Shooting The Fujifilm X-Pro1 in 2020
The Fuji X-Pro1, launched in March 2012, was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. It was a camera that sparked interest in those that wanted a smaller system with great practicality.
As far as features go, the X-Pro1 is as broad as a serious photographer would need, and most importantly, isn’t bloated with things that will often never be used. With a retro rangefinder-style design, the X-Pro1 brings superb ergonomics, with both shutter speed and exposure compensation dials placed on top for easy access. Simplicity is this cameras greatest asset!
The camera itself feels solid and well put together. For me, this camera was perfect when it arrived on the market. I came to the X system around a year after it was launched and it completely made me fall in love with photography. I certainly learnt more about the medium with the X-Pro1 than the DSLR that I had previous to it.
The first-generation 16MP X-Trans APS-C CMOS sensor from Fuji that is housed in the X-Pro1 has an ISO range of 200-6400 with the option to extend to ISO 100-25,600 and can resolve a great amount of detail. Using it alongside my X-T3 today, which houses a fourth-generation X-Trans CMOS sensor, I’ve been very surprised at what this camera is capable of, and it can definitely hold its own, though as you would expect, the X-T3 has even higher resolving power, not to mention better noise response as higher ISO.
It has to be said that this first-generation sensor is pretty special and delivers a somewhat ‘organic’ feel to the images, which many users argue hasn’t been bettered. I certainly see this when comparing images from the X-Pro1 to the X-T3. Not that the X-T3 is by any means bad, but it’s very different and more ‘modern’ in look when comparing it to the X-Pro1.
If I could change anything, it would be the fixed screen as I love the tilt screen on my X-T3. Also, battery life! It’s not the best, and I would recommend carrying one or two extra batteries for a day’s shooting.
All images shot with a Fujifilm X-Pro1 & Fujinon XF Lenses.
