Why?

9 years ago I started this blog with a post entitled “why”. 150 (erratic) posts later and the title seems appropriate again.

My last couple of posts have been about the Laowa 9mm. I have now used it on a few jobs and I like the flexibility having an Ultra Wide for the X-H’s gives me. (You may remember I am replacing the GFX/17mm Laowa). In fact a few days after the above job, I dropped my 50R & 63mm into a dealer and collected a new camera…

What? I hear you shout!
Have you succumbed to the hype over this new version of the X100?
This is not a replacement for a GFX!

No on all these counts. The decision took a while and it was not until I had played with one that I firmed up the switch.

So this is the WHY of the title.

If you have been following me for these 9 years (or if you are a recent follower who likes to look at a blogs’ history), you will know from my second post that the original X100 was the first Fuji camera that I owned and I kept it for many years as my carry around whilst the X-T series became my workhorses.

I took a few of my favourite images on that camera, I loved the simplicity and the form but in the end, as mirrorless technology moved forward, I slowly realised it was no longer up to the job, the focus was too slow, the sensor too small and so I moved it on.

I had purchased the GFX50R during lockdown. I fell in love with the image size and quality. The graduations between colours, between lights and darks cannot be beaten (and I am going to miss them) but the truth is the camera is just counter to my instinctive work style. Even in the studio, although I might take time to consider the lighting and styling, when it comes to the shooting itself, my work is all about instinct, energy and timing. The only time the GFX really worked for me was when shooting interiors (when I will continue to hire a GFX for these shoots).

The new X100VI takes me right back to that original version, only now it has a 40MP sensor, quick autofocus, better EVF & fast WiFi for image transfer. Using the 126 batteries means my stock of them (for my XT’s) will not go to waste and I already know how to get what I want from the AF & Sensor. Its perfectly pocketable (like the original) and I have fitted my old rope strap that I purchased all that time ago.

I will make some more in depth observations over the coming weeks or months.

I have seen so much written about this camera (especially the AF) and sure, there are a few issues but in the 3 days I have played if seems fairly solid and sorted. The AF tracks faces & objects well ( I have updated the firmware via the App). It’s not an action or sports camera – if thats what you shoot – look elsewhere for the right body & lens combination.

Anyone who has a conversation with me about photography and cameras will know I feel Cameras have become The latest Boys Toys.. This camera especially is both benefiting and suffering from this.

On one hand the clamour has created a demand that just cant be met at the moment, with delivery timetables leading to a lot of complaints. It also means that are many (very many) that just want to knock the camera, find fault, I even see posts decrying that it’s a fixed lens camera and that’s an issue. Finally there are those that seem to spend their time, not posting about how they are using the camera but posting about how they have pimped it, what accessories, straps they have fitted.

The bottom line (for me at least) is that whatever faults it may have, the X100VI is a camera that begs to be used, begs to be in my hand or pocket as I walk around, begs for me to snap what I see. That, as a photographer, is all that I can ask for..

Do you have any of the X100’s? What do you think?

Let me know ..

Until Next time…

J