So I see that Fuji are doing an announcement today. Now I am not one to get excited about flashy new camera gear unless it really is something different or especially cool. I'll admit I got a little excited about the Fuji X100 but never actually bought one as I was really waiting for an interchangeable lens version with half decent auto focus speeds, the X100 is notoriously slow and If I'm paying that much money I want something that works real good. I personally have had a Canon 5D MK 2 for a few years and have slowly gathered all my ideal lenses for that system so I am not in a hurry to start a new one or anything but there is something about Fuji right now that is pretty damn exciting. They brought out the X100 when nobody was really expecting such a camera, it was innovative and exactly what a lot of manufacturers were saying was near impossible (or would come far in the future) at the time. That hybrid viewfinder took a shit on the traditionalists approach to a rangefinder styled camera and I think we will all agree it was a brilliant step in the right direction. I am a fan of the rangefinder system and purchased a Leica M8 for a while just to get that exact experience of simplicity and discreetness (that's probably not a word) but in the end went back to the Canon SLR system for overall functionality (I am not filthy rich, other wise I would have both obviously) but I loved the small camera and the great array of lenses. There is something amazing about having a small camera and lens combo in your hand or bag compared to a big clunky SLR with big 85mm or zoom lens mounted.
When the Fuji X100 came out I was so happy that a company finally had the balls to do something creative with the small camera concept. The Panasonic and Olympus 4/3 cameras were alright but I just felt they were a bit half assed and wasn't really aimed at people who wanted great image quality, functionality and style but with a place to put your eye and look through in order to frame the picture, to be honest I didn't think it was that much to ask, basically a modernised Leica M9 that wasn't so ridiculously overpriced, doesn't have to be built to the standards of the M9, just give us a camera around the same price as a pro spec camera like the 5D MK 2/Nikon D700 with around equal image quality in a small body, surely with technology these days it's possible and Fuji really blew away the competition by coming out with the X100 and although plagued by odd flaws that really shouldn't have been there it was an amazing step in the right direction. I was always calling for a digital Zeiss Ikon. Zeiss a great company that came out with the Zeiss ikon film camera to challenge the Leica M camera's, although it came out a bit too late in my opinion it gave people a great alternative that was also affordable. I know there are probably problems with Zeiss doing this as a lot of Leica owners buy Zeiss lenses as a more affordable option after shelling out massive amounts of cash for their Leica body and Leica probably have some agreement for Zeiss not to bring about a camera to challenge the M (maybe not but it seems so, as otherwise I believe Zeiss would be making moves to take over the market).
Now with the announcement of this new Fuji X-Pro1 it could really be the camera myself and a lot of other people have been waiting for. Almost like the digital Zeiss ikon that I have wanted for ages. It has not officially been announced yet (later today at 9pm) but I hear it will have a Leica M-mount adaptor so all them lovely Leica and Zeiss lenses will fit nicely on there, mmmmmm sounds like a nice prospect (I really like them Zeiss ZM lenses). People are also speculating whether this will be a full frame or APS-C sensor camera and whether there will be a higher spec camera released which will be the full frame pro camera and the X-pro1 will be the high end enthusiast camera. I know Leica are going to be releasing some new cameras later this year, one which will probably be a direct competitor to the Fuji X-Pro 1 with a similar hybrid viewfinder also but we will have to wait and see for that. The one thing you know about Leica is that it will be a lot more expensive which isn't really a negative thing as they know there target market and that most regular folks can't really afford there stuff. I am unfortunately or fortunately which ever way you look at it am a regular guy so naturally I want more for my money and cheer for the company who takes a creative chance to get these really cool innovative products out at a semi-affordable price.
So I for one am looking forward to this Fuji announcement today, I am rooting for them to blow away the competition again, shock the other companies into reality and to get there shit together. Instead of churning out these same camera body's one after another with very minimal differences (megapixelLeica who seemed to have slowed down and got into a back and forth rut. Although Fuji X-Pro1 isn't the same camera as a Canon 5D MK 2 or Nikon D700 but if this system works I think it will take a lot of sales away from these cameras I personally would maybe consider switching. If we can get that high image quality, great functionality and all in a much smaller package it would be really interesting. As we all know, everyone likes an underdog and that's what I think Fuji have become, the underdog that can't compete toe to toe with the big boys but instead utilises creativity and technique to pose an interesting challenge that the opponents weren't really expecting.
This could also be good for Zeiss and Leica with the M-mount adaptor announcement. I'm sure Fuji will bring out more great lenses but a lot of people will love to put the Zeiss ZM and Leica M lenses onto this camera and I'm sure sales will go up, in Zeiss especially as they are affordable but with that amazing image quality.
When I started writing this it was originally going to be a few lines of text saying how I was looking forward to this announcement and how much I hoped for something really special from Fuji but It looks like I had some more views on this products and the current state of digital cameras in general, oh well it was nice to put these thoughts into text. I really like that Fuji are doing something different and at least attempting to shake up the status quo for the better which is always a good thing. It's great for us photographers and keeps things interesting, I like to have options and it looks like we will have some interesting decisions to make in the near future about our main camera systems.
Basically someone in Fuji is pushing boundaries and being creative as possible, I for one love it, even if I don't end up buying the camera. Keep it coming.
Feel free to leave any comments, opinions or emails on your Fuji X-Pro 1 thoughts or if you agree or disagree with anything I have said.
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