Following on from my recent time with the TTArtisan 25mm F2, I took it along with my Fuji X-T1 for a visit to Chessington World of Adventures this past weekend. This shoot fits neatly into my ongoing theme park photography series—something I’ve mostly explored using a pinhole camera in the past—so it been refreshing to revisit a familiar environment with a digital setup.
A Different Way to Photograph a Theme Park
Using digital again allowed me to be a little more reactive. The Fuji X-T1 paired with the TTArtisan 25mm F2 made for a lightweight, unobtrusive setup that was easy to carry around the park all day. While my earlier visits often leaned heavily on wider lenses, this time the 25mm offered a slightly more focused way of seeing.
Rather than trying to capture everything, I found myself isolating shapes, lines, and moments—letting the lens guide my compositions instead of fighting for the widest possible view.
Focusing on the Coasters
Most of my time was spent photographing Mandrill Mayhem and Dragon’s Fury. Both rides have beautifully sculpted track layouts, full of sweeping curves and strong visual rhythm—perfect subjects for a prime lens that encourages thoughtful framing.
I’ll happily admit that while I love photographing roller coasters, I’m not especially keen on riding either of these. Thankfully, standing back with a camera suits me just fine. The 25mm focal length worked brilliantly here, allowing me to capture the flow of the track without excessive distortion, while still feeling close enough to the action.
Why the TTArtisan Worked So Well
What really stood out during the day was how enjoyable this lens was to use in such a busy environment. Manual focus slowed things down just enough to make me more deliberate, even in the chaos of a theme park. The curves of the coaster tracks, the surrounding structures, and the interplay of light and shadow all felt well suited to this lens’ character.
It proved to be a great balance between control and spontaneity—something I don’t always get with wider lenses or more clinical modern glass.
Final Thoughts
Revisiting Chessington with a digital camera felt like a natural evolution of my theme park series. The TTArtisan 25mm F2 offered a fresh perspective, pushing me to approach familiar subjects in a new way while still keeping the process fun and engaging.
Below is a selection of images from the day—moments, details, and curves that caught my eye while wandering the park with the Fuji X-T1 and this surprisingly versatile little lens.
Photo Selection
Images from Chessington World of Adventures – Fuji X-T1 + TTArtisan 25mm F
If you read my recent review of the TTArtisan 25mm F2 on the Fuji X-T1, you’ll know how much I’ve been enjoying this little manual prime. After spending time wandering and shooting locally, taking it to Chessington World of Adventures felt like the perfect next step—putting the lens into a busier, more visually demanding environment.
Also my previous trip to Chessington with Fuji XF 10–24mm F4 OIS + Hoya R72 IR filter
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