It’s Time; What I Think About And How I Use The Fujifilm X100VI

I've included a small sampling of the kinds of images I like to create with this camera.  All images in
this post were made with a Fujifilm X100VI using film simulations I created and JPEG files. 
This wall mural was sponsored by theWomen's Club of Windsor, Virginia. (click to enlarge)

Since I’ve been using my Fujifilm X 100VI camera for several months now, and the “new” has worn off, I thought it is time to write a blog post specifically detailing how I feel about this camera and how I’ve decided to actually use this camera.  I’m going to break this post down into two different parts.  In one part I’ll discuss how I I think and feel about using this camera.  In the second part I will discuss the camera itself, its features, technology, limitations and advantages.  Also, I’ll answer the question, “Does using a fixed lens, single focal length camera jumpstart my creativity or limit it?”  I’ve written about that in the past from a theoretical point of view since, at that time, I didn’t own or use a fixed lens, single focal length camera.  Now that I’ve used one for several months, I feel I can answer that question.  You can read those two earlier posts here and here.

First, what I feel about the X100VI and how I have chosen to use it.

I never thought I would like another fixed lens single focal length camera.  I started with one in 1971 (Minolta Hi Matic 7) and quickly moved to a 35mm film SLR.  Also, I never bought into the hype surrounding this camera.  It just didn’t interest me.  This camera was a curiosity, at best.  My wife was intrigued by a camera such as this and bought it for me as something to try and as potentially a subject matter for new content for this blog.  “You can write about something you haven’t written about before.” She said to me.  That kind gesture was totally out of the blue.  I never really considered buying it.  But I’m really thankful I have such a considerate wife!  Terrific, in fact!

Reading blogs and articles as well as consuming YouTube content it is clear this camera, as well as other like cameras is a divisive subject.  Photographers seem to either love them or have no use for them.  That is an interesting dichotomy.  Most who like single focal length, fixed lens camera really like them and those who don’t, don’t want to have much to do with them.

Indulge me with a bit of patience as I am going to drone oIn and on about how much I like the X100VI and how using it makes me feel.  

I would like to describe, for me only, how using the X100VI came as a complete surprise.  Unexpected.  If I could sum up using this camera in one word, it would be fun.  I am having a good old time using it.  I smile when I use it.  It is the camera I now want to pick up and take out every time I leave the house.  It just works in every way for me.  In the past I’ve written several times that the Fujifilm X-T5 has been my all time favorite digital camera.  The X100VI has now supplanted it, despite the X100VI’s perceived limitations.  I’m not saying the X100VI is my best all around camera by any means, it is not, but it has become my favorite digital camera because of how it makes me feel when using it.

Upon initial use, I found this camera seemed to take me back to simpler days—to my old film days.  Nostalgic, I would say, I feel when using it.  It is not packed with 12 function buttons, six dials or all kinds of computational functions and features.  No, it reminds me of the film cameras I used—simple and straightforward.  A basic picture taking machine.  There is no need to memorize how a whole bunch of function buttons are programmed.  Set your shutter speed, aperture and ISO then shoot.  Easy.

Closed. (click to enlarge)

I feel like I am again fully engaged in the process of making photographs in the sense the camera is not employing umpteen features nor doing all of the work for me.  Keep it simple, straightforward and easy.  That seems to be my magic formula these days.

I find it hard to describe in words, but using this camera transforms my mindset completely.  When I use it I feel like the necessity of always trying to find and capture and bring home excellent images has gone away.  This camera has ‘freed’ me from any photographic stress.  It has freed me from feeling I have to carry a camera and several lenses (just in case I see something—anything—worthy of photographing) and accessories everywhere I go.  I don’t feel as though I need to capture every potential photograph that I may encounter.  My mindset when using it shifts to feeling more casual about my photography.  Not ‘snapshot’ casual, but it shifts to feeling relaxed and under no pressure to bring back serious or portfolio-worthy images although it is perfectly capable of producing them.  It also frees me from the bulk, weight and hassle of carrying a lot of gear.  I carry a tiny, lightweight sling bag now—camera, lens cloth, polarizing filter and extra battery, that’s it.  

With this camera I feel as though I’ve rediscovered the fun of photography instead of thinking of myself always as a serious photographer.  If I see something and it won’t fit the 35mm equivalent focal length, I don’t lament with frustration that I can’t properly capture it.  I now just enjoy what I see and make a memory of it.  If I see something even mildly interesting, it is so easy to just move around to create the best composition and photograph it.  It is a quite remarkable transformation of mindset.

From a black & white JPEG.  I created a film simulation to mimic Nikon's Deep Tone Monochrome.
(click to enlarge)

When I’m out with my Nikon, OM or X-T5 to photograph nature, landscapes, wildlife, birds, Americana, the old, abandoned & forgotten, events or family functions, I’m on a mission.  My mindset is serious and my goal is to capture the very best images I can find.  Serious business is how I’ve always felt.  I purposely put stress on myself to perform at my best.  I’ve always done this in everything I’ve done in life.  Not so with the X100VI.

When I use this camera I still use it in the same manner and same solid photographic principles and techniques I use with my other cameras, i.e., I use it in a way that maintains high quality imaging and increases chances of success.  I’m not just raising it up carelessly, pointing it in a direction and snapping a photo.  I don’t use this as a ‘snapshot’ camera.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for indulging in my gushing on and on about the X100VI.  But I don’t want to go on forever so I’ll sum this up by using my road trip philosophy as an analogy.  When I take a road trip, I do my best to stay off the interstate highways, drive through small towns on secondary roads, eat at local non-chain restaurants and have no particular agenda as to where I am going the next day or where I have to be at any particular time.  I may change my mind as to where I am going next, drive only 50 miles or drive 250 miles.  With no agenda there is no stress to ‘get somewhere.’  I call it ‘no stress’ traveling.  Everything is flexible, easy, low key and casual.  

Contrast this with driving on crowded high speed interstate highways, driving through the traffic and congestion of major cities, eating at fast food restaurants and having to go another 200 miles to get to your hotel that night, even though you are stressed out by the traffic.  To me, it is the same with the X100VI versus carrying two cameras and five or six lenses with a load of accessories.  No stress photography versus self-imposed stress to perform.  Pleasure and relaxation versus feeling like it’s a job.

The BEST Mexican food in El Reno, New Mexico!  Without a doubt! JPEG file. (click to enlarge)

I’m going to add one more thing before I get to the camera itself.  Most of the photographic stress and feelings I’ve had when using other cameras has been completely self-imposed.  It’s no one’s fault but mine.  I don’t have to feel that way but I always have.  Just me.  It goes back to my desire to always excel at everything I do.  Blame my father for that!  Lol.

So, what about the camera itself? 

First, the X100VI is every bit a professional level camera.  From build, to image quality potential to features, it can easily serve that purpose.  As you know, many professionals—wedding, travel, fine art, etc.—photographers use it.  However, I choose not to use it in that manner.  Other may use it professionally and it serves that uprose very well.

Second, it pretty much works like all the other Fujifilm cameras I’ve owned so no surprises and no disappointments.

As I just mentioned I am very pleased with the images I’ve made from this camera.  They are as good as from any of my more sophisticated, interchangeable lens cameras.  I’ve experimented with film simulations and settled on a couple of modified ones for color and black & white that suit my vision and preferences.  The lens is very sharp even wide open.  It seems to be able to resolve all 40.2mp of the sensor, has good contrast and a nice color rendition.  Fujifilm has done an excellent job with the optics.

I find the X100VI to be well built and relatively easy to hold.  Not the easiest but you know what you’re getting when you buy it.  I have medium sized hands and I’m used to holding DSLRs as well as mirrorless cameras that have grips.  Of course, this camera doesn’t have much of a grip so I have added a grip to it to reinforce my ability to hold it securely.  I normally have the camera in my hand with a wrist strap, and I don’t often hang it from my neck using a long camera strap so I want to ensure that I have a very good grip on the camera.  I don’t find that the added grip adds too much to the size or weight.  I have not yet tried a hot shoe thumb rest.  If I buy one of those and like it, I may do away with the grip.  I’ll worry about that later.  If you want to complain the camera should have a grip, go ahead.  I say that contradicts the essence of its design and the camera may not be for you.  Look elsewhere.  (I would say the same about the Nikon Zf and the OMDS OM-3 cameras as well.)

This is 'a corner' in Winslow, Arizona but not "the" corner in the Eagles song. JPEG. (click to enlarge)

One of the features of this camera is the combination of optical and electronic viewfinder.  I have not used the optical viewfinder other than just to look through it when I first received the camera.  For a number of years I used Leica M6 and M7 cameras and found that I just don’t care as much for the rangefinder style of shooting (optical viewfinder) as I do a camera with a pentaprism or mirrorless style.  So I have just used the electronic portion of the viewfinder (EVF) and not the optical.  By the way, the EVF is perfectly fine.  No complaints.

Since I have used Fujifilm cameras for more than a decade, I’m used to the menus.  That said, I think it is time for Fujifilm to update and revise their menu system.  OM did that with the OM-1 and it made a huge difference in ease of use.  That said, I know the current menu well enough that I don’t have any real issues with it.

The X100VI uses the older, smaller Fujifilm battery.  It is fine.  It is not as robust as the NP-W235 batteries of the X-T5 and current generation of larger cameras but it worked well in the past and continues to work well for me.  I’ve not gone through an entire battery in a full day using this camera so I’m not one to complain.  Using the newer, bigger battery would change the size and shape of the camera, again, defeating its design purpose.  If you shoot a lot and don’t want to carry an extra battery, this camera may not be for you.

