Real World Travel Lens Test: the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 Zoom for Fujifilm

It had been nearly twenty years since my last visit to Spain (or indeed Europe) when we went to Madrid last October. On my previous trip, I had carried one camera and two lenses, but that time it was film—a Hasselblad X-Pan II, which meant I was able to take ultra wide panoramic images everywhere I went; which also meant finishing a roll of film twice as fast as usual.

This time, Fuji had recently brought out the GFX100RF with its massive sensor and ability to crop to that same 65:24 ratio, and I really REALLY wanted one. But…for 1/8th the price, I decided to try the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 lens on my current Fuji X-H2 body instead, and see what that zoom range and lens speed would let me do, partly as a simulation of the 100RF’s lens and in-camera crop range, but also as an opportunity to test out this lens and see if it might suit my theatre work as well when I got back…

EquipmentRobert CattoFebruary 13, 2026Fujifilm, Fuji X-H2, Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8, Spain, Travel, TestingComment

Photographing the arts: on deadlines (or, the best you can do by Tuesday)

“It was a matter of the best you could do between now and Tuesday.” However, he was quick to add, “the best you could do between now and Tuesday is still a kind of best you can do...”

I first heard this quote from cinematographer Alex Funke, at the time a neighbour of mine in New Zealand - who worked for many years in the offices of Charles & Ray Eames - and it stuck with me as being something that applies to all creative work, especially in performing arts.

Photographing the arts: on working long-term with your photographer

I’ve been working with director Dino Dimitriadis from Apocalypse Theatre for several years now, on shows around Sydney; in fact, I think Angels In America is our tenth production together! So it’s only natural that we’ve gotten to know each other’s methods of working, over that time.

It’s interesting to have an ongoing working relationship like ours; it’s not something that happens all that often, as a freelance photographer in the arts. Often we’re not contacted until quite close to production, with the result being that whoever’s available on the day is the person who does the work…

Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter Pro with Hi-Sync for Fuji Cameras - a brief introduction

For photographers who use the Elinchrom lighting system, one of the appealing parts of the kit has been the ability to take portable studio lights into the field, and do (more or less) whatever we could do indoors with them, out in the wild.

The Quadra / ELB battery powered system has been around for a while now - I started using it a few years ago with my Canon gear, but when I switched completely to Fujifilm’s X-Series cameras earlier this year, it limited a few of my options in terms of how I could trigger the lights. The high speed options went away - but as of now, late September 2018, they’ve released the Fuji version of that trigger; so naturally, I got in line to get my hands on one as soon as they arrived…

PhotographyRobert CattoSeptember 27, 2018Fujifilm, Fuji X-H1, Fuji X-T2, Elinchrom, Quadra, Sydney, Photography, Hi-Sync, HSS, High Speed Sync, ELBComment

September Kage Collective issue out now

Just a quick note that the latest series of essays from all of us at the Kage Collective are up now - and this month is a little different, in that we're relying entirely on the images. No words to our essays this time - apart from a quick introduction from Patrick LaRoque, we're all about silent contemplation this time.

PhotographyRobert CattoSeptember 15, 2016Photography, Fujifilm, Fuji X-Pro 1, Sydney, Australia, Surry Hills, Kage CollectiveComment

The new Kage Collective monthly publication is out - with our exclusive X-Pro 2 reviews...!

I mentioned in my last post that there was something new coming from the Kage Collective I'm a member of - and today's the day!

But it's especially exciting this month, because not only do we have a range of stories & images from my friends in the group, but no less than five of us have been testing Fuji's hot new camera, the X-Pro 2, which is being unveiled in Tokyo as I post this.

PhotographyRobert CattoJanuary 15, 2016Kage Collective, Fujifilm, Fuji X-Pro 1, Fuji X-Pro 2, Photography, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaComment

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - Aida (sweep panorama with Fuji X-Pro 1 & 18mm f/2)

After the 'storm of the century' in Sydney earlier this week, I was slightly dreading the weather for the Opera Australia production of Aida we had tickets for - but it could hardly have been better last night...!