Alwin Kok

Viltrox 56mm f1.2 Pro – Meet the Portrait Diva

The 85mm full-frame equivalent has long been considered the ideal portrait focal length. Its natural facial rendering, flattering compression, and versatility have made it the gold standard among portrait photographers worldwide. The newly release Viltrox 56mm f1.2 Pro is the lens created for this purpose. Intro The Viltrox 56mm f1.2 Pro marks the third addition to Viltrox’s…

Viltrox 9mm f2.8 – Ultrawide Is In The Air

The Viltrox 9mm f2.8 Air is the latest addition to the growing “Air” lineup. If you’ve been following the series from the start, you’ll notice an interesting trend: the focal lengths have been gradually moving wider: 56mm, 35mm, 25mm, 15mm, and now an ultrawide 9mm. It makes me wonder what Viltrox has planned next. Maybe…

Godox iT20 and iT22 – When Cute Meets Powerful

Godox has been on a roll lately, launching compact flashes faster than any competitor can catch up. The new Godox iT20 and iT22 are perfect examples of this momentum, proving once again that small doesn’t mean weak. Intro Both flashes were announced in July 2025, just two months before the iT30 Pro hit the scene. The best part? Both support TTL,…

Freewell X100VI Accessories: Adding a Little Extra Magic to the X100VI

Every now and then, something interesting pops up in the world of camera accessories, small things that somehow make a big difference in your shooting experience. For us Fujifilm X100 users, those little tweaks often go a long way. Recently, the good folks at Freewell reached out and asked if I’d like to try their new X100VI accessories.…

TTArtisan 75mm f2 – When Short Telephoto Lens Feels Just Right

When it comes to a 75mm focal length, it’s not exactly the most common out there. Most photographers are more familiar with 56mm, while 75mm sits in that in-between telephoto zone that can feel a little intimidating, especially if you’re shooting in tight urban spaces like I do. Space is a luxury here, and a longer…

AstrHori 18mm f5.6 Shift Lens – Shift Happens

Tilt-shift lenses have always been a niche tool, designed for very specific kinds of photography, the kind most photographers never touch because, well, they used to cost a small fortune. But times have changed. With the rise of Chinese lens makers, we’re now seeing more affordable alternatives entering the market. These lenses bring once-exclusive creative…

Godox iT30 Pro – Small, Smart, and Surprisingly Powerful

In recent years, we’ve seen a steady rise in the popularity of what many call the “flash look”, a style that embraces the direct, on-camera flash aesthetic. This has sparked a growing demand for compact, budget-friendly flashes from a range of manufacturers. I still remember when Godox was among the early pioneers of this trend,…

Fujifilm XF23mm f2.8 WR – The Pancake We’ve All Been Hungry For

23mm (35mm in full-frame equivalent) has always been my favorite walk-around focal length. So, whenever I’m not testing lenses, the X100VI is usually the first camera I reach for. With the release of the new XF23mm f2.8 WR, we now have three different 23mm options from Fujifilm. That really shows just how popular this focal…

Fujifilm X-E5 – The X-E That We Have Been Waiting For

Fujifilm X-E5 is the newest camera in the X-E series and of course in the Fujifilm X series family as well. There was a saying that this series has been a lot of ups and downs with speculation about this series been axed. But it survived everytime and always been refining and Fujifilm always trying…

AstrHori 27mm f2.8 – No Longer A Pancake

Suddenly, there seems to be another new hype for 27mm among third-party manufacturers. I have no idea why there are suddenly so many 27mm in the market again. If you are not familiar, Ulanzi and 7Artisans release the same 27mm f2.8 setup. (Just that Ulanzi only released it for the Sony E-mount.) On a second…

SG-Image 25mm f1.8 – The Fresh Face

Just like the mobile phone industry, where new brands and manufacturers frequently emerge with bold innovations and/or competitive offerings, the photography market is no stranger to fresh faces aiming to make their mark. In this case, the latest entrant is SG-Image, also known by its Chinese name, 深光影像. Intro Although SG-Image is still a relatively new name…

Meike 55mm f1.8 Pro – What Makes a Pro II

The Meike 55mm f1.8 Pro is the second lens in their professional-grade lineup, released shortly after their first Pro lens. This quick follow-up suggests that Meike is pretty serious about expanding its offerings for APS-C users. For photographers, this means more choices, and this is always a good thing, though it can make deciding between…

Meike 85mm f1.8 Pro – What Makes A Pro?

