LENS STORIES: Raj Sarkar x XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Being a street photographer it is always challenging to face various subjects appearing before me in every second and at the same time it is very interesting also to freeze those emotion of the people at their best. I always prefer to give some time to myself to submerge into the ambience so that I can understand the overall mood of that place as well as my main subject. Size of the gear plays an important role in this act, if I carry bulky camera with big sized lens, it will always attract the attention of the subject as a result my subject will become conscious and will start avoiding me or become stiff and due to that the purpose of street photography and capturing candid moment will be lost. Street photography demands practice through which one can develop reflex action and in this act a light weight camera body with a small lens certainly helps.

I prefer to shoot street with prime lens. For me, it was really a great feeling to hold the new 27mm 2.8 version II lens for the first time. It is a very tiny and compact lens. Using this lens on the field, especially street activities gave me a unique experience. While shooting this new lens with X series camera, I was amazed to see how those two part i.e. Camera body and lens were complementing each other.

This lens has offered a perfect balance with the camera body and as per my view it is the most essential part for a photographers like me to have a proper balance. It is always who is behind the viewfinder but on the other hand it is also true that without proper aerodynamic  body, tyre and engine of a racing car- it is very difficult to win the race every time , no matter how skillful the driver is where every second counts.

I have mounted this new lens with my other X series camera and each time it shows a great combination. I understood why Fujifilm camera and lenses are so popular because of their size and quality to produce top notch images and every time it fulfills its promise. Fast autofocus is a cherry on the cake. It never missed a good frame as one can totally rely on for faster moving object.

I mostly shoot in Kolkata as it is my home town. Kolkata has been called the “City of Joy, Creative Energy,” which is not hard to understand once you see how much there is to look at- color and light, movement, character, and history, so it is obvious to face these challenges with this new lens is a great option. I always try to be invincible so that I can get candid moments out of any chaotic situation and tiny lens like this always helps silently to do the job.

This lens offers 2.8 aperture which is large aperture for a street shooter like me. I have captured few low light images of my city and every time it has produce brilliantly sharp images with beautiful details and amazing color. In early morning under dense fog, harsh light in the day time or low light condition, it has never failed to meet my expectation. After using this lens I am more confident that in any lighting conditions I can shoot with this lens. 27mm focal length is very standard focal length, you can say a multipurpose lens which can be used almost all genre of photography but best suited for Street, Travel, Environmental portraiture, close portrait, documentary etc. Inclusion of aperture ring is proved to be handy as I don’t prefer to use other dial menu for changing aperture value, aperture ring will get locked if the aperture ring set on a auto aperture mode and by pressing a small button attached to it will release the lock instantly- I would say, and this is a great innovative idea indeed. I use to place my left hand just below the lens, so it is really easier for me to rotate the aperture ring without looking at other options and concentrate on the content of the frame.

This type of tiny classic lens always inject some kind of energy into the photographer and helps to explore possibilities in any given situation think this is a very artistic and  great lens which I can carry all the day for to meet my daily needs.

Biodata

Raj Sarkar is a Street Photographer and Educator. He holds MBA Degree in Finance and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application. He is the founder of World Photographic Forum, Curator of APF magazine Street Photography. He loves exploring possibilities on street. His main object is to Freeze the emotions and actions of people. He delivers lecture on photography in various Colleges and institutions like IIM (Indian Institution of Management), Xavier University, Union Chappell school etc. He also conducts countless workshops on street photography. He also curates’ various exhibition and he has also been appointed as a judge in various competition. Raj is a recipient of various awards, recently he has won the International Puskar Mela Contest, Winner Wiplay Photo contest “India in Color”. Finalist of Garuda World Photo contest and HIPA and his work has been exhibited worldwide. He reviews various gadgets and camera including Fuji x camera for Fujifilm. His article has been published in all renowned magazine and websites in the world like Fuji love Magazine, Street Photography Magazine, USA, Viewfind, APF Magazine, Smart Photography, Better Photography, Asian Photography, Chiiz magazine, Saveus, 121 clicks, National Geographic and more. Recently his photographs has been showcased in London Street Photography Festival and Indian Photo Festival. He was a executive member of Kolkata International Photography Festival 2019 and Portfolio reviewer in the Street Category. A Photography book published from House of Lords consist of his 40 photographs.

Website : www.rajsarkar.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/steet_raj