Fujifilm X-Pro 3

2026/01/252026/08/22 ruminator

A few weeks ago (months?), my buddy was busting my chops a bit about my Fujifilm X100vi. He was giving me a hard time because I usually use an interchangeable lens camera and the X100 series is decidedly a fixed-lens camera. That is, it is not a system camera but “an expensive point-and-shoot.”

My argument is that sometimes I do not want to take a system with me; I want a camera at hand though. I do not want my camera work to be fiddly, though.

By fiddly, I mean that I do not want to have to make decisions about what lens to use in the field. I want to have a purpose-built machine (a camera and lens) that is more than my phone.

Aside: I decided the last couple-three years that I think computational photography is cool, but it has some limits as implemented in current mobile phone technology. Furthermore, I want to use my mobile phone less and I want a simpler (less expensive) mobile phone as well because I do not want to spend all of my time looking at my phone.

His pushback was that I could simply fit a prime lens to my (very nice) Fujifilm X-T5 and carry that. There is truth in that. But, I really like my X100vi. It has an elegance in its simplicity that is different from the other system cameras in Fujifilm’s stable. It has a bit of that classic rangefinder look that all the kids chase (and that made the X100v nearly impossible to buy because they were always out of stock).

The conversation made me think a little about my [ahem] rationalization to justify ownership of a X100vi. On my last roadtrip, I elected to take the X-T5 and a small kit along. I chose the Fujinon 18-55mm, f/2.8-4 kit zoom, the Fujinon 70-300mm zoom (in case I needed a telephoto lens), and the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 (original standard prime). I found the kit zoom to be the lens I used most on that trip. It gave me a nice range of focal lengths that work in a lot of (most?) circumstances, is relatively small and light, and is optically better than almost all other kit lenses. (The exception likely being the classic nifty-fifties that came on film bodies.)

I was able to get some subject/background separation with the kit zoom, particularly at the long end of the zoom range. I had a fast standard lens in the kit if I wanted more. (I did use it a little, but consciously chose to stick with the zoom most of the time.)

All of this, spare batteries, and spare SD cards all fit into the Fujifilm/Domke collaboration messenger bag that I have in my inventory. There was even a little room for my computer glasses, my Kindle (in the back slash pocket), and a Clif bar (emergency ration). I could swap out the glasses/Kindle for a small water bottle if I wanted.

That made for the lightest, most powerful kit I have constructed to date. In retrospect, I did wish I had the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 macro with me. There were a few times that the close-focusing capability of that lens and the slightly larger maximum aperture would have been used. But, I learned.

That brings me back to the Fujifilm X-Pro3 that is in a small kit. It is a rental camera. I checked the shutter count and it has 15K actuations according to Exiftool. It was made in 2021, also according to Exiftool. I rented it as an experiment and I really like the camera.

It is similar to the X100vi and probably more similar to the X100v that preceded my X100vi. I think that the underlying sensor technology and processor are the same as the X100v. The viewfinder is slightly different because The X-Pro3 has to accommodate the interchangeable lenses. In the hybrid OVF, the frame lines change with the focal length of the lens. It is usable from pretty wide (18mm is the widest I have used to date) through 50mm. With a press of a small lever, I can switch to the EVF, which uses the sensor instead of the optical viewfinder and use lenses outside the effective range of the OVF for composition.

I also love the sound of the mechanical shutter in the X-Pro3. It has the same solid thunk of my original Fujifilm camera, the X-T1.

Would it replace my X100vi? No, I think not. It is last-generation technology and the primary reason I bought the X100vi is to have a simple, rangefinder-style camera *with* the fifth-generation IBIS. I really do not care about pixel count (there was a significant bump in that specification) as much as the image stabilization.

I could have a similar experience and aesthetic with a silver/chrome X-Pro3 and one of Fujifilm’s small primes (what I call the f/2 line). But again, none of those lenses have OIS. It adds bulk (and cost). However, I would give up the IBIS that I find useful in some of my shooting situations.

There are rumors that Fujifilm is preparing to release an updated X-Pro camera this year. It will have either the fifth generation X-Trans sensor (and IBIS) or there will be a sixth generation system released.

That is my analysis of how an X-Pro Series camera could fit into what I do with photography. One could supplant the X100vi if, and only if, the next generation adds IBIS. That will probably make the X-Pro camera slightly larger (to accommodate the mechanism), which is not a deal killer. I like the hybrid OVF. It works. The X-Pro also has an EVF with the press of a lever for focal lengths that do not work with the OVF. It has that classic rangefinder look that I have come to like.

I will continue to enjoy my X-Pro3 rental. I will have a it a few more days. I remain on the fence about whether or not I will keep it.

The Girl and I will hike with it again today. I am looking forward to that. I remain grateful on a daily basis. Life is good.

Chronoswiss Tora

2026/01/212026/08/22 ruminator

My watch ~~pusher~~ buddy sent me a text message last week about a chronograph he picked up that he thought might interest me. It is a Chronoswiss Tora chronograph with GMT and date complications. Both complications are interesting because they are on subregisters on the dial. The GMT has a separate pusher for setting.

I am a sucker for chronographs and GMTs are a suitable object of lust. So, of course, I nibbled and then got bit.

It is not a new watch. It does not look like a new watch, although it is in very nice condition. The latched band will not work for my small wrist, so that will need an adjustment. I will send it for service so it starts out fresh in my small collection. I suspect it will supplant my Speedmaster for daily wear, except when I am doing anything relatively heavy with my hands that might damage it. I have a G-Shock for those days.

This looks like an engineer’s watch.

At coffee yesterday, my buddy attempted to loosen the screw-down bars to remove the band, but, no joy. It appears they are affixed with a heavy thread lock. This is another reason to send it to a watchmaker for service. I believe it is also a chronometer, so regulation will bring it back into chronometer specification. I am fine with a few seconds per day. I could always use a cheap quartz watch. But, I love machines and the precision of a mechanical watch does something for me.

I am doing better after a really down day on Wife’s anniversary. The weather here is very nice — cool in the morning (20s F) and warm in the afternoon (50F plus or minus), and the Sun is shining.

I am grateful. Life is good.

The Pick Box

2026/01/072026/08/22 ruminator2 Comments

Here is a collection of stuff from my ancient pick box. Captured with X-T5, 2026-01-07 21:06:06, 80mm, 1/100sec, f/5.6, ISO-12800, SOOC.

I retrieved my PRS Santana SE from Play Your Music this afternoon. I ask Vince to replace the strings on it and get it setup to play. Of all my guitars, I thought it would be one of the easier to get started with as the lower tension on the strings will be easier on my fingers.

For the last couple of years I thought that it would be good for me to pick up my instrument again. It has been a long time since I put any effort into music although music has been a big part of my life for most of it. Late last year I started thinking seriously about putting in some time daily as part of my self care. The Yairi acoustic needs some significant maintenance. I am unhappy with the classical guitar as I do not like the action and I need to spend some time thinking about how I want to change it. The other electric needs some maintenance as well.

So, I chose the Paul Reed Smith Santana SE as it needed the least amount of work and I am confident I can make a happy sound with it. I also bought a small practice amplifier, a Positive Grid Mini, so the guitar will sound decent.

The PRS was ready this afternoon, so I drove over to the shop to pick it up. Before that, during one of my breaks, I picked up my old pick box, blew the dust from it, and opened it up. In it I found a collection of very (very) old picks. Most should probably be discarded, especially the corroded steel finger picks I used long ago for finger-style playing on steel-stringed instruments. Those strings will eat fingernails. (I know from experience.) The Alaska-picks can probably be salvaged and put to service once the acoustic is restored. Some of the flat picks are probably collectible, especially the old Fender and Gibson instances. I also found a couple of The Ventures labeled picks in the box.

The Dunlop Tortex will be retained and used as they make some of the best tone, in my opinion. I will keep the Rolla Music Center pick as well. It is a memento of a time long, long ago.