It’s been almost six months since I last got my hands on a Meike lens, and today I’m checking out something a bit different: Meike’s very first Pro lens.  That alone is enough to get me curious. However, the focal length itself isn’t new to me; I’ve used it before and, to be honest, it never really left a great impression. But every lens is different, and with this being Meike’s first step into the “Pro” territory, I am genuinely interested to see if this one can turn things around. Maybe it’ll surprise me. Intro Meike launched the 85mm f1.8 Pro in November 2024, and let’s just say: it definitely turned some heads. Not because it’s an 85mm lens (we’ve all seen those before), but because “f1.8” and “Pro” in the same name?  That’s not something you hear every day. It left a lot of people curious, and maybe even a little skeptical. I mean, isn’t “Pro” usually reserved for the big, heavy, brighter aperture, bank-account-crushing glass? So now the big question is: what actually makes a lens “Pro”? I’m here to test it out and see if this one earns the badge or if it’s just wearing the title for fun. Design and Build Quality The first thing I noticed about the lens design is the noticeably bright red ring at the rear lens. Like the Meike 33mm f1.4 and Meike 55mm f1.4, it takes inspiration from the Canon L…

TTArtisan M01 Camera Flash & J01 Wireless Flash Trigger – Pocket Flash Setup on a Budget

If you’re familiar with TTArtisan, you’ll know they’re more than just a lens manufacturer; they also create a range of camera accessories. TTArtisan has consistently explored ways to make photography more enjoyable, adaptable, and practical through thoughtful accessory design. This time, they’re launching not one but two new accessories: the M01 and the J01. One…

7Artisans 35mm f1.4 – Budget Beauty With A Missed Opportunity

The XF35mm f1.4 holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the first three lenses ever released for the X-mount, but I didn’t get my hands on it right away. I finally picked it up when I bought my X-T3, and it’s been with me ever since. Over time, I’ve come to…

Viltrox Camera Battery Charging Case – Something On The Go

Battery charging case is not a new product accessory in the market. There are quite a few manufacturers doing similar battery charging cases for the NP-W126S and NP-W235 battery including many other popular camera battery models and brands. Unfortunately, none of the manufacturers are familiar to me, but they are probably well-known in their home…

TTArtisan 35mm f1.4 Tilt – Tilting My Point Of View 2

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost two years since I last got my hands on a tilt lens. Back then, as I packed it away after testing, I remember thinking, ‘This might actually be the last time I see a new tilt lens come out.’ It felt like that chapter was quietly closing, and…

Viltrox Vintage Z1 – Flash for Nostalgic

Lately, there’s been a noticeable rise in the popularity of external flashes, particularly vintage manual models. Viltrox, a brand we’re already familiar with, has also jumped on this growing trend. The Vintage Z1 is the company’s latest introduction to the world of nostalgic portable flash in the market. Before I proceed further, I would like…

An Invitation to the Sigma BF Singapore Launch

The Sigma BF—arguably the most minimalist camera of our time—has officially launched in Singapore. I’m grateful to have been invited by Mr. Lawson from Sigma Marketing (Singapore) to attend the launch event, which took place at Artizen Singapore. While the venue was more compact than I had anticipated, it turned out to be a cosy…

Viltrox 25mm f1.7 – “Air” Trinity Completes

Along with the Sigma 16-300mm, this lens was the second one I packed for my recent trip to Japan. In a previous post, I mentioned how I was unsure about which lenses to bring, but then Sigma Marketing Singapore reached out, and my good friend Ivan Joshua Loh handed me this compact prime lens to…

Viltrox 28mm f4.5 – An Autofocus Lens Cap

Lens caps that can shoot aren’t exactly new to the market, but they are certainly a niche, unique, and interesting product. If you’ve been using Fujifilm for a while, you might recall that they released the XM-FL before. You can even make one yourself using a plastic lens from a disposable camera and a lens…

