My FUJIFILM Gear for Music & Concert Photography
Through my 12+ years with FUJIFILM cameras and lenses I have had many different setups. I used to document a lot of dark electronic concerts where the F1.4 primes were a must. Since 2021 I primarily work for bands at larger scale concerts. With huge stages comes podiums and elaborate stage setups and I am often far from the musicians and a zoom is a must (or I would need to constantly swap between a bunch of primes and miss half the action). I have also wanted to simplify and reduce my setup.
I want it to be all about what I see, the composition, the emotion and I want to carry next to no gear at all and no shoulder bag during the show. I just really love focusing solely on reacting quick, being in position, getting the composition and emotion, that beats everything else.
Two X-T5s with XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF10-24mmF4 and the XF50-140mmF2.8 lens. My go to kit!
CAMERAS
FUJIFILM X-T5. The fantastic X-T5 is my favourite FUJIFILM camera for still photography. It is extremely nice to have 2 x X-T5 cameras at concerts so I rarely have to swap lenses, and to have them be 2 identical cameras is extra awesome, the same setup and muscle memory can be applied. Check out videos below for my X-T5 reviews.
FUJIFILM GFX100S II. I sometimes borrow the amazing GFX medium format camera from FUJIFILM Nordic for special projects. I use it for wide immersive pictures with the GF20-35mm lens. Read my review here.
MY GO-TO ZOOM LENSES
The XF16-55mm II is always on one my cameras. These are the 3 lenses I bring to almost every single gig I shoot.
FUJINON XF16-55mm F2.8 II. I used the great original for many years, the version II is a huge improvement and never leaves one of my cameras! Watch my video about the XF16-55 mk2 here.
FUJINON XF10-24mm F4. A recent addition to my bag, this new stabilized and weather sealed version of the 10-24mm is outstanding! Read my review here of this super compact super wideangle. For most larger concerts, there is enough light where shooting wideangle at F4 is not a problem.
FUJINON XF50-140mm F2.8. This telephoto zoom-lens is outstanding, such a good lens for getting close-ups on large stages / concert halls. For the work I do in concert halls I often use it with the 1.4x extender.
PRIME LENSES
These are primes that I sometimes bring if I know it is a super dark small venue
Fujinon XF33mm F1.4. This wonderful new 33mm F1.4 has replaced my old completely worn-down and broken (no autofocus) XF35mm F1.4. This new 33mm has incredibly fast autofocus and it is weather sealed.
Fujinon 23mm F2. I really like this small prime, and use it a lot in small venues. Also, my copy is a pre-release sample meaning it's not a finished production copy, so for some reason it flares like mad which I totally love!
Fujinon XF16mm F1.4. I absolutely love this lens, read more here. I have worn mine out though, my copy is really starting to show it's age and autofocus is wildly unstable so I don't use this lens much anymore.
LENS STRAP
Simplr Camera Straps model F1 is my preferred camera strap for all my cameras. They are light, strong and no-nonsense and it is super handy at gigs to be able to shorten and lengthen the straps easily. Check out my review.
CAMERA BAGS
Like most photographers I have owned far too many camera bags over the years in the quest for that perfect bag! One change I made a few years ago is trying to ban all weight from my shoulders during gigs, no shoulder bag or sling bag or backpack except for transport and it has really made a positive change for my shoulders+back. This is what I use now:
Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II. Awesome backpack and holds a lot of camera gear and laptop etc. The shoulder harness is really good so it works well for walking, riding a bike etc.
Lowepro Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II. Wheels! Omg this roller bag is awesome, it is a recent purchase and I should have bought this years ago to save my old shoulders and back! If I going on tour or transporting myself to the venue via bus, trains etc, I always use this now! I only use the backpack above when I am riding or know there will be lots of walking with the bag involved over uneven wheel-unfriendly ground.
Thinktank Thin Skin Belt V3.0 + lens pouches. This is amazing and a life saver! It looks a bit 'tactical' but I don't care anymore, it is a fantastic way to carry extra lenses during a show without a shoulder bag. You really don't feel the weight on your waist. I usually just have 1 lens pouch, sometimes 2. And I prefer the 'thin skin' belt because it is very light and flexible so it can be rolled up and fits easily in a bag.