The Widelux F6: My Favorite Camera for Travel Photography
- May 2
- 4 min read
Updated: May 13
By Laura Odermatt
The Widelux F6 may be the strangest camera I own, but it is also my favorite camera to take when I travel. It's much more interesting than my Contax T2, and much lighter than my Mamiya 645. In 2025, I traveled to four different countries, and this camera accompanied me throughout them all. There are 3 main reasons that I reach for it over my other cameras for my travel photography when going on an adventure to somewhere new.
Easy to Use
Exposure
First of all, the Widelux is very easy to use. The camera only has 3 shutter speeds (in my particular F6 model: 1/10, 1/100, 1/250), and although it may seem a bit limiting at first, I find it easier to make quick decisions on exposure. Film is often forgiving enough to make up for any over-exposure in the highlights as well.
For this reason it is good practice to get a good idea of the lighting conditions you plan to shoot first. I usually shoot outside with ISO 200 or 400 film. My favorite film stocks are usually black and white: Cinestill BWXX (metered at 200), Ilford HP5 Plus (400), or the classic Tri-X 400.
The Widelux F6 doesn't have a meter built into it— so I will either meter with my Sekonic L-758, the light meter app on my phone, or most often just by eye. As I mentioned, film is usually forgiving enough in its latitude, and if you scan the negatives yourself, you can get even more of the information back.
Focus
The Widelux F6 also has set focus, which again, may be limiting for some, but I find it very freeing. On regular SLR cameras, sometimes my perfectionist need to nail focus creeps in to where I end up missing the shot. But with the Widelux, I don't have to think twice. When inspiration hits, I just click the shutter.
Another amazing thing about this camera is that because the focus is set and the field of view is so wide, you don't even have to look through the viewfinder. In past interviews, Jeff Bridges has mentioned one of the reasons he likes it is because it's so close to how the human eye actually sees.
Whenever I am visiting a new place, I find inspiration comes very quickly. In the Widelux's simplicity of controls, it feels like this camera helps facilitate the flow of inspiration. It's not the kind of camera that gets in the way— it waits with you, and is ready when you are.
Compact & Lightweight
The Widelux is a surprisingly compact and lightweight camera. This was one of the first things I noticed when I held the Widelux F7 for the first time after renting one on a trip to New York.
A great feature in the Widelux cameras is that the lens is protected inside the camera itself. With this, you don't even have to worry about losing a lens cap— it's all there and protected, although it is a good idea to keep the camera safely in a case or bag to protect its mechanisms from dust or dirt.
Another great thing is that there is only one lens, and it's not interchangeable. Because of this, you don't have to worry about bringing extra lenses or the time it takes to swap. With only one lens, you also have less gear to keep track of overall.
The fact that the Widelux is so self-contained and compact is a huge plus, especially when you travel. When you travel, you often visit many different sights while physically carrying your gear with you the whole day. I think that the fewer moving parts you have to carry and account for, the better. And when you don't have to worry about fiddling with your gear, it frees you up to actually enjoy yourself.
Panoramic Memories
The Widelux images are so wide that each frame can feel like it's own story. I often find myself getting lost in all the details these cameras can capture. I think that there is a narrative, documentary aspect inherent to these types of photos, and for that reason, it can often make the photos you take feel more personally meaningful.
My personal favorite subjects to shoot with this camera while traveling are landscapes, funky portraits of people, and animals. Although black and white is my favorite to shoot on this camera, I've also shot a lot of color and even slide film as well.
Because you get more detail on every Widelux photo, you are able to capture special memories with much more depth. It is always fun to look back on and to even discover details you hadn't noticed before. Whenever I travel, I find this especially important— these are memories I love to relive again and again.
Conclusion
The Widelux has been a true companion for my travels. I really love not only its unique style, but its true ease of use. I would love to hear some of your favorite cameras to take while traveling, too, so please let me know in the comments. I hope this article inspires you— Widelux or not— to grab your favorite camera, and go out somewhere new. To find that flow state, even if only for a little while. ◇
Wishing so much that there was a digital version of this camera. Every time I see your Widelux pics I am so envious, but if I go back to film I'll never stop spending money :/