Sigma 16-300mm f3.5 – f6.7 DC OS – Sigma Hears Us

I went on a trip to Japan with my family in mid-March. Just days before the trip, I was still trying to figure out which lens to bring. Then, Mr. Lawson from Sigma Marketing (Singapore) reached out to me, asking if I’d be interested in testing the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5 – f6.7 DC OS…

Brightin Star 50mm f0.95 – A Lens to Shine II

We all know that 50mm is a very popular focal length among manufacturers, and many Chinese manufacturers are doing the same focal length with a slight difference in aperture value. To name a few that I have shared before: TTArtisan 50mm f0.95, Artralab 50mm f1.2, AstrHori 50mm f1.4 tilt, and even their released not all…

TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 – 1000 Photos Later

After the release of the TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 and the recent TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II, I always believed that TTArtisan would eventually complete the f1.8 trinity, and that day has finally come. TTArtisan has consistently launched new lenses without any leaks or teasers, and this release is no different. I appreciate this straightforward approach to…

TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 II – They Listen

In the blink of an eye, a year has gone by, and the TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 has just celebrated its first anniversary. Unexpectedly shortly after its first anniversary, TTArtisan released a new autofocus lens, without any teasers or hints beforehand. They simply announced it out of the blue. The new lens is none other than…

ArtraLab 11mm f1.8 – The Widest Nostalgic Lens Yet

It seems like 2024 has been a busy year for ArtraLab, with several lens releases, and the ArtraLab NONIKKOR 11mm f1.8 is the latest addition to their lineup. Announced in November 2024, the 11mm f1.8 is not only their newest lens but also the widest they’ve released so far. Like their previous models, this lens…

Viltrox 35mm f1.7 – Spicing Up The Budget Segment

Viltrox has been very active this year. If you’ve been keeping up with their releases, they’ve introduced several lenses, such as the Viltrox 56mm f1.7, Viltrox 28mm f4.5, Viltrox 135mm f1.8 Lab, and two others. With the announcement of the Viltrox 35mm f1.7 today, the company has now released six lenses. That’s a notable number…

Fujifilm X-M5 – The Smallest X-series yet

It’s been 11 years since the X-M1 was unveiled. Although many fans of the X-M series have little hope for its future and may believe that this series has come to an end, suddenly, the rumor mills start to share bits and pieces that the X-M series is being reignited. Today, Fujifilm skips the numbers…

ArtraLab 50mm f1.2 – Notty Nocty

ArtraLab Nocty-Nonikkor 50mm f1.2 is a pretty new lens to the market. It was announced in early October 2024. While some may view it as a bold imitation for photographers looking for a Nikon Noct-like experience at a more affordable price, I see it as an opportunity for photographers a chance to experience a taste…

Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 (Silver Edition) – New Color, New Charm

Every now and then, some manufacturers want to extend the longevity of their product line-up to maintain its popularity. The usual way is to release a new color. For example, TTArtisan 27mm f2.8. They released the black version in 2022, then the yellow edition in 2023, and now the silver version in 2024. Another good…

Meike 33mm f1.4 – Checking All The Boxes, Again?

When it comes to the 33mm focal length (or 50mm in full-frame equivalent), there aren’t many options available. Unlike the 50mm to 56mm range, which is well-represented by nearly every brand, the 33mm/35mm focal length seems to lack strong competition in the market. Meike likely recognized this gap in the market and released their 33mm…

Brightin Star 50mm f1.4 – The First AF Lens

The 50mm focal length (equivalent to 75mm in full frame) or similar focal length is a favorite among both manufacturers and photographers, showcasing its popularity. Most brands offer one or two standout lenses in this category. However, the real question is: Can this lens differentiate itself from the competition? Intro Before I proceed, I would…

Fujifilm X100VI – A subtle Upgrade. A Big Improvement

It’s been four years since I’ve had my X100V in hand. Specifically, I first picked up this gem on 27 February 2020, and time has truly flown by. While this camera has been a faithful companion, my fully occupied full-time work and remaining time spent testing out other lenses has given me little time to…

XF16-50mm – The Replacement of the Legendary Kit Lens

The XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 is undeniably one of the most standout lenses in Fujifilm’s X-mount lineup. Even Chris and Jordan of Petapixel agreed too. It is also my very first lens with my very first X-Mount camera. So Fujifilm has given us it’s successor: XF16-50mm f2.8-4.8 R LM WR. Do you think it is a worthy…

