My Photography Gear: Tools, Toys, and Other Ways to Avoid Real Work Let’s be honest — we photographers love to pretend it’s all about “the art.” But deep down, half the fun is geeking out over the gear. So here it is: the stuff that makes me excited to go outside, point at things, and call it “work.”

My Photography Gear: Tools, Toys, and Other Ways to Avoid Real Work

Let’s be honest — we photographers love to pretend it’s all about “the art.” But deep down, half the fun is geeking out over the gear. So here it is: the stuff that makes me excited to go outside, point at things, and call it “work.”

Cameras

Leica Q3 (28mm f/1.7)

Ah, the Leica Q3 — my elegant overachiever. It’s like that friend who’s effortlessly perfect: stylish, smart, and always photogenic. The 28mm lens delivers ridiculous image quality — razor-sharp, rich, and with that magical Leica glow that makes even an empty coffee cup look like fine art. It’s my go-to for documentary and street work, or whenever I want to pretend I’m a National Geographic contributor on my way to the bakery.

Fujifilm X-E5

My pocketable companion for “I’ll just take a few quick shots” — which, of course, turns into 400 photos of people crossing the street. It’s small, charming, and doesn’t scare anyone. Perfect for travel, daily life, or those moments when whipping out a Leica would feel a bit too much like showing off.

Fujifilm X-T5

This is my serious camera — the one that means business. It’s built like a small tank (a stylish tank with retro dials, that is) and has enough resolution to let me crop until I find the interesting part of the photo. Great for portraits, landscapes, and any situation where I want to look like I know what I’m doing.

Waiters in Manila sleep at their tables before the new shift begins — Waiters in Manila sleep at their tables before the new shift beginns – Leica Q3 28

Lenses

Fujinon XF 18mm f/1.4

Wide, fast, and fun. This is my lens for capturing the whole story — from bustling city streets to dramatic skies. It’s sharp even wide open and adds just a touch of drama to everything. Basically, it makes the world look a little more cinematic — and who doesn’t want that?

Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 “Pancake”

Tiny, light, and totally unpretentious. This lens is like the quiet genius in the group — doesn’t say much, but always delivers. Perfect for street shots when I want to be invisible (or at least pretend I am).

Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4

Same focal length, completely different personality. This one’s moody, cinematic, and has depth for days. Ideal for low-light, late-night scenes and portraits that need a little extra soul.

Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.4

My “do-it-all” lens. Sharp, reliable, and with autofocus faster than my morning coffee hits. I use it for portraits, street shots, and food — especially when the food deserves a dramatic close-up (and let’s be real, it usually does).

Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR

Ah, the classic portrait lens. It makes people look better than they actually do — and that’s exactly why we love it. The bokeh is creamy, the rendering is smooth, and every shot feels like it could be an album cover.

Viltrox 75mm f/1.2

This one’s pure excess — and I love it. Big, heavy, and gloriously over-the-top. The background melt is unreal, and it gives every portrait that “cinematic hero moment” feeling. Sure, my arm gets tired after 20 minutes, but my ego doesn’t.

A smiling elderly woman sitting in a chair, viewed through a window with white wooden frames, in a black and white photograph. — Nanay at the window in Kalibo, July 2024 – Leica Q3 28

In Summary

Every piece of gear I use has its own personality:

The Leica Q3 — perfection in pixels.
The X-E5 — small, charming, and always ready.
The X-T5 — serious, capable, and ready to work overtime.
The Fujinon & Viltrox lenses — a full cast of characters, each bringing its own flavor to the story.

At the end of the day, none of this stuff takes great photos by itself — but it sure makes the process a lot more fun (and gives me something to blame when I mess up).

Why I Don’t Believe in the Perfect Camera (and Why That’s Perfectly Fine)

People love to ask, “If you could only keep one camera, which would it be?” — as if I’m some minimalist monk who could ever make that kind of life choice. Truth is, there is no perfect camera. The Leica is breathtaking but pricey. The Fujis are versatile but make me carry extra lenses (and back pain). The Viltrox 75/1.2 weighs as much as a small watermelon.

But that’s the point. Every piece of gear has its quirks, its magic, its flaws — just like photographers. The fun isn’t in owning the “best” camera. It’s in finding the one that makes you want to go out and shoot, even when it’s too hot, too rainy, or you’d rather stay home eating hummus straight from the bowl.

So no, I don’t believe in the perfect camera.

But I do believe in chasing that perfect moment — and whichever camera helps me get there, that’s the right one for the day.