Perfect Focal Length for Memories
I've always loved the 28mm equivalent field of view, so I own a Fujifilm X70, a WCL for my X100VI, and a Ricoh GR III. Consequently, the 18mm f/1.4 was my preferred lens in the Fujifilm X-Mount series. My 35mm f/1.4 also saw little use for professional assignments or personal projects.
Yet, there's something about the 33mm f/1.4 that's captivating. Despite not being a fan of the 50mm field of view, I continually reach for this lens. Surprisingly, I will use it far more than I initially anticipated.
Having favored wide-angle lenses for their capacity to engage with the environment, the subtle compression and pleasing bokeh of the 33mm, coupled with the standout effect and subject separation afforded by its micro-contrast, offer a delightful new experience in photography. Wide angles pull you into the setting with their honesty and distortion. However, the 33mm lens does something different — it takes those same scenes and, although it may sound cliché, it transforms them into memories.
It gives it a slight separation so you can hone in on the expression, the little details, the joy. And it doesn't completely obliterate the background and remove context like the 50mm f/1.0or56mm f/1.2. It's a subtle middle-ground that I have grown to appreciate as a father documenting my growing family.
From a practical standpoint, when you have young children, as I do, using an actual telephoto lens like the 56mm f/1.2 puts you at a considerable distance — more than an arm's length away. In contrast, the 33mm focal length is ideal for documenting the antics of little ones or for snapping natural portraits of children.