Two years ago, I wrote about getting back into photography and my choice of camera, the Panasonic Lumix LX100II. Since then, I’ve taken the camera on my travels and photo walks, shot portraits for work, and taken family pictures.

Even tho I told myself after selling all my Nikon gear that I didn’t want to deal with camera body and lenses, the lure of prime lenses and the Fuji camera sensors was too big. I settled on a middle ground, only buying secondhand gear and in the case of the camera bodies, buying older models.

Photography is a hobby, and I’m not willing to invest extremely large amounts in one camera body or lens for a hobby. I also have other hobbies — books! tea! coffee! It was an easy decision. The biggest pro of using an old secondhand camera is that I’m not paranoid about scratching the body or it getting dinged. The lenses I’m much more careful with them, providing them with filters to protect the glass and in other cases for the effect.

The first year with the Lumix I was very careful with it. Now I’m more relaxed, the camera shows it’s used. The zoom button is not working smoothly anymore, and it has acquired a few other quirks. Eventually, I’ll take it to a shop to have it serviced and repaired.

That Dutch weather

It turns out that if you like street photography and live in rainy Netherlands, getting a weatherproof camera is kind of a must. Considering the prices of secondhand Fuji’s I decided to get an X-T2 from the Dutch “ebay”. It was a risk as it’s without warranty. But now more than a year later, the risk paid off, the camera still works fine and I’ve taken some great photos with it even during rainy days.

Lenses being more fragile I bought three secondhanded ones from the camera store in the past year and a half. The store services everything before selling them, and you get a year warranty. I currently have a Fujinon 23mm F2 WR which is my go-to lens and a Viltrox 56mm F1.4 XF. This week I got the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN. I was set at first on only shooting with a prime. But I missed some flexibility in some situations where not even my two feet could help me frame the shot right, especially in tight spaces.

I wanted the Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R but it’s impossible to find secondhanded and even new it’s sold-out. Also, it’s not weatherproof. The weatherproof versions are big and heavy. As much as I want a super sharp lens I value light gear to walk around with more.

The Sigma popped up in the secondhand store while I was going back and forth on what to get and after a quick research on it, I bought it.

The first test photos with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN shot with the Fuji X-E2. Post edited in Lightroom.

After my trip to Paris with the X-T2 I found out that that walking around with it all day in a huge city, gets tiring. So I got a Fuji X-E2, also from the Dutch “ebay”, which is a lighter body. I’m not a very technical person photography-wise. But I did notice that even shooting RAW when I post edit photos in Lightroom, the photos taken with the X-E2 will have a more film-like colour than the one shot with the X-T2 and even more than the ones shot with the Lumix LX100II. Or maybe it’s my imagination.

Photography as therapy

Since I got back into photography it’s not only something I do for fun, it has also become therapy for me. A way to turn my constantly overthinking off and deal with anxiety. When I get into the flow of street photography I will forget time. I’ll only stop when I have gotten thirsty, my feet hurt from walking and my body says enough. But the calm I get from it is priceless.

During my photo walks I have taken some great photos that I published on my photography website. My Instagram account went from posting everyday shots to a curated feed. Although I miss just putting everyday photos on my feed. I haven’t come up with a solution yet, short of creating a second account, but that is too much hassle. I already have enough social media accounts as is.

My first expo

This September for the first time one of my photos will be displayed in an expo here in The Hague. I have had some of my photos used in print but this is the first time I submitted one for an expo and it was selected! I’m still having difficulty absorbing how fantastic this is. To have my photo showcased together with works from awesome photographers.

The expo will showcase photos related to The Hague, shot by photographers from The Hague both professionals and hobbyists.

My renewed journey in photography has taught me that while you do need good gear to take photos. Skills, an eye for it and patience are a must. But you do not need the newest of the newest nor the most expensive to shoot great photos.