When I first began learning photography, I carried my SLR with me everywhere. It was simultaneously both awesome and annoying. Why? I was able to capture high resolution images all the time… but the damn camera was way too heavy, bulky, and awkward to fit inside my day-to-day messenger bag to be practical. It just didn’t work. I tried walking around with it attached to my R-strap and such, carrying it out of the bag. That didn’t work either because again, it was so bulky it would bang against walls or people or be again, too annoying.
Since, I’ve picked up an iPhone 4 and that has become my “carry with me everywhere” camera. I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I’ve posted several of those images taken with Hipstamatic here on the blog. However, at the end of the day… they’re 5MP images that aren’t really cutting it. At night they’re too noisy or overexposed with the LED flash. At other times, the camera is slow to load. There’s a high likelihood that when using this camera I’ll miss the moment that caused me to take the photograph in the first place.
That’s going to end. Soon.
On Monday, thanks to the good folks over at Borrow Lenses, I’ve rented a Fuji X100 for one week as an experiment. The experiment is thus: to carry this camera everywhere (and I mean everywhere) with me to all the places I go, and test out it’s feasibility as an everyday camera. It’s certainly compact and lightweight enough to fit inside any bag unobtrusively, but how will it perform as a camera?
This camera has received a lot of hype from the Internet and on Twitter especially amongst photographers. It’s got SLR attributes in a compact and lightweight body. Some of them in fact are equivalent to those of my D700. I’m very curious to see how it will shape up.
In the coming week on the blog (starting Monday) I’ll be posting my feedback from my experiment, along with some images that I process. It should be fun…!
Well I don’t think I have to tell you that I”m pretty stoked about this BUT I AM PRETTY STOKED ABOUT THIS!!!!!
Haha I know you are
So glad you’re doing this. I have no doubts you’ll produce some great images and fall in love with the camera. Get ready to say goodbye to $1200
Oh, I didn’t realize you could rent this camera. I so want to say no to this camera, but I think eventually I’m going to have to get one. Can’t wait to see your review.
Interesting experiment – can’t wait to hear your results!
Looking forward to your finding. From everything I read I would love to have this camera as a carry around.
I also am looking forward to hearing how you like using this camera, and if you will find the fixed focal length limiting, or inspirational.
I’ve been holding out on picking up one because Nikon is sure to have something soon.
Thanks folks! No matter what… it should be an interesting week!
You also have the Leica D-Lux 4 (thought I remembered seeing a post on ur blog a while ago)?? I have the Leica and love it but I’m feeling like the newer compacts are starting to blow it away quality-wise.
Hmmm nope. I don’t own any other compact cameras. I’m hoping the Fuji is the one… though I have heard great things about Leicas and the Panasonic compact series.
Wow. I’m writing a nearly identical post right now. I always want a camera with me but I hate lugging a DSLR around so I never take it out except on jobs. My iPhone is my everywhere camera but its quality is always lacking.
I got the x100 this week and it has not left my side. Seriously. It’s such a fantastic camera.
Glasses. Wallet. Watch. Keys. Kids. x100.
Cheers,
Zack
Oh, learn this trick for any subject closer than three or so feet.
Switch to manual focus. Hit the EVF. Use the back button to lock on, recompose, shoot. It’s quirky but if you get the muscle memory going you can do it quickly.
Cheers,
Zack
I’m gonna have to agree with Heath above; get ready to say goodbye to $1200. Having this kind of picture quality with you all the time just blows away anything else for spontaneous, fun photography. Sure, you’ll continue to use your D700, but only when you need the lenses or the full-frame quality.
Be careful though, Jacob. This could start you down the slippery slope to the Leica M9
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