A favorite content creator, Dan Bailey, is a long-time Fujifilm user, professional photographer, and teacher. I think I started following him about 10-years ago.
He recently resent one of his blog posts about his favorite Fujinon lenses and I reviewed his site. He has some good picks on the list that reflect his approach to photograph and his style. Even if my style is somewhat different, there is knowledge to be gained from reviewing his reasons why he chooses what he does.
I have three Fujifilm cameras in my inventory that see significant use. They are 1) X-Pro3, 2) X100vi, and 3) X-T5. The latter two have the 40MP IBIS sensors that are fifth generation. They are exceptionally capable cameras with different use-cases. The X-Pro3 was a curiosity purchase because I am interested in the rangefinder mystique. I have never owned a rangefinder camera1 that received significant use. In particular, Leica rangefinders have an almost cult following. So, I rented one and then kept it.
X-Pro3: The X-Pro3 is getting a lot of carry time. I have a small kit of prime lenses that match the form factor. This makes for a small kit that is readily carried. That is the primary advantage. The secondary advantage is that the camera is less obvious when out and about. It is small, black, and the lenses are also small and unobtrusive. It is a capable camera even if it has a known flaw, which is the ribbon cable that connects to the swing out rear screen2. But perhaps my favorite part of the camera is its size and tendency to be overlooked when I am out and about.
A part of this is use of the smaller lenses. That currently limits me to a longest focal length of 50mm (the Fujinon 50mm f/2 XF WR). That gives me a 35mm equivalent focal length3 of 75mm and I think that the maximum focal length used on classic 35mm rangefinder cameras is in the 90mm range. Beyond that, the frame lines in the viewfinder are just too small to be useful.
I have a Fujinon 90mm f/2 in my inventory and it is a great lens! It is nearly the perfect short-mid telephoto lens I have that fits my Fujifilm cameras. But it is fairly large and heavier than the remainder of the kit.
X-T5: The X-T5 is the goto camera whenever I am using what I call the Big Glass. That would all of the fast zoom lenses (the 100–400mm in particular), and whenever I want more grip than the X-Pro3 provides. My X-T5 is equipped with the Smallrig grip and base and that provides a lot of hand purchase on the camera and a Arca Swiss tripod compatible base on the bottom.
It is a different camera for a different use case than the X-Pro3. It fits into my use whenever I need the longer reach or the in-body stabilization. I put together a small X-T5 kit last year when I travelled east for one of my grandson’s weddings. I took the 16-55mm zoom, the 35mm f/1.4, and the 70-300mm zoom. I used the fast 16-55mm zoom the most because of what I was doing (spending time with my kids). But, the 35mm provides wonderful portraits and the long zoom has a lot reach for wildlife or telephoto landscapes. It has a lot more reach when mated with the XF TC1.4 teleconverter.
X100vi: Last is the X100vi. Many denigrate the camera as an influencer point-and-shoot for the follower crowd. I suppose that it is, but that is not the point. This is a grab-and-go camera that is quite capable with and excellent lens, solid feature set, and that 40MP IBIS sensor and processor. If I do not want to think about kit, I take this camera. If is a solid general purpose camera that produces wonderful images if I do my job.
Now I have to laugh at myself! What started as a rumination on Fujinon lenses turned into said on Fujifilm cameras! I think that I will revisit the topic again, later, and talk about the lenses I specifically carry in my kit that are actually used.
The X-Pro3 and X100vi get a lot of carry time. I will sling the Domke bag with the X-Pro3 and a few lenses over my should or put the X100vi strap over my neck every time I head out the door. I almost always carry a camera along. It is part of how I look at the world. The X-T5 comes along when I have an objective to accomplish — a specific photo shoot that I am working on.
Of course, if I travel, then the X-T5 kit I mentioned above, or a variation thereof, goes with me.
