Why Fuji

[dbg07]

Over the holidays my father told me that he wants to get back into photography (as a hobbiest, non-professional) and asked me what camera system he should buy into.

I use Sony and love it for my purposes. But, everyone (absolutely everyone) I know who picks up a Fuji loves it. They report that it re-inspires them, blah blah.

Why is this? Why are people so enamored with Fuji. I want to recommend it to my father, but would like to know why Fuji owners have a such a strong emotional reaction when you ask them about their X-series camera.

 

[flash9933]

I think Richard Buther's article about X-T2 being his choice for gear of year is a good read. Also read DPreview's review on X-T2, if X-T2 is one of the option.

 

[Tim C.]

Over the holidays my father told me that he wants to get back into photography (as a hobbiest, non-professional) and asked me what camera system he should buy into.

I use Sony and love it for my purposes. But, everyone (absolutely everyone) I know who picks up a Fuji loves it. They report that it re-inspires them, blah blah.

Why is this? Why are people so enamored with Fuji. I want to recommend it to my father, but would like to know why Fuji owners have a such a strong emotional reaction when you ask them about their X-series camera.

Fuji cameras are just fun to shoot with. They tap into the photographer's soul.

 

[blessingx]

I can't afford a Leica.

I kid, sort of.

I shot more with the X-Pro2 in the first month than I did with my Nikon D70 in all the years I've had it. Thinking in the triangle, instead of modes, made me excited to shoot again. It's a solid feeling object (even, dare I say, compared to the T2), and made me happy to own and hold.

And then there are the colors.

 

[HP1999]

Over the holidays my father told me that he wants to get back into photography (as a hobbiest, non-professional) and asked me what camera system he should buy into.

I use Sony and love it for my purposes. But, everyone (absolutely everyone) I know who picks up a Fuji loves it. They report that it re-inspires them, blah blah.

Why is this? Why are people so enamored with Fuji. I want to recommend it to my father, but would like to know why Fuji owners have a such a strong emotional reaction when you ask them about their X-series camera.

I dont have any emotional attachments kind of silly to fall under the Fan Boy banner for any system.

Pro or not, the camera is only good if you want to take it with you and use it. The deal with Fuji is up till a few years ago digital cameras were mostly buttons call it stale and electronic

Fuji design is like what the old manual film cameras used to be. Plus when film cameras went hybrid like the Nikon 5005 etc

point is Fuji is not magic you the photographer have to know what you are doing to take full advantage with any camera get out of Auto exposure and use full manual.

For sake of my digital history past various p&s starting in 2001 or so i went to Nikon DX, then to Micro 4/3's then Fuji X with a couple different bodies and several lenses as i upgraded same for MFT's etc. Needs changed that Fuji X could not meet for me and I went to Nikon full frame just over a year and now in need of a travel camera that does video well with IBIS something I want I just got my first Sony. If Fuji X ticked the boxes I needed I would have come back to Fuji

It is all a means to a end. The name of the camera does not matter. You have to look at the system to include accessories to support the system from lenses, to flash to everything lighting like do you want to shoot TTL wirelessly / what kind of slave system

Do you want to keep buying lenses. Fuji is one of the most expensive systems with lenses averaging $1,000 each when they not on rebate. For the same money do you go Full Frame Sony or Nikon or Canon when you start spending $5k on this stuff

there is alot of considerations at least for me. If you dont look at everything you will lose alot of money buying and selling used etc.

 

[bs1946]

Beside the Leica M, Fuji digital cameras are the closest thing to using a film camera you can find. If you came from the film world it's like going home again. If you grew up with digital cameras, you won't understand.

 

[michaeladawson]

Beside the Leica M, Fuji digital cameras are the closest thing to using a film camera you can find. If you came from the film world it's like going home again. If you grew up with digital cameras, you won't understand.

