New Camera Day

We had a new camera day a few weeks ago. Two years ago I bought a secondhand Fujifilm X100F and loved it. For years my photography was big DSLR, filters, tripod, and hang out until the light was nice. It’s gradually transitioned over to the best camera being the one I had one me, and I did not want to carry the big 6D. So I finally bought a Fujifilm X-T30II.

My photography has transitioned to wanting a nice camera that fits in a fanny-pack and can come on 15+ mile day hikes and backpacking trips. The 6D does none of those things. I stressed over this decision for months. Do I want an X-T5? Do I want an X-E4? Do I want a Leica M10? I learned I could get a GFX medium format camera for roughly the same size as my current 6D setup – that was certainly tempting. I ended up getting the X-T30II because 1) I found it new for less than it was used, and 2) it is close enough to what I wanted and couldn’t get myself excited about an $1800 X-T5. I think the real camera I want is a modern X-Pro2, but that doesn’t exist.

So far I’m happy. The EVF isn’t the same as the big optical viewfinder but it’s good enough and I really like having the electronic level in it. My current lens setup is just a XF 23 f/2. I’m planning on adding a XF 50 f/2 to complete the travel/hiking setup. There’s a handfull of other lenses I want but I’m waffling a lot on what to get. The X100F instilled a “shooting experience” desire in me so I might pick up a Voigtlander 35 or 50 f/1.2. The XF 35 f/1.4 reviews well and looks fun. As does one of the XF 56’s – I’ve always wanted a fast 85mm lens.

I quite wish I’d take the above photo from about five feet from the left. I can’t remember if there was a reason I didn’t.. probably a big tree in the way.

I really like this photo. The flowers are quite nice, and the fungi on the tree combined with the sharp ferns and nice rolloff of the background complete it.