Fujifilm X-T30 II Street Photography in Schaerbeek, Brussels

I headed out for a Fujifilm X-T30 II street photography walk through Schaerbeek. The sky was overcast, but the soft, diffused light made for calm and even tones across the streets.

This time I brought my X-T30 II paired with the Tamron 17–70mm f/2.8. Before heading out, I had done a bit of research on the area and decided to go with the zoom lens to capture compressed street scenes and architectural details.

I usually walk without a strict plan and let the city guide me. But this time, I had one thing in mind: a tall residential building I had seen while researching the area.

Ornate red brick residential buildings in Brussels with detailed windows and decorative facades

Walking through Schaerbeek

I started my walk from Botanique and moved into a residential area filled with character. The streets felt almost fairytale-like. Each house was different, yet everything fit together naturally.

Older homes with decorative facades stood next to more modern concrete buildings. The contrast didn’t feel forced. It felt natural, like the neighborhood had slowly shaped itself over time. Something caught my attention at nearly every corner.

Traditional Brussels townhouse facade with blue window frames and decorative stone elements

Residential street in Brussels lined with blooming trees and parked cars

Résidence Brusilia

Eventually, I reached an open space where the Résidence Brusilia came into view.

At 34 stories, it dominates the surrounding neighborhood.

I wasn’t interested in photographing the entire structure. What drew me in were the patterns and curves it naturally created. The repetition of balconies and windows felt more interesting than the building as a whole.

I walked around, looking for different angles. I ended up in what seemed to be the parking area near the main entrance, where I got the close-up shots I had in mind.

Most of these were taken from a low angle. I wanted to get a straight, horizontal, zoomed-in view of the facade, but the 17–70mm could only take me so far. To really get that shot, I would need more distance or a higher viewpoint, possibly from another building.

Still, I was happy with what I got. The images worked well in both color and black and white.

Grid of windows on a high-rise building in Brussels forming a structured geometric pattern

Close-up of the Brusilia building in Brussels showing repeating balcony lines and geometric patterns

Why the zoom lens over the pancake lens

For the X-T30 II, I mainly use two lenses:
the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 pancake and the Tamron 17–70mm f/2.8.

Since I knew I wanted close-ups of the Brusilia building and compressed views of the Schaerbeek streets, I chose the zoom lens.

What I like about it is its flexibility. It feels like a 2-in-1 lens. I can go wide when needed, but also zoom in to isolate details without changing lenses.

It’s bulkier and more noticeable than the pancake lens, but for this kind of exploration, it works really well. It allows me to observe from a distance and focus on details I would otherwise miss.

I still love the 27mm and use it often. It gives a completely different experience.

You can see my previous walk around Ixelles here.

Narrow sloping street in Brussels with dense buildings and urban depth

Continuing through Schaerbeek

After getting my shots of the Brusilia building, I continued walking through the neighborhood.

It had already started to get darker, so I took the easy way home and rode the bus for a couple of stops.

I only covered a small part of the area, but it already felt like a place worth returning to. There is clearly more to explore, especially on a clear day with stronger light and shadows across the buildings.