Shooting the streets of Hong Kong with the Fujifilm X-E2 & 27mm pancake lens

A last test I wanted to do with the Fujifilm X-E2 I had on loan from Fujifilm Middle East, was a Street Photography shoot. Spending 36 hrs in Hong Kong earlier this week, was perfect to see how documenting the streets with the new camera, compares with the Fuji X-E1 ! 

Fujifilm Middle East also lend me the tiny 27mm 2.8 pancake lens; a great companion for my street photography needs. All images below were shot with this very sharp prime lens.

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

I've written on this blog several times, that Hong Kong is a Street Photography paradise; after New York it is clearly my preferred place to document daily life on the street!



Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens
I shot the images below over a two hour period, walking along parts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the camera was set up using the new AUTO ISO mode (min shutter speed 1/400s for fast street photography action, maximum ISO 3200). 

Some of the images were shot from the hip, like this one below. 

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

Images were all shot in RAW format (RAF called by Fuji) and then converted to Black and White in Lightroom 5.3 RC, even though the camera was set up to shoot in Black and White with a Yellow filter. This way I already "saw" in B&W through the viewfinder.

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

The better autofocus really has been great while using the X-E2 in Street Photography mode. Sometimes things on the street happen quickly. A split second difference in grabbing the focus often makes or breaks the image! Just like when this sailor looked straight at the camera on the Hong Kong Star Ferry.

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

When shooting on the subway (metro), it is vital that one can shoot without being noticed. Even though the shutter is clearly louder than the Fuji X100S, it is acceptable.

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

Since I have started using the Fujifilm cameras one year ago, my love for Street Photography has grown exponentially. There is no way I would even get close to having the same results with the full frame DSLR like my Nikon D800. 

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

After I have used my own X-E1 for a few days again now, (yes had to return the X-E2), the main differences I notice are the improved autofocus and the somewhat faster writing speed to the memory card. I also appreciate the higher resolution on the LCD screen to check my focus after the image has been made.

Hong Kong Street Photography with the Fuji X-E2 & 27mm lens

So overall I can really recommend the Fujifilm X-E2 with the 27mm pancake lens, as your main Street Photography camera/lens setup!

All of my recent street photography can be found here.

Remember; "Your first 10000 images are your worst" Henri Cartier Bresson

BJORN


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