Fuji is known for producing great film, but did you know they have been making digital cameras and cinematic lenses that are cutting edge too? I won't get into boring details about their factory in Sendai, Japan; but I will give you the hard skinny on a camera that came out in 2012 that shook the photography world...it's called the X-Pro1.
I will also tell you about Koreatown where this was shot at the end
Fuji shamelessly attracted the high end market when they unveiled the X-Pro1 at Photokina in Cologne, Germany...I was there and I admit to having fantasies about one day owning one of these lovely creatures. It's stealthy like a Leica and the prime lenses that accompany it have wide open apertures like the Leica as well. But Fuji did an amazing job in outperforming the Leica in so many ways, I know there are purist out there who will be cursing me for even saying such blasphemy. But I don't give two fucks...this camera is sexy and Fuji nailed it with their X-Trans CMOS sensor (don't ask me what that means because I don't know). I do know this, there's some mojo sauce inside it to get as close to a film camera as possible.
Want to see the results? I shot in the worst possible sunlight today and you're about to see the performance. I'll also give you my notes on why you should buy this camera.
Hold on there rubberneck, the images of the Fuji camera were taken with my crappy iPhone 6. I ain't got two X-Pro1 cameras. Read on for the Fuji images...
Fuji provides a minimalist layout and took out all the horse-shit menus that you'll find in DSLR's. I get lost when searching through miles of menus with my Canon. Fuji gives you the stuff you really need to be creative. It's well thought out.
I acquired this camera from Craigslist this morning. It's 2018 and the prices of the original X-Pro1's have dropped to $300-$350 which is a steal in my opinion for such a fine piece of ass...I mean machinery. All metal body, 16 megapixels, controls on top for shutter and an exposure compensation wheel...it's old school and functional. Sure you can get the new X-Pro 2 or one of their other current models but you're going to pay a premium for what? Fuji nailed it with this camera, it's hard to improve on something great to begin with.
I am selling my Canon L Series 135mm 2.0 razor sharp and in excellent condition lens to pay for it. Here's a pic if you're interested buying it from me at a good price:
.jpg)
Okay, let's dive into the images and functionality of the camera and lens. I'll make notes explaining the good and the bad.
The camera I bought off Craigslist came with Fuji's 18mm 2.0 (27mm equivalent because of the crop sensor). It's sharp and really nice wide aperture at 2.0. The X-Pro1 can use old vintage lenses or newer lenses with an adaptor. I plan on getting a $20 Fotodiox adaptor for my Mamiya lenses.
The dynamic range looks really good to me. Notice the contrast between the highlights and the shadows. Note that all of these images were shot in JPG black and white simulation mode. I switched from R, Y and G filters and to be honest I paid little attention to which when I was using. I just like the way the filters look, Fuji did an outstanding job creating a film look from the sensor to the filters.
I shot this with a mix of manual and auto. The camera can go full auto like an old film camera, partially auto or full auto. I put the shutter in A (auto) and set an auto ISO (not to exceed 3200). Then I manually dial the aperture for the look I'm craving.
So the shutter and ISO are auto while I control the aperture I then take a quick peek at the image taken and use the exposure compensation to adjust up or down one or two stops. This is what I like to do, there are other ways of course.
This wall was in shadow. But the Fuji really performs in the blacks. There are two programable function buttons so you can quickly dial in a variety of options. I have the top function button programmed for video mode, that way I can instantly roll video without a bunch of damn menus or buttons.
The camera is a lot smaller than a DSLR and extremely light weight. Hailed as a street photographers dream, I think it's beefy enough to also do portrait work. 180 flash sync speed is limiting but not the end of the world.
It's beefy enough for pro work and stealthy enough for street style
She had no idea I was photographing her. I was slick about it. You can't do that too easily with a big ass DSLR.
Some people complain about the autofocus system being too slow. I didn't find that to be the case; apparently the X-Pro1 has had 8 firmware updates that have solved a lot of the issues it had in the early years. I don't know why you would feel compelled to buy a new X-Pro2 camera when this thing performs so well.
You're better off investing in good lenses!
Crisp, snappy, not overly sharp, contrasty and it screams film. I am liking the look of these JPG's. The camera does shoot RAW obviously.
This image was cropped in about 50%, the 16 megapixel sensor is sufficient.
Here's the bottom line: The Fuji isn't going to replace my DSLR for commercial or fine portrait work; but it's small enough to take with me everywhere, replacing my crappy phone images. But I will take it with me on professional shoots when I want that film look for want my subjects to not notice a giant ass camera in their face. It has its own space in the camera world and I intend to use it for a different types of possibilities. It compliments my many styles as an artist and portrait photographer.
I'm new to the X-Pro1, but with it's price used around $300 almost anyone can afford to own this little boutique gem. Ask questions or make comments. Enjoy the images.
End of the Review
.jpg)
These images were taken on the border of Koreatown and Westlake near downtown LA. It's a culturally diverse area with people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Korea, Bangladesh to name a few...I walked several blocks in somewhat of a seedy area. I never felt in danger, but I did see some people that made me a little uneasy. One lady that was selling illegal prescription drugs did see my camera and yelled in Spanish, "Get that fucking piece of shit away from me!" Several people in the crowd got excited and got out of there quick.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
I am a working photographer based in LA, but available for hire and accustomed to travel.
Michael Thompson
You know what I really like? Really, really like? An honest review of an honest product. Let me restate that. An honest fucking review of an honest fucking product.
I'm not a working photographer. I'm not even a better amateur. I'm an old film dog from a long time ago, but today I basically take landscape photos to document my travels. Which are on a motorcycle so space is critical.
I love much of my Nikkon, but it's too big, and I can get lost in the simple menus let alone the deep menu shit. I want to be able to raise and shoot in fairly short order. This looks like the answer to me. Is it?
You've only had it 24 hours so I'll hold my questions on battery life :)
Thank you for at least giving me a place to start research.
Man I have to second this comment, this is a great post on many levels and not hte least because of the very straightforward no bullshit review. Particularly for me personally as I have been wanting to buy a "real" camera, don't want to jump straight in to a big DLSR, and have something I can take easily with me on my bicycle rides.
Great post @lightenup you took some really interesting photos in just your first morning with this new toy!
Yeah, if the X-Pro1 is too beefy, you could grab the X100 which is really small. But you can't change out the lenses...kind of a must for me to be able to change out the lenses. And with cheap adapters you can use all that vintage glass!
It came with a spare battery, I used it for three hours straight and no issues...I took out again for a second spin late last night and the battery light started blinking. Knowing that I was only going to be using it for maybe an hour the dying battery didn't bother me. The Fuji X100 is also a cool camera which I did a review for on Steemit.
Congratulations @lightenup! You have completed the following achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on the badge to view your Board of Honor.
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPYAY! Rewards!
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
I love that C-Squared isn't a bot!
Yup by the time a post gets upvoted/resteemed by @c-squared a minimum of two real live humans were involved - a curator who liked the post enough to bring it to the Discord server, and a voter who did a manual review for spam/plagiarism/quality and upvoted :) You are a very talented photographer and a refreshingly direct writer! Keep it up! Cheers
Hi lightenup,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Wow nice review. Good to see how the Fuji performs in comparison to a big DSLR. And I can imagine how much effort and time is being invested into this post with awesome photography! So well deserved ups! 😀
Thanks dude!
Very cool man!!! Nice review!! Makes me want one just to keep with me at all times!!
you should!
BTW.... How much steem for the 135?
733 SBD and a mailing address. LOL
That’s not a bad price now if I only had that much sbd!!
Good photos. I see what you mean about the dynamic range. I also like the controls. Might buy one but I'll probably wait for a lower price, I already have too many cameras :) The other sensor I like is the Sigma Foveon but the cameras are horrible.
I think they are well priced at the moment...I did see that the XE-1 can be had for 200SBD, but I like the larger body
Pretty cool review of the X-Pro1! I have been using the X-Pro2 for just over 2 years for my Cycling Panning Project and it gives me that paper/film look that I love about the X-Trans Color Filter Array! Have fun out there!!!!
Very cool to hear someone else has the Xpro!
Beautiful review mate might have to look into getting one of those bad boys myself 😍😍 that level of crushed black is insane?!!
Fuji is known for their blacks!
nice review man
Thanks! It was fun making it for Steemit
I'm not sure what is better ... the great review you have written of Fuji X-Pro1 or the wonderful photos images you have made with it. Great job, @lightenup. Reposted!
Thanks for the Repost and comment.
Oh, man... I wanted one of these since they first came out. or maybe from when the second version came out and the price dropped a little as people flooded to the 'latest and greatest'. I had forgotten about it, but might have to start searching for a bargain on one soon...
That what happened to me...I thought, "I'll never own one because it's too boutique" But the prices on the XE-1 and Xpro1 are affordable now
This is a really good review of the camera @lightenup. I do not know much about cameras but your write-up kept me reading (although I do not quite understand the technical parts - but I am encouraged to go find out more :). The photos are stunning (I've always liked B&W photos), you pretty much brought us to the location with your photos and write-up. Thank you.
Excellent review and photos!! BTW I found your post following @curie . I am super interested in your lens. Can you send me the link to wherever it is that you are selling it? Thanks ;)
Hi @lightenup,
Just really want to echo many of these previous comments. A great honest review. Plus where most camera reviews are just technical this and that, and an opinion or two yours includes great photos produce by the camera being reviewed. Nice added touch.
This post was nominated by a @curie curator to be featured in an upcoming Author Showcase that will be posted Saturday evening (U.S. time, about 12-16 hours from now.) on the @curie blog.
NOTE: If you would like us to NOT feature your post in the Author Showcase please reply, email, or DM me on Discord as soon as possible. Any photos or quoted text from your post that we feature will be properly attributed to you as the author.
You can check out our previous Author Showcase to get an idea of what we are doing with these posts.
Thanks for your time and for creating great content.
Gene (@curie curator)
Fuji IS new Leica, @lightenup, but don’t sell your Canon glass before you try this:
https://steemit.com/photography/@lighteye/fringer-canon-to-fuji-adapter
…and see this:
https://steemit.com/photography/@lighteye/fujinon-lenses-is-fuji-really-the-new-leica
BTW, I have to put my hand around something with that beautiful Fuji hybrid finder :)
I still do not have a camera yet but I want also to venture photography. Reading your review on the Fuji X1- Pro made me consider of buying one because it is explained very well that a layman can understand well. It stoop down to my level (in a positive sense). I love the black and white images taken by the featured camera something that suits my taste very much. 😍😍
Wow!
BTW...I am selling the camera. Let know if you are intested in it. Thanks the comment.
Woww... This is pretty amazing.. Was spellbound throughout the read !
I checked it out and it goes for about $1100 on amazon. Why's that???
You have a minor grammatical mistake in the following sentence:
It should be its own instead of it's own.Screw you grammarnazi : )
Thanks
Did you look at the photos? Writing was an afterthought