Taking A New Path
In January 2022, I hit a rough patch both professionally and creatively, leading to a severe bout of creative burnout. Even photography, which has arguably been my biggest ally in times of chaos, began to feel more like a burden, and I was actively avoiding my camera. Once I truly realized how little I was utilizing my gear, I knew it was time for me to usher in a wave of change.
I've always leaned towards minimalism, a trait my wife understands but isn't as keen on as I am. It serves a means of finding peace through simplicity. This mindset, which has helped me declutter my life and focus on what's essential, became even more relevant as I reassessed my photography gear. My Nikon D500, though not overly bulky, started to feel as though it drew too much attention, which was the opposite of what I was looking for.
At some point while I was trying to sort things out, I discovered the Fuji X100V through a Benj Haisch YouTube video. (Yay for YouTube rabbit holes!) The compactness of the camera struck me as being super neat, and at first seemed as though it would possibly align with my desire to pare down and simplify my approach to photography. So, I opted to rent one for a week and give it a proper test-drive.
Ultimately, I did not end up buying one, for a handful of reasons. However, my time with the Fuji did help me clear my mind, realize that parting ways with my Nikon gear was a smart move, and helped me develop a plan of action to start a journey down a new path.
Anyway, below will be my feedback. I’ll briefly discuss what I liked, what I did not care for, as well as just some randomness. I will also share as some images that I took over the course of the week that I had the camera.
Enjoy!
-Tyler
What I liked:
I really liked the compact design and the small footprint of the Fuji, as it made it so easy to pack and carry with me. I took it with me all over the place.
The “film” simulations/custom recipes were a lot of fun to play around with, and while some might argue the customization is a gimmick, it provided a different area in which I could be creative. I honestly loved the .jpg images more than the raw files.
The “retro” rangefinder look. Again, some might not like it, but the Fuji is a beautifully designed camera.
I liked the control design and layout. The camera was easy to use, and once familiar with the layout, I found it easy to quickly change settings.
It is inconspicuous, and doesn’t draw a lot of attention, especially compared to a full-size DSLR. I found that my kids, or anyone that I pointed the camera at, was more inclined to smile and seemed to genuinely feel comfortable being in front of the camera. There is something, at least to some, that is off-putting about being in front of a larger camera. My kids actually wanted me to keep taking pictures, which was awesome!
The 23MM F/2 lens was incredibly nice, and actually surprised me.
What I did not like:
The battery life. I might be in the minority, but I felt as though I was constantly having to charge the battery. Granted, the camera was a rental, so the battery might have had some issues, but man, it was super inconvenient at times to have to stop and charge. If I had bought one, I would have bought an extra battery as well.
I found the auto-focus to be somewhat of a disappointment. It seemed to hunt, a lot, especially in overcast and lower light situations.
No IBIS/stabilization. This might not be a deal breaker for some, but for me, it was.
Availability, or rather a lack thereof. This camera is extremely popular, and it is damn near impossible to find a new one. There are plenty of used ones, but they are commanding prices higher than what the new ones sell for.
Randomness:
Overall, the Fuji X100V is a great camera, it just did not win me over enough to want to give up any of my Nikon gear. Do not get me wrong, I owe a lot to the little camera, as it helped to put me on a new path with my photography, as well as reignited my passion to get out and create. Its limitations, especially the fixed 23MM lens, were actually liberating and forced me to get out of my comfort zone and return to the basics. Despite how much fun it was to shoot with, I just did not find myself truly attached, or in love with the Fuji ecosystem. It did a lot of what I needed it to do, but in a clunky or just “okay” type of way. There was just no way that the X100V would be capable of taking over for my D500. It would have been a great camera if I had planned on keeping my Nikon gear, but I was looking to downsize, not take on more. So, ultimately, the X100V went back to the camera shop, and I continued to explore and research other offerings.
The Images:
