Top 10 Landscape Photography Images With the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm

Landscape Photography With The Fujifilm XF 55-200mm

The Fujifilm XF 55-200mm is an almost perfect landscape photography lens that every travel and landscape photographer should have in their arsenal. So, in that case, it seems a little awkward that I am writing a blog about my top ten landscape photography images to showcase my time with the XF 55-200mm due to now parting our ways.

But please, let me explain...

Since owning the lens since early 2018, the 55-200mm is an intelligent alternative for photographers who didn't get strung up and fall for the "must-have" red badge option. Quality to price ratio, the 55-200mm stacked up well compared to the 50-140mm in terms of image quality. However, if you were looking for that low light beast, the F2.8 Tele was the way to go and almost the only reason to upgrade. (as a landscape photographer)

Roll on to the end of 2021 when the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm is announced, my ears pricked up, and I stood to attention. Over the years, as my photography knowledge expanded and I grasped a better understanding of composition elements within Telephoto photography, I did always find myself either looking for a little more sharpness or just a fraction extra reach. Hence, I got very excited over the 70-300mm.

Now before you think the XF 55-200mm will fall off the face of the earth, or you will see them lined up in the gutters because they are obsolete - that's 100% incorrect information. Picking up a second hand XF 55-200mm is a fantastic option for budget-friendly or beginner photographers. Learning the craft of telephoto photography, not only in the field but also in post-production, is probably the significant learning curve of any lens in the trilogy range.

I am delighted I started with the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm as my first Fujifilm telephoto lens. It's affordable, lightweight, exceptionally sharp and the ideal travel companion.

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm VS Fujifilm XF 70-300mm

However, if you are a little more fortunate than many other photographers out there, budget isn't a decisive factor. The additional stop of stabilisation, extra touch of sharpness and overall more extended focal range from the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm (in my opinion) is a better option.

Below are my Top 10 landscape photography images with the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm. They may not be the 'best' compositionally, but they have a significant meaning associated with the lens.

And yes, I do talk about my lenses like they are my children, they've been to over 100 countries with me, we have a strong bond what can I say...

Top 10 Landscape Images With The Fujifilm XF 55-200mm

1 - One of my all-time favourite images at Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, an image I chased for four years and over 20 mornings chasing the perfect light. So much so this image made me cry in happiness after I finally captured it, which you can watch here.

2 - The first-ever image I took with the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm. A massive trip planned to Kyrgystan with my best friend Alex with the sole purpose to have an epic road trip and to learn the craft of telephoto photography. Think we done alright, you can watch the process here.

3 - Scale is one of the main reasons, in my humble opinion, to own a telephoto lens for landscape photography. Yeah, shooting wide-angle and capturing everything in the scene is impressive, but when you can showcase that these mountains in Kyrgyzstan are 5000m+, now that to me is cool!

4 - Capturing unique images the way you see them from a heavily shot location. Jamnik Church is one of the iconic locations that put Slovenia on the photography map for many. This is a cutout from a beautiful panoramic I captured during the fall season, and the special conditions surprised me, you can watch that video here.

5 - One of the most significant appreciations I have accomplished whilst learning telephoto photography is the fantastic composition element of panoramic photography. Understanding the landscape in conjunction with the more extensive focal range you are shooting can completely transform how you capture unique landscape images. A must watch the video here on capturing this video.

6 - The day I found my new love for wildlife photography and the day I realised the Fujifilm 55-200mm just wouldn't cut it for me. Travelling the world previously, I felt like I wanted longer reach, but coming home to Australia only confirmed that. Watch this video to understand why completely...

7 - Isolation is another excellent reason to own a telephoto lens. Capturing a heavily photographed location/country can be transformed entirely with a more extensive zoom range. I photographed this in crazy cold conditions; watch me freeze here.

8 - For a relatively budget lens, Fujifilm always finds a way to deliver exceptional quality to price ratio. Shooting in extremely harsh conditions in the Durmitor National Park, with excessive contrast displayed throughout the image, I was amazed by how much detail and vibrancy I was able to achieve from a single exposure.

9 - Storytelling is a fantastic unique way to express yourself through photography. Telephoto photography is a challenging way for me to imagine and express certain areas of my travel without telling too much of the story. A mind is a powerful tool; let other people make up the rest of the story!

10 - As landscape photographers, we are almost forced into the way we shoot with the writing in the name. However, after 2 years of shooting telephoto photography I began to visualise (and feel like I still am) the landscape and capture more minimalistic landscapes. Once I started shooting more vertical compositions, this is when I felt like I would adore just a little more focal range to play with.

Conclusion

I will leave this short and sweet if you are someone that is starting with your photography, wanting to learn telephoto photography or have a limited budget, I recommend the Fujifilm XF 55-200

Lastly, if you have a larger budget, are always looking for the latest gear or want the perfect combination for the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm, the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm is the ideal lens for you.

Finally, as a landscape and travel photographer, I couldn't recommend the premium 'Red Badge' XF 50-140mm unless you are also an event or wedding photographer.