Image above: The view from my window as we fly across the US. [Sunday 12 June] | [View all photos]
Unable to find a Fuji X100 camera in London, primarily because of the terrible tsunami bringing production in Japan to a halt, I randomly found one at Heathrow airport on my way to Naperville on business and so took it through its paces whilst I was out there.
So not only did I finally get my hands on one but I also got £200 off as it was duty-free – yes! But let me rewind to how all this all started. With my venerable Panasonic LX3 showing its age I debated over a replacement and compromised on their GF2 camera. Then Brian came along and told me about the Fuji X100 and after initially being unconvinced by it I found myself surprisingly liking it.
Compared to the GF2, it’s more expensive, it’s heavier, you can’t change the lens, you can’t even zoom, it’s larger … the list goes on. But being so limited in these ways also felt good as I was forced to take photos in a different way. And the timing couldn’t have been better as I was mentally in a rut with my photography.
Unpacking and trying it out on the flight over I was like a child with a new Christmas present. I have to confess that having a prime lens somewhat disconcerting at the beginning as zooming in out means moving yourself inwards or outwards – not easy to do in the confines of a plane. However, on figuring out the macro mode, and I could see the potential for food photography even if the dinner on American Airlines was atrocious.
Even their in-flight entertainment was laughable in how 1980s it looked. The best part was the label on the unit which stated it should not be removed from the aircraft and I was wondering who would want to take it in the first place!
Once in Naperville I tested the camera for food photography whilst I was eating out (more about that in my next post). Also on one evening whilst I was taking a stroll through their Riverwalk Park where I stopped to attend my first carillion concert that happened to be on as the sun set. Even at high ISO the photo quality is superb.
For the photography buffs do check out the excellent and comprehensive review by Dpreview. Suffice it to say that I do love shooting with it because of the restrictions and not than in spite of them. With the the brown leather case the whole retro manual look and feel is just gorgeous. It might not be your cup of tea but do go and check it out … you may be convinced otherwise when you try it. :D
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