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Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
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The Fujifilm X Pro 1 is 11 Years Old

Chris Gampat
No Comments
01/20/2023
3 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 23mm f1.4 R WR LM review product images 1.41-850s400

The launch of the Fujifilm X Pro 1 caused a stir of excitement in the photo industry akin to what every new photographer enjoys and experiences when they pick up their camera. For many of us, we were dumbstruck by the fact that a new camera was embracing the older way we all asked for. And it genuinely took off quite well. I remember getting mine with the 35mm f1.4 and bringing that with me instead of my 5D Mk II. That camera epitomized what mirrorless could’ve truly been at the time. Things evolved with the Olympus EM5 and the Sony a7 series, but it’s a well-accepted fact that the Fujifilm X Pro 1 was the first camera to get photographers excited about mirrorless cameras.

Over a decade later, we’ve seen three new iterations of the camera. The Fujifilm X Pro 2 added weather resistance and the beautiful Acros film simulation. The X Pro 3 added a screen newer photographers didn’t understand, and it could’ve arguably become one of the most incredible cameras Fujifilm ever made if they gave more support. But like a flustered apartment dweller not understanding that their Aloe Vera just needs new soil, they threw it to the wayside.

Fujifilm, to the press and in public interviews, cited that the X Pro 3 didn’t sell well. A major part of this was their lack of marketing and helping people understand how differently it can be used. While Fujifilm says it never sold, I’ve seen a lot of them in the wild (in the hands of more experienced photographers). For what it’s worth, this camera gets out of the way of making pictures and makes the process easy in the same way a Leica does. But like all things worth learning about, you have to actually learn it.

Considering how great the X Pro 1 was (and still can be) amidst Fujifilm saying that product life cycles will be shorter going forward, I’m wondering what’s coming soon from Fujifilm. I really want them to keep the screen the way it is (with the e-ink reader). However, I also see how it would be better to be more like the XT-5’s swivel style. If they could combine both aspects, maybe sales will increase. But this would also detract from how the X Pro 3 is used, which is like either a proper rangefinder or a TLR/Medium Format finder-style camera.

What might hurt it even more, though, is the customer’s lack of faith. Many X Pro 3 users are angry at Fujifilm for giving lesser cameras better autofocus and more updates. Further, the autofocus and usability of more advanced functions that Fujifilm now includes are poorly implemented compared to other brands. And the Fujifilm X Pro 4 will need far better autofocus performance or a constant lineup of firmware updates lined up. The problem is that the Kaizen philosophy from Fujifilm is more or less gone; they’ve publicly stated they’re not going to offer as many firmware updates anymore.

As a Fujifilm customer since the X Pro 1, and as one who’s bought a new Fuji product every year, I’m concerned about this lineup. At the same time, Fujifilm makes cameras and lenses that often need the least post-production of any brand we’ve used. And both the staff and I adore this.

camera fujifilm fujifilm x pro 1 fujifilm x pro 2 Fujifilm X Pro 3 fujifilm x pro 4 x pro 1
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Chris Gampat

Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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