If you’re searching for Fuji X-E2 sample images or Meike 25mm f/1.8 sample images, this blog should give you a good idea of what this budget-friendly setup can do in real-world conditions. Every photo featured here was taken using the Fujifilm X-E2 paired with the Meike 25mm f/1.8 manual focus lens, relying entirely on available natural light.
One thing I really miss about Seattle is the incredible food, coffee, and drink scene.
Growing up, I tended to stay within my comfort zone when it came to food and drink. As I got older, I started branching out and trying new things. It wasn’t until I met my friend from Seattle that I truly learned how much fun it can be to explore local restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and hidden gems while traveling.
On this trip, I was returning to Seattle after having lived there for a period of time. I didn’t have a strict itinerary. I mainly wanted to revisit some familiar places and see how the city felt after being away. Beyond that, I was open to whatever adventures came my way.
Thankfully, my friend is a certified foodie and had no shortage of recommendations.
Since I had recently purchased my Fuji X-E2 and Meike 25mm f/1.8, I figured every meal, coffee stop, and dessert run was also an opportunity to test this setup.
If you’re interested in food photography or simply curious about how this gear performs, I hope these images help.
One important note: Every image in this blog was photographed using natural light. No flashes, no lighting setups, and no studio conditions. I also shot these in JPEG, which I don’t normally do. But if you’re familiar with Fuji, you know that sometimes SOOC JPEGs are the way to go.
And if you’re interested in seeing how this setup performs for portraits, check out my companion blog: Fuji Travel Portraits on a Budget
Why I Love This Setup for Food Photography
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that food photography doesn’t necessarily require expensive gear.
Sure, newer cameras have better autofocus systems, higher resolution sensors, and more advanced features. But when it comes to photographing a cup of coffee near a window or a beautifully plated meal, those upgrades aren’t always necessary.
The Fuji X-E2 may be considered outdated by today’s standards, but the image quality still holds up remarkably well.
Pair it with the Meike 25mm f/1.8 and you get:
- A compact setup
- Excellent, usable image quality
- Beautiful background blur
- A focal length that’s versatile enough for food, travel, and portraits
- An incredibly affordable price point
The biggest challenge is manual focus, but food generally isn’t moving, which makes it one of the easiest subjects to photograph with a manual lens.
Aroom Coffee
One of my favorite things about Seattle is how easy it is to find a great cup of coffee.
Aroom offered the perfect opportunity to start the trip slowly. Great coffee, beautiful light, and a chance to put the Fuji X-E2 to work right away.
Sea Wolf Bakers
Seattle has no shortage of incredible bakeries, and Sea Wolf Bakers quickly became one of my favorites for their consistent fresh variety of pastries.
Everything about this space felt inviting. The pastries looked almost too good to eat, which usually means they’re worth photographing first. Also, I absolutely love when I can capture a unique lighting moment!
Matador
Sometimes comfort food just hits differently when you’re traveling. The Matador has a special place in my heart because it felt like a little slice of Texas away from home when we were feeling homesick. Plus, $5 happy hour nachos? That price is unheard of in Seattle. I’m not sure if they’re still $5 on happy hour, but we took full advantage of that when we lived there.
Seattle Cider Company
I always enjoy photographing drinks because they often allow you to play with reflections, color, and available light.
Seattle Cider Company provided plenty of opportunities to experiment with different compositions and lighting situations. Not only that, but their variety of ciders on tap is the best I’ve ever found. I love that they’re not afraid to try different flavor combinations. One of my favorite ciders from them is their pumpkin spiced cider. I really thought it would be kinda gross, but somehow they nailed that flavor perfectly!
I’m sad to report that, as of writing this, Google is showing that the Seattle Cider Co. tasting room is permanently closed. Looking at their last Facebook post, a company called 2 Towns bought them and will still be producing the Seattle Cider Co. cider.
I’m so glad I got to experience their tap room a few times!
Ghost Alley Espresso
Fair warning–there a quite a few photos of my coffees in this gallery. But would it really be a trip to Seattle if there weren’t so many photos of coffee?
Located near Pike Place Market, Ghost Alley Espresso is one of those iconic Seattle coffee experiences that’s worth stopping for. I ordered their “Mystery Mocha” where they ask you a few questions and then create a mocha based on the answers you give. Honestly it was a 10/10!
Molly Moon’s
Molly Moon’s is probably the only ice cream shop that I think about on a regular basis. It was our go-to ice cream shop when we lived in Seattle, so stopping here when we revisit is a must on our itinerary.
I really appreciate that they put effort into their non-dairy options. Most places only have one option and it’s always a fruit flavored ice cream. But not Molly Moon’s!
Good ice cream doesn’t stay photogenic for long, so this was definitely a shoot-first, eat-second situation. I honestly dream about Molly Moon’s lemon curd topping.
Sip House
Seattle’s café scene always seems to blend great drinks with cozy atmospheres, and that’s exactly how Sip House’s coffee shop felt.
Natural light pouring through café windows continues to be one of my favorite ways to photograph food and drinks.
Sweet Mickey’s Candy Shoppe
This place holds a special place in my heart. My wife and I love going to different candy stores, and one day during our stroll in Ballard, we came across Sweet Mickey’s. We were drawn in by the colorful and nostalgic display, and we stayed longer to chat with the owner who had, at the time, recently opened the shop.
His friendly warmth and love of candy is what makes stopping at Sweet Mickey’s an absolute must whenever we visit!
Mercurys Coffee Co.
Mercurys Coffee Co felt like more of an industrial coffee shop, but their coffee was great!
A quick note on the Meike 25mm f1.8 lens. As I hope you’ve seen, the bokeh on this lens is great! Pair that with great lighting and this lens really has the opportunity to shine and compete with much more expensive lenses!
Macarons
I honestly can’t remember exactly where these came from, but I do remember immediately wanting to photograph them. This isn’t SOOC, but I’m glad I was able to edit this since the lighting was a bit all over the place here. This photo is a good example of how both the Fuji X-E2 and Meike 25mm f1.8 perform with artificial light.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Food that’s visually interesting is always fun to photograph. The colors, textures, and presentation made this one an easy choice for the camera.
This was my first experience at a revolving sushi bar, so this place and memory holds a special place in my heart. I was entranced by this concept. Plus, getting to see the sushi before committing is a dream as someone who is more of a visual learner!
Coffeeholic House
And of course, we have to end with one more coffee stop.
Coffeeholic House is one of those places that perfectly represents what I love about Seattle’s food and drink culture: unique, creative, and memorable. Coffeeholic House is also one of those places I have to stop at anytime I’m back in Seattle. I dream about their ube latte all the time!
Final Thoughts on the Fuji X-E2 & Meike 25mm f/1.8
Looking back through these images, I’m reminded that great photography isn’t always about having the newest camera or the most expensive lens.
The Fuji X-E2 was already considered old when I purchased it. The Meike 25mm f/1.8 cost a fraction of what many modern autofocus lenses cost.
And yet, this combination continues to produce some of my favorite travel photos.
The manual focus process forces me to slow down and be intentional. The colors from the X-E2 still hold up years later. And the Meike lens has far more character and sharpness than its price tag would suggest.
If you’re considering this setup for travel photography, food photography, or everyday photography, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
It’s proof that you don’t need the latest and greatest gear to create images you’ll still enjoy looking at years later.
What About You?
When you travel, what’s the first thing you photograph? The food, the coffee, the people, or the places?
I’d love to hear your answer. 🍜☕📸
Philip Adcock 
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