The Fuji X100 series was my gateway into the whole Fuji camera system. It combined the aesthetic of an old film camera with modern features. The Fuji X100 series is really a throwback in this area. It looks like an old fixed lens film-based rangefinder camera, with its looks, manual dials. It gives a tactile feel when shooting. You do not need to much around in the menu to change most of the things you need when you shoot. Changing the aperture, shutter speed, ISO level, exposure compensation can all be done with all the dials that are all so functionally laid out. One thing that I love about this small camera is the fact that it has a veiw finder built it. It is a cleverly designed VF which you can switch from an optical one (OVF) to an electronic one (EVF) with a flick of a switch that is so coveniently located in the front of the camera. The OVF also has frame lines which allows you to see outside you focal length frame while the EVF gives you a preview of your final shot with your settings. With my poor eyesight, I find myself using the ECF 99.99% of the time.
The idea of a fixed focal length, small bodied camera was jarring to the many people. In fact, many who are casual shooters or people just starting out shy away from cameras or lenses without a variable focal length. But if you have been shooting for a while and know what you want to shoot, chances are, you have your fave focal length to shoot with. I personally love the range between 24mm to 50mm with the 35mm as the happy middle ground for me. Having a fixed focal length camera is quite liberating for me because I can simply focus on the compositions and angles instead of worrying about the gear – which lens to use, etc.. It also forces me to slow down and think and be more creative in my shots because of the limitation of having one single focal length. The Fuji X100 series has a 23mm lens with an APS-C sized sensor with a 1.5X crop factor. This gives the Fuji X100 a focal length equivalent to 34.5mm or 35mm in full frame. I find this to be perfect for me for street, travel personal and even for some event shoot. The 35mm lens is the closest to the focal composition of the human eye that is photos shot with this focal length gives such a natural and realistic vantage point of view for the viewers.
Another thing I love about the Fuji X100 series is they have included all the popular Fuji analog film simulations in the camera when shooting with jpegs. This allow me to choose which film type look I want to use. And with each new models, new film simulations are added and tweaked. They are now called “recipes” by Fuji shooters and enthusiasts and can be stored in the custom settings of the camera. The Fuji jpegs are so good that this is one of the few cameras where I rarely shoot in RAW and the jpegs just need minor post processing, if any at all.
I have had the blessing of owning (and selling to upgrade) all the camera models in the Fuji X100 series. From the original X100 to the X100S, X100T, X100F and now the X100V.
I waited one and a half year after its release to purchase the X100V. The reason was purely economic, I didn’t have the money for the new one then and the pandemic hit, which made finances tight and restricted travel.That was why I put it off for so long. The X100F, which I had for six and a half year before selling it, was my daily carry camera which I brought with me also during my travels both locally and internationally. I loved it and it has never failed me. But the X100V added so many new features – new film emulations, a flip out screen, faster operation, a new and sharper lens plus, what I wanted for so long, weather sealing – Even though the X100F had no weather sealing, I have shot with it in heavy rain before. It was really soaked during one of the travels to Taipei in 2018 and it kept working with no problems, but I had to constantly hide it under my jacket and I missed so many shots simply because I was afraid to push my luck too much. The X100V solved that problem when it was designed with weather sealing. I am now confident that I can shoot in a downpour with it and not be afraid for the camera to get damaged.
I may be one and a half year late to the party but after selling off the X100F and other stuff to raise fund, I bought the X100V on October 20. I waited 2 months before writing this because I wanted to use it, to test it and to see how it worked out for me and I am not disappointed. Good thing do indeed come to those who wait. 🙂
Daniel's Lighthouse 