Yes. I know this post will create debates. Expecially because my name has been connected for a long time to Leica, in particular to Leica X2, the only Leica I ever owned. But, yes, I consider Fujifilm X100S the best digital camera I’ve ever owned. And here I am to explain my reasons.

THE CAMERA

The Fujifilm X100S has a fixed 23mm lens, which is the equivalent to a 35mm, my favourite focal lenght. The lens is fantastic because is a real pancake, this makes it perfect for a street photographer because we are talking about a non-detachable lens. The camera offers you an hybrid viewfinder and it is a camera focused on dials. The silent mode is another great feature for photographers in need to be inconspicuous when working in public places. With Fujifilm X100S I can set the camera to  enjoy as much as possible an experience similar to film cameras: this means is a pleasure for every photographer mindful of old times.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER CAMERAS

As a photographer from the world of film photography I used several cameras, but my favourite was a very cheap point & shoot, the Fujica (yes, from Fujifilm). As a digital photographer I always preferred cameras where I can focus on the moment, leaving the instinct making the work. I owned DSLRs but never really enjoyed the experience. I never loved the dimensions and the design of a DSLR. My dad was a lucky owner of a Russian camera (I can not remember but I think it was a Zorki or Fed) and the shape of a camera in my mind has been always closer to rangefinders. I’ve always seen Contax and Leica cameras as dreams. But Contax exists just as a film camera with crazy prices. And Leica…well, Leica: I could make mine one, the Leica X2 just because I worked on assignment for them. If you ask me now, well, I can not afford a Leica M.

THE DECISION

So when I have seen Fujifilm proposed the X series I started follow them with a lot of interest. The rest is already history: in 2014 I could work for a month with a X100S, but in that month never used in the streets because busy with editorial commitments. But using the camera made me understand that I had found THE CAMERA for me. Yes, it was love at first sight. And this year I decided to buy it. No choice was more correct. Oh, Olympus Pen E-P1 was important (fundamental) too, because I renounced to work with DSLRs in 2009, and converted myself in a professional photographer with that small micro 4/3. But Fujifilm X100S represents in my opinion something very very close to the perfect camera. Of course, the perfect camera for me, my approach, my way to think and making photography.

WORKING WITH THE CAMERA

I used the most of the time the camera total manual: manual focus, manual expsoure settings. But recently I discovered the pleasure and the speed of the camera going in semiautomatic exposure. And this opens a controversy: what are your preferred settings with semiautomatic exposure when it comes to street photography? I know a lot of street photographers use Aperture priority, but in my opinion, when you are familiar and good at shooting manual you should not have issues to understand what is important for any kind of photography need. I think Aperture priority mode is great for portrait photography, but for street photography I prefer Shutter priority mode. With Fujifilm X100S for me can represent a real way to go. And I can see the results. So now I am shooting in the streets in Shutter Priority most of the time. Also with X20 and X30. 

I don’t want to affirm is the best way in absolute to work: if Aperture priority works good for you, go ahead. My thoughts are that in the streets the speed is a major factor. You need to be quick. The same we can say for the things around us (the subjects!) and often as an editor I can see how many people is producing a lot of bad images due to technical errors. Out of focus shots, really unwanted, maybe “recovered” in post production using the clarity slide…

As street photographers often is fundamental to freeze motion in the scene we want to document,: this means the goal is to have the element sharp. Or maybe we need to have the background in focus and sometimes we need to control the movement of a subject, creating tension in a photo. Based on this is pretty clear how much is important to control the shutter speed.

On the sunny Mexico I use a lot 1/500 sec., and exposure compensation to -0.7. But I am usually aware to change, ranging from 1/125 sec to 1/1000 sec. . Anything is then relative because is pretty clear shooting at night anything changes. In this way I am pretty fast to work in the streets with far fewer errors. Full manual is a great way to make photography and if you can use it can lead to great result and the maximum control of the result. In fact, if there are the condition also the spot metering is a fantastic ally, but as street photographers we need to be smart and, I repat, another time, quick, very quick. And you know, sometimes there is no all that time in the streets. Many times you can not think to change the settings any single shot, expecially in locations where there are several changes of light conditions. The Shutter speed mode is absolutely reliable with Fujifilm X100S.

OTHER SETTINGS

It is important to say that using Shutter Priority mode needs to be combined with other settings of the camera. I selected ISO AUTO ranging from 800 to 3200 (always talking about X100S, with X20 and X30 the maximum will be 1600 ISO and starting from 400) and I set the slowest shutter speed at 1/120 sec. (check out X100 users because by default is set to 1/30) in order to avoid blurry subjects.

Another important tip: if you are shooting JPG, and you like Black and White my recommendation is to use B&W with yellow filter that allow you to have the picture with a certain contrast but not affecting the complexion of the people like the red filter does.

CONCLUSIONS

Guys, I am an official X Photographer. It is pretty clear that this post is partisan. If you ask me I am proud to be a photographer using Fujifilm cameras because I really love to work with them. I think Leica cameras are fantastic and offer you a great way to live the photography experience. At the same time I can not hide the fact not any photographer can afford a Leica. Fujifilm showed a way to propose cameras for real photographers, offering ways to control the camera like the old times of film, and the rangefinder-likes of X series can represent a great choice. For me it was a great choice.