The emails…. all sent, finally. I closed the laptop on my desk. Out of the window the sky was tinted in soft pale grey colors, the light slowly starting to fade. Evening of another homeoffice day. When will this Corona mess come to an end, the virus finally be stopped?

I got up from my chair, collected the empty coffee cups from the desk, turned round, ready to open the door and leave the room. The white magazine file holder, from which I had taken out the project papers, still stood empty on the dark floor tiling… Why hadn’t I ever noticed the pure, contrasty lines before? I put the coffee cups down again and picked up my camera instead, lines on my mind, all troubles gone for the time being.

X100F, X-Pro 3, Acros, ISO 2500…8000

I am a rational guy with strong principles. I love taking photos, and my Fujifilm gear is still excellent, even though it is some years old. I am not interested in new photo equipment. I don’t need new gear, although my photos could be much better. But that’s my fault, not my camera’s fault. I am sure, I don’t suffer from G.A.S.*

I am still in love with my 7 year old Fujifilm X-Pro 1. I mean, I still love my X100, too (which I have given to my daughter recently). And my X100F, I love it too. And, of course, my old analog Contax ST. And all the glass, Zeiss and Fuji… I am an engineer, and being informed about new, fascinating technical gear is always very interesting, it is a must - but I don’t need to buy new equipment, I am well supplied.

On the other hand… nothing is wrong with having reliable gear, new gear, any camera could fail anytime, so a spare camera is absolutely vital! I did not look into the X-Pro 2 or any X-E or X-T model lately … but… the new X-Pro 3 is such a lovely camera, isn’t it? And this beautiful video from Patrick LaRoque is so convincing in every aspect: emotionally, technically and… the camera is so beautiful… and technically top-notch: fast autofocus, a new sensor with some more megapixels, a much better electronic viewfinder, a hidden fold down display on the back, usable for waist-level street shooting, a small rear status panel, and so much more new technical stuff! I am sure, the camera would let me re-open my eyes and senses for colors, details, feelings…would help me to get better as a photographer, to feel better… Did I mention that my X-Pro 1 is 7 years old now and may fail ANYtime?

Recently, something really unexpected happened. A lovely black X-Pro 3 sitting all alone in the window of a small camera shop, directly looking at me, when I strolled by aimlessly, just accidentially. So I had to get in, my heart pounding, just to take a closer look, just for technical reasons and just to remain confident that my gear is good enough…

After some seconds, the new camera in my hand, I could not resist. I failed. I failed completely, but I am happy :-)

The X-Pro 3 is so much better in every aspect than the X-Pro 1 - with one exception: the decision of Fujifilm to use a single magnification optical viewfinder (OVF) means you can't properly judge your framing though the OVF if you use a lens wider than 23mm. This isn't an issue for me, since the new EVF is excellent, and I have always been a lover of the EVF, but anyway, the new OVF is on the negative side.

Last week I have spent some time playing with the extended tone curve settings of the b/w Acros film simulation. With my other cameras I often use softer highlights (-2) and deeper shadows (+2). Finally I came up with a new favorite setting: highlights +2 or +3, shadows +4. I really like it…. All pictures are jpegs OOC, size adjusted, shot with the 2.4 60mm.

*) For those who don’t know G.A.S: Gear Aquisition Syndrome, wanting to buy new cameras, because you feel like your photos aren’t good enough, because your camera isn’t good enough. For those who really suffer: How To Conquer G.A.S.

Shadows and Lines

I Failed...