I was going to headline this post with an image of the Fuji X100 but then figured that’s pointless, I shoot portraits so instead we have a portrait made with the Fuji X100. This is my Grandmar, she’s 99 years old, loosing sight, has been in hospital for 8 weeks and can still crack a winning smile! Love you Gran. Also can’t wait to shoot her 100th Birthday in January.. with the X100.

Now this is not going to be a review, I have only had the camera what 2 days.. I may come back and review it/give my thoughts later.

I have had this camera on my list for a while.. Actually I had the Fuji X Pro-1 on my list but that thing is £1200 with a 35 F1.4 lens.. that’s 5D2 with grip money, anyway I have always liked the X100 after shooting with a few but it went on the Not A Priority list. It seems some of my comments about the camera were heard and I received a Fuji X100 for Christmas.. told the family no it’s to expensive! .. Thankfully (kinda) they ignored me.

Took the camera to work today, shot it on my lunch and around the office and in doing so noticed something that has nothing to do with image quality, mega pixels or any of that technical stuff! I’t got people talking and about it..

“That looks great, what a cool camera”

“That’s an nice old camera” – It’s new, digital.. “Really, looks retro”

“Is that a film camera?”

People loved it wanted to pick it up and shoot with it.. people who were not photographers, don’t care about gear or brand wars, they simply liked how it looked and wanted to try it. Best of all it broke down walls and had people letting me photograph them. I 100% guarantee you if it was my 5D2 they would of shut down, turned away, been intimidated.. no shot, game over. The X100 is quiet and quick in operation, I like its little quirks, many have complained about it or don’t get it.. I think they are talking rubbish.

Love my DSLR’s (60D and 5D2), really love that 5D and prime lens but it’s too bulky to carry around day to day.

I find it frustrating shooting 2 different DSLR’S, 2 different formats… I am adding a second 5D2 to the DSLR kit for that reason (that and I like wide).. But oddly all that does not bother me with the X100, I mean its very different to the 5D.. totally chalk and cheese but it’s the only camera that makes me shoot with my tongue sticking out the corner of my mouth a little, Remember I said I like its quirks? It makes you work for it, it’s has an attitude and soul that if you let it will own you and I love it.

Also I love the fact it’s a fixed lens (23mm, 35mm Equiv.) and fast F2. It means you have to move, just how I like it.. I only shoot prime lens.

This camera wont replace the DSLR’s, fact is it can’t but it will allow me to shoot allot of stuff I wont be able to with the DSLR simply because I will carry it with me, the DSLR gets taken to the studio, location and on paid jobs, lives in the main bag, it’s big, heavy, a commitment to take out. In fact I can see myself running the X100 on jobs along side the 5D2 sometimes. The 60D will be given video duties.

Just want to make it clear I still firmly believe its not about the gear, use what you have, get to know it well!, I know my DSLR’s & lens . I need to will get to know the X100. I probably wont read the manual (shock!) I prefer just grabbing at dials and figuring it out these days, that and watching online tutorials like this set by my good friend Mark Boadey .

Marks X100 tutorials Playlist

I will be back with more in the near future. For now I will leave you with some images from today.