Out and About with the Fujifilm X100S

I was able to attach my Dad’s old camera strap to my new camera. I think they look great together.

A couple of years ago I met filmmaker Frank Cantor in Bali.  He saw me lugging around my beloved Nikon D7000 and tried hard to sell me on a little Sony point and shoot.  Granted his shots were beautiful, but I wasn’t quite ready to downsize in such a major way.  He repeated the age old golden rule of photography that, “The best camera is the one you have with you.”  At that time carrying around a heavy object was just par for the course of getting great shots.  The root issue was probably that I felt most confident in my work when I had a great camera in my grasp.

Kuala Lumpur’s answer to Men’s Wearhouse

For better or worse, that phase of thinking eventually faded and as I remembered Frank’s advice, a new more practical perspective emerged.  Like many who perpetually lug around a  DSLR, on many occasions you find yourself more conspicuous than is ideal and/or carrying more weight than is comfortable.  For me I reached a point where I found myself relying heavily on my iPhone because my Nikon was back at home on its shelf.

Untouched by post-processing, the Fujifilm X100S delivers vibrant color.

Enter the Fujifilm X100S.  Picking out a new camera is a daunting task, but I went with the Fujifilm as it came highly recommended by a friend whose photography I admire.  I didn’t want to spend a crazy amount of money.  I wanted more than what a point and shoot could offer, without the bulk that is standard with a DSLR.

It’s easier to take street shots without the noise and bulk of a DSLR.

So far I really enjoy using the Fujifilm.  It is compact but still feels like a sturdy camera.  You can shoot RAW  if you like, and the colors it produces are rich and nuanced.  This camera takes some getting used to, and it won’t completely replace my Nikon, but it is exactly the compromise I was was eager to make.