Review of the Boutique and Now Affordable Fuji X-Pro1 Camera

Fuji is known for producing great film, but did you know they have been making digital cameras and cinematic lenses that are cutting edge too? I won't get into boring details about their factory in Sendai, Japan; but I will give you the hard skinny on a camera that came out in 2012 that shook the photography world...it's called the X-Pro1.

I will also tell you about Koreatown where this was shot at the end

Fuji shamelessly attracted the high end market when they unveiled the X-Pro1 at Photokina in Cologne, Germany...I was there and I admit to having fantasies about one day owning one of these lovely creatures. It's stealthy like a Leica and the prime lenses that accompany it have wide open apertures like the Leica as well. But Fuji did an amazing job in outperforming the Leica in so many ways, I know there are purist out there who will be cursing me for even saying such blasphemy. But I don't give two fucks...this camera is sexy and Fuji nailed it with their X-Trans CMOS sensor (don't ask me what that means because I don't know). I do know this, there's some mojo sauce inside it to get as close to a film camera as possible.

Want to see the results? I shot in the worst possible sunlight today and you're about to see the performance. I'll also give you my notes on why you should buy this camera.

Hold on there rubberneck, the images of the Fuji camera were taken with my crappy iPhone 6. I ain't got two X-Pro1 cameras. Read on for the Fuji images...

Fuji provides a minimalist layout and took out all the horse-shit menus that you'll find in DSLR's. I get lost when searching through miles of menus with my Canon. Fuji gives you the stuff you really need to be creative. It's well thought out.

I acquired this camera from Craigslist this morning. It's 2018 and the prices of the original X-Pro1's have dropped to $300-$350 which is a steal in my opinion for such a fine piece of ass...I mean machinery. All metal body, 16 megapixels, controls on top for shutter and an exposure compensation wheel...it's old school and functional. Sure you can get the new X-Pro 2 or one of their other current models but you're going to pay a premium for what? Fuji nailed it with this camera, it's hard to improve on something great to begin with.

I am selling my Canon L Series 135mm 2.0 razor sharp and in excellent condition lens to pay for it. Here's a pic if you're interested buying it from me at a good price:

Okay, let's dive into the images and functionality of the camera and lens. I'll make notes explaining the good and the bad.

The camera I bought off Craigslist came with Fuji's 18mm 2.0 (27mm equivalent because of the crop sensor). It's sharp and really nice wide aperture at 2.0. The X-Pro1 can use old vintage lenses or newer lenses with an adaptor. I plan on getting a $20 Fotodiox adaptor for my Mamiya lenses.

The dynamic range looks really good to me. Notice the contrast between the highlights and the shadows. Note that all of these images were shot in JPG black and white simulation mode. I switched from R, Y and G filters and to be honest I paid little attention to which when I was using. I just like the way the filters look, Fuji did an outstanding job creating a film look from the sensor to the filters.

I shot this with a mix of manual and auto. The camera can go full auto like an old film camera, partially auto or full auto. I put the shutter in A (auto) and set an auto ISO (not to exceed 3200). Then I manually dial the aperture for the look I'm craving.

So the shutter and ISO are auto while I control the aperture I then take a quick peek at the image taken and use the exposure compensation to adjust up or down one or two stops. This is what I like to do, there are other ways of course.

This wall was in shadow. But the Fuji really performs in the blacks. There are two programable function buttons so you can quickly dial in a variety of options. I have the top function button programmed for video mode, that way I can instantly roll video without a bunch of damn menus or buttons.

The camera is a lot smaller than a DSLR and extremely light weight. Hailed as a street photographers dream, I think it's beefy enough to also do portrait work. 180 flash sync speed is limiting but not the end of the world.

It's beefy enough for pro work and stealthy enough for street style

She had no idea I was photographing her. I was slick about it. You can't do that too easily with a big ass DSLR.

Some people complain about the autofocus system being too slow. I didn't find that to be the case; apparently the X-Pro1 has had 8 firmware updates that have solved a lot of the issues it had in the early years. I don't know why you would feel compelled to buy a new X-Pro2 camera when this thing performs so well.

You're better off investing in good lenses!

Crisp, snappy, not overly sharp, contrasty and it screams film. I am liking the look of these JPG's. The camera does shoot RAW obviously.

This image was cropped in about 50%, the 16 megapixel sensor is sufficient.

Here's the bottom line: The Fuji isn't going to replace my DSLR for commercial or fine portrait work; but it's small enough to take with me everywhere, replacing my crappy phone images. But I will take it with me on professional shoots when I want that film look for want my subjects to not notice a giant ass camera in their face. It has its own space in the camera world and I intend to use it for a different types of possibilities. It compliments my many styles as an artist and portrait photographer.

I'm new to the X-Pro1, but with it's price used around $300 almost anyone can afford to own this little boutique gem. Ask questions or make comments. Enjoy the images.

End of the Review

These images were taken on the border of Koreatown and Westlake near downtown LA. It's a culturally diverse area with people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Korea, Bangladesh to name a few...I walked several blocks in somewhat of a seedy area. I never felt in danger, but I did see some people that made me a little uneasy. One lady that was selling illegal prescription drugs did see my camera and yelled in Spanish, "Get that fucking piece of shit away from me!" Several people in the crowd got excited and got out of there quick.

I am a working photographer based in LA, but available for hire and accustomed to travel.
Michael Thompson