When I first started playing, I took lessons from a college student who taught part time at RMC. He was a really nice guy and reasonable teacher as well. At one point he told me “I don’t want to take your money any more. You have learned what I have to teach. I will, however, continue to coach you if you will come to my house.” He and his wife were very gracious to me. I cannot remember his name.

Three old spinsters ran the store. The eldest, Virginia, was the sweetest old woman and very kind to me. They eventually hired me to teach part time and that was first experience teaching. I made a lot of mistakes, of course, but the experience was good for me.

My goodness, that was so long ago. I am grateful for these memories and for that time. Life is good.

Although it is long, long gone, the Rolla Music Center was a place where I spent a lot of time. I love the three old spinsters who ran the place. I can still remember how kind Virginia was to me. Captured with X-T5, 2026-01-07 21:05:14, 80mm, 1/85sec, f/5.6, ISO-12800, SOOC.

Happy New Year, 2026

2026/01/012026/08/22 ruminator

I might have posted this before. I cannot recall. But I was looking for an image to post to Vero a few days ago and found this one. It was made with a Lumix G3 that I had a few years ago and I think a Wollensak 25mm f/1.9 8mm cine lens. Captured with DMC-G3, 2017-11-17 14:01:14, 1/1300sec, ISO-160.

Here it is, a new year. So, Happy New Year!

So, now what? The changeover of the calendar year is something of an event, even if it is just another day. We place a great deal of significance on the ticking over of a year counter. This has been the way, or a way, for a long time… certainly longer than my time.

I do not think this is a bad thing. I think there are good reasons to stop, pause the daily regimen, and reflect on a week, a month, or a year and determine if a course change is needed. It is an opportunity to make an assessment¹. I use this time every year to start a new Bullet Journal (my adopted approach to managing my calendar and my projects) and think about the year past, my goals, my accomplishments (or lack thereof), and my intentions for the next year.

There were things I did not do enough of in 2025. These include my guitars and my radios. I found the demands of work and a substantial personal project to demanding to allow adequate time for either of those important hobbies. I did manage to make more photographs because I do that when out and about for other things. I particularly like to carry a camera when hiking with The Girl.

Two videos caught my attention (ahem) yesterday. One was by Rick Beato and is a practice regimen to rebuilding guitar skills. It will serve as a good practice for me, particularly with an electric guitar that is not so demanding of hand strength. I have this bookmarked os I can return to it.

The other was by Pal2Tech, a favorite photographic channel. His encouragement is to make specific efforts to eliminate the pressure of social media on photographic choices and refocus on developing one’s own vision and skills. I like what he says.

I already started reducing the potential impact of social media (which I often call antisocial media) on my life. I have only two outlets that I regularly use — Vero (no algorithm; only see what one signs up to see) and YouTube (beware the algorithm as it induces doomscrolling).

I really enjoy, and am inspired by, some of the photographers I follow on Vero. It is what Instagram was when I first discovered it. Then FB bought it, promised no changes, and turned it into a monster a couple years later.

For YT, I follow a few musicians, a few photography channels, and fewer entertainment channels. The trap is the algorithm, that constantly monitors what I watch and then offers me related videos at the end of each. This is a serious trap and what caused me to abandon IG. So, I will have to be careful, very careful.

The page after the Future Log in my new Bullet Journal is labelled Intentions. I am borrowing from Ryder Carroll’s palette and abandoning Goals for Intentions. I will be working on those, my Future Log, and my January Calendar/Log today. I think that the Intentions page will take some time to fill in. But, I will start with a couple of statements about what i want to be by the end of 2026 and see how that works for me.

My Bullet Journaling approach is still developing. I can see how it has changed over the years as I learn more about what works for me. I think that a few more changes are necessary to make it work better (for me). And, I am working through his book to see what other nuggets of wisdom he might have for me.

In the meantime, have a Happy New Year, figure out what is important and do that. Life is good.

¹Hat tip to the Legend of Old Gregg.

Slide Mountain

2025/10/162026/08/22 ruminator

On a Sunday morning a few days ago, I took The Girl up to Washoe Lake for our daily outing. I did not want to go to our usual spots, it being the weekend.

When we arrived, there was an ultralight aircraft preparing to launch. There were a few other folks also enjoying the bright morning. But there were not too many.

I found a place to park the rig away from everyone else and got The Girl out. We walked about the western shoreline of the lake, her running from spot to spot, sniffing and marking. She dashed back to me a few times, threatening to shoulder my legs as dogs often do in play. We laughed and played a little grabass, enjoying the outdoors together.

I made a few images, the one above of Slide Mountain with a wide angle lens and an in-camera film simulation.

Then we finished our outing and loaded back into the rig. I had things that needed doing.

It was a good day. I think every day is a good day. Life is good.

Kestral

2025/10/132026/08/22 ruminator

Last week The Girl and I were on daily walkies out at Silver Saddle Ranch when I saw a flutter in the sagebrush maybe 10 meters from us. That caught my attention so I watched as we advanced along the upper trail that we walk a lot.

A few more meters down the trail, I noticed a bird perched atop a sagebrush. It was an American Kestral! I know that at least one inhabits the area we often walk, but it does not show itself frequently.

Anxiously, I removed the normal lens from my X-T5 and affixed the 70-300mm zoom. I raised the camera to my face to frame the shot and the small raptor flitted away.

Disappointed, The Girl and I (she was not disappointed, I was) moved forward. However, I kept my own sharp eye open for a reappearance of the tiny raptor.

Again, a few more meters down the trail, I spotted it perched on another sagebrush. I kept another bush between us to break up my outline, found a bare spot that framed the bird, and made a few captures. I could have used the longer 100-400mm zoom in my inventory, but it is very heavy and does not get carried without intent. The 70-300mm is much lighter and more compact, so it is easier to slog around with as a maybe lens.

In any event, it will do. I got a capture of the bird.

The Girl and I continued along our hike, she sniffing and marking, looking for the odd lizard to chase. I kept her on-lead, partly for practice and partly for safety. Snakes are still active, but probably not for much longer. The days are cooling and nights are cooler. They will hibernate before long.

That will give The Girl a little more freedom, but I will remain watchful and keep her close. I will make some exception to strictly on-leash once the risk of rattlesnakes abates for the winter. But, she still has a propensity to chase coyotes. I do not need any more of that and neither does she.

Despite a few sand burrs (she is a sand burr magnet), we had a good hike. It was a good day. Life is good.

Daily Image — On the Trail

2025/07/212026/08/22 ruminator

I never tire of the scenery on our hikes up near Spooner Summit. Captured with TG-7, 2025-07-19 09:05:25, 18mm, 1/200sec, f/4.9, ISO-160, SOOC.

I decided to post something for the day. So, I selected an image captured over the weekend on one of our daily hikes. We mostly hike the National Forest fire road near Spooner Summit these days.

I did take The Girl to Carson River Park one day last week. It was a day where I was so slammed that I did not get out early to hike. Rather than hike in town, we went out to the rive so she could get into the water and cool off from the heat, which she did.

She also brought home a tick — a white-dot. I found it and removed it yesterday, to her dismay. (She does not like me to remove them.)

We will head out to hike a little later this morning. Although the Sun will warm her (and I will carry plenty of water), the temperature is not supposed to be as warm today so it will be pleasant up near 7,300 feet.

Life is good.

Hobart Reservoir

2025/07/132026/08/22 ruminator

A couple of weeks ago The Girl and I drove up Ash Canyon Trail for our daily outing. We hiked down to Hobart Reservoir just because I have not done that before and I wondered how the fishing might be.

It is a bit of a hump to get back up to the staging area, but readily doable. I wonder if there is a better place to park and hike in. I would try my hand a fishing the lake.

Daily Regimen

2025/06/212026/08/22 ruminator

At the turn-around point, we break for water and a quick rest. The Girl posed for me. Shot with TG-7, 12.73mm, 1/125sec, f/3.9, ISO-200, JPG SOOC.

