2020 Vision | Late To The Party

I am not a party pooper, but I arrived at this invitation eight years almost too late.

Let’s go back in time.

The first Fuji Camera I ever saw or held in my hand belonged to my friend Gabby, a fine Photographer from Germany.

She had an XPro 1.

I was using the Nikon D90 at that time.

The D90 was a camera I loved, I kick myself to this day for selling it - It was a part of me.

I digress.

Gabby loved her XPro1 and she was telling about the great image quality and all the bugs with autofocus and yet I must confess, the images looked fabulous.

This was around 2013/14

The XPro 1 was released in 2012 along with three Lens: the 18mm F2, the 35mm F1.4 and the 60mm F2

This camera become a talking point online.

I read all the reviews, the negative comments about the quicksand slowness, funky slow auto focus, quirky handling just put me off. I carried on about my business using my only camera The D90.😢

I kept my eye on the Fuji Community from 2014, eventually, I took a gamble and purchased the X100T.

That was it, in spite of the poor battery (I had 9 of them), this camera set the stage for the birth of The Fuji Warrior.

It was small, discreet and light - perfect for stealth mode shooting. I loved it so much about a year later, I purchased the XT1 with the 18-135mm. By now, I was a Samurai and the Fuji eco-system was in my blood and I thought about nothing else.

I purchased the XPro2 and Fujicron F2 Lens. As my Museum grew so did my skill because these cameras behave differently to Nikons and Canon. There is an emotional connection that gets made once you hold one in your hands.

Once the bond is made, it will never be broken.

It’s a deal made for life.

It’s 2020, Pandemic Lockdown.

I got time on my hands to read, study magic, take pictures, look after my mother. What business have I got purchasing a second hand excellent condition XPro1 for a bargain price?Its eight years old, with a technology not even close to the Xpro2 or 3.

I have Charlene Winfred and Dave Kai Piper to thank for my temporary moment of G.A.S. I read about their relationship with this particular Camera. Their affection for it and wonderful images got me thinking about it and asking what makes this Camera so special?

Are the images from this Camera so different in feel and quality compared to the newer models?

I was curious.

In all honesty, I had no idea what I was looking for or hoping to learn.

As write this entry, I can tell you, my XPro1 arrived today. I knew exactly what to do with it.

I set up very quickly.

I forgot everything I knew about Fuji Cameras and just allowed myself this time travel moment back to 2012.

I wanted to connect with that feeling of………magic.

When I mounted my 35mm 1.4 on it, I had this strange feeling……I am not taking you off.

You are staying put.

The first image I created was of Mum.

Something interesting happened.

I tried to send the image of mum to my iPhone.

This Camera has no WiFi integration.

Back to the Computer and Lightroom.

Holy Crap - the image quality is there no question about.

The 35mm 1.4 on this specific body renders something very subtle and refined. In time, I am confident I will be able to articulate what I am feeling.

I went straight out for a walk to create some images. I met my friend Daniella on her Roller-Skates.

These images of my Daniella made my day and made me feel good about buying a Camera ready for a Museum Exhibition.

I have a strange feeling; the more I use this Camera, the more it will teach me about her magic and inner secrets.

Like any relationship, this one is worthy of nurturing because the hidden depth that love can go is infinitely mysterious.

I am all in.❤️📸❤️

Is it too early to say I am falling in love all over again?

Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading x