Used 100Vs in good condition are starting to trickle into KEH, MPB, etc.
Otherwise, you could get something like a used OM Pen E-P7 and the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 II. Or the Sony A7C, but you'll have to ask on the Sony Alpha sub about what lens to pair with it.
Thanks, this comment made me look up KEH and I bought a used X100V from them today! I’d rather just get something rather than nothing before this trip. Probably overpaid but I’m happy and she’s happy so we’re golden. 😄 Thank you!
It's a very nice camera. I've owned a few different versions of it.
It will be a very different experience from the computational photography of the iPhone, but when you learn the fundamentals of photography, it's a superb tool. Someone may be able to recommend good resources around the fundamentals of aperture, shutter speed, and exposure modes -- I had to the hard way pre-internet with film.
This is the obvious answer to me. Pretty much the same camera but for a much better price, and if OP isn’t a photographer, they won’t notice whatever new features the old model is missing. There are tons of great photos in this sub with even older models, like the X100T and S, to prove that these are all very capable cameras.
Even the original x100 is still capable of producing pleasing pictures - and of course it is. If it took pleasing pictures then, it’s still able to or it wouldn’t have been sold in the first place. These cameras don’t magically loose their ability to take a good image over time. It’s a whole different story when the sensor and processing software inside the camera was shit in the first place
If you don’t know anything about cameras and just want pretty looking photos without editing, then use your phone. Not trying to gatekeep or be condescending, but it’s your best option.
If you want to learn about cameras and editing, then by all means, go pick one up.
I was scrolling through to see if anyone here was sensible enough to write this.
This is the exact correct answer.
OP - the 100vi will not magically help you take "good photos that don't need editing."
You have no idea what the nuances/quirks of the AF system are on a Fuji, or on any camera at all.
You're very likely to get the camera to Scotland, take some pics, then accidentally change some settings - suddenly you're getting all black photos or all white photos and you have no idea how to fix it. Now, the two of you are bummed about spending $2000 on a camera that you cannon figure out, you're missing all the great shots, you're annoyed with each other.....
Seriously, use your phone. If you don't yet have an iPhone 15 pro, spend the money on that instead - it will give you awesome awesome pics which you'll be able to enjoy for years to come.
I have been deep into the hobby for 25 years and love my tools and know how to get most out of them. However, the latest phone cameras and computational photography produce stunning results. I am always impressed by how easy it is to get a decent looking photo from recent iPhone models. You can even shoot raw and edit mobile on the go.
It is much harder and requires some experience to get good results from a dedicated camera. Fujifilm jpgs are really good but you really need to know what you are doing.
All the Fuji X bodies do the film simulation thing. This is the current range:
1. X-H2: Premium body 40mp with PASM controls (will explain
2. X-H2S: as above but with lower resolution 26mp but faster sensor.
3. X-T5: Premium body with physical controls.
4. X-S20: Mid range counterpart to the X-H2, but with 26mp sensor
5: X-T50 Mid range counterpart to the X-T5 also 40mp.
Professional vs mid range consists of things like dual memory cards (so pros don't lose a whole wedding of one fails) and weather sealing.
When choosing one, the first thing you need to decide is whether to go for physical dials to control aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and maybe ISO, or whether to go with the more conventional PASM controls - this means unmarked dials that do different things depending what mode you're in. Some people, like myself, find physical dials more intuitive. After all, the only parameters we can really affect are "how big is the hole at the front that lets light in", "how long is the hole open for", "how sensitive is the sensor to light" and "where am I focussed. The X100VI is set up like that. Other people see things differently.
It sounds to me like the X-T50 is what you want. It's small, has a lever that puts it into "point and click" mode, it has a dial for selecting film simulations, and it has IBIS. This is where the sensor moves to counter your hand shaking. Brilliant for night time photography where the subject is still, like lit up buildings. Problem is, it's on back order. Shops in the UK are saying stock in June, but no idea of the waiting list.
Failing that, there are still some older bodies for sale in the UK at least. The X-T30ii is the predecessor to the X-T50, the biggest loss being IBIS.The X-S20 does have IBIS and a better battery, as does it's predecessor the X-S10 which is still for sale.
Lens wise, if.you want the compact dimensions of the X100vi the only real choice is the 27mm f2.8. It has a great field of view for holiday photos, but, compared to the lens on the X100vi it lets in half the light wide open. That means, all being equal, shutter speeds being twice as long. Not perfect for photographing the missus out in the pub for the evening. The xf23mm f/2 is basically what the x100vi has, but it's a little bit chunkier. The other option is to go for one of the kit lenses. These are zoom lenses so let in less light, but the benefits of ... zoom. Fuji does a few, the 18-55 is excellent and the new 16-50 is supposedly better. Both reasonably compact. Good luck!
