Jacksonville Florida with the Fuji XT1

I’ve been #TeamCanon since my first digital point and shoot camera that I received as a high school graduation gift in 2004, the Canon PowerShot SD110 ELPH, which I affectionately nicknamed Elphie. Throughout college, I was a bit promiscuous- testing the waters with Casio, Sony, Samsung- and even had a brief affair with a Nikon D50, which was promptly exchanged for a Canon XSI. Since that moment, I had vowed to remain true to my first love.

Call it The Seven Year Itch, but a few years ago, I found my gaze lingering towards the Fujifilm X100. Still not swayed, I waited for two iterations while they perfected their technology and style. When Fuji debuted the X100T and the desire was still palpable, I caved.

The *only* limitation of my beloved X100T is its fixed lens. If only I could combine the beauty, compactness, and performance of it with the flexibility of my Canon 6D system… oh wait! Enter stage right, the Fujifilm XT-1… basically the X100T, with interchangeable lenses (including an equivalent to Canon’s 85 1.2L for HALF the price).

There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of reviews online touting the pros of the Fujifilm X series, so I won’t spend much time discussing the powerful sensor, engraved metal dials, or dynamic film simulation modes. The best way to describe how I feel about Fuji cameras is that the images they produce speak to my soul.

I left my Canon 6D and 50mm 1.2L lens at home while traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for work last week. My travel companion was the Fuji XT1 and Fujinon 35mm 1.4R lens, and I didn’t miss the heavy DSLR once. The beautiful Florida sunlight and my Blockbuster Lightroom preset were just what I needed to test out the new system.

The trip convinced me to retire my Canon 5D Mark II. (any takers?) I’ll keep the 6D for now, in case I do any more weddings, portrait sessions, etc… but will be shooting with my X100T and XT-1 for any personal use. It’s official– my Fuji fling is a forever thing.