Fujifilm X-T50 – Small Camera With A Big Gut

Many are aware that the X-T30II, released in 2021, is not a true successor to the 2019 X-T30, and there have been no indications of a potential upgrade in this mid-range category during these years. At one juncture, I even considered the possibility of this series being discontinued. Now, the much-anticipated X-T50 has finally arrived.…

Sirui 56mm f1.2 – The First Attempt (III)

This is the last of the Sniper lenses I have with me. By now, if you have read the first two lenses, I guess you should know my opinion of this series. Anyway, I still need to finish sharing my opinion of this focal length. Intro This is the third lens introduced by Sirui together…

Sirui 23mm f1.2 – The First Attempt (II)

I have recently shared my opinion about the Sirui 33mm f1.2 and this is the second lens from the Sirui Sniper series. Intro To keep things short, this series was first introduced via a crowdfunding platform and, they were successfully funded as expected. Design and Build Quality The aluminum alloy or silver color (in my…

Ricoh GR III – Still A Good Pocket Camera

Ricoh GR3 came out in March 2019, which marked its 5th year in the market. Today it is still going strong and I was told that the camera has been put out-of-stock from the moment it was put up onto the store shelf. What exactly is the charm behind this 5-year-old camera? Why is it…

Meike 55mm f1.4 – Checking All the Boxes?

I mentioned before that I do not have very good experience with Meike’s first autofocus lens. When I received this lens, I set myself a low expectation of this lens. Sometimes, I wonder whether the manufacturers communicate with one another or they coincidentally have the same thoughts at the same time. This is the third…

X-T50 and GFX100SII Launch Event – Singapore

It has been almost a year since the previous event I attended. This X-T50 and GFX100S II launch event is unique, there is not one but four sessions were held on the same day. I managed to attend the last one. The event was held at Hvala @ Chijmes this time round. This is a nice…

Sirui 33mm f1.2 – The First Attempt (Part I)

Sirui made a big move by launching the trinity prime lenses with 3 different color options for photographers, black, silver, and white. And what an even smarter move is to launch them via a crowdfunding platform. They call them the Sniper series. Intro Sirui has been in the photography industry since 2001. That’s a long…

ArtraLab 35mm f1.4 – A Nod to Nostalgic Again

ArtraLab isn’t stopped at just releasing their 24mm f1.7 in Septemeber 2023. Just exacting one month later, they released another new lens in October 2023; the ArtaLab NONIKKOR-MC 35mm F1.4.  Intro This is the second lens I have tested from the company. Besides the X-mount, this lens comes with E-mount, Z-mount, and L-mount. A little…

ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 – A Nod to Nostalgic

Artralab Nonikkor-MC 24MM F1.7 is probably one of the best-looking retro-designed lenses in recent years and pairs very well with the Fujifilm range of retro-designed cameras. It was announced sometime in September 2023 and gained much traction from manual lens lovers and enthusiasts. So how does it live up to? Intro I was only aware…

TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 – A Worthy Budget Portrait Lens

The TTArtisan 56mm f1.8 is my most anticipated lens since it is in the land of rumors. Why? Because TTArtisan is good at keeping very competitive pricing for their autofocus lenses without sacrificing much on the image quality. And this lens could be one that can give XF50mm f2 a run for its money. Intro…

Viltrox 13mm f1.4 – Viltrox’s First Ultrawide Lens for APS-C

Viltrox 13mm f1.4 was announced back in January 2022. The lens is well received with many positive feedbacks from many photographers. I also do remember it was a challenge to snap one for my use and eventually, I gave up on getting one during that period. Of course, I eventually managed to buy one from…

TTArtisan 10mm f2 – The First Ultrawide Lens From TTArtisan

There are several manual ultrawide lenses in the market, 1 autofocus one from Viltrox and Samyang, and Fujifilm has 3 ultrawide in their lens lineup. Having said that, Fujifilm photographers do not lack any ultrawide lens options, and then TTArtisan added another lens to this category. But can it stand out from the others? Intro…

The Not So Serious Comparision: Sigma 23mm f1.4 VS XF23mm f1.4 WR

This is the 3rd of the abovementioned series. To be honest, I actually took the shots with both Sigma 23mm and XF23mm in October last year but it slipped my mind to share it. Recently, someone on the FB page asked about the comparison between these 2 lenses. From there, then I recall I had…