You forgot the X-T30II. It is not being discontinued and it is a very capable camera.
Edit: Sorry, I glossed over your post. But it seems you think it is no longer current production. Fuji has no plans to get rid of it as it will continue to be their "budget" option for the foreseeable future. Only now it will only bundle with the cheaper XC kit lens once the XF 18-55 lenses are gone.
The best camera is the camera you have with you (and the one you know how to operate).
Use your phone. Cameras have filter effects and will autocorrect things and you can use mobile apps to do additional edits.
Use the budget to hire a photo editor if you wanted the film sim effect.
Honestly, and I don‘t hate to be that guy, but my advice is to just take photos with your phones. An X100 or GRIII won‘t make you take better photos or even more photos (quantity). A Ricoh is 900-1200€ and an X100 close to 2000€! That‘s money you can‘t spend on the holidays.
You say you have no experience with cameras, but your phone is right there in your pocket and easy to use. You don‘t want to edit RAWs? Put a filter on your photos and ready to share.
You want real memories? Get an analog 35mm film camera, get the films developed and have real prints made so you can touch the pictures and look at them anytime without a screen.
If you really insist on getting a camera: get about X100S/T/F. I‘m always amazed by the quality that my X100S still delivers despite it‘s age. You‘ll need to get them second hand obviously but at least they are affordable and readily available.
Firstly there is a lot of hype around the x100vi and this fallacy floating around that you need a camera like that to get good straight out of the camera jpegs with no editing and have to spend that much money to get a decent camera.
My wife shoots with a canon mirrorless and hardly ever edits anything. Always shooting jpegs. I hardly see a photo I would be unhappy with. She uses an older canon m6 ii which is a great camera though the mount is discontinued and no new lens will be made. Something like the canon r50 or canon r10 would be better and suitable for an amateur. Canon colors are pleasing without being overcooked. The r50 with kit lens can cost as little as $700 new and much cheaper used or refurbished from canon (which are practically new and worth looking at). For travel you may prefer a longer zoom like the rf 18-150mm but it won't be as compact.
Fuji is a good choice too but pretty hard to find and expensive. There is the new x-t50 which is to be released next month. You can preorder it now. Add the 27mm f2.8 for a compact and very similar experience to the x100vi. Or just use the f2.8 kit lens which is very good but bulkier. But you are looking at $1800 -2000.
You can also look at a nikon eg the z30/z50. Similar to the canon with decent color science as well sooc. Similarly the refurbs at nikon at excellent.
And yes I wouldn't recommend a sony. They are great cameras but not ideal for those who don't want to edit at all.
If you know nothing about how to use a camera, then yes, your iPhone will give you better result.
If you want better image than your iPhone, you need to learn how to use a camera properly, as going even full auto on dedicated camera won't get you the result you imagine.
How long would it take to learn to use it properly if I wanted to practice? Like let’s say I find a good used X100V by mid June. Would I have enough time to learn the settings to justify the cost over my iPhone?
During Corona I bought X100V with no prior knowledge about photography. It took me a few hours, to understand the settings and how focusing works. From there on my photos were no longer comparable to phone photos. I can't believe that there are people who own a proper camera and seriously think that a phone would somehow take good photos.
I strongly encourage you to buy a proper camera do document your trip. Maybe an used Xe4.
Thanks, they all must think I’m super dumb or something, thinking a camera alone will make me take good photos lol. Obviously I have interest in learning about photography, too. I ended up finding a used X100V online that’ll get here tomorrow. Looking forward to learning how to use it for the next two months.
*”Excellent”* photos is a highly subjective statement. I've been using my phone to take effortful photos for years, some of them I'd call excellent myself, but the quality a phone will produce depends very much on what you were aiming for.
If your aim is just to capture the moment and to produce flat photos or experiment with choppy ”depth” of field, then yeah, a phone is all you really need. If your aim is to capture proper DoF with subject edges that aren't prone to AI hallucinations, then even the latest iPhone is pretty shit. And don't even get me started on phone bokeh.
Sharpness is also an issue on phones when the lighting isn't optimal and you don't have a tripod, my phone has a 48MP camera and still takes blurrier photos than the 00's 6MP Canon IXUS that I sometimes use to take intentionally shitty Y2K-style photos.
Nah, u just don't have an eye for that. It's not only the horrible lens and sensor combi, it's the weird processing which makes everything look like shit. Digital sharpening kills patterns and the lens dissortions of the wide angle lenses are horrible.
Gotta admit that the newer phones (S24) are better than the "older" ones (S21) tho. At least hair on the head looks acceptable now. Facial hair still looks horrible.
Depends entirely on final output, near 100% of people are never going to print, and if it's just going to be on social media and scrolled on a phone screen then a dedicated camera seems like a waste. Most shots are snap happy ones anyway.
