When the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was announced back in 2012, I was absolutely thrilled. It reminded me of the 1999 Konica Hexar RF, a Japanese interpretation of a modern Leica M camera, which included a built-in motorised film advance and an electronic shutter mechanism. Similarly, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 was the first digital autofocus rangefinder (I know it’s not a true rangefinder) camera system that could give photographers a similar experience to shooting with an old-school film rangefinder but with all the modern conveniences of a digital camera. The Fujifilm X-Pro1 and the X Series were precisely what I was searching for back in 2012, standing out distinctly amidst the sea of DSLRs produced by other Japanese manufacturers.
The current Fujifilm X-Pro3 is my favourite Fujifilm X Series camera and one of my favourite interchangeable lens cameras of all time, film or digital. It’s the perfect balance between innovation and tradition, technology and heritage. As much as I love the convenience of digital photography, I still want to see the functional beauty of exotic materials, and the tactility of physical dials and moving mechanics. Although controversial, the reverse LCD screen with a small film simulation window is genius, giving a nod to the old film days of not being able to see your images until you get your film developed. To get the full sense of the passion behind the development of the X-Pro3, watch the free documentary on YouTube called ‘Camera Punk’ produced by Fujifilm.
The X-Pro3 was announced in the fall of 2019, this year being five years since its launch. This will be the longest gap between X-Pro models. As a flagship, the X-Pro series isn’t renewed as often as the others such as the X-T series (fifth version) and X100 series (sixth version), but this update is definitely long overdue. My guess is that there are a lot of internal debates over how the engineers can make a ‘better’ version of the X-Pro, while still maintaining its core identity and ethos. My suggestion to Fujifilm has always been the same when it comes to the X-Pro series: embrace the future while being guided by the past. Fujifilm has always innovated throughout the years while still maintaining its core identity. Film simulations are a perfect example, bridging its 90-year history of making photographic film into the digital era…
This is an excerpt from an article by Take Kayo in issue 102 of FUJILOVE MAGAZINE (September 2024). Subscribers, you can find this article by downloading this issue from your subscriber area.
You will find the remaining part of this article in FUJILOVE MAGAZINE.
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