The Fujifilm X100s : A One Year On

In December 2012 I received my first X100s, a pre-production camera and was tasked to capture some images of Northern Ireland in advance of the world launch in February.

As a big Fujifilm X100 fan I was obviously excited to see how the latest release performed and boy did it perform!  I posted my first “Hands on the X100s” post in January and since then little camera has gone literally everywhere with me.

I pack my X100s in the original X100 leather case and it rarely escapes compliments from people often when it is still in the stylish leather case. The leather case offers a great deal of protection yet manages to keep the whole package small and portable. I can carry the camera in my everyday bag without the fear of damage.

I love everything about the X100s, the 35mm focal length is perfect for documentary photography, the f/2 lens is perfect for shooting with a shallow depth of field. The X100s is a versatile camera capable of capturing stunning images in everyday situations without drawing the fear factor often associated with a DSLR.

All of the following photographs were captured either on days when I wasn’t setting out with the aim of taking photos or in the case of the music photography images the X100s was acting as a second camera. I take the X100s literally everywhere, not just for the portability but for the fact I can rely on it to capture stunningly sharp and vibrant images.

The X100s is a constant companion on family days out. This image of the Mourne mountains was taken during the Easter break after one of the heaviest snow falls in a decade.

This mono image was captured on White Rocks Beach in County Antrim during a cold morning just after Christmas 2012. This photo was captured with the pre-production camera and I was struck my the sharpness and speed at which the camera performed.

This candid portrait of the brilliant Jim Broadbent was captured backstage at the Belfast IF concert in Belfast’s Botanical Gardens. I captured one shot of the main artists with the X100s, it performed perfectly and the detail, I think is quite remarkable.

The Dark Hedges was one of the first photos I took with the pre-production X100s. Check out the hands on the X100s post to see just how sharp this image is zoomed at 200%. It was a dull winter morning yet the X100s captured the remarkable detail of these famous trees.

I was stills photographer on the Circuit 21 music video. The video took on a Sin City look and the X100s offered some gritty detailed black and white imagery. The performance of the camera can be seen in the rain falling on the actors. I was blown away but the dynamic range of this camera and the range of tones it  was able to detail.

Long Exposure Photography

The real versatility of the X100s can be seen by the fact it is often my goto camera for long exposure photography.  Using the brilliant Lee Seven5 system I was able to capture a range of long exposure images while still traveling light. I have written a complete overview of the X100s and Seven5 system here.

This shot was captured along Belfast Lough with the Lee Seven5 adaptor and Bigstopper filter.

Again, this image of Lawson’s Jetty near Castlerock was captured with a mix of the Bigstopper and a graduated ND filter.

This image is of the old jetty at Oxford island, a regular location for testing new equipment it was the first image I shot with the Lee Seven5 system. Dunserverick Harbour, home of the Game of Thrones, famous for its rock pools and ragged coastline, a brilliant location for long exposure landscape photography.

Music Photography

It wouldn’t be the obvious choice for music photography but as it is always with me I generally use the X100s as a second shooter. Above is guitar legend Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard).

This image was captured at the Rams’ Pocket Radio album launch. You can read more about Beton here.

The brilliant Mojo Fury during their recent album launch in Belfast’s Mandela hall. I keep the Fujifilm X100s around my neck and it definitely gets the attention of the other photographers in the pit.

Everyday Photography

The X100s offers amazing performance in low light situations. This image of Belfast was captured by setting the camera on a handrail for balance.

The X100s also features a macro mode that allows closer focusing to subjects. It isn’t equivalent to a proper dedicated macro lens but it does offer sharp, close up images with beautiful bokeh at f/2.8 and larger.

Bunbeg beach in County Donegal is home of one of the most famous ship wrecks in Ireland. Bad Eddie has been on this beach since the early 1970s. Read more about Bad Eddie here. Dunlewey Church in County Donegal captured with the X100s. A freezing winter’s day Dunlewey is a naturally cold location it is said no birds fly over this area, you can read more here.

The brilliant Two Door Cinema Club performed at the Belfast IF event. It was a great opportunity to meet the local band who posed for a few backstage candid images. Lead singer Alex Trimble is also a big Fujifilm X100s fan.

A hike up Silent Valley in County Down was a great opportunity for the X100s. Travelling light I was confident that the leather case would offer a great deal of protection in my rucksack. The view at the top was stunning following one of the worst snow falls in a decade.

Conclusion

The X100s is a powerhouse of portability and style. It is capable of capturing images that are sharp with magnetically appealing colour rendition and dynamic range. My X100s goes everywhere, it has captured plenty of images I would have missed  if I was reliant on having a digital SLR system packed. In a split second the camera is ready and capturing images whether it be live music, detailed long exposures, panoramas or just everyday documentary. I pack a second battery, the lens hood and the Lee system but rarely have I had to call on the second battery when on a day shoot.

I love the X100s and after a year of shooting it still holds the same excitement it offered on day one. I can’t recommend it enough.