PGYTECH OneMo Sling – Durable, Compact, and Lightweight

First things first, I have never shared my thoughts and experiences about the camera bags and accessories I used. But I think there is always a first time in anything. So today I want to share my experience with the PGYTECH OneMo Sling camera bag with everyone. I bought this bag from SLR Revolution, one…

Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 – Probably The Best Travel Companion Lens

When Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 DC DN is revealed to the world, by just looking at the focal lengths and the constant f2.8 aperture value, it is a very straightforward indication that this is the lens that compliments and co-exists with the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN. This is the latest lens joining the Sigma Contemporary…

Meike 12mm f2 – Balance & Compact

One fine day, Meike contacted me to ask if I was interested in reviewing this lens. Of course I do and I told them I was going on a trip in a week. And 2 days before my flight, it arrived at my doorstep. Intro I have reviewed the Meike 10mm f2 just less than…

Brightin Star 35mm f0.95 – A Lens to Shine

When comes to 35mm f0.95, we are not lacking of any choices in the market. To name a few: Mitakon ZhongYi 35mm f0.95, TTArtisan 35mm f0.95, 7artisans 35m f0.5 and Meike 35mm f0.95. And then, here comes the latest 35mm f0.95 competitor from Brightin Star. This was only announced in September 2023. Can it stand…

TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 – A New Bargainous Option

TTArtisan has been very quiet about what is coming next in their product lineup. I also noticed a slowdown in the number of new lenses launched by the company. Also, after the launch of the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8, there was no teaser or hint of what was coming next in the autofocus lens lineup until…

Sigma 23mm f1.4 – The King of Street Lens from Sigma

23mm focal length (35mm in full frame equivalent) is one of my favorite prime lenses. If I can only bring one lens out, this is the focal length I will bring. No second thought. And now, Sigma has this amazing lens ready for the X-mount, L-mount, and E-mount. Intro Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary…

The Not So Serious Comparision: 27mm VS 27mm VS 27mm

This is the second of the above-mentioned series. I have recently tested the Viltrox 27mm and much earlier with the TTArtisan variant and the Fuji variant. So in the name of fun, I am trying to compare the image quality among the 3. Of course, this comparison is not scientific, nothing technical or chart board…

Viltrox 27mm f1.2 Pro – The Ultimate 27mm Yet

Viltrox started off with a very good strategy by introducing the first ever pro lens from the company, the Viltrox 75mm f1.2. It was a success, and many photographers who own it love it. Does this Viltrox 27mm f1.2 have the same mojo? Time will tell. But for now, Viltrox is busy fulfilling the orders.…

YN50mm F1.8X DA DSM Pro – A Good Start

Yongnuo has been in the photographic industry for over 10 years and they are no stranger to making autofocus lenses. In fact, for 50mm focal length per se, they have about 10 different 50mm lenses for different mounts up in their online store and this Yongnuo 50mm f1.8 DA DSM Pro is the first for…

Fujifilm X-S20 – I Can Hold This Whole Day

I can still remember the Fuji X-S10 surprised the world when it was announced back in 2020. The SLR-style mirrorless camera not only surprised the Fuji community but also gained unexpected popularity from outside the Fuji community. It was a successful product. 3 years later, Fujifilm introduced the successor, X-S20, to the world. Is it…

Meike 85mm f1.8 – Probably The Best Afforable Portrait Lens Yet

Ever since Fujifilm opens up its X-mount protocol in 2020, we get to see more and more new third-party manufacturers releasing autofocus lenses for Fujifilm gradually. This is definitely a joy for Fuji photographers because we have more and more options to choose from. Intro This time, Meike is the manufacturer attempting with its new…

Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 – Ultrawide with Versatility

When comes to ultrawide zoom lenses, we have limited options to choose from other than. the Fujifilm lens line-up. Namely, XF8-16mm f2.8 and XF10-24mm f4. And that has been this way for a while until this new Tamron 11-20mm f2.8. Will this lens be worth our eyes on it? Let’s find out. Intro Tamron introduced…

