Fuji X100S Street Photography
UPDATE: Please see the wedding I photographed completely on the Fuji X100S!
Update! I’ve had a lot of requests to see what the images look like SOOC, without any post-processing. So, I’ve got one for you from the set below. Even before you look, I can tell you– the camera is sharp and produces beautiful tones out of the camera, even when you don’t have the most ideal settings. What I mean by that is, this shot is at ISO 1600, yet it looks wonderful. It’s also at f 2.8, which already has the reputation of being sharp on this lens, but my understanding is f/4 or 5.6 would produce an even sharper image. F/2.8 is plenty, plenty sharp! Other settings were– a shutter speed of 1/250 and shot as jpeg with all the default settings left as is. Grab the full resolution file here- Fuji X100S Photo
After receiving the new X100S from Fuji yesterday (see initial photos), I got to hit the streets of Denver today for a couple of hours. I took the camera for a little spin and it did not disappoint. I shot all these photos as jpegs files. It’s such the perfect walk around camera. Its small size and silent operation make it easy to fit in to the activity on the streets around you and discretely photograph what you want. The added functionality and performance over the X100 make it that much more of a treat to use. I am keeping an account of my findings with the new camera–its pros and cons–and will be periodically updating and adding my thoughts. Check back for that, but also be sure to check back in about a week–as my next big outing with the X100S will be to shoot an entire wedding with it.
Please see more of my work here and feel free to leave a comment or get in touch!
Facebook comments:
Shooting a wedding with just the X100S? Takes guts, Brian.
March 3, 2013 at 5:07 am
Oh, concerning the b&w images – were they OOC JPEGs?
March 3, 2013 at 5:08 am
Everything was shot the same– jpegs with all the default settings. I made things b&w in Lightroom.
March 7, 2013 at 9:59 am
Wow, fantastic series. Great work as usual.
March 3, 2013 at 7:19 am
For a couple hours work it looks like you got a great hit rate. Do you think you got more photographs that you like from from camera than you would have got out of your current kit?
Also are all the effects straight from the camera or post?
Great work!
March 3, 2013 at 9:21 am
Thanks! Um, hard to say if I got a higher hit rate. I have two other kits– Canon 5D3 with assorted lenses. I doubt I got more hits with the X100S than that– but maybe the same… at least with these photos. More movement, the 5D3 would have better success, because it’s AF system is Amaaazing. The other “kit” is the X100. There’s a chance the X100 could have missed focus a little more, but maybe not. You never know with that thing.
March 7, 2013 at 10:03 am
Thanks for showing one of the first sample pictures from the x100s. Can you show more images straight out of the camera without artsy filters?
March 3, 2013 at 8:29 pm
This is how I make my photos. There are many, many examples of X100S photos that are SOOC all around the internet. Did you check Flickr?
March 7, 2013 at 10:00 am
fresh from camera? or effect?
March 4, 2013 at 8:23 am
I’ve edited the jpeg files.
March 7, 2013 at 9:57 am
Hi Brian,
I love your pics))) I really enjoy what you can get out of Fuji x100/Fuji x100s
Could you be so kind and tell us how do you PP these pics? Are you using presets, like VSCO? or your own “customized”? Thank you in advance!
P.S. you really inspire me:)
Best regards,
Alex
March 6, 2013 at 6:45 am
Thank you, Alexandru! It’s my own customized editing in Lightroom.
March 7, 2013 at 9:58 am
Thank for your response
Would be happy to get a x100s, sold my x100
Keep it real)
March 8, 2013 at 8:59 am
I think the camera is great, but is it better than the X100 with latest update? I’m not totally convinced yet and probably won’t be until it has had a few firmware updates (as no doubt it will get). My own problem would be swapping out my gorgeous limited edition black version of the X100 for the silver version of the X100S, so I will wait and see what happens over the next nine months or so before making some decisions about upgrading. I agree with the others on the processing which you say is your style, but to me the images, though nicely captured, lack in contrast. But hey ho!
March 10, 2013 at 3:47 am
Yes, it’s better than the X100 with 1.30.
March 11, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Hi,
A quick questions if you don’t mind
1. The photos are SOOC or edited?
2. How did you do the split image? was it in PS or you can do it on the camera?
3. So as the double exposure. Is it done in PS or camera? If camera, can you please guide me to find the settings as I can’t find it
Thank you! Love the images by the way! You are pretty much convincing me to buy one
March 11, 2013 at 11:14 am
1. Edited.
2. By split image, I assume you mean the ones where I used the reflections off windows.
3. There’s no double exposure in this set. You can do double exposures with the camera though– it’s one of the Drive Modes.
March 11, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Thanks for your reply:)
By split image I meant like the one with couple holding hands and it’s a mirror image and also the combination of a building with people in cafe?
Can you please share how that is done?
March 11, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Those are both reflections.
March 11, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Great photos!
The first one with the sky scrapers looks like cover art for a sci-fi novel created with paint or CGI. It’s incredible!
How did you do it?
March 11, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Received my X100s today and tried it out. I am having several alerts on the screen though, saying “turn off the camera and turn on again” after using manual mode and macro. Have you experienced this?
March 12, 2013 at 7:58 pm
The one I have is a pre-production model that Fuji sent me directly and it acts very odd (although I’ve never seen that message), but I assumed most/all of it is because it’s not a production model. Sounds like there’s a bit of an issue with even the production model though. I did read today about distributors in the UK receiving a firmware update from Fuji, which they need to install before selling. Maybe (?) that addresses the problems you’re having??? I would keep an eye out for any release of a firmware update. I definitely would love to get my hands on one as well!
March 13, 2013 at 3:40 pm
Terrific. Thank a lot for taking the time. I’ll definitely come to this site to find out more and inform my acquaintenances about this site.
March 15, 2013 at 12:18 am
Hi Brian. Nice work sir! I am very interested in the Fuji X100S as a “travel” system, but have a hard time convincing myself to sell my Pentax K-5 kit. I like the sharpness I get from my K-5 and Pentax Limited lenses, but think and hope that the Fuji X100S would equal or better that sharpness. Please see my images to get an idea of what I shoot. What is your feeling about sharpness and detail from this camera? Not having Image Stabilization, is not a big deal for me, as my serious work is done via tripod anyway. Thank you,
Steve
March 25, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Steve- If you can deal with only a 35mm equivalent less, then yes–I’d say the X100S would be an amazing choice. It’s so compact and discrete– perfect for travel. In terms of sharpness and detail, I do think the X100S is as good, if not better than the K-5. Looks like you don’t shoot in low light often, but I did see some. The X100S is way cleaner at higher ISOs than the K-5. If you care to use other focal lengths though– definitely don’t go for the X100S.
March 25, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I agree. My thanks for posting this. I will return again to read more and inform my people about your writing.
April 21, 2013 at 5:57 am
Hi,
I would really like to buy the fujifilm x100 and after seeing your photos I totally felt in love with this camera and your way to use it!
I only got a question, I don’t know if you’re gonna answer because maybe you won’t reveal your secret
the answer is: is that a photoshop action you use for this “low contrast -white” color you have in every photo you posted here? or is an effect inside the camera?
thank you and keep on doing this amazing art!!
ps: sorry for my bad english!
May 15, 2013 at 1:53 am