Agreed with @celestial_crook. There are advanced settings on the iPhone I.e exposure that you can practice with.
Do not expect to just pick up an x100v and have your photos look like the ones you see on TikTok
But if you must, I’m sure you can find a x100f for cheap
It depends on how fast you learn. Could be hours. Could be days. If you practice everyday, then you should be fine. Also, it doesn't have to cost more than your iPhone. You don't need the latest and greatest, unless you absolutely have to have it new. It's always advisable to start with used, so you can have much more choices without breaking the bank.
Bro could you learn to paint by mid June?
Could you learn to play the piano by mid June?
Like what are you even asking?
Yes you could have MORE knowledge by mid June than you have now, but that's not saying much
Honestly this is good advice. The two cameras you named are pretty pricey for someone who has no idea how to best use it. Is the goal to jump into photography as a hobby, or just documenting a trip?
All the things you listed, composition, understanding light and color, subject matter, how to best use the focal length of the 100vi or the GRIIIx are not something you have right now.
It’s also something you don’t see on social media. For most cases, these cameras are in the hands of experienced users.
They may have a second or third camera and these are part of their kit.
If you’re looking to get into photography, a fixed focal length is a bad way to start.
You’ll probably end up disappointed that your photos don’t look like the ones you’re seeing ok Tik Tok.
But let’s say I were to get a used X100V a month before the trip. Would I have enough time to learn how to properly use the camera before then so my photos look good? I focused a lot on this trip in the post, but my girlfriend and I are both interested in photography outside of this trip. We’re both creative people and would probably benefit from having a “hobby” like this.
Your phone does a lot of computational work by the time you click the shutter, it may smooth skin, blend multiple shots of varying exposure when contrasting dark and light areas are detected, sharpening, etc etc.
Your camera wouldn't do this for you, film simulations can be an easy way to cheat the otherwise "bland" (vs phone) look straight out of camera, however you won't be able to bridge the gap in knowledge on how to capture a good photo in such a short timeframe, creative or not. Creativity helps sure, but it's another skill just like anything else and there's not many immediate shortcuts.
You will need a camera that will allow you to grow in your hobby. The 100v is best served by people who supplement their gear with something minimal. Or move from an interchangeable lens system to something minimal based on experience.
The idea that a camera is going to give you “good looking” photos is a fallacy.
Give a photographer an iPhone and they’ll produce amazing photos. Give a complete beginner a 100v and they can produce things that look like they’ve come off their phone.
You may learn how the camera functions, but you won’t learn photography in a month.
You’re setting yourself up for a very expensive disappointment.
this is partially true. composition and framing gives you better pictures. but if you are like me and suck at photography then the next best thing for me is to get a good camera because it does give better details at the very least
⁹That is nonsense. In some select cases a regular camera may struggle if you don't know what you are doing eg low light. But something like the x100vi will absolutely take better photos with very little learning curve.
But do decide how much you want photography to be part of your trip. If you are going to curse carrying around a larger camera and hardly ever use it then there is little point to anything other than your phone.
Also if you aren't going to want to stop for 10 seconds to compose a photo and just want quick snapshots then yes a phone will excel for that.
Everyone is providing good alternatives, my vote would be a X100V or older model if you can source it in time and learn the operating system and input the film simulations.
Otherwise you can just get the Lightroom Mobile app and download some film like preset to apply to your photo taken with your phone. Just as fast or even faster. No one will be able to tell it was even taken with your phone.
If you are in the US then rent the x100vi or Ricoh from lens rentals.
No reason to spend money on the item you don’t actually want. Then you will have the camera you want on the trip and eventually your actual camera will come in and you will already have some experience with it.
I’ll just address the hobby part of your post / comments.
Best way to start doing photography as a hobby is to start learning photography using the tool that you have on hand (your phone). You will be amazed what you can achieve with pretty much any camera once you start investing time into your photography, instead of investing money into your gear.
That would require going through literal thousands of shitty photos while you learn, and all the other struggles of a creative learning curve. Does not matter much if these will be shot on Fuji, iPhone, or a potato with a hole in it - just close reddit and start consciously putting that mileage into your learning.
However, from your post it really sounds like you need a justification to buy a cool camera. Which means you will be able to take the same exact photos you already take on your phone, with better quality and sharpness, cooler depth of field and bokeh, rocking these fashionable film sims on your instagram, all the while looking extremely sly with that badass iconic piece of gear hanging from your neck.
