Long Term Thoughts (2023)

Today, I’ll be sharing some thoughts about the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

I’ve had this camera for about 2 and a half years to date and it’s one of Fujifilm’s oldest cameras. You’ve probably heard/seen me mention it before, so we’re not going technical with this review. Any of it’s features are pretty outdated anyways and you can always search them up online fairly quickly.

This article is more about my thoughts and experiences I’ve gained from using the camera - one that’s allowed me to break many beliefs I’ve once had in regards to photography.

Anything Goes in photography

Now I don’t use the x-pro1 as much as the x100v or the xt4, but it’s pretty much a permanent part of my kit. When I first bought it, I shot with the intention of seeing what the buzz was about in regards to it’s “unique sensor”. I also simply needed an interchangeable lens camera to experiment with different lenses. As time passed however, I realized there was more to this camera than simply it’s sensor.

The x-pro1 is not clinically perfect. There’s no insane dynamic range. The outdated screen causes me grief all the time. But because it’s more difficult to make things ‘clinical’ with this camera than to make things ‘artistic’, my mind sways towards the convenient. Doing so has allowed me to embrace imperfection and create even “unclean” images simply for the sake of it.

Since using this camera, I’ve been able to produce print quality images that I’ve sold for others to put up as wall art. When you’re able to produce good images with an ‘outdated’ camera, you reinforce the idea that ‘anything goes’ with photography and art. That was once one of my greater limiters in photography. I once operated with the presumption that I “needed” certain camera bodies or lenses to produce capable images. I knew deep down it wasn’t true, but I wasn’t good enough to yet reinforce that idea.

Online spaces and youtube are always buzzing about the latest and greatest, the newest and best. Many of these upgrades, although cool and interesting, truly aren’t necessary for most people. For me, it’s a fortunate realization - no camera can do everything. There’s a use case scenario for each specific person, and it becomes more about finding the “right tool” not the “best tool”.

Understanding this has allowed me to remove those limiters I once operated with. If it’s about finding the “right tool”, then who cares about how old a camera is? If the camera fits right for you, it’s in your best interest to keep that camera - regardless of how outdated it is, since that’s what you’ll create your best work with.

Obviously this doesn’t apply to photographers whose pay grade or profession requires them to keep up with the latest gear. I’m speaking in the context of using cameras as an amateur, hobbyist, or “bedroom artist”.

So my biggest lesson in reference to “anything goes”, was to ignore “technical perfection” (at least by modern standards) and embrace artistic imperfection.

My “Have Fun” Camera

The x-pro1 surprises me every time I take it out. It’s very occasional that I do shoot with it, however every time I pick it up, it’s with the intention to just “go out and see what I get”.

I find myself reaching for cameras like the xt4 or x100v when the day is good and I want that “top quality” to preserve and edit with. But that can be a burden in itself. Thinking on it, I use the x-pro1 much like a casual “whatever” camera. It loosens my expectations and my grip on the shutter.

I’m don’t expect anything special when I go out with the x-pro1 and am often pleasantly surprised. Similarly, I sometimes leave files on my sd card for months, such that when I import the files, every image seems new and fresh - almost like seeing the images on a film roll weeks after development.

I guess what I mean to say is that this camera is my “loose” camera. My “take things not so seriously” camera. My “work with what I have” camera. My “try and not control everything” camera. And everything I learn from it’s use, both technically and mindset wise, I take and try to apply it when using my other cameras.

Now I’m not saying you can’t do this with other cameras. You certainly can, since at the end of the day, the x-pro1 is just another camera. What I’m saying is that the x-pro1 fills that gap for me in my photography kit. I think it’s important for all photographers to have a “have fun” camera such that they can loosen up a little bit and enjoy the process more.

Brush, not Tool

There’s a small narrative that goes around to invest in lenses and not bodies. It comes with the notion that camera bodies are more replaceable and become outdated fairly quickly while lenses have a greater longevity. While true in many cases, I actually think this doesn’t apply for cameras like the x100v or x-pro1. I’ve grown so fond of the bodies that I wouldn’t see myself selling them - and would regret it if I did. I’ve come to realize it’s okay to keep cameras past their “lifespan”, especially it it’s one you connect with and create great work with.

For me, the x-pro1 and x100v are like brushes. They’re something I don’t use simply to “get the job done”, but are things I use because they “feel right”. I use this camera not because I expect it to cover all bases. I use it much like an old 0.7mm mechanical pencil that feels just right in your hands.

Once again, it’s about finding the right tool, not the best tool. Just like there is no “right brush”, there is no “right camera”. The camera you “should use” is the one that best fits your life, your style, your photography. Ignore all other tech and specs because they’ll have you focusing on the wrong things: the gear and not the process.

So I don’t expect the x-pro1 to do everything perfectly. Rather I understand what it’s good at, what it’s not, and operate around those things - using it with the reality that other cameras cannot replace it.

Anyways, that pretty much wraps up these thoughts about the x-pro1 I’ve been having.

If you still use the x-pro1 (or any older cameras for that matter), comment your experiences down below!

If you have any “have fun” cameras of your own, please share them below as well

Thanks as always for reading.