I would agree with you. I use my X-E2, and now X-Pro2, almost exclusively in total manual mode. I use the shutter dial and aperture ring on the lens. I absolutely love the ISO dial mechanism on the X-Pro2. It's EXACTLY how my original Minolta SRT 102 worked. I wouldn't want it to be designed any other way.

In short, if Fuji cameras had the same dials and worked the same way as Canon/Nikon/Sony cameras I would simply buy a Sony for my mirrorless option.

This goes counter to the Fuji fan base, but I don't find the Fuji colors to be anything special.

 

[ddtan]

If your father used to be in photography in the 70's and 80's then a Fuji camera can be very much like the old days, with dials for shutter speed, and rings for aperture, and focus, it feels very familiar. There is something about being in control of a shot that is hard to replicate when you are simply choosing options. On top of that, Fuji equipment feels like the cameras of old, made of metal, with smooth action, solid. I do happen to like Fuji color, but on top of that I really like Fuji auto white balance. The Fuji lenses are great. End result, I enjoy using the equipment, and like the pictures that are produced.

 

[TN Args]

I think Richard Buther's article about X-T2 being his choice for gear of year is a good read. Also read DPreview's review on X-T2, if X-T2 is one of the option.

And here is the link to Richard Butler's article, for posterity. ;-) Good spotting.

 

[TN Args]

.... would like to know why Fuji owners have a such a strong emotional reaction when you ask them about their X-series camera.

I dont have any emotional attachments kind of silly to fall under the Fan Boy banner for any system.

Pro or not, the camera is only good if you want to take it with you and use it. The deal with Fuji is up till a few years ago digital cameras were mostly buttons call it stale and electronic....

'Want'? You mean, like, emotionally want?

That's not silly at all.

 

[deednets]

Over the holidays my father told me that he wants to get back into photography (as a hobbiest, non-professional) and asked me what camera system he should buy into.

I use Sony and love it for my purposes. But, everyone (absolutely everyone) I know who picks up a Fuji loves it. They report that it re-inspires them, blah blah.

Why is this? Why are people so enamored with Fuji. I want to recommend it to my father, but would like to know why Fuji owners have a such a strong emotional reaction when you ask them about their X-series camera.

My mother, who would have been one of the few women in the 50s to use a camera regularly, could have used a Fuji camera within a few minutes.

Like the minimum requirements for a keyboard is the size of our hands, the minimum requirements for a camera is to understand that "thing" by simply looking at it.

Apart from leica, there aren't many cameras you can execute this with.

Brought the enjoyment ("fun" as a term a tad too shallow in this respect) back to photography.





Deed

 

[Hrme]

None of the magic feeling is objectively real.

There's a lot of almost cult like marketing of Fuji cameras that leverage the classic styling and button/dial controls. Many blogs and reviewers are endorsed by Fuji and go way overboard on the brand love. There's a website called fujilove that is the epitome of this, I joined to get some tips etc but it was a bit of an echo chamber. Some of the testimonials of life changing switches from Nikon or whatever to fuji mirrorless in the magazine were way over the top. It was almost like a religious newsletter.

Don't fall for it, bottom line is they are good cameras with manual controls and good film simulations for out of camera jpegs. There are many other brands that have a brilliant product that may be slightly different, or surprisingly similar to use.

I use an x-pro2 and it is a good camera. I think the manual controls are great but try out other brands, figure out the usage profile of the camera you need and whether the prospective camera fits it etc. Never switch your own judgement off.

Try renting out a fuji camera for your father to try out, get the honest answer if it is right for him that way. Despite the the praises of the Fuji camera designs, there may be just one thing he can't tolerate that would throw him towards a DSLR or a Sony mirrorless etc.

 

[dbg07]

Thank you for such great responses!

I could never get him a Sony because he'd never make it out of the notoriously horrible Sony menus. Changing settings on a Sony can be a nightmare if you're not familiar with them.

My father loved shooting film in the 60's and 70's. So I think a Fuji might be right up his alley. The dials, etc. just strengthen the Fuji-dad fit.

Photography is art and art is about emotion and passion. If a Fuji camera can help him to rediscover (even slightly) his love of the art, I'm all for it.

I think I'll rent one for him and see how he takes to it.

Thanks again for your help. It is really appreciated.

 

[flash9933]

None of the magic feeling is objectively real.

There's a lot of almost cult like marketing of Fuji cameras that leverage the classic styling and button/dial controls. Many blogs and reviewers are endorsed by Fuji and go way overboard on the brand love. There's a website called fujilove that is the epitome of this, I joined to get some tips etc but it was a bit of an echo chamber. Some of the testimonials of life changing switches from Nikon or whatever to fuji mirrorless in the magazine were way over the top. It was almost like a religious newsletter.

Don't fall for it, bottom line is they are good cameras with manual controls and good film simulations for out of camera jpegs. There are many other brands that have a brilliant product that may be slightly different, or surprisingly similar to use.

I use an x-pro2 and it is a good camera. I think the manual controls are great but try out other brands, figure out the usage profile of the camera you need and whether the prospective camera fits it etc. Never switch your own judgement off.

Try renting out a fuji camera for your father to try out, get the honest answer if it is right for him that way. Despite the the praises of the Fuji camera designs, there may be just one thing he can't tolerate that would throw him towards a DSLR or a Sony mirrorless etc.

I kind of agree with you on this.

I just purchased a X-T2. And while I enjoy the camera, I was wondering why people would rate X-T2 so close to Nikon D500 for the gear of year award. I think there are many cameras which have better performance and better value than X-T2. But I guess at the end, X-T2 and X-Pro2 are more loved by people, which is subjective (not real) of course. I voted D500 ahead of X-T2 because I think it is a better camera, but doesn't mean I would buy D500 instead of X-T2 if I start a new system. For my use, I don't need a D500 but like what X-T2/ X-Pro2 advantages offer me.

 

[slimandy]

I like the design of the body. The dials for the basic functions are on the body and well thought out. It reminds me of my old Nikon F3 that I still own.

Add to that the excellent lenses, great viewfinder and excellent IQ. (I'm primarily using an X-T1)

 

[ttran88]

Dials, build quality, retro look, size, lens selection and film simulations. It's like driving a manual car, automatic or peddle shifting is soulless.

 

[57LowRider]

Whenever I take one of my Fujis out as a carry, I can almost guarantee that I'll come back with a little bit of magic just plucked out of my surroundings. These things are a joy to use and one is consequently motivated to use them at every opportunity, kind of a positive feedback loop.

Sure, I curse them too sometimes, but it's usually down to my incompetence or poor judgement when I miss (mess?) shots.

 

[HumanAspect]

I'd advise that he go take a look at a few brands. Fuji is only one of many brands. Personally I like them for their retro controls, but many people like computer controls - menu options and the like.

Presume your father had age related presbyopia and needs reading glasses? Then the dials of a Fuji are ideal, together with the ability to see the menu items through the viewfinder rather than a top plate or rear screen.

Try Canon, Nikon, Sony as well as Fuji and go with what he prefers, rather than listening to strangers on a forum.

 

[Homo erectus]

If you grew up with digital cameras, you won't understand.

I disagree actually. I grew up with digital. The first camera that I actually used often was a 1Mp cell phone. My second camera was an Olympus compact. Then I owned dslrs. Now Fuji.

Fuji's cameras do the things they are supposed to do really well. 99% of the time I am shooting with my Fuji cameras I am using the shutter button, the af point stick and the exposure comp dial. That's index finger and thumb on my right hand to control the camera.

Less thinking about dials and knobs and settings is more time thinking about exposure and composition and light.

 

[jrk]

Why not rent one for your dad to try out. I would be willing to bet in no time at all you will know whether your dad bonds with the Fuji camera.