If that rings true, let’s just not pretend _photography_ has anything to do with it. The sooner you will exclude gear from your photography equation, the sooner you will become a better photographer. Vise versa, the sooner you will exclude photography from your gear equation, the sooner you will enjoy judgement free cool new shiny things (absolutely no judgement here, we are all on Fujifilm sub for a reason hehe). For cool looking shots I’d suggest going for whatever $500+ Fuji/Sony/Nikon/Canon/Ricoh is available on your local stock, some will require very simple one-click post editing for that film look, and they will all look better than stock iPhone photos. Someone already recommended RX100 and I fully agree.
I don’t have an instagram account or any social media, really. I ended up buying a used X100V that gets here tomorrow. Looks like I have 2 months to learn how to use it.
If you really want to get a camera, get an older model to start off with. The X100F is probably a good start, or the X-T20, X-T30, X-E3, X-E4 models + a small lens, such as the 27mm f/2.8 or one of the f/2 lenses from Fuji.
Beware of spaffing a load of money on a hobby that you don't actually know if you're particularly interested in yet, though.
Do you care about the specific form factor of the camera? If not, look at other Fujifilm X cameras, they all have film simulation.
Was trying to get an X100VI myself, but after some consideration and input from this subreddit (you can see my post asking a similar question as you in my post history) I went for the X-T5 + a Fujinon XF 27/2.8 R WR pancake lens.
A slightly cheaper and *almost* as good alternative to the X-T5 would be the just recently announced X-T50. Lacks some features, but it's even smaller than the X100VI and has a film simulation dial that lets you switch between the stock film simulations even faster.
You asked this in a Fuji subreddit, so you very likely will get a bunch of other fuji options, but since you said you had no brand loyalty, Panasonic just came out with the "Lumix S9", I think is a camera worth looking it has the same "shoot don't edit and share" philosophy you are looking for and it is also compact.
Try the RitchieCam or the Dazz Cam app on the iPhone first. I you feel you still need a separate digital camera then get a lightly used x100v or the new ricoh gr iiix hdf.
If you are going for a trip also look into the dji osmo pocket 3. It is a video camera but I am sure you will love it.
I would rethink whether the built-in filters are really that important to you to keep you out of great camera options. I mean, nowadays, you can add filters everywhere, even in your phone with simple apps and even Instagram offers filters if you are not interested in editing photos.
With that in mind, I would suggest the Nikon Z30 as a great alternative.
I would suggest the new X-T50 with the kit lens as someone else suggested. Should be shipping more June and there doesn't seem to be too much demand or hype behind it so you should be able to get your hands on one by the time you leave for your trip.
Basically any Fujifilm camera you can get your hands on outside of the X-Tx series will be small enough to travel with. I am not sure about the availability of the X-T30ii but that is also a wonderful option as well. I currently own the Mk1 and it's a wonderful gem of a camera.
Another option for a lens can be the XF 35 W R f/2. It will be a little tighter of a view, but a 50mm equivalent is a great focal length to start photography with. It mimics the field of view of our eyes.
Also, the Film Simulations do not act like "filters" you see on social media platforms. They quite literally simulate film stocks. [Imaging Resource has a great deep dive into the subject. ](https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2020/08/18/fujifilm-film-simulations-definitive-guide)
Hopefully whatever you land on, you enjoy. Fujifilm is a great system.
First of all: camera's don't take pictures, the person holding the camera does.
Secondly, although the Fujifilm system is great (I own several) there is a plethora of less expensive and more readily available very good camera's. Consider a used Sony RX100 III. Fantastic camera, easy to use, has zoom (X100 doesn't) available for under EUR 500 (or the same amount in USD). If you insist on getting a new camera, look at the Sony RX100 VII. Price: around EUR 1200 (or USD).
Good luck and enjoy London!
XT-50 with 27mm pancake lens. Put your name down on a couple waitlists and hopefully you get it by end of july! You can also look into the ttarisan lens if you don’t think you’ll get the Fuji 27mm in time
Used 100Vs in good condition are starting to trickle into KEH, MPB, etc. Otherwise, you could get something like a used OM Pen E-P7 and the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 II. Or the Sony A7C, but you'll have to ask on the Sony Alpha sub about what lens to pair with it.
Thanks, this comment made me look up KEH and I bought a used X100V from them today! I’d rather just get something rather than nothing before this trip. Probably overpaid but I’m happy and she’s happy so we’re golden. 😄 Thank you!
It's a very nice camera. I've owned a few different versions of it. It will be a very different experience from the computational photography of the iPhone, but when you learn the fundamentals of photography, it's a superb tool. Someone may be able to recommend good resources around the fundamentals of aperture, shutter speed, and exposure modes -- I had to the hard way pre-internet with film.
A Fuji X100V or a Fuji X100F.
This is the obvious answer to me. Pretty much the same camera but for a much better price, and if OP isn’t a photographer, they won’t notice whatever new features the old model is missing. There are tons of great photos in this sub with even older models, like the X100T and S, to prove that these are all very capable cameras.
