Going full Fuji

Over the last few months we've been making some big changes to our camera equipment as we have gradually made a move over to just using Fujifilm kit.

For a number of years we used Canon DSLRs and a mix of Canon and Sigma lenses with increasing weight loads and reasonable results. However last Christmas we thought we'd give mirrorless a try and having done quite a bit of research we bought a Fuji XT-1 with the 18 - 55 kit lens. 

From the first moment of picking it up this felt a quality piece of kit and the images it took straight out of the box were stunning. We both loved the whole retro dial bit too - not from some hipster type appeal but it seemed so much easier than faffing around with menus and buttons. People moan about the Fuji having small buttons but after trying to use the ones on the top plate of a DSLR having something to twist and physically move to get the setting right - even with the camera off  - just felt good.

So there's no touchscreen - we both miss that - and some of the menus do take a bit of getting used to but at the end of the day the images knocked anything we've ever used out of the park and it was a real joy to use not to mention the huge difference in weight and bulk. In fact it was so good that the remaining Canon gear started to get left behind and we'd end up fighting over who got to use the Fuji.

So it was no surprise that in April the last of the Canon gear went and the money put into a bargain second hand XT-1 - bought for £430 and a couple of zooms including the outstanding XF100 - 400 and a 1.4 convertor and the XF 55-200.

It is safe to say that this kit has reignited our interest in photography. Now when we are out and about it doesn't feel like some form of endurance test lugging several Kgs of kit around. We also seem to spend more time thinking about the shot and the set up (maybe we should have been doing this all the time?) and we also think our photos are getting better as a result.

Maybe it is all in the mind but if you have never used one yet just give one of the ever expanding Fuji X series a go. They aren't cheap but the glass is quality and the bodies are built like tanks. They aren't for everyone - we were a bit unsure at first that is until we used one in anger. They've changed the way we view our hobby and we wouldn't look back.

Plus we're still a generation behind with our XT -1s with the even more capable XT-2 and XPro 2 now available. We're more than happy with what we have and genuinely for the first time ever we aren't thinking about that next upgrade or saying I wish this could do that.

F is for Fuji it's also for Fun!