My first impressions of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1
Being on a budget, when a new camera interests my curiosity, it means another one has to go. I love all cameras in my small collection, each one for a different reason, but lately I have been leaning toward cameras with a more analogue feel, be it in their ergonomics, or in the quality of their pictures. Also, I have been exploring streets with a more popular vibrance, crowded with peddlers, regular shoppers, and curious onlookers, some of whom might have a sweet spot for expensive and/or big cameras. Enter the Fujifilm X-Pro 1.
For a variety of reasons, the X-Pro 1 is becoming a cult camera among hobbyists, and prices are skyrocketing all over the web. It took me a while to find a good one, negotiate a fair price, and purchase it. In a sense, it seems this camera is what I am looking for, it has the built and form of the X-Pro 2, which I already love, plus its sturdiness. It is also a camera that lends itself to using vintage lenses, and regarding that first generation sensor, it promises film like pictures. So the Internet says…
After installing the latest firmware upgrade, I could safely say the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 is not a fast camera, but it isn't a slow one neither. Sometimes I think reviewers on the Internet tend to exaggerate their expectations; Being an old camera, understandably, I could not recommend it for sports, but to me it seems reactive enough for my purposes: street, family, travel.
So I went out this morning for a short walk to Santa Ana, just to test its paces. The X-Pro 1 was responsive, quick to focus, and sometimes I couldn't find a function or two fast enough, mainly, because I am still learning about it. For instance, I haven't found a way to program all buttons on the dial pad, apparently only two can be configured, and later I figure the AE button had the photometry function I was looking for. I loved the camera not having a diopter, since it allowed me to recycle an old nikon diopter that I could screw in the OVF, as opposed to the button placement of the X-Pro2 that easily rubs and changes the diopter configuration, and that is kind of annoying.
I am not sure yet I can get film like pictures, but I do have noticed that the X-Pro 1 coupled with the XF 35mm f1.4 lens, you get some sharp, textured images. I am not kidding on this regard. Check it out…
Another thing a loved is the file size of RAW files, between 20-23MB files, somewhat smaller compared to the X-T1 files. Editing the X-Pro1 RAW files are a breeze, I didn't see those wormy effects known to Fuji files, and the dynamic range is more than enough, without much loss of detail, well at least considering I was shooting sunny mid morning.
To my amazement, there is one thing I noticed, something about the ergos of the camera made me take it easy, slow down just a bit, concentrate in my compositions, study the light more calmly, and then take the shot. For a quick walk, I came out with many keepers. And also, knowing it was a much cheaper camera compared to the X-Pro 2, that translated it welcoming conversations with people on the streets. I found people were much at ease at getting their pictures taken, I guess the X-Pro 1 is not intimidating, and probably my psychological barrier of fear came down as well.
One last thing I notice, the focus peaking highlight, when using my Nikkor 50mm 1.4 non-ai lens, well, I couldn't see it. That's one of the things I love about Fujifilm cameras, and for some reason I couldn't see the highlight around the focus area on this model, which could be me learning how to use it. I could use your help on this regard.
Well, this is a quick first impressions review of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1. Please, feel free to join my IG users: @eruizmiro and/or @panamastreetshooter. And now some pictures.
