We’ve never been let down by this kit when shooting documentary photos, street, and other candids.
Earlier this year, we carefully observed the kits used by award-winning press photographers. What we learned is that there truly is no such thing as a bad camera anymore. They’re all good. It’s just how you use them. But some companies have been creating unique products. Getting documentary photos that no one else has, and a look that no one else has is important. And so we’ve put together a list of favorites. We’ve used and tested all these products, and we strongly recommend them!
Fujifilm X Pro 3: Focus on Your Documentary Photos
In our review, we state:
“…when it comes to working in the studio with a dancer mostly staying in place, the Fujifilm X Pro 3 was able to keep up. To explain this further, we tweaked the AF-C settings in the menu to cater to the subject. While this helped a lot, it means that every time you start working with a different subject type, you’ll need to tweak it.”
Buy Now: $1,799
Sample Images
Fujifilm XH1: The DSLR Feel for Those Shooting Documentary Photos
In our review, we state:
“The Fujifilm X-H1 has fantastic single autofocus and fantastic continuous autofocus. In video, I’m really, really impressed at the camera’s ability to keep a subject in focus.”
Buy Now: $1,679
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Fujifilm 23mm f1.4 R: A Perfect Focal Length for Documentary Photos
In our review, we state:
“When you first mount the 23mm f1.4 to your camera, something really magical happens after you get the first photo that you really love. Using the lens will bring back a nostalgia that you may have had when first creating your earliest film images.”
Buy Now: $749
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Pro Tip: One of the best ways to get unique photos with these cameras and lenses is to use the Classic Chrome or Classic Negative film simulation. You’ll probably say that you’ll fix it in post-production. But with this setup, there’s no real point. Embrace the cameras and lenses for what they are!
Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 R: Social Distanced Documentary Photos
In our review, we state:
“Paired with this lens, it looks just like the images came out being used with Zeiss glass. I say that because their rangefinder glass doesn’t have as much microcontrast as their DSLR glass, but it is still noticeable. And the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 does have some microcontrast indeed to make subjects pop.”
Buy Now: $599
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Fujifilm 16mm f1.4 R WR: Wide Documentary Photos
In our review, we state:
“But besides the fact that it can shrug off the rain, the lens feels great in the hand. The focusing ring is smooth, the aperture ring has decent clicks, and it just feels like a solid lens meant to do lots of work.”
Buy Now: $999