Struggling With Your Fixed Lens Camera? Here’s Why, And What to Do

Switching to a prime lens or to a camera with a fixed focal length can introduce limitations that make your creativity and skill grow. But on the flip side, it can make you feel stuck and frustrated. Why aren’t you taking great photos with a fixed lens when everyone else seems to prefer them? In his latest video, photographer Justin Mott shares a message for anyone who recently switched to a fixed lens camera – whether it’s a Leica Q, Fuji X100, Ricoh GR, or something similar. If you now feel stuck with it, this video is a must-watch.

1. Don’t Expect the Camera to Do the Work for You

One of the biggest mistakes Justin sees is photographers thinking a new camera will instantly upgrade their work. Maybe you sold your DSLR setup, tossed the zoom lenses, and invested in something sleek and minimal. You’re excited. You imagine getting pro-level images. But then… your photos just don’t look the way you expected.

Justin says this is totally normal, and it’s because the gear wasn’t the problem. It’s not the camera that needs to change. It’s your mindset.

2. Understand What Zoom Lenses Were Hiding

Zoom lenses – especially fast ones like a 70–200mm at f/2.8 – often make your shots look professional thanks to background blur and compression. But Justin reminds us: that look came from the lens, not necessarily your photography skills. As Justin blatantly puts it, “the honest truth is your lens was doing the  heavy lifting and you were taking the credit.”

When you switch to a 28mm or 35mm prime lens, there’s no more instant magic. You actually have to think. You can’t rely on creamy backgrounds to carry your photo anymore. And that’s where growth begins.

3. Zoom with Your Feet, Not Your Wrist

With a fixed lens, Justin says movement is everything. You can’t stand in one place and twist your zoom ring anymore. You have to physically move closer or farther from your subject. That means stepping into the scene, adjusting your position, and being more engaged with what’s happening in front of you.

This might feel uncomfortable at first – but that’s the point. Growth is fantastic, but oh boy is it uncomfortable sometimes, especially at first! You’re being forced to slow down and compose with intention, instead of relying on gear to do it for you.

4. Treat This Like a Reset – Because It Is

According to Justin, what most photographers need is a reset. When you buy a new fixed lens camera but keep treating it like your zoom setup, you’re missing the whole benefit. You can’t approach it the same way and expect different results.

Instead, accept that this might feel like going backwards. That’s actually good. Just like in life, things sometimes need to get worse before they get better. It means you’re relearning things you skipped over before, and that’s where real progress happens.

5. Try This Exercise to Get Better, Faster

Justin doesn’t just tell you what the problem is, but he also gives you something you can actually do to fix it. His tip: Start documenting someone you know. Pick a person – your partner, your kid, a friend – and spend some time photographing their day. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even an hour a week, for a few weeks, can teach you more about your camera and your storytelling than any manual ever will.

This kind of controlled, familiar environment lets you practice:

• Where to stand
• How to anticipate moments
• How to use light and composition more thoughtfully

Once you build that muscle memory, everything gets easier, even in unpredictable situations like street or travel photography.

6. Be Patient. This Is the Long Game.

A fixed-lens camera won’t give you great images, but that’s the beauty of it. Justin says these cameras make you slow down, think, and earn your photos. His concluding thought that his fixed-lens camera doesn’t give him good photos but makes him earn them really resonated with me, and I think he summed up the point wonderfully!

That’s why, when Justin wants to shoot something meaningful, not just meet a deadline, he grabs his Leica and 35mm lens. Not because it’s easy, but because it challenges him to connect with his subject and create something deeper.

Final Tips

If you’re thinking about switching to a fixed lens or have already made the move, Justin wants you to hear this loud and clear:

• Don’t get discouraged.
• Don’t expect magic overnight.
• Be patient, put in the time, and change your mindset.

Yes, that minimal setup can help you grow as a photographer, but not on its own. It will come only only if you commit to doing the work. Try Justin’s exercise, get comfortable with your gear, and trust that your skills will improve if you keep showing up.

[Leica, Fuji X100, Ricoh GR: Why You’re Struggling to Get Great Photos | Justin Mott]

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