The Fujifilm X100VI is Changing Photography (and now I understand why)

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I've spent over 2 months traveling cross country using the Fujifilm X100VI almost exclusively. For years I never understood why anyone was buying this camera considering it's a fixed lens, with a camera sensor you can get from much more affordable cameras, and it can't take images any better than much more affordable cameras can. So why is everyone buying this camera? Why is it sold out? After using it for months, the answer is not what you'd expect unless you've used the camera.

To me the Fujifilm X100VI has marked a new era in the photography industry. It's a turning point that typically happens every decade or more in photography. This camera (and many like it) are about the experience of photography. These cameras don't exist to take the absolute best images with the best stats, they exist for something you cannot see on a stat sheet. The experience of photography is becoming more and more prominent when we can all take great images with even our phones. I explore this in depth within this video.

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0:00 The x100vi is Changing Photography
1:44 Why is Everyone Buying the Fujifilm x100vi?
4:54 How Did I Get an Fuji x100vi?
9:11 My 2 Month Experience With the Fuji x100vi
15:17 Is the Fuji x100vi For You?

[AlexArmitage]

EVERY Image in this video is straight out of camera. Zero edits. I didn't even fix horizon lines. Nothing.

[Dhanushh]

Is it the instant satisfaction of clicking a ready-made photo that’s so visually appealing, which you can quickly share with friends, family, and on social media makes you enjoy that immediate experience. In contrast, taking raw shots and editing them later feels more delayed—where the satisfaction only comes at the end, not while you’re actually shooting.

[neglectedloves]

I can relate so much!
My work camera is also a Canon R5, a true workhorse and extremely reliable... BUT I always associate it with work and my Fuji XE4 is my travel companion, my everyday-in my bag-camera and it's so much joy to shoot with it...
lovely photography and fun to watch video 🙌🏻

[john_in_Berlin]

More of this. Charming, intelligent, humble - a guy with a camera sharing his experience. Congratulations on hitting the sweet spot.

[Gamalon]

I couldn't agree with you more. I got my x100vi and it really delivers on the promise of "digital film." On my trip to Italy, it was so nice to have this to slide in and out of my coat pocket and take hundreds of images ready to share with family and friends without any editing. It's literally been a joy to use. I disagree though -- I think people do need this camera; people like me. Professionals who fell out of love with the hobby they once had. If you don't want to pick up your camera to take pictures for the fun of it, if the tools you use don't inspire you to use them, it's time for a change. For me, the x100vi gave me a newfound joy for photography, and I couldn't be happier. You'll have to use it to understand it, if you haven't yet.

[louisburley]

Going out with no expectations is genuinely the best experience. I went out scouting for the aurora and I happened upon my favorite autumn image of all time. I didn't plan for it. It just happened.

There are rainbows out there, we just gotta go find them.

[ArtMeripol]

Well done. I’ve been saying this for years. It is so nice to see someone wrap it up so well. I’m a pro. Carrying my R5 means it’s work. A different mind-set. My phone is great but it’s not my vision. The first one I had was the X100f. I liked it in theory but it never felt natural to use. It never got out of it’s way to let me photograph. I bought the 100v when it came out and it was just right. Loved it ever since and have preached what you’re message here is to anyone who would listen. For years I walked my dogs daily in a nature preserve near me. This camera became my ‘dog walking’ camera. Others could not believe I shot what I did with it and loved the canine landscape photos. Last night I sat outside handing out candy on Halloween and kept it in my lap and photographed kids as they filled their bags. My R5 would have been too much but the phone would not have given me something I was happy with. The 100v was the perfect mix of being a photographer but being about what I was shooting and being unencumbered. There will be some here who will hate on this camera, it’s ‘looks’ or it’s price or whatever. They just need to experience it and find the camera that offers them what this one offered me, a pleasure to use.

[Rick-rfom]

I sold my X100F in January to fund the purchase of a X100VI. Due to the ridiculously long lead time of the X100VI I bought another (as new) X100F and didn't realise just how much I missed that camera. So much so that I now have no plans to replace it with a VI. My first camera was an Olympus OM10 with a 50mm prime which I bought in 1984. That's all I needed then, and being in the military it traveled with me everywhere documenting life wherever life took me. In those days I dropped the film into a local lab and got the prints back 4-5 days later. I got what I got, much like the way I approach photography with my X100F now, like you, JPEGS straight out of the camera. Yes, