http://www.amateurphotographer.co.ukFOR MY total immersion into the world of Fujifi lm, I also added a
Fujifi lm X100F. Initially, this was a camera to sling in my backpack for
expeditions with my son and other everyday adventures. Perhaps my
biggest surprise and delight was just what an amazing camera this is in
its own right. I have to admit to having been something of a full-frame
sensor snob and to be honest, this held me back from the idea of
engaging with the APS-C sensor sized X series cameras. I would now
re-evaluate this assertion. And while I will still use my medium format
GFX 50R for most of my ‘serious’ photography, I would not rule out
using the X100F either. It is way more than a sling-in-my-bag casual
camera, it’s a viable and capable tool in its own right and delightful
companion to its big
brother. Most of the
controls, features,
dials and functions
are in similar locations
and once I’ve
‘harmonised’ the
customisable features
between the two
cameras the transition
from one to the other
will be relatively
seamless.
Fuji lm X100F
companion
Testbench IN THE FIELD
the world of magazines and
commit to photography in
other ways, I was in a pretty good
position to make a well-grounded
evaluation of what I needed. For
its all-round versatility and
outstanding quality, I plumped for
the Nikon D850 and a bunch of
quality glass. It was great,
wonderful even, and it did
everything I needed it to and a
whole lot more to boot. To be
honest there’s really nothing I
could fi nd fault with, however, as
time progressed it just didn’t feel
quite right.
My photographic work splintered
off into surprising new directions
and I found myself travelling to
far-fl ung corners of the world. I
also found myself making images
in a new way. If one must try to
defi ne it I was working towards the
‘fi ne-art’ and/or documentary
tradition. I didn’t like the
conspicuousness of a big SLR
system, but was hesitant and if I’m
honest a little snobby about using
a smaller mirrorless system... and
then the GFX 50R came along.
When the Fujifi lm GFX 50R was
released I just knew this was the
camera for me. It really was love at
fi rst sight. I had been thrilled when
Fujifi lm fi rst announced its entree
into the medium-format market.
I was at the press conference at
Photokina and the excitement was
palpable. However, the GFX 50S
and other options from Hasselblad
and Pentax priced me out of the
medium-format market.
The GFX 50R’s more accessible
price point prompted me to rather
impulsively trade in my entire
Nikon kit. And so it was that I
found myself with a GFX 50R and
one lens, the Fujifi lm GF 63mm
F2.8 R WR (I’ve since added
more). On paper I recognise it was
madness, I had gone from a
complete system and range of
focal lengths that could handle just
about any situation I cared to
throw at it to a one-lens system
with several compromising
shortfallings, such as slow
autofocus, slow continuous
shooting speed and not the world’s
best low-light shooting capabilities.
However, these factors didn’t
bother me and the best part of a
year later they still don’t, but my
photography feels invigorated.
Perhaps one of the greatest
delights of the GFX 50R and most