifilm 23mm 1.4WR and Fuji 33mm 1.4WR on a black background in dramatic light.

Last Update May 7th 2026: I’ve now spent much longer shooting with the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 WR across family photography, travel, landscapes and everyday life, and my opinion of it has only improved with time. Despite now shooting extensively with multiple systems including high-end Nikon full-frame gear, this is still one of the Fuji … Read more

The One Habit That Transformed How I Photograph My Kids

A photo of a young girl enjoying the snow. Black and white photo taken on the OM Systems O-M1 camera with the Olympus 25mm 1.2 Pro lens.

Okay everybody, look at me — 1, 2, 3, say cheese!” It’s the universal language of photographing our kids. If you’re anything like me, your parents probably put you through this routine thousands of times. And just like most kids, you probably froze up, felt awkward, and muttered under your breath: “Not Dad with his … Read more

Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography in 2026

The Fuji X-T5 camera next to the Nikon Z6III photographed on a black background in very dramatic light.

Last updated March 23rd 2026: Note on Compact Cameras:If you’re looking for genuinely pocketable cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI or Ricoh GR IV, I’ve covered those separately in my dedicated Best Compact Cameras for Travel Photography 2026 guide. This article is different — it’s for people who want a more capable travel camera system with … Read more

Best Lenses for Travel Photography with the OM System OM-3 in 2025

The OM Systems OM-3 camera held in a hand at a bar near a tropical beach in beautiful afternoon sun light.

Updated April 2026: This guide has been refreshed to reflect my current OM-3 lens recommendations, including the lenses I think make the most sense for travel, everyday shooting, and getting the best balance of size, image quality, and versatility from the system. I’ve owned and shot with a huge variety of Micro Four Thirds lenses … Read more