Fujifilm X100v first impressions
Recently I was feeling so out of touch with photography. I have sold off most of my kit and now only run a Nikon Z7 with two lenses and a X100v. I wanted to move away from using my smartphone when out and about. I was constantly watching KEH.com for a X100v to pop up. Finally, after a few months one popped up for sale. I jumped and bought it right away.
Port Orchard Marina - First walk with the X100v.
First Impressions and Ergonomics
My first impressions with using the X100v was more of a learning curve. I have been using Nikon bodies for as long as I can remember. Most of that time using a D4 and D610 with a battery grip. Switching to something that much smaller was shock almost. I struggled at first to use it. The ergonomics felt so wrong and shooting felt awkward. That being said, after a few days of walking around with it and using it non-stop, everything was becoming second nature. The dials and adjustments are so easy and intuitive to use when on the fly.
Desceding to Lake Cushman.
Image Quality
Shooting with the X100v was a new experience in a way. I had become so used to the IBIS in my Z7 that I never really thought about it much. I was also at this point used to using the EVF all the time. Switching to using the rangefinder viewpoint of the X100v was a truly enjoyable experience.
First off, the first photos I made with my X100v were well… Bad. I wasn’t used to it. Getting into the swing of things and using it changed that.
The image quality is honestly absolutely lovely. I love the files I can get out of this camera. I use the Fujifilm emulations that are built into the camera for 99% of the photos that I am taking with it. There are very few at this point that I don’t use them on. The only ones I won’t use the emulations on is food. That I like to edit myself and work to create my vision with it. The emulations are beautiful. Using this daily, I do a lot less editing after they import. I only add just a few minor tweaks to pull your eye where I want you to look. Dynamic range of the X100v at lower ISO is great. There is plenty of detail even in the darkest shadows. I can’t speak to the high ISO performance at this point, since I haven’t used it above 1000 ISO yet.
Browns Creek - Olympic National Forest
Final Thoughts
Have you lost touch? Are you unenthusiastic about photography? Want to ditch the smartphone?
Then maybe the X100v is for you. I fell in love with photography again thanks to this camera. I felt joy and happiness again while shooting. Getting out the Z7 just felt like doing work for clients and not something that was for me and for the reason I love photography. The feeling of just going for a walk while carrying the X100v has been refreshing. It’s made me look forward to getting out and carrying something small and light with me. It feels like photography again.
All photos on here have been made using Fujifilm emulations profiles and edited to taste in Adobe Lightroom.
The last two were shot with no profile and edited in Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.
Change - Seattle, Washington
To the alley - Seattle, Washington.
To see more photos taken with my Fujifilm X100v head over to my Daily Life gallery.
The wanderings of my life.
I picked up a Fuji X100V to replace my smartphone. I always felt it was lacking, even though It took great photos. I wanted to change up how I approached photography. The X100V was what I was looking for. A compact camera I could carry everywhere with me and document my life. Using the X100V has been like falling in love with photography again.