I have been busy enough with trading and work lately that there is not enough energy left at the end of the day to post anything here. That does not mean that I am inactive, though.

The Girl and I continue to hike daily, generally up near Spooner Summit where the air is cooler and there is less traffic. We also get in an evening walk most days about dusk here in town. We have a half-mile loop that gets her outdoors, gives an opportunity to eliminate and sniff around a bit. She might bark at another dog if we encounter one. And I get away from the desk or whatever has me occupied.

I am exercising the Olympus Tough TG7 on our outings. I want to learn to use the camera and test its capabilities. So far I am impressed. It performed for me in the field during out last field walk. I am still working on that field report and will be including images from the camera in my report.

I am researching Graphene OS for a new phone. Although I have been aware that BiG Tech (and probably many others) is snooping around in our data, it was only last year, when Apple and M$ kicked off their AI craze/affectation/love affair/infestation (choose your favorite object), that it became a real concern. It should have much, much sooner. But, it is what it is.

What I realize is that it is going to take some time to extract myself from the data suck. I am working on a Linux test bed to determine if I can operate my business in a Linux environment and still function. I think it will start with the phone and then work into the computer. I am due for a new phone number now that it is out in the wild and I receive many (too many) spam calls.

Anyway, here I go…

The ARRL Field Day for 2025 is approaching quickly. We have a place picked to camp, play a little radio, and fellowship. It looks like there will be some shade and some water. My hope is that the insects are not too bad. It will be good, regardless.

The Girl posed for me a couple of days ago. I made the capture. I am grateful for her, and so many others. Life is good.

Olympus Tough TG-7

2025/06/072026/08/22 ruminator

This little camera came into my inventory last weekend. It is the replacement for an aging (and not well) Panasonic ZS-40. The latter served as a travel and field work camera for a several years, but was set aside a couple of years ago because of my dissatisfaction with its image quality.

I pulled it from storage a couple of years ago for a big field project. I found it inferior on a job site because it is susceptible to dust and sand. In fact, I thought it was damaged by a few grains of sand in the lens body. However, it seems to be working.

I did an important field walk a couple of weeks ago. I did not make any images or field notes. I should have. I did not want to use my phone as a camera. I should have.

What this told me is that I need a purpose-built tool for making images when I am working in the field. I need to ramp up my field notes as well, and back them up with images. So, that is my self-chastising for this failure.

That set me looking for a suitable replacement for the Panasonic and for my iPhone. Aside: I think the latter might be on its way out as well. More on that another time.

After a bit of research (a couple of hours), I decided that the Olympus Tough TG-7 might be an appropriate candidate. It is waterproof, dust proof, and drop resistant. (Supposedly, it is drop proof to two meters.) I chose red because it is more readily visible than black and less susceptible to solar heating.

After a few test shots, I ordered additional batteries and a lens hood/filter adapter. I will keep a UV filter on the camera despite it having protective glass over the lens.

I am carrying it on daily outings so I can learn to use it. It is quite capable and has a reasonable zoom range (optical). I am taking it to the field next week for its first thorough test as I need to document an extensive field walk on new projects.

My initial impression is that this is a solid compact camera. Despite the small sensor size (1/2.3 inches), the image quality seems much better than it should, based on previous experience. The SOOC JPEGs look good and I have posted several on this weblog already (the Daily Doggo being the most recent).

Not that the camera needs another review, but i will post my thoughts on the camera for my use-case later this summer, once I have more experience with it. There are lots of technical reviews out there, so I will provide a more subjective review based on my experience with the TG-7 in field use.

I think this is a good purchase and well worth the cost. We will see.

Now The Girl is ready for her daily outing. I think I will hit Subway for a breakfast sandwich and we will go up to our Spooner Summit site and get in a good hike. Then I can attend to completing my preparations for several days in the field.

Life is good. I am grateful.

Random Ruminations

Tag: daily image