I read a post by Little Big Traveling Camera, which motivated me to analyse my Lightroom Catalogue. Since I switched to using Fujifilm X cameras last year, I have bought only one lens for my Fujifilm X-T2. I am considering buying more lenses but want to limit my purchase to glass that I will most likely use. With that intention in mind, I analysed my lightroom catalogue, which contains twelve years of images from the cameras and lenses I have owned over the years. The Adobe Lightroom Catalogue includes various Sony point-n-shoot cameras, iPhones, and Nikon DLSRs.
I uploaded my Adobe Lightroom catalogue to The Analytics Dashboard For Lightroom. In seconds I had a set of charts and data sets. The result of the analysis was fascinating. I have had my Fujifilm X-T2 for just over a year, so most of the data analysed are from my Nikon D5100 and Nikon D40. By far, the most used lens was the AF-S DX Nikkor 18.0-55.0 mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, which is an upgraded kit lens. My favourite aperture is f/5.6, followed by f/8 and f/4. It seems my preferred focal length is 35mm, which reflects a period in the past when I would go out with just one lens, the AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.
The most used ISO settings of 100 and 200 reflect that I enjoy shooting landscapes and cityscapes.
Looking at the stats over the last year, which highlights my usage of the Fuji X-T2, I see that not much has changed. I am mainly shooting at the 16mm or 55mm end of the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR with a slight bump at 23mm and 27mm. The 27mm is probably from when I have rented a Fujifilm X100F.
I am uncertain that I learned enough from this analysis to decide which Fujifilm lens purchase will be next, but I think either the Fujinon XF23mmF2 R WR or Fujinon XF35mmF2 R WR would be just right. Of course, I could just set my Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR to those focal lengths and keep the money.
I could save even more money by purchasing used/vintage Asahi Pentax lenses, which would be helpful in my Asahi Optical Co. Pentax Spotmatic II 35mm film camera. Still, I could be used on my own Fujifilm X-T2 with the inexpensive FotoDioX M42-FX adapter I bought earlier this year. To date, I have purchased Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 and Asahi SMC Takumar 55mm f/2 lenses, which are 42mm and ~82mm full-frame lens equivalents on the Fujifilm X-T2. Both lenses were relatively inexpensive lenses on eBay.
My inner stats geek loves this! I wonder what mine would look like... I think it wold help me identify the stuff I use least and could get rid off!
I look forward to reading your analysis.
Well it's all hypothetical as I don't have the software you do to track and analyse it all...
@islandinthenet.com I'm in no position to judge. I once had 17 lenses at home before I settled on certain focal lengths. I'm just being the devil on your shoulder telling you to get a focal reducer for your M42 lenses to use with your X-T2.
@islandinthenet.com and congrats, Sir. This is a nice lens.
@islandinthenet.com didn’t you have another M42-mount lens? If so, I’m just going to leave this here.
@mangochutney I now have three M42 mount lenses. 55mm, 35mm, and 28mm which are 82mm, 52mm, and 42mm FF equivalents on my Fuji X-T2. All are usable on my Asahi SPII if/when I choose to shoot film. Too much?
Fact based decision making, "love it", but without much time and advanced statistics difficult to get a clear picture -- separate from personal assumptions.
Agreed.
I used this a few months ago after my kit had been stolen and I was trying to prioritize which lenses I should buy first. As you mentioned, it's kind of difficult to drawn conclusive trends from the data available in the Lightroom Catalog. However, as an incurable nerd, I just enjoy to use it to look at stats and numbers on my photography journey :p
LOL! I think I was having fun just looking at the data. I think I already know what Fujifilm kit I want. It's fairly minimal.
@khurtwilliams This is interesting. I'm glad that you're getting so much usage out of the 16-55. It's funny, I used the same method in Aperture years back to decide which would be the first prime lens I bought. I had only been shooting with the X-E1 + 18-55 and most of my shots were between 22 & 24 mm, so i went for the XF23mmF1.4 R and it's still my most used and favourite lens.
@mangochutney I stopped in at the local camera shop this week while walking around Princeton shooting a roll of film on my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II. I was looking for a battery to power the SP II's light meter. I was weak. I walked out of the store with the battery, a roll of Ektar 100, and a Soligor 35mm f/2.8 M42 lens. With a FotoDioX M42-FX adapter, I now have ~52mm FF equivalent on my Fuji X-T2. Vintage glass! But I think a Fujinon XF23mmF2 R WR lens is on my want list.