Meike 10mm f2 – The Widest Lens Yet

This is Meike widest lens ever created, 10mm may not sound as wide as the recently launched XF8mm f3.5 but that does not mean this lens of Meike is not great. So when comes to the ultrawide lens, what are our expectations if we are getting one? Widest possible focal length? Brightest possible aperture? How…

Meike 7.5mm f2.8 – In My Fisheye View

As the title suggests, it’s a fisheye lens. In my opinion, the fisheye lens is a niche product and it is really up to the photographers’ creativity (pardon me I’m not the creative one) to showcase this unique point of view. Nonetheless, I try my best to share what I can do with this lens.…

AstrHori 50mm f1.4 Tilt – Tilting Around My World

The good people of AstrHori send me their 50mm f1.4 Tilt lens for review. I thank them for their kind support. It does help our Fuji community to have one more opportunity to learn about this lens. AstrHori was founded in 2018 and it is one of the few manufacturers who is producing accessories and…

Fujifilm X-S20 and XF8mm f3.5 Launch Event – Singapore

02 June is a public holiday, a day to celebrate Vesak Day, and it is also a day to witness the launch of Fujifilm X-S20 and XF8mm f3.5 in Singapore. Last year, Fujifilm held the launch of the X-H2S at Monti At 1-Pavilion Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar. This year Fujifilm holds the launch event…

TTArtisan 40mm f2.8 – A Macro Lens For Street

I am lucky to have had the opportunity to test quite a fair amount of manual lenses but this is the second macro manual lens I have tested thus far. So testing a manual macro lens is still a new thing for me. Usually, I use a macro lens for 2 genres and that is…

Meike 60mm f2.8 – Compactly Good

Since my DSLR era, I have had a soft spot for macro lenses. Not because I love to shoot insects or flowers, but because I love to use them for product shoots. Till today, I am still using a macro lens for most of the product shoots in this blog. Intro The Meike 60mm f2.8…

The Not So Serious Comparision: XF 18-55mm VS Sigma 18-50mm

As the title suggests, please take this comparison with a pinch of salt. It’s just for fun and nothing too technical to share and discuss. This is something I did not try before but there is always a first time. First thing first, why compare these 2 lenses? My reason is simple. They are approximately…

Meike 35mm f0.95 – Another f0.95 Contender

I can’t deny that 35mm (50mm in full-frame equivalent) is one of the favorite focal lengths among most photographers. And I see why the manufacturers are releasing this focal length at a higher priority and more frequently (with various aperture values) than any other focal length. Having said that, we, photographers, have so many options…

Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 – Fast & Compact

Intro When it comes to third-party zoom lenses, Fujifilm photographers do not have many options. If I remember correctly, Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary is the 3rd zoom lens (among the third-party lenses), and it is the first zoom lens from Sigma for Fuji available in the market. Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 was announced way…

Little India – FFB Midweek Photowalk

Another week another Photowalk. In fact, it is just 4 days apart from the preview Photowalk. This is organized by Ivan Joshua Loh. For the first time ever, this Photowalk falls on a weekday, Wednesday. Thanks to the Fujifanboys, the weekday turnup rate is very high. To make things interesting, there is also a small…

XF56mm f1.2 WR – Almost There. Almost Perfect

TLDR This is one of Fujifilm’s finest and best optical lenses that Fuji fanboys and fangirls should consider owning. Especially if you do not own any portrait lenses and plan to get one, you may consider this gem. I know it’s not a cheap lens, so save up the money and aim for this one.…

Exploring Potong Pasir with Fujifanboys Photowalk

This is the first FFB photowalk in 2023. In this photowalk, we are happy to collab with Mezame from Zhiyun and Momotaru. Also, thank Mr. Iwata and Jasper from Fujifilm Singapore for attending this wonderful photowalk. Once again, we would like to special thanks to Fujifilm Singapore, Zhiyun, Boundary Supply, and Momotaru for sponsoring this…

SmallRig Retro Handheld Cage Kit for Fujifilm X-T5 

I thank Ivan Joshua Loh from Fujifanboys for lending me this handheld cage for a short review. Before I begin, allow me to clarify, I am not a videographer so I cannot speak about how good the handling of this product is while filming. What I will share is my first impression of it, my…

Viltrox 75mm f1.2 – The First Pro

When I first saw the teaser post from Fuji rumors, my impression was that this is going to be hot selling one within the Fujifilm community if it is priced right. And the turn out to be quite true. At the price of 549 USD, Viltrox priced it so attractively and it sold out immediately…

Rokinon 35mm f1.2 – Surprisingly . Good .

