acomparing the CCD sensors of m8 and m9.

First up, Leica m8.

Next, the Leica M9.

imagine if the X100 had a 28mm lens that could actually fit in your jean pocket…

I recently purchased the Fujifilm XF10 after several hours of reseasrch (you know, late night YouTube binges of photographers reviewing camera gear and scanning instagram with the hashtag). Ultimately, one video stood above the rest and Serr’s video on the matter sealed the deal for me.

It’s an incredibly capable camera given its size. The fact that it bolsters parts is used in larger, professionally-marketed cameras, such as the X-pro 2, where they share the same sensor, is a feat not to be glossed over. One can shoot completely manual or automatic, and oh by the way it has a built-in flash (unlike its competitor, Ricoh GR).

I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but here’s what I think…

It’s unobtrusively with you.

Indulge me for a moment. Apple’s signature product, the iPhone, cashes in year in and out largely on camera improvements. It manages to sell trillions of dollars every year by the simple fact that people want to take the best pictures on their phones and post it on social media. While I’m as guilty as the rest of us, I’ve also found that the direction Apple has taken has veered away from the perfect formula it had in the iPhone X. with respect to the focal length (went from the perfect 28mm to wider 26mm and now very wide 24mm) is just too wide for my taste. Also, they’ve invested quite a bit of (albeit impressive) R&D on software enhanced photography techniques to delivering an evenly exposed and perfectly focused imaged regardless of the lighting conditions which basically strips the image of any possible character the photo could have. and dont even get me started on portrait mode. For me, the XF10 addresses all my iPhone grievances by providing a pocket camera to use in place of my iPhone. Its a 28mm fixed lens with a CMOS sensor. If the next iPhone announcement said they were going to do that, I would just direct deposit my next paycheck to Apple.

Photographing moments you otherwise wouldnt take.

I have too many cameras. The other day my wife asked me how many cameras do I have and it took me a few moments to count them all, and even still I missed a couple (maybe intentionally who knows). When you have so many cameras, several of them become redundant to one another. The thing about the XF10 is that it actually does something all the other cameras dont. It really opens the door to photos you otherwise wouldnt be taking. You can snap moments in tight spaces and awkward angles. The built-in flash is powerful enough to take photos you would generally have to crank up ISO for on your other, more “proper” cameras. It really does have a place and the iPhone isnt quite there yet to be able to fully replace.

One function shy of perfection.

I want to look through a view finder when I take pictures. It’s a big part of the experience for me. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. And because of that, I’ll just constantly compare it to the next iPhone to a fault.

If you havent considered a point and shoot yet, highly recommend you do. Here are some other shots from the XF10 after a couple of weeks…