X-Pro 1, still number 1

Of all the cameras I’ve sold over the years, my biggest regret was selling the Fujifilm X-Pro1.  It does not have the most megapixels or high-speed tracking, but it was a special camera. It was the perfect balance between digital and mechanical.  It was like a digital version of the Leica M done right.

An Extension of Hand and Eye

What sets the X-Pro1 apart isn’t just its design (although it is absolutely gorgeous), it’s how it feels in use. Light, balanced, and built with thoughtful simplicity, it becomes an extension of my eye. I can change settings without breaking eye contact. I can shoot without feeling like it’s an electronic gadget.  Before X-Pro1, I’ve used Sony and Ricoh digital cameras.  They always came across more like a gadget than a proper camera.  In those cameras, changing basic settings meant digging into menus and multiple clicks on finicky buttons.

But the controls on the X-Pro1 was so well thought out and laid out.  There’s a directness to it. A quiet confidence. It doesn’t get in the way of the moment — it invites the moment.  Something that I have not felt since I sold my Leica M6 years prior.

Seeing Without Distraction

The X-Pro1’s hybrid viewfinder allows me to compose thoughtfully while staying connected to the world. With the optical finder, I can keep an eye on what’s just outside the frame. With the EVF, I get precision when I need it. Both allow me to stay immersed — not distracted by screens, overlays, or blinking lights.

I can see the person in front of me, not just through the lens, but also through my own rediscovered eye.

Color, Tone, and Emotion

Fuji’s color science needs no introduction. The X-Pro1, with its older but beautifully characterful sensor, renders skin tones with a warmth and nuance that’s unique.

For the longest time, I mount a Leica 35mm Summilux on it via a Kipon adapter.  Then it’s manual focus all the way!

A Camera That Respects the Subject

At its core, the X-Pro1 helps me do something more than take a picture — it helps me bear witness. It lets me be present. And because of that, my subjects often walk away not just with a portrait, but with something special.

That’s a rare gift in today’s image-saturated world.

Goodbye Friend

The X-Pro1 may not be the fastest or most advanced camera on the market. But when it comes to portraiture with soul, it excels in a way few digital tools do. It allows me to connect, not only with the sitter, but with myself as an artist.  It’s more than just a camera. It’s a conversation.  It was a sad day when I had to sell both the camera and the lens.