XT-1 "Toy Camera Mode"

My first photo feature with Fujufilm XT-1 "Toy Camera Mode" !

http://tnakamura.piikx.com/photoset/?r=24770

I really don't like it at all, feels really pointless having this mode on a camera like this.

These are really lovely, and I think the toy camera mode gives the images the perfect atmosphere of nostalgia and perhaps even regret-- ideal for images of ruins and abandoned places.  I think an abandoned greenhouse is close to an ideal subject ...

I think these images kind of answer your question-- you certainly don't have to like them, but they represent an artistic decision this photographer has made to present the subject matter in a certain way.  And the camera helped by offering a mode that supports particular qualities (vignetting, etc.)in the output.

There's a lot of talk here about features we want or don't want in our cameras. The advice is always that having lots of features helps to create cameras that appeal to a variety of users, and for us as individuals to ignore the features we don't want.  If you don't like the toy mode, then don't use it.

On the other hand, I'm mightily intrigued.

yardcoyote wrote:

These are really lovely, and I think the toy camera mode gives the images the perfect atmosphere of nostalgia and perhaps even regret-- ideal for images of ruins and abandoned places. I think an abandoned greenhouse is close to an ideal subject ...

I'm surprised. I don't use what I think of as gimmicks but I'm quite impressed by these pictures.

Old dogs can learn new tricks. It does work for these and beats spending time PP.

Why call it a gimmick?  It's a tool.  One that has limited uses perhaps, or one you wouldn't want to use every day, but in the right time and place it can be dynamite.

(Of course, I love real toy cameras too, and all kinds of low fidelity imaging gear.)