Joshua D’hondt

Hey, I’m Joshua D’hondt, a photographer from Antwerp, Belgium, specialising in documentary family and wedding photography.

I have very little interest in gear or technical specifications. Ergonomics, creative possibilities, speed, and low light quality are my main concerns when buying gear. I prefer not having to think about my cameras when shooting.

Up until the end of 2016, I have always shot Canon, and I still own one complete Canon set, that I can’t separate from (yet). I was a huge Canon fan, my last set were 2 5D Mark IIIs, with the following lenses 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM II, 24-70mm IS f/2.8 (for back up and macro) and the 16-35mm f/2.8 (that always stayed home). I still own one 5D Mark III and have kept all my lenses.

In November, I bought my first Fuji XT-2, with the XF 23mm f/1.4 and the 56mm f/1.2 Fuji x lenses. In February, I added a second body XT-2 and a 18mm f/1.2 as a back-up. I do consider changing this one with a higher quality version.

A few weeks ago I bought a Nissin i60A Flash and Air 1 transmitter, pretty easy to use! Since the beginning of 2017, I have shot all my work on Fuji, although the first months, when shooting a wedding by myself, I always had my Canon gear in the car :-).

In the first months, I was disappointed and sometimes considered going back to Canon, but like all cameras, you need to get to know its limits and possibilities, and learn how to get the most out of it.

What I love most about shooting Fuji is that I can walk out the door with a small Lowepro Slingshot 201 AW camera bag instead of a 15kg Airport Navigator roller bag. The cameras are smaller and lighter, and the live view helps me to be more creative.

The tilting screen is wonderful, great for shooting discretely and at difficult, low and high angles. I also carry a hip pouch to keep my cards and batteries close – a dazzling fourteen batteries…(yes – one of Fuji’s weak spots).

In low light situations, I do miss the great Canon AF and CF, and sometimes the speed. But overall, I am a happier photographer working with lighter gear, and the slightly slower speed forces me to put more thought into my work and better anticipate moments. People also are less intimidated by the gear, so it is easier to get around and get close to people.

I am looking very much forward to the next generation of the Fuji XT series, better AF, batteries and convenient buttons will make me a happy photographer!

www.joshuadhondt.be