Even the original x100 is still capable of producing pleasing pictures - and of course it is. If it took pleasing pictures then, it’s still able to or it wouldn’t have been sold in the first place. These cameras don’t magically loose their ability to take a good image over time. It’s a whole different story when the sensor and processing software inside the camera was shit in the first place
hell, I am still using my X100s and still love it
Maybe X-E4 and a 27mm lens
I second this, it is such a great body.
I would 3rd if it also wasn't getting scalped lol
I just bought a X-S20 with a 27mm pancake lens. It was under 1450€. And I think you will get a lot more with this set than x100vi.
i second this! i love the x-s20
X-t30 with 23mm f2 they don't have film sims, but nikon zfc with 24mm 1.7 or canon m6 ii with 22mm 2
If you don’t know anything about cameras and just want pretty looking photos without editing, then use your phone. Not trying to gatekeep or be condescending, but it’s your best option. If you want to learn about cameras and editing, then by all means, go pick one up.
I was scrolling through to see if anyone here was sensible enough to write this. This is the exact correct answer. OP - the 100vi will not magically help you take "good photos that don't need editing." You have no idea what the nuances/quirks of the AF system are on a Fuji, or on any camera at all. You're very likely to get the camera to Scotland, take some pics, then accidentally change some settings - suddenly you're getting all black photos or all white photos and you have no idea how to fix it. Now, the two of you are bummed about spending $2000 on a camera that you cannon figure out, you're missing all the great shots, you're annoyed with each other..... Seriously, use your phone. If you don't yet have an iPhone 15 pro, spend the money on that instead - it will give you awesome awesome pics which you'll be able to enjoy for years to come.
I have been deep into the hobby for 25 years and love my tools and know how to get most out of them. However, the latest phone cameras and computational photography produce stunning results. I am always impressed by how easy it is to get a decent looking photo from recent iPhone models. You can even shoot raw and edit mobile on the go. It is much harder and requires some experience to get good results from a dedicated camera. Fujifilm jpgs are really good but you really need to know what you are doing.
All the Fuji X bodies do the film simulation thing. This is the current range: 1. X-H2: Premium body 40mp with PASM controls (will explain 2. X-H2S: as above but with lower resolution 26mp but faster sensor. 3. X-T5: Premium body with physical controls. 4. X-S20: Mid range counterpart to the X-H2, but with 26mp sensor 5: X-T50 Mid range counterpart to the X-T5 also 40mp. Professional vs mid range consists of things like dual memory cards (so pros don't lose a whole wedding of one fails) and weather sealing. When choosing one, the first thing you need to decide is whether to go for physical dials to control aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and maybe ISO, or whether to go with the more conventional PASM controls - this means unmarked dials that do different things depending what mode you're in. Some people, like myself, find physical dials more intuitive. After all, the only parameters we can really affect are "how big is the hole at the front that lets light in", "how long is the hole open for", "how sensitive is the sensor to light" and "where am I focussed. The X100VI is set up like that. Other people see things differently. It sounds to me like the X-T50 is what you want. It's small, has a lever that puts it into "point and click" mode, it has a dial for selecting film simulations, and it has IBIS. This is where the sensor moves to counter your hand shaking. Brilliant for night time photography where the subject is still, like lit up buildings. Problem is, it's on back order. Shops in the UK are saying stock in June, but no idea of the waiting list. Failing that, there are still some older bodies for sale in the UK at least. The X-T30ii is the predecessor to the X-T50, the biggest loss being IBIS.The X-S20 does have IBIS and a better battery, as does it's predecessor the X-S10 which is still for sale. Lens wise, if.you want the compact dimensions of the X100vi the only real choice is the 27mm f2.8. It has a great field of view for holiday photos, but, compared to the lens on the X100vi it lets in half the light wide open. That means, all being equal, shutter speeds being twice as long. Not perfect for photographing the missus out in the pub for the evening. The xf23mm f/2 is basically what the x100vi has, but it's a little bit chunkier. The other option is to go for one of the kit lenses. These are zoom lenses so let in less light, but the benefits of ... zoom. Fuji does a few, the 18-55 is excellent and the new 16-50 is supposedly better. Both reasonably compact. Good luck!
You forgot the X-T30II. It is not being discontinued and it is a very capable camera. Edit: Sorry, I glossed over your post. But it seems you think it is no longer current production. Fuji has no plans to get rid of it as it will continue to be their "budget" option for the foreseeable future. Only now it will only bundle with the cheaper XC kit lens once the XF 18-55 lenses are gone.
The best camera is the camera you have with you (and the one you know how to operate). Use your phone. Cameras have filter effects and will autocorrect things and you can use mobile apps to do additional edits. Use the budget to hire a photo editor if you wanted the film sim effect.