Autofocus—the bugaboo that continues to haunt Fujifilm and rightly so.  They seem to always be one to two steps behind their competitors.  However, I’ve had absolutely no issue with the AF system.  Because of how I use it I do have this camera set up just a little differently than my other cameras.  Typically I’ll set my cameras to use back-button focus (BBF), AF-C and in burst mode.  I’ve found, even with in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) that, as I’ve moved through my 70s, sometimes the first frame is not quite tack sharp as is the second or third frame.  Call it a hack or a workaround to getting older.  I’ve set the X100VI for BBF, single exposure and AF-S.  I use it at a slower pace and photograph different types of things from my other cameras so the set up is a little different.  Oh!  Of all the images I made so far, not a single one that is not sharply focused.  

By the way, on one occasion I did set it for AF-C, a fast burst rate and ‘train’ subjects detection.  I happened to be by the railroad and an Amtrak train was approaching at about 60mph (97kph) and the thought hit me to try the camera in this circumstance.  All files were perfectly in focus.  It worked as well as my other cameras.  So there’s that little experiment as well.

Look inviting? You can rent your room by the week!  Forty-two channels!  Everything like new
 inside!  What more could you ask for?  JPEG file.  (click to enlarge)

The lens.  I think Fujifilm choosing a 23mm f/2 lens that is fast, sharp and 35mm full frame equivalent field of view was a good choice.  Some photographers like wider lenses like a 28mm and some like 50mm.  I think 35mm is a very nice all around focal length.  If I need to shoot something wider, I can turn the camera vertically, make two or three exposures while panning left to right, then composite the images.  If I think I need more focal length, I can either use the internal crop mode (50mm, 70mm) or crop in Lightroom, then, if necessary, upscale the images in one of the Topaz Labs plug-ins.  Finally, Fujifilm and others make wide angle and telephone screw on lenses to do the same thing.  The only downside is that now you are, in effect, carrying three lenses and have to change them, which sort of defeats the purpose, in my opinion.  But they are viable options.

Everything else about the camera is pretty much he same as Fujifilm’s other cameras in the X line.  Excellent creative tools.

All said, as you may have already figured out, I have no real issues with the image quality, lens or operation of the camera.

Old African-American church and graveyard.  A JPEG using my recreation of Nikon's Deep Tone
Monochrome picture style. (click to enlarge)

How about using a camera that has a fixed lens and a single focal length?  Does it jumpstart creativity or hinder it?  In my case, I’ve found neither is true.  I don’t feel limited and I don’t try to be creative and jam every composition into the 35mm field of view.  I just see what I’ve always seen in the same ways I’ve always seen them.  If there is a photo to be had, I carefully compose and shoot.  If not, I move on.  Limitations are limitations and can be good or bad.  In my case, they are understood.

If you are thinking about buying this camera and think you’re going to get the haptics of a Nikon, the features of an OM camera or the auto focusing of a Sony camera, don’t buy it.  It is not those cameras.  But I find it to be an excellent camera for what my intended purposes are.  I find the feature list is just right and the auto focusing is good enough to make this a camera that is fun to use. It is not a high-performance machine it is a machine that can allow you to create excellent images and bring much satisfaction to your photography.  The X100VI is a different shooting experience.  If that is what you are looking for, you might want to consider it.

I also want to be clear that my affinity for this camera is not because it is a Fujifilm camera.  If Nikon, Canon or Sony (should I include Leica?) made this camera, I would feel the same way.  For me it is about the form factor, function and experience, not the brand name.  Also, it won’t replace my other cameras.  It can’t.  But this camera gives me another option I didn’t have in the past.

In summary, I love using this camera.  It just works for me in every way.  It may not work for you, but it certainly does work for me.  I don’t worry about a fixed lens or a single focal length or no grip or smaller battery or any of the other things that others comment or complain about.  You know what you’re getting when you buy this camera.  Let me repeat that.  You know what you’re getting when you buy this camera.  It shouldn’t be a surprise.  If it doesn’t work as is, it is not for you.  However, my advice is that if this camera intrigues you, rent one or an older version of it to see how well it works for you.  If it doesn’t intrigue, you, then just celebrate my photographic joy with me!

P.S.  Thanks for allowing me to gush on about this camera.

DISCLAIMER:  I have no affiliation with Fujifilm nor any other company.  I don’t have advertisements, affiliate links, nor click-through sites.  I don’t get any commissions, discounts  nor in-kind compensation for my opinion about various products.  I pay what you pay most likely from the same retail establishments that you use.  My goal is to share my opinions and experiences to be helpful to others and hopefully they can enjoy their photograph as much as I have enjoyed it.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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