My pretend Leica – The Fujifilm x100s

Okay, me calling the Fujifilm x100s a pretend Leica is unfair. First, it is not like a Leica nor does it try to be. Second, you can’t compare apples to oranges, although for me both fruits are equally delicious. And third, this camera is a class on its own without the hefty price tag. Fine, the Fujifilm X100 series of cameras are not cheap either, but after 9 years (as of writing) since its introduction, you can find the Fujifilm x100s for cheap on the second-hand market. If I have to think of one thing that makes this camera similar to a Leica is that both are instant classics.

The Fujifilm x100s is the second generation in the X100 series of cameras. Because of its uniqueness in technology and aesthetics at the time of its release, this series has single-handedly brought Fujifilm back from the verge of being non-existent to the near realm of photography pinnacle. And when I say uniqueness in technology, I didn’t mean the highest megapixel nor the fastest camera out there – because it ain’t that. What I meant was its hybrid viewfinder where you can switch from an optical viewfinder to an electronic viewfinder with just a tap of a switch – a feature that is unique with the X100 and Xpro cameras. Not the usual specification you look for when buying a new camera, but it does add a lot to the overall experience of using an X100 camera. As for aesthetic, well it’s best that you judge the look of it by yourself.

Sometimes, you buy cameras not for the specs, you buy them because it makes you feel something.

The Fujifilm x100s makes you want to shoot. With its modest size and a classic look, all of its shortcomings are well compensated by the experience of using one. This has been my go-to everyday camera. From travels to everyday snaps, there is no excuse not to have this camera with you all the time. I treat mine like a film camera, I shoot slow and with purpose. Oh wait, in case you are wondering, this is a digital camera packaged to look like a classic rangefinder.

As mentioned, shooting with this camera makes you slow down. The manual shutter speed and aperture dials are very reminiscent of a film camera. And the somewhat decent autofocus could be snappy at times but I’d rather leave it in manual focus and zone focus instead. Especially when I’m shooting in the streets. Also, the color rendition of the Fujifilm jpegs is beautiful and in my opinion, is as close as you can get to shooting a film. I even did a side-by-side shootout with the x100s and my film camera the Nikon f55 just to compare.

As much as I love street/documentary photography, I am a very shy person. A trait that hinders me when I’m out shooting. But this camera is so inconspicuous that even I enjoy using it on the streets and getting close to my subjects. In the words of the great Robert Capa, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”. With this camera, I was able to take photos that I wouldn’t have taken when using a bulky DSLR. Honestly, I feel like I’m Henri Cartier-Bresson all of a sudden, all my insecurities are gone and I am one with the camera capturing that decisive moment! Now that’s overly dramatic but you get what I mean.

To quickly get into some technical stuff, the Fujifilm x100s is a 16-megapixel crop sensor camera. It boasts a very slim 28mm f2.8 lens (35mm focal length in full-frame equivalent). The lens is sharp enough especially when stopped down, but the newer version of this camera has a sharper lens. The profile of this lens makes it a very “pocketable” camera. As for the focal length, I’ve been experimenting with a 35mm lens on my Fujifilm xe3 (50mm full-frame equivalent), and so far I would say that I’d much prefer the 28mm, especially when doing documentary/street photography. I find that the wider angle of the 28mm is perfect for adding elements and context to my photos. It’s even wide enough to do some landscapes. A very versatile lens indeed. When it comes to portraits and product shoots, that is when I’ll grab the 35mm or even the 50mm.

By now you would have guessed that this is my favorite camera out of all my cameras. This is such a great “little” camera that it would be hard to replace it with another one… unless that camera is a Leica. But seriously, after all these years I still can’t get over the fact that the x100s is this amazing! And if you like the classic looks of older cameras like me, this is a no-brainer, I would 100% recommend you to check this camera out. And before I go, let me leave you with more photos taken with this beauty.

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