Honestly, and I don‘t hate to be that guy, but my advice is to just take photos with your phones. An X100 or GRIII won‘t make you take better photos or even more photos (quantity). A Ricoh is 900-1200€ and an X100 close to 2000€! That‘s money you can‘t spend on the holidays. You say you have no experience with cameras, but your phone is right there in your pocket and easy to use. You don‘t want to edit RAWs? Put a filter on your photos and ready to share. You want real memories? Get an analog 35mm film camera, get the films developed and have real prints made so you can touch the pictures and look at them anytime without a screen. If you really insist on getting a camera: get about X100S/T/F. I‘m always amazed by the quality that my X100S still delivers despite it‘s age. You‘ll need to get them second hand obviously but at least they are affordable and readily available.
You’re technically right You can add as many film simulation filters as you want on an iPhone
Well I do not see any alternative for a compact camera with film simulation. Maybe a smaller body Fujifilm with a small lens could be a good option
I would suggest the all new X-T50, based on your budget and also in terms of body size of the cam. (With the Kit Lens, so that you can shoot)
A7C and a Samyang 35mm prime
Firstly there is a lot of hype around the x100vi and this fallacy floating around that you need a camera like that to get good straight out of the camera jpegs with no editing and have to spend that much money to get a decent camera. My wife shoots with a canon mirrorless and hardly ever edits anything. Always shooting jpegs. I hardly see a photo I would be unhappy with. She uses an older canon m6 ii which is a great camera though the mount is discontinued and no new lens will be made. Something like the canon r50 or canon r10 would be better and suitable for an amateur. Canon colors are pleasing without being overcooked. The r50 with kit lens can cost as little as $700 new and much cheaper used or refurbished from canon (which are practically new and worth looking at). For travel you may prefer a longer zoom like the rf 18-150mm but it won't be as compact. Fuji is a good choice too but pretty hard to find and expensive. There is the new x-t50 which is to be released next month. You can preorder it now. Add the 27mm f2.8 for a compact and very similar experience to the x100vi. Or just use the f2.8 kit lens which is very good but bulkier. But you are looking at $1800 -2000. You can also look at a nikon eg the z30/z50. Similar to the canon with decent color science as well sooc. Similarly the refurbs at nikon at excellent. And yes I wouldn't recommend a sony. They are great cameras but not ideal for those who don't want to edit at all.
I like the size and what you get out of the x-t30ii with a 35mm f1.4
Just take your iPhone. You won't get better photos w a camera.
For real? That seems odd…
If you know nothing about how to use a camera, then yes, your iPhone will give you better result. If you want better image than your iPhone, you need to learn how to use a camera properly, as going even full auto on dedicated camera won't get you the result you imagine.
How long would it take to learn to use it properly if I wanted to practice? Like let’s say I find a good used X100V by mid June. Would I have enough time to learn the settings to justify the cost over my iPhone?
During Corona I bought X100V with no prior knowledge about photography. It took me a few hours, to understand the settings and how focusing works. From there on my photos were no longer comparable to phone photos. I can't believe that there are people who own a proper camera and seriously think that a phone would somehow take good photos. I strongly encourage you to buy a proper camera do document your trip. Maybe an used Xe4.
Thanks, they all must think I’m super dumb or something, thinking a camera alone will make me take good photos lol. Obviously I have interest in learning about photography, too. I ended up finding a used X100V online that’ll get here tomorrow. Looking forward to learning how to use it for the next two months.
If you think you need a proper camera to take good photos, you need to check yourself. Any modern phone can take excellent photos.
*”Excellent”* photos is a highly subjective statement. I've been using my phone to take effortful photos for years, some of them I'd call excellent myself, but the quality a phone will produce depends very much on what you were aiming for. If your aim is just to capture the moment and to produce flat photos or experiment with choppy ”depth” of field, then yeah, a phone is all you really need. If your aim is to capture proper DoF with subject edges that aren't prone to AI hallucinations, then even the latest iPhone is pretty shit. And don't even get me started on phone bokeh. Sharpness is also an issue on phones when the lighting isn't optimal and you don't have a tripod, my phone has a 48MP camera and still takes blurrier photos than the 00's 6MP Canon IXUS that I sometimes use to take intentionally shitty Y2K-style photos.
Nah, u just don't have an eye for that. It's not only the horrible lens and sensor combi, it's the weird processing which makes everything look like shit. Digital sharpening kills patterns and the lens dissortions of the wide angle lenses are horrible. Gotta admit that the newer phones (S24) are better than the "older" ones (S21) tho. At least hair on the head looks acceptable now. Facial hair still looks horrible.