One fine day, Ivan posted the Rokinon deal on the Fujifanboys Facebook group. It was Rokinon 85mm f1.4 and it was quite a good deal at about 68 SGD (51 USD) or less. I was not tempted somehow. A moment later, Ivan posted yet another Rokinon deal and it was shared by Rayz Lee (a…

TTArtisan 50mm Tilt f1.4 – Tilting My Point Of View

I think TTArtisan loves “50mm” a lot. They have lots of choices for this mid-telephoto focal length. TTArtisan has the brightest 50mm, the most compact 50mm variants, and now they have introduced the 4th “50mm” and it has the most distinctive function among all their lenses; the tilt function. Similar to the compact 50mm, this…

Kodak Ektar H35 – Reliving Nostalgia In Me

My memory of my childhood is somehow considered “Childhood Amnesia”. I do not remember many personal milestones or achievements I had when I was young. As for photography, I remember I used a film camera before during a family outing or two. I also know it was an autofocus point-and-shoot film camera but I no…

My Favorite Photos in 2022

The year 2022 was another fruitful year for me. Of the 28 posts I have posted this year, 21 are reviews of camera gears and lenses. I also had a small achievement by getting 100k views on this blog this year (A big thank you, everyone!). It is challenging to juggle my job, photo shoots,…

XF30mm f2.8 – Fuji’s Smallest Macro Lens

XF30mm f2.8 R LM WR macro, I will call it XF30mm f2.8 here, was first teased in Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022 and then finally announced together with X-T5 on the Fujifilm X Summit Tokyo 2022. This lens also marked the “last of 10th anniversary of X mount” released in 2022. Before I share further,…

XF18-120mm – Meet The “Worst” Lens of 2022

If you are aware, DPReview TV has done it again. Yes, this is the second time DPReview commented that the Fujifilm XF lens is not sharp, and unfortunately, XF18-120mm f4 is that lens. The first one was back in 2020 and they commented that the XF50mm f1 was soft. In DPReview TV, they have this…

FunLeader Caplens 18mm f8 Pro – Always Ready To Shoot

We all know the function and purpose of a camera rear body cap. It is to cover and protect the sensor when it is not in use. That’s simple. Some of us might even be aware of some interesting body caps such as Fujifilm XM-FL 24mm, 7artisans 18mm f6.3, or other pinhole body cap lenses.…

TTArtisan 35mm f0.95 – The Second Fastest Lens

TTArtisan has just announced yet another fast, bright lens. The TTArtisan 35mm f0.95 is the second lens after TTArtisan 50mm f0.95. If you are a fan of TTArtisan or somehow followed them closely, you will notice that they are slowly expanding and differentiating their product line-up. While they focus on compactness and portability lenses like…

Fujifilm X-T5 – Photography First Again

My most anticipated camera is finally here. I skipped X-T4 not because it is not a worthy camera to upgrade. An improved battery and In-Body Image Stabilization are most welcome. But something I am unexpected back then is that it came with a fold-out fully articulated screen. Partly because I love how the 3-way tilting…

TTArtisan 25mm f2 – A Tiny Street Lens

TTArtisan focuses very much on portability and compactness and TTArtisan 25mm f2 is another product born from this idea. Before I begin, I thank TTArtisan for their tremendous support towards me. For readers out there, you can rest assured that I am and always give my honest opinions for their products and that’s including this…

TTArtisan AF 27mm f2.8 – The First

TTArtisan had been teasing us about their very first autofocus (AF) lens since September 2021. While there was very little information shared about the 32mm f2.8 lens, the only thing we know is that it will be available for various camera systems. However, the much anticipated AF lens did not arrive in many systems except…

FujiFanBoys Presents: Strobe Photography Workshops!

