A bigger lens with a smaller camera body: Is it really an odd mix?

 We use to recommend an equally distributed weight between the camera body and its attached optic. It is a fair preoccupation especially when we are speaking about the smaller size compact cameras. After all we are looking for the less intrusive photographic gear to bring with us for doing our photo taking sessions. Furthermore, we don't want to generate too much fatigue when those sessions are prolonged or when we are moving a lot like on a travel or for street photography. All this is very legitimate but what happens when we decide to opt for a longer focal prime or zoom lens? It is here that some controversies start to occur.

The advises may differ slightly but most of them will suggest you to avoid using small cameras with bigger optics. In fact, it is how you are intending to hand hold in practice your photographic gear that is matter more than anything else. With bigger or heavier lenses, there is no choice than put your left hand in contribution as an essential (and as the most important) support of the optic. At this point, your right hand will serve mainly if not entirely as a camera controller. That way, you will not over stress the lens/camera mount and make sure that your shutter releases will stay positive and smooth. Moreover putting your left elbow on your chest or on any additional support surface will also help to get a maximum stabilization for your camera-lens combination and will preserve of too much holding fatigue.

You might find that using a compact small camera combined with a bigger lens is more fun to do so in comparison of the big camera-big optic one. For example with the Fujifilm X-mount system in some photo taking contexts, I will prefer to couple my older but beloved Fujinon XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS zoom lens with a diminutive Fujifilm X-E3 or X-S10 cameras. It help a lot to concentrate myself on the creative part of the photo project, or it will ease a lot to bring the camera combo to an improvised photo outing. To free more your hand, you can put the camera/lens kit inside a small shoulder-messenger gadget bag instead using the classic camera shoulder strap. In privileging your comfort you simply enhance the pleasure of discovering your subject in its context.

Avoiding frequent changes of optics may be another key of photographic success that will dependent more on pre-visualization than improvisation. If you learn to apprehend your lens, your chance of photo success will improve. You will feel in control of your creative effort.

Even if there is no specific "rules" about the photo gear to select and how to use it, some long said repetitive ideas are not always the most interesting ones for the photographers her/himself. Trying something different (that is breaking the usual rule) may a key point to start a new interest to produce pictures and share them. After all, using a compact camera with a bigger lens may not be an anathema.😉

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Photo-illustration & Photo Daniel M: Fujifilm X-H1 / XF 18-55mm R LM OIS; Fujifilm X-S10 / XF 55-200mm R LM OIS