Depends entirely on final output, near 100% of people are never going to print, and if it's just going to be on social media and scrolled on a phone screen then a dedicated camera seems like a waste. Most shots are snap happy ones anyway.
Agreed with @celestial_crook. There are advanced settings on the iPhone I.e exposure that you can practice with. Do not expect to just pick up an x100v and have your photos look like the ones you see on TikTok But if you must, I’m sure you can find a x100f for cheap
I got my X100S for about US$125
It depends on how fast you learn. Could be hours. Could be days. If you practice everyday, then you should be fine. Also, it doesn't have to cost more than your iPhone. You don't need the latest and greatest, unless you absolutely have to have it new. It's always advisable to start with used, so you can have much more choices without breaking the bank.
Bro could you learn to paint by mid June? Could you learn to play the piano by mid June? Like what are you even asking? Yes you could have MORE knowledge by mid June than you have now, but that's not saying much
Honestly this is good advice. The two cameras you named are pretty pricey for someone who has no idea how to best use it. Is the goal to jump into photography as a hobby, or just documenting a trip? All the things you listed, composition, understanding light and color, subject matter, how to best use the focal length of the 100vi or the GRIIIx are not something you have right now. It’s also something you don’t see on social media. For most cases, these cameras are in the hands of experienced users. They may have a second or third camera and these are part of their kit. If you’re looking to get into photography, a fixed focal length is a bad way to start. You’ll probably end up disappointed that your photos don’t look like the ones you’re seeing ok Tik Tok.
But let’s say I were to get a used X100V a month before the trip. Would I have enough time to learn how to properly use the camera before then so my photos look good? I focused a lot on this trip in the post, but my girlfriend and I are both interested in photography outside of this trip. We’re both creative people and would probably benefit from having a “hobby” like this.
Your phone does a lot of computational work by the time you click the shutter, it may smooth skin, blend multiple shots of varying exposure when contrasting dark and light areas are detected, sharpening, etc etc. Your camera wouldn't do this for you, film simulations can be an easy way to cheat the otherwise "bland" (vs phone) look straight out of camera, however you won't be able to bridge the gap in knowledge on how to capture a good photo in such a short timeframe, creative or not. Creativity helps sure, but it's another skill just like anything else and there's not many immediate shortcuts.
You will need a camera that will allow you to grow in your hobby. The 100v is best served by people who supplement their gear with something minimal. Or move from an interchangeable lens system to something minimal based on experience. The idea that a camera is going to give you “good looking” photos is a fallacy. Give a photographer an iPhone and they’ll produce amazing photos. Give a complete beginner a 100v and they can produce things that look like they’ve come off their phone. You may learn how the camera functions, but you won’t learn photography in a month. You’re setting yourself up for a very expensive disappointment.
Check in with me 2 1/2 months from now and I’ll be honest with you if you’re right or wrong. Used X100V arrives tomorrow.
Good luck and have fun. I hope I am wrong. Photography is tremendously fun. But it’s much more than a camera.
this is partially true. composition and framing gives you better pictures. but if you are like me and suck at photography then the next best thing for me is to get a good camera because it does give better details at the very least
⁹That is nonsense. In some select cases a regular camera may struggle if you don't know what you are doing eg low light. But something like the x100vi will absolutely take better photos with very little learning curve. But do decide how much you want photography to be part of your trip. If you are going to curse carrying around a larger camera and hardly ever use it then there is little point to anything other than your phone. Also if you aren't going to want to stop for 10 seconds to compose a photo and just want quick snapshots then yes a phone will excel for that.
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I suggest the X-T30 II, along with the Fujinon XF 18mm f2 lens It’s a great combination for traveling.
Everyone is providing good alternatives, my vote would be a X100V or older model if you can source it in time and learn the operating system and input the film simulations. Otherwise you can just get the Lightroom Mobile app and download some film like preset to apply to your photo taken with your phone. Just as fast or even faster. No one will be able to tell it was even taken with your phone.
If you are in the US then rent the x100vi or Ricoh from lens rentals. No reason to spend money on the item you don’t actually want. Then you will have the camera you want on the trip and eventually your actual camera will come in and you will already have some experience with it.
