Introduction

I recently went on a one-week trip to the Canary Islands, specifically the beautiful La Gomera and Tenerife, and for the first time ever, I only brought one fixed-focus lens in my camera bag.

Initially, I was concerned about being limited to a single focal length for my travel photography. However, despite the lack of variety in focal lengths, I enjoyed the experience of using just one lens with my mirrorless camera (which is compatible with multiple lenses) and, most importantly, I feel like I got some fantastic photos!

What’s this got to do with you and your travel photography, you may be asking? Well, here are just a few of the excellent reasons for taking only one lens with you on your travels. I've also included some of my favourite images from the trip to illustrate the types of photos you can capture. I hope you enjoy them!

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What is a prime lens?
A prime lens is simply a lens with a fixed focal length. You cannot adjust its focal length or change what you see in the frame by zooming in and out. Therefore, you need to physically move closer or farther from your subject rather than zoom in or out to get your optimal photo composition.

What prime lens am I using?
I used my Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens, purchased from MPB, in conjunction with my Fujifilm X-T30 mirrorless camera.

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Prime lenses make you think more about composition

Having a fixed focal length really made me focus on my composition in a way I hadn’t before. With a set area to work with, I took my time and carefully considered what I included in the frame. It pushed me to compose the image in-camera rather than relying on cropping later, and that experience proved to be incredibly valuable.

You'll find that taking the time to think about what’s in your frame and working with the limitations will lead to more intentional images and better compositions.

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Above is one of my favourite photos from the trip.

Although I wanted to zoom in on the scene, I knew that wasn't possible. Instead, I took the time to arrange all the elements just as I wanted them. I included the trees, used a trunk as the focal point, and incorporated some of the forest floor to ground the composition. I am pleased with how it turned out using the prime lens, and I didn’t rely on cropping or any post-production editing.

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Pro tip:

‍Don't forget about filters for your prime too; for example, a CPL (circular polariser) filter can work wonders for your images to bring out the very best in the scene (I used a CPL filter for my forest shot above to bring out the greens and remove any unwanted reflections).

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Prime lenses can produce sharper images compared to zooms

Prime lenses generally have fewer optical elements than zoom lenses, which typically consist of multiple layers of glass and compartments. As a result of fewer parts, prime lenses tend to produce much sharper images. This is especially true with my Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens, and you’ll find the same with many other prime lenses, too, when comparing to zooms.

So, if sharpness in your images is particularly important to you, a prime lens is on your side.

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Prime lenses can be faster at focusing

Have you ever spotted a spectacular opportunity for a photograph but found you couldn’t focus in time, or your autofocus misfired entirely? I certainly have!

Again, the fewer optics in a prime lens means it can be much faster and more accurate at focusing, too, giving you a better chance at nailing that spectacular or even once-in-a-lifetime travel shot.

You’ll also be less likely to experience disappointment from an out-of-focus snap you thought was a great capture (again, this happened to me, unfortunately!).

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I shot the imange below from a moving boat, which was swaying, a lot! The quick autofocus meant i managed to get the shot, and it looking nce and sharp, even in tricky conditions.

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Prime lenses have fantastic low light-capability

One of the most significant advantages of prime lenses is their wider maximum apertures, meaning more light can get in. My Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 isn’t the fastest lens out there, but compared to many zoom lenses, it still allows for fantastic low-light shots without needing to increase the ISO too high. If you opt for an even wider aperture prime lens, such as an f/1.8 or f/1.4, you’ll have even more flexibility for low-light photography, which is fantastic for capturing street scenes at dusk or interiors without a tripod.

Like my above image and the one below, I found the wide aperture particularly useful for capturing images in La Gomera’s Garajonay National Park (which, if anyone finds themselves on La Gomera, I would highly, highly recommend, as it’s beautiful), due to the heavy forest canopy and therefore less light getting through, with the prime lens I managed to get some beautiful shots.

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There’s less to pack (and travel with) when you have a prime lens

One significant advantage of using a single small prime lens, is that you can keep your kit bag lightweight by avoiding the need to pack numerous additional lenses. While this may seem minor, having more space and not having a heavy load can make a considerable difference, especially when you're out and active.

Additionally, it means you're not burdened with an expensive kit that requires careful handling, allowing you to focus more on enjoying your time without worrying about potential damage when on the go.

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You’re more present in the moment

Being present in the moment when taking a picture can make all the difference to your success behind the lens.

Take this scenario, for example. Instead of wasting time switching lenses, even if it only takes about 30 seconds, with a single prime lens attached to your camera, you don’t lose that moment. Even that short time between switching lenses could mean you miss the opportunity for a great shot; it’s happened to me loads!

I found that I could get the shot I wanted much quicker when using my prime lens.

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Up for the challenge?

I hope the above benefits of using a single prime lens while travelling have encouraged you to try it on your next trip, too!

It may feel daunting knowing that you’re only going to be dealing with a fixed focal length for your shots, but it’s also really rewarding. It gives you something new to work with; you never know what fantastic images you’ll get!

And remember to upload your images to your Picfair Store, create an album, and share it with your audience once you're ready!