Rethinking Photography with Fujifilm’s X100 Series

For about four years now I’ve been happily acquiring Fujifilm bodies, lenses, and accessories. I have a pattern: I obsess and buy a new or used Fujifilm body, lens, or accessory from Amazon,  B&H, or Craigslist. I then get a new obsession and sell a Fujifilm body, lens, or accessories on Craigslist to offset my next purchase from Amazon, B&H, or Craigslist. When the X100 series entered my obsessive thoughts, I bought a used X100S from Amazon to test. I liked the X100S so much that I began obsessing over the X100F because it mirrored the familiar control layout of my XPro2. I found instead a lightly used X100T plus accessories from Amazon at a price I could not ignore, bought it, and sold my X100S on Craigslist (for less than I paid for it).

The X100T has been a revelation and has me rethinking my photography. This camera has become my daily driver and my powerful XPro2, with its collection of lenses, has become the niche camera which I now used primarily when I need the capabilities of the 55-200mm telephoto. Other than for telephoto use, the X100T with its 23mm lens is admirably serving as the photographic catch all and middle ground where I feel it is not worth the effort of bringing along the XPro2 with my 14mm, 35mm, 60mm, or 18-55mm lenses.

Don’t get me wrong, the XPro2 is a fantastic camera. The 14mm renders dramatic wide angle landscapes and interior spaces. The 35mm f1.4 has is a low light wonder with magical bokeh. The 60mm does double duty as an exceptional portrait lens and macro lens. The 18-55 is perhaps my most versatile lens with its sharp optics, wide to moderate telephoto focal range, and image stabilization.

However, with the 23mm lens on an X100 series body, I don’t feel I am missing out on the landscape, architecture, people, or macro photography. I enjoy having a small, high-quality camera close at hand, something I can keep in my work bag, slip into a coat pocket, or carry lightly over a shoulder. I enjoy the simple discipline of shooting with a prime lens and not having to overthink which lens to bring or use and not having to stop and swap lenses.

Because I am using one camera which is fixed at a single focal length, I have become more deliberate and more considerate of my subject and potential framing and my positioning. With this discipline, I feel using the X100T is making me a better photographer.

X100 series, ultimate travel cam?

This week I really got to test the X100T, and the X100 series in general, as a do-everything-ultimate-travel-camera. I left the New England cold, the XPro2, assorted lenses, and tripod at home and spent a week in Florida with a minimal X100T travel kit.

My Florida travel kit consisted of the X100T, a mini-tripod, polarizing filter, two ND filters, an infrared filter, spare batteries, a charger, and USB cable with OTG adapter. I brought a new flash unit to test, but ended up not using it. It all fit easily in my beat up Domke waxwear satchel with room to spare.

So how did this setup perform? Did it meet all my photographic needs?

Landscape – extensive focus and exposure control with built-in ND filter.

Architecture – sharp with minimal distortion

People – discrete with a silent shutter.

Detail – excellent macro and close focusing capabilities

Black and White and Infrared (with no hotspots)

What do I really need?

Not only am I very satisfied with the image quality and versatility of the X100T at home and while traveling, I also admire its size, design, and aesthetic. This is undeniably a beautiful camera and a real pleasure to have in hand and use.

One camera, one lens. Simple and effective.

While I am not selling my XPro2 and lenses (yet?) the X100 series of cameras has me rethinking my photography and questioning how much gear do I really need? With the exception of telephoto, the X100 series camera does so much. It is either that good, or my needs are that simple.

X100T and Base Accessories:

• 

• 

• Domke 701-83A F-803 Camera Satchel Bag -Brown
• Godox TT350F 2.4G HSS 1/8000s TTL GN36 Camera Flash Speedlite for Fuji Cameras
• STK Fuji NP-95 Battery
• Pedco UltraPod II Lightweight Camera Tripod
• Hoya 52mm HMC Neutral Density ND8 Multi-Coated Glass Filter
• Hoya 52mm Circular Polarizer Filter
• Basesailor USB C to USB 3.0 OTG Adapter (2 Pack)
• Cheap Opteka IR Filter (no longer available)