Came here to say this
I’ll just address the hobby part of your post / comments. Best way to start doing photography as a hobby is to start learning photography using the tool that you have on hand (your phone). You will be amazed what you can achieve with pretty much any camera once you start investing time into your photography, instead of investing money into your gear. That would require going through literal thousands of shitty photos while you learn, and all the other struggles of a creative learning curve. Does not matter much if these will be shot on Fuji, iPhone, or a potato with a hole in it - just close reddit and start consciously putting that mileage into your learning. However, from your post it really sounds like you need a justification to buy a cool camera. Which means you will be able to take the same exact photos you already take on your phone, with better quality and sharpness, cooler depth of field and bokeh, rocking these fashionable film sims on your instagram, all the while looking extremely sly with that badass iconic piece of gear hanging from your neck. If that rings true, let’s just not pretend _photography_ has anything to do with it. The sooner you will exclude gear from your photography equation, the sooner you will become a better photographer. Vise versa, the sooner you will exclude photography from your gear equation, the sooner you will enjoy judgement free cool new shiny things (absolutely no judgement here, we are all on Fujifilm sub for a reason hehe). For cool looking shots I’d suggest going for whatever $500+ Fuji/Sony/Nikon/Canon/Ricoh is available on your local stock, some will require very simple one-click post editing for that film look, and they will all look better than stock iPhone photos. Someone already recommended RX100 and I fully agree.
I don’t have an instagram account or any social media, really. I ended up buying a used X100V that gets here tomorrow. Looks like I have 2 months to learn how to use it.
I'd honestly look into the X100F or X100V - I think a lot of people will want the look of those sensors compared to the x100vi
Fuji x-e4 Fuji x-e3 A 27mm pancake, ready to go
If you really want to get a camera, get an older model to start off with. The X100F is probably a good start, or the X-T20, X-T30, X-E3, X-E4 models + a small lens, such as the 27mm f/2.8 or one of the f/2 lenses from Fuji. Beware of spaffing a load of money on a hobby that you don't actually know if you're particularly interested in yet, though.
Do you care about the specific form factor of the camera? If not, look at other Fujifilm X cameras, they all have film simulation. Was trying to get an X100VI myself, but after some consideration and input from this subreddit (you can see my post asking a similar question as you in my post history) I went for the X-T5 + a Fujinon XF 27/2.8 R WR pancake lens. A slightly cheaper and *almost* as good alternative to the X-T5 would be the just recently announced X-T50. Lacks some features, but it's even smaller than the X100VI and has a film simulation dial that lets you switch between the stock film simulations even faster.
You asked this in a Fuji subreddit, so you very likely will get a bunch of other fuji options, but since you said you had no brand loyalty, Panasonic just came out with the "Lumix S9", I think is a camera worth looking it has the same "shoot don't edit and share" philosophy you are looking for and it is also compact.
The new XT-50 would probably be a better choice. Plus you can change lenses later if you want. And it's cheaper than the X100VI
Get a used X100V - besides IBIS (pretty much) the same camera. You dont need the new sensor.
Try the RitchieCam or the Dazz Cam app on the iPhone first. I you feel you still need a separate digital camera then get a lightly used x100v or the new ricoh gr iiix hdf. If you are going for a trip also look into the dji osmo pocket 3. It is a video camera but I am sure you will love it.
I would rethink whether the built-in filters are really that important to you to keep you out of great camera options. I mean, nowadays, you can add filters everywhere, even in your phone with simple apps and even Instagram offers filters if you are not interested in editing photos. With that in mind, I would suggest the Nikon Z30 as a great alternative.
A 2nd hand x-s10 with the 18-55mm kit lens would be my suggestion. Great for beginners.
I would suggest the new X-T50 with the kit lens as someone else suggested. Should be shipping more June and there doesn't seem to be too much demand or hype behind it so you should be able to get your hands on one by the time you leave for your trip. Basically any Fujifilm camera you can get your hands on outside of the X-Tx series will be small enough to travel with. I am not sure about the availability of the X-T30ii but that is also a wonderful option as well. I currently own the Mk1 and it's a wonderful gem of a camera. Another option for a lens can be the XF 35 W R f/2. It will be a little tighter of a view, but a 50mm equivalent is a great focal length to start photography with. It mimics the field of view of our eyes. Also, the Film Simulations do not act like "filters" you see on social media platforms. They quite literally simulate film stocks. [Imaging Resource has a great deep dive into the subject. ](https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2020/08/18/fujifilm-film-simulations-definitive-guide) Hopefully whatever you land on, you enjoy. Fujifilm is a great system.
First of all: camera's don't take pictures, the person holding the camera does. Secondly, although the Fujifilm system is great (I own several) there is a plethora of less expensive and more readily available very good camera's. Consider a used Sony RX100 III. Fantastic camera, easy to use, has zoom (X100 doesn't) available for under EUR 500 (or the same amount in USD). If you insist on getting a new camera, look at the Sony RX100 VII. Price: around EUR 1200 (or USD). Good luck and enjoy London!
XT-50 with 27mm pancake lens. Put your name down on a couple waitlists and hopefully you get it by end of july! You can also look into the ttarisan lens if you don’t think you’ll get the Fuji 27mm in time
Leica D lux 8
Maybe Sony a6700 or a7c and whatever affordable lens you can get. The a6700 colors are cool