When life falls apart: Why the Fujifilm experience helps my mental health

A young girl sits by a riverbank looking out to the water. This is the river Earn in Crieff, Scotland.

The stress in my house has reached fever pitch in the last few weeks—palpable, chaotic, draining, and upsetting. I haven’t felt capable of thinking, let alone picking up a camera with any thought of inspiration. If I’m completely honest, I’ve been about as close to breaking as I’ve ever experienced. I’ve had to summon all … Read more

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 WR vs XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II: Do You Really Need the Prime?

Comparison of images from both teh Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8II lens and the Fujifilm 56mm 1.2WR lens.

In this final article in my series testing whether the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II can really be considered a bag of primes, I’m putting it up against the Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 WR, the latest version of what is arguably Fujifilm’s finest portrait lens. Unlike the other prime lenses featured in this series, the … Read more

Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 WR vs XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II: Do You Really Need the Prime?

A comparison of the bokeh between the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8II lens and the Fuji 33mm1.4wr lens.

One of the first prime lenses that photographers are often encouraged to buy is a 50mm equivalent lens, and for good reason. It’s a focal length that sits comfortably between wide-angle and telephoto, making it incredibly versatile. Step back a little and it can capture context and tell a story. Move closer and it becomes … Read more

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II vs XF 23mm f/1.4 WR: Do You Really Need the Prime?

A comparison image between the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8II lens and the Fujifilm 23mm 1.4WR lens.

One of the most common claims I hear about the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II is that it’s like having a bag full of prime lenses in a single package. As someone who owns both the zoom and several of Fujifilm’s premium primes, I wanted to put that claim to the test. … Read more

A Walk Through Beaver Country With the Fujifilm X-T5

A lone shed lit by dappled light seen through a canopy of tree leaves in woodland in Perthshire Scotland. Photo is taken on the Fujifilm X-T5 camera.

Sometimes the destination is little more than an excuse to get outside. That was certainly the case today. A fellow photographer had kindly shared the location of a nearby beaver colony, explaining how the animals had transformed the landscape beyond recognition. The chances of actually seeing a beaver in the middle of the morning were … Read more

Shooting the Fujifilm GFX100S in 2026: Slowing Down When Life Won’t

A row trees line the driveway to Strathearn Castle in Perthshire, Scotland. Photo is taken on the Fujifilm GFX100S camera and GF 80mm 1.7 lens.

2026 has been a pretty eventful year for me so far. It started off in the Philippines, trying to sell our belongings and arrange our international family move back to Scotland. Sorting out all the loose ends while also getting a home organised from the other side of the world was a bit of a … Read more

Best Fujifilm Lenses in 2026 — My Picks After Years Shooting Fuji

A selection of Fuji's best lenses photographed together on a black background with shallow depth of field and in dramatic light.

Last updated: July 18th 2026: I’ve been extensively shooting the lenses mentioned below alongside the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II to see if it truly replaces a “bag of primes.” You can read my full deep-dive into that project here. I’ve been shooting Fujifilm cameras since the original X-Pro1. Over the years … Read more