In January 2012 I was asked to capture some landscape images with a pre-production Fujifilm X-Pro1. In just a few short weeks I was blown away by what the camera was capable of capturing with minimal effort from the photographer.
From dramatic black and white street photography through to long exposure images the camera still excels in all areas. In 2012 the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was ground breaking, a real joy to use allowing the photographer to adjust every image setting without taking the camera away their eye (Electronic viewfinder).
Fujifilm X-Pro1 Gallery
Everything was kept under wraps until the Focus on Imaging event that March where I presented and discussed the advantages of Fujfilm’s groundbreaking release. The adventure continued with a trip to London or specifically Harrods to see the dedicated window display. See The Window of Harrods, London.
Here are just some of the photos I have taken over the last decade, a mix of pre-production X-Pro1 and full production cameras.
I really can’t find a single thing I would change about the camera, it is beautiful, discreet, agile and elegant yet powerful enough to compete with my full frame body and capable of producing a colour depth and range that brings the photo to life. A camera that marked the start of something special for the mirrorless chapter. The X range is a level beyond good. What I said in January 2012 remains true “The X-Pro1 is new chapter for digital photography, the power of a pro level camera wrapped up in tiny, lightweight and beautiful package”.
Links
First Impressions of the X-Pro1
Photography eBooks
20 Long Exposure images of Northern Ireland
First Impressions of the Fujifilm X-Pro2
100 Photos captured with the Fujifilm X100
FlixelPix Video
The Mourne Mountains
Hilden Mill a Documentary
The Elegance of the X100 Camera
Loving these shots. Can’t wait to get my hands on the camera. Do you have a favorite lens yet of the three primes?
I have been testing the 18 and the 35mm and I love them both. They are both fast and accurate the bokeh on the 35mm is brilliant. I can’t wait to test the macro lens at some point.
I’m really impressed with your photos. They are fascinating and most of them have *that* thing that makes them special. How long have you been in photography world? 😉
I’m sure the camera is quite capable but I think you are giving it too much credit for the photos. This is all you. Beautiful photos.
Wonderful shots!
Which filters did you use for the long exposures?
Some people already say that the AF speed is not really fast – but better than the X100.
What are your thoughts about that?
Thanks.
Great photos! Lovely colors. The B&W ones are also stunning. Enjoy the X-Pro1.
Congratulations, greats pictures ! And thanks for your articles about the XPro1, very interesting. My question : are you keeping the 5DII ? :o)
As lovely as they are, I don’t see any shots here that couldn’t be achieved with the X100?, perhaps the only one would be the shot of the window through the doorway which shows a shallower DOF, but the others could easily be from the X100, to me I haven’t seen any shots from the X-Pro1 that would make me upgrade from the X100
@ DaveG I am pretty sure I could achieve these shots on any camera. I own the X100 and yes I probably could create the same photos but they would all be at 35mm framing and as you say yourself there is the shallower DoF. In addition there is the faster focus, even better high ISO low light images and better interface/usability. To be honest I don’t see it as a X100 replacement more as a DSLR replacement to work alongside my X100.
@thual. I am in no rush to sell the 5DMKII given the current market value but that may change if I keep up my current usage levels. As more lenses come out for the X-Pro1 I think many more dSLR users will do the same.
David,
I completely agree with your statement. Like yourself, I have been lugging around a DSLR for many trips and it seems to take a lot away from the experience. Having to worry about carrying around with all the heavy lenses is not my thing. I am working to replace it with the X-Pro1. Thank you for your great posts!
Cheers!
Hugo
PS: Expect to see me around here more often. Just discovered your fantastic blog! It I really like the layout.
It’s easier to trust a review from someone like you who ACTUALLY shoots with the camera (and to spectacular effect) than bunch of forum creeps.
I’ve been thinking about getting myself an X100 to go alongside my DSLRs when covering weddings. I may seriously have to consider an X-Pro1 instead – although not for the interchangeable lenses. I was attracted to the X100 because of the high ISO noise performance and am interested in your comment that the X-Pro1 is even better in this respect. My first DSLR was a Fuji S2Pro, so have always had a lot of time for Fuji gear.
Beautiful photos. You have amazing vision 🙂
I am going to wait for the 14mm lens to see how that works, if it even works with the OVF, for me to want the XPro1 truly.
I realy like ultrawide 🙂
Was thinking about getting the XPro1 + 14mm + fixed tele(like the 60mm now) Other stuff I get from my X100 🙂
Thanks for sharing your brilliant photos. It helped me to decide to go for the Xpro1. Having been a professional photographer since the mid ’70 s lugging around more equipment as most of us I’m afraid , it seems this Fuji camera brings me back to the beginnings : an old Leica M2 followed by to many other bigger and bigger bricks in overloaded camera bags. Freedom is around the corner , this quality in a street camera WOW !!
MayI take the freedom to give you a little hint to improve your already fantastic imaging : Do not always keep the horizon in the natural middel of the frame , a very narrow strip of sky with a lot of foreground … or the opposite , a dramatic sky with minimalist horizon . You get it 😉 . Cheers: Jacob
Jacob, you will love the X-Pro1. Thanks for the tips regarding the horizon, I will definitely experiment.
hi, i stumbled this wonderful blog 😉 while surfing reviews about fujix100. I am debating whether to get fujix100 or leica dlux5. I realized that carrying dslr around is a hassle sometimes it bothers other people. Anyways, i love all your work. Im still confused which one i’ll buy ;(
King, love the X100 I think it definitely offers more. Have you seen this post dedicated to my X100 experiences https://flixelpix.com/life/x100-and-the-top-ten-of-2011/ ?
Thank you for all the great content! Curious if the b&w shots were done in camera or converted in post? Just interested to hear about the Fuji presets.
Thank you!
I do all the processing in post as I like to see how an image looks full screen before I decide if it is mono or not. The film simulations are great, I use Velvia a lot but some images are better in colour, in post you have a choice.
Nice collection of images David. I particularly like the abandoned house ones. Will go 100% with your comment regarding the decision to convert to mono being post-processing but I am a little confused by “I use Velvia a lot but some images are better in colour” as Velvia is colour.
I am sure you are familiar with the term ‘previsualisation’ which is the practice of deciding how the print will look before pressing the button. It was used a lot in film days because you had to make a choice of which stock (and sometimes which camera) to use. With digital I find that I have to previsualise at the taking stage and again at the processing stage. For a long time I found this very difficult and it took me a long time to get back into b&w as a result, but I am there now.
Great David, well done. Now I need one of these! 🙂
I sold all of my Nikon gear and got the XP1 with the 35 and 60 lens. I love it. I actually had the X100 for 48 hours but after extensive time with it I decided I needed a bit more flexibility and the XF roadmap looks fantastic.
So happy with this camera. I actually use a lot of the in-camera RAW processing instead of desktop.
Updated to cover the 10 Year anniversary.