How a Compact Setup Changed My Photography Forever
When I first started in photography, I believed that using a large camera body with big lenses made you a better photographer. My mindset was simple: bigger = better.
As my journey progressed, I noticed some disadvantages of a larger setup. Eventually, I reached a point where I had less motivation to take my camera out.
In this blog, I’ll share how switching to lightweight and compact gear has transformed my photography, along with the benefits it brings compared to the heavy equipment I used to carry.
I use Compact Lenses
Back when I started I used to carry a 50-250mm zoom to photograph nature and animals which was really nice. However the lens was quite heavy to carry around on smaller trips or even just walking around the city.
In 2022, I purchased the Fujifilm XE4 with the XF 27mm f2.8 lens. At the time, I had little experience with compact lenses and cameras (though I did own the Fujifilm XT-4, which I already considered small). Still, I decided to try it out and put aside my larger zoom lens.
It took some time to get used to the 40mm focal length (full-frame equivalent), as it sits between the more common 35mm and 50mm ranges. But after a while, I started to love it—not just because of the focal length, but because of its pocketable size. I can take it anywhere, even slipping it into a coat pocket, which has made it my most-used lens.
Aside from the XF 27mm, I also use other small lenses. If you’re familiar with the Fuji system, the term “Fujicrons” probably rings a bell. These are compact, lightweight, weather-resistant lenses. For street photography, I often use the 35mm f2, 16mm f2.8, and the 50mm f2.
I started recording some lens stats from when the new Fujifilm X app was released. It's not 100% accurate as I'm not always transferring my activity records and some lenses I did get later on this year, like the 16mm f2.8, but it shows how much a smaller lens impacted the number of photo's I take.
I don’t need a fast aperture
I’m mainly drawn to compact cameras and lenses. However, lenses with very fast apertures tend to be bulkier than I’m comfortable with. Through my street photography, I’ve realized that you don’t need an f1.4 lens or the fastest camera body to achieve great results.
In my style, I typically shoot at f5.6 to f8 during the day, and that’s more than fast enough for most situations. Only on rare occasions, when I’m doing nighttime photography, do I need an aperture of f2 or lower.
For me, photography is about seeing, which is the most important skill a street photographer can develop. Aperture is more of a stylistic choice (unless you need the extra light) that enhances the look of your image. If your style demands a shallow depth of field to achieve the shot, then that’s something to focus on—but for my approach, it’s not essential.
Here I used the 16mm f2.8 to get this shot of a matching blue jeans and some stairs. Shot at f.5.6
I Take More Photos
Another advantage of a smaller setup is that I find myself taking my camera out more often. It’s easy to carry around, and I can go about my day without feeling weighed down or overly conspicuous. For example, I like doing other stuff like groceries or seeing family while having my camera with me. If I see something worth capturing, even if I’m just walking back to the car, I can quickly snap a photo without much hassle.
Having my camera with me most of the time also makes me more aware of my surroundings. I’m much less likely to miss a good shot. In the past, with my bigger gear, I often found myself thinking, “If only I had my camera with me,” far more often than I liked.
Here I was sitting on a bench with these tiny holes in it. Having my camera with me allowed me to create something where I normally would not have noticed a photographic opportunity.
I’m Can Be More Stealthy
Since my setup is small and fits in one hand, people don’t immediately notice me, and they usually don’t mind when I take a photo with them in the frame. This makes the experience more pleasant for both sides, and I feel more free to take risks or be creative with my compositions because people aren’t as bothered.
On the other hand, when I attach a zoom lens, people’s reactions change dramatically. A larger setup has a more imposing presence, which can “blow your cover,” making street photography more difficult and less enjoyable.
With my small setup, even up very close, whilst shooting from the hip, she didn't notice me.
Final thoughts
Switching to a compact setup has completely changed the way I approach photography. It’s given me the flexibility and spontaneity that I needed, without the restrictions of heavy, attention-grabbing gear.
I could also think of many reasons why people use larger setups, like better zoom range, less lens swapping etc…
This is just my take and how my experience has been over the years and why I prefer compact over everything else.