Experience Germany through one unexpected lens

Hey guys, it feels really great to be back on Fuji X Passion! It has honestly been quite a while since I last shared something here, and I’ve missed this little corner of the internet where I can talk about photography freely. Between work, deadlines, shoots, and life in general, I haven’t had as much time as I’d like to sit down and write. So being here now, reflecting on my recent trip to Germany and the experiences I had behind the camera, feels both refreshing and exciting. I genuinely hope you enjoy reading about this trip as much as I enjoyed experiencing it firsthand.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, a quick heads-up: I do occasionally review lenses and hence, my experience with this lens might be completely different from yours. I’m very much a “real-life, shoot-what-I-feel” kind of reviewer. I’m not someone who spends hours analyzing MTF charts or testing lenses under controlled lab conditions. From time to time, various brands send me lenses to test, so I’ve had the chance to play with a wide variety of glass over the years. That experience has allowed me to develop a clear understanding of what I like, what works for me, and yes, what drives me a little crazy. Everyone has their own preferences, so what I enjoy may not be what you would, and that’s perfectly fine.

I am from Singapore, a city where everything moves at lightning speed, and efficiency is basically a national sport. I’ve spent over 40 years living in fast-forward mode. Our culture is all about multitasking, hitting deadlines, and squeezing productivity out of every moment. This has naturally influenced my approach to photography as well. I almost never consider bringing manual lenses when I travel overseas because I typically want to minimize time spent focusing. I prefer to have everything ready to go instantly so I can keep up with the fast pace I’m used to. But, as I quickly learned, this trip unfolded in a way that completely changed my usual mindset.

How This Lens Ended Up in My Bag

For this work trip to Germany, I had already packed a lightweight, versatile kit that could handle most scenarios:
● Sigma 10–18mm for wide-angle landscapes and cityscapes
● Meike 55mm f1.4 for mid-tele portraits and street photography
● Fujifilm XF70–300mm for telephoto reach

Honestly, that setup alone would have been more than enough to cover all the shots I might need. But as I was organizing my gear, I felt this itch to bring along something a little different, a 35mm full-frame equivalent, a focal length I’ve always enjoyed for its versatility. My trusty XF23mm f1.4 WR? Amazing lens, but at 375g and it was a little too heavy and a little too bulky for this trip. I wanted something lighter and compact that wouldn’t weigh me down while exploring cities on foot.

As I browsed through my lens cabinet, my eyes landed on the ArtraLab 24mm f1.7, which works out to roughly 36mm in full-frame terms. It’s small, light, only 210g, and compact enough to toss into my bag without thinking twice. On impulse, I decided to bring it along “just for fun.” I figured the worst-case scenario, if manual focusing became too tedious, the Sigma 10–18mm would serve as my reliable fallback.

A little backstory: ArtraLab had previously sent me two lenses, the 24mm f1.7 and the 35mm f1.4. While both are lovely lenses in their own right, the 24mm has always held a special charm for me. It’s not flawless; shoot wide open and you’ll notice a soft blooming effect that some photographers love while others hate. But that characteristic glow is part of its personality, giving the lens a cinematic and dreamy feel that’s hard to replicate. And to be clear, this isn’t a sponsored post or a marketing piece, this is just me sharing my genuine affection for a lens that keeps surprising me every time I pick it up.

Germany Made This Lens Shine

The trip itself took me through Frankfurt, Erfurt, and Heidelberg, each city with its own distinct personality and rhythm. Frankfurt was busy, polished, and cosmopolitan; Erfurt felt quaint and slow-paced, with cobbled streets and historic charm; Heidelberg was picturesque, almost storybook-like, with the river winding lazily past colorful buildings.

Looking back, bringing the 24mm lens was one of the best decisions I could have made. Germany, particularly Erfurt and Heidelberg, felt calm and deliberate, almost the opposite of the fast-paced streets of Singapore. People strolled, cafes lingered in their morning service, and even the air felt softer somehow. That slower rhythm changed the way I approached shooting. Manual focusing didn’t feel like a burden, it felt like a natural part of the process. I found myself slowing down, taking a moment to really observe my surroundings, and composing shots more intentionally. It was almost meditative, and that change of pace made the trip feel richer, more immersive.

Surprisingly, this little lens gradually became the star of the whole trip. Here’s how my photo usage broke down:

Out of 355 photos:
● ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 — 133 shots (37.46%)
● Sigma 10–18mm f2.8 — 97 shots (27.32%)
● Meike 55mm f1.4 — 72 shots (20.28%)
● XF70–300mm — 53 shots (14.93%)

And the surprising part? The images from the ArtraLab lens looked noticeably better than anything I had captured with it back home in Singapore. The rendering was gentler, more poetic. The background melted softly away behind the subject, creating a natural and pleasant separation that felt effortless. Perhaps it was the German light, the calm atmosphere, or just the different environments I was shooting in. Whatever it was, the images carried a mood that I had not anticipated, and each shot seemed to tell a story of its own.

Is It Worth It?

Let’s be real for a moment: USD 398 isn’t exactly cheap for a manual lens.

For comparison:
● TTArtisan 23mm f1.8 — USD 127
● Viltrox 25mm f1.7 Air — USD 176
● Viltrox 23mm f1.4 — USD 299

All of these are autofocus lenses, and all are very good performers in their own right. But what the ArtraLab offered me went beyond specs or convenience. It provided an experience, a different shooting rhythm, a new way to connect emotionally with my subjects and the environment around me.
Would I have gotten good images with one of the other lenses? Absolutely. But would the process have been as engaging or the results as uniquely satisfying? Probably not. Sometimes, photography is not just about pixels, it’s about the feeling while creating the image, and that is something this lens delivered in spades.

Will I Bring It Again?

Honestly… yes. I can see myself packing the ArtraLab 24mm f1.7 on future trips and holidays. I’m genuinely curious to see how it interprets other cities, lights, and moods, and how its unique character translates into new memories captured in a frame.

That said, I will admit that travelling with manual focus gear while juggling a soon-to-arrive newborn might be an entirely new kind of challenge, but that’s a problem for another day. For now, I’m just grateful that this lens helped turn a work trip into something unexpectedly memorable. It reminded me that sometimes slowing down, embracing the process, and taking your time can lead to the most rewarding experiences, both in photography and in life.

Thank you for reading.

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