For photographer Jean-Pierre “JP” Zanotti, photographing abandoned buildings is less about having the newest camera than about finding the right light and composition—and taking time to work carefully. The Toulon-based photographer’s kit ranges from Fujifilm X-T bodies and ultra-wide lenses to a stable tripod, cleaning tools and substantial safety gear. He says the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 zoom made most of the photographs featured in DPReview’s October 1, 2026 community profile, though he later came to favor fixed focal lengths.
What makes an abandoned place worth photographing?
Zanotti photographs abandoned buildings across France and Italy. He says a location does not have to be spectacular to hold photographic potential: a plain corridor or empty doorway can work when the light and composition come together. That outlook puts attention on what remains in a place—the shapes, surfaces and traces of human life—rather than treating dramatic architecture as a requirement.
It also helps explain why he slows down even when a site feels overwhelming. As he puts it, “Sometimes the most striking shot comes out of the plainest room: a bare corridor, an empty doorway, where the light and the composition just happen to align.”
Which cameras and lenses does Zanotti use?
Camera bodies
His listed favorite cameras include the Fujifilm X-T2, X-T3 and X-T5. When describing a combination he likes for cluttered interiors, he names the Fujifilm X-E5 with the Viltrox 9mm. These are his choices for his work, not a universal ranking of camera bodies.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Lenses across wide and longer views
The lenses he names include the Fujinon 8mm F3.5, 16mm F1.4 and 56mm F1.2, along with the Viltrox 9mm F2.8 Air and 13mm F1.4. His Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 zoom was his main lens for years; Zanotti says most of the photographs shown in the feature were made with it.
| Lens approach | What Zanotti says about it | What the account establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 zoom | His main lens for years; used for most photographs shown in the feature. | A zoom offered framing flexibility in his work. The profile gives no controlled performance comparison. |
| Viltrox 9mm F2.8 Air and 13mm F1.4 fixed lenses | He later favored fixed focal lengths and names these among his lenses. | They reflect his later preference, including the 9mm in a combination he likes for cluttered interiors. The profile does not establish that fixed lenses are better for every photographer. |
The practical distinction is flexibility versus committing to a particular focal length: a zoom lets him adjust framing without changing lenses, while a fixed lens gives him a chosen view. The feature offers no controlled measurements to settle which approach performs better.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How he prepares and makes a photograph
Zanotti says a single photograph may take five to ten minutes to set up. When an abandoned site prompts what he calls a “shooting frenzy,” he deliberately slows his process and follows a checklist:
- Use the lowest native ISO.
- Deploy a stable tripod fully.
- Bracket exposures as a precaution.
- Focus manually with focus peaking.
- Use a blower to remove dust.
- Check sharpness carefully.
During long exposures, he steps away from the tripod so that movement through the floor does not transmit vibration to it. These are Zanotti’s reported working habits, not a controlled test or a guarantee of a particular result.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What else is in his bag?
For support and maintenance, Zanotti carries a stable tripod and a blower for cleaning. He sometimes uses a Nodal Ninja panoramic head, but says improved ultra-wide lenses mean he rarely needs it now. His backpack is a Lowepro Flipside Trek BP 350 AW.
His field kit also reflects the conditions inside abandoned buildings: a compact rain jacket, food and water, a folding Silky saw, an inflatable LED light stick, a small LED panel, a hard hat, a Petzl headlamp, tough clothing, high boots, clear safety glasses, a dust mask and sturdy flexible gloves. He says artificial light often looks wrong for this work, so he rarely uses his lights to make photographs; they can provide fill or help him see where he is walking.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Why the safety gear matters
An abandoned building is not necessarily open to the public, structurally sound or safe to enter. Zanotti warns that the places he photographs may still be private or dangerous and urges anyone tempted to try this kind of photography to take real precautions. His equipment list describes what he carries; it is not a complete safety standard, permission to enter a property or a substitute for assessing the risks of a particular site.
“These places are abandoned, but that doesn’t mean private or safe, so there’s no coffee break to fall back on; you just have to force yourself to slow down,” he says.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What his gear story says about making photographs
Zanotti’s kit has changed, but he does not credit equipment alone for the images. He recalls making prints he valued with older, modest gear, including a Canon PowerShot A70. His point is straightforward: equipment can help with the task, but seeing a photograph and composing it remain central. In his words, “The gear in this article helps, but it was never the reason any of these photos worked.”
That makes his equipment list most useful as a record of one photographer’s choices: a wide view for tight interiors, a tripod and deliberate setup for careful exposures, and practical items for moving through difficult places. It is not a prescription to buy the same kit or enter the same locations.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