All thanks to Ivan and all the main sponsors to make this workshop happened! This is a good opportunity for many photographers who want to explore and learn more with strobe photography, Profoto lights, Eizo monitor, the cable from Tether tools and hands-on with the newly launched X-H2. A total of 3 sessions were organized…

X-H2 – The best of what APS-C can be (Part II)

4 months later, here comes the second flagship camera from Fujifilm, the X-H2. Every camera manufacturer usually releases one flagship camera to showcase the state-of-the-art technologies that they offer. But this is not the case for Fujifilm, they have a different approach, instead of releasing one flagship camera, they release two flagship cameras. Come to…

Photo Trip in Melaka

This is my first time travelling oversea with a group of photography enthusiasts. It’s a short 2 days 2 nights photo trip in Melaka (also known as Malacca), Malaysia. To make this happens, Fujifilm Singapore organized together with Fujifilm Malaysia and a photography community called Photojam. This is my first oversea trip since Covid-19 and…

TTArtisan 50mm f2 – A Tiny Portrait lens

I think TTArtisan has a soft spot for “50mm” and they released the 50mm f0.95 not too long ago. And now, TTArtisan had just released its third 50mm lens and it is the most compact 50mm lens TTArtisan ever made but it is the slowest in the lineup yet. But there is something different about…

Laowa 10mm f4 Cookie – The Modestly Priced Compact Ultra-wide lens

Usually, for the same focal length, there are basically 2 paths for making it. The first one is to make with better optic, faster, brighter and premium price tagged lens. The second one is to make a smaller, compact and wisely priced lens. And this Laowa 10mm f4 is the later one. Laowa Lenses (also…

Fujifanboys Photowalk At Railway Corridor

It’s always good to know more good people in photowalk, sharing the good things about photography, gear and experience they had. And not forget the good guy in Cles Distribution for loaning the Tamron 18-300mm and Tamron 17-70mm in this walk. We started with a visit to the newly rejuvenated Bukit Timah Railway Station in…

X-H2S – The best of what APS-C can be

Before all else, I would like to thank Ms Carmen, Marketing Manager of Fujifilm Singapore, for loaning the X-H2S for review. By the time this review is online, the camera unit had returned back to Fujifilm Singapore. Get started After months of waiting and numerous rumours flying over the internet, the X-H2S was finally announced…

Tamron 17-70mm – The Best General Purpose Lens?

To begin with, I would like to special thanks to Cles Distribution of Tamron Singapore for giving me the opportunity to loan the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Model B070X) for Fuji mount for this review. At the time of releasing this review, I returned the loan unit to Cles Distribution. Intro Tamron…

Fujifilm X-H2S Launch Event – Singapore

Today is the official launch event for Fuji X-H2S in Singapore and I am lucky enough to get invited for attending this event. This event comes with some outdoor activities and then a lunch session to end it. I feel that this is a very unique way to launch a product. To keep things simple,…

XF18-120mm -A Good Zoom Lens for Photographers?

First of all, I would like to thank Ms Carmen, Marketing Manager of Fujifilm Singapore, for loaning the XF18-120mm and X-S10. By the time this review is online, the units had returned back to Fujifilm Singapore. In this hands-on experience, I used this lens for photography only and nothing related to videography. Because I do…

The First Ever FujiFanBoys Photo Walk

I have organized quite a few small groups of photo walk for the past 2 years but this is the first photo walk organized under the name of FujiFanBoys Facebook Group. I am excited because this is my first attempt to organize with Ivan Joshua Loh with such a huge group size together. In case…

Is X-H2S Priced Right?

X-summit Omiya 2022 has come and gone. It was an announcement of something we have expected and something that we are unexpected. Thanks to the hints from the previous X-summit and rumors websites, we are pretty much prepared for gears such as X-H2S, XF18-120mm, and XF150-600mm to be announced in this X-summit and truly, they…

TTArtisan 50mm f0.95 – The Fastest Lens Again

Before anything else, I would like to thank TTArtisan for sending this lens for my review. I appreciate their support to make this post a reality. Intro While I am still waiting for the TTArtisan first-ever autofocus lens available for X-mount, TTArtisan decided to surprise everyone with the first-ever f0.95 extreme fast lens. I wrote…

Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f1.2 – Hello To The Premium Manual Lens

Thanks to my friend Ivan Wong for giving me the opportunity to play with his latest lens, the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f1.2, for a week. Unfortunately due to my unforeseen workload, I only get to try this lens for 4 days before I have to return the lens to him. So this is a pretty…

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