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 a X100 series body, I don't feel I am missing out on 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.
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, and 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 a my beat up Domke waxwear satchel with room to spare.
So how did this setup perform? Did it meet all my photographic needs?
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.
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.
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 a X100 series body, I don't feel I am missing out on 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, and 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 a 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 controls with built-in ND filter.
Architecture - sharp with minimal distortion
People - discrete with silent shutter.
Detail - excellent macro and close focusing capabilities
Black and White / Infrared - deep and contrasty with no infrared hot spots!
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.
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| 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:
- Fujifilm X100T Silver
- Fujifilm MHG-X100 Metal Hand Grip for X100, X100S and X100T
- JJC LH-JX100 Silver Filter Lens Adapter & Hood
- Lensmate Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X100T - Silver
- Camera Soft Release Button JJC Black Silver Shutter Button
- Atelier Maas Camera Strap - Black (hand crafted, impressive quality)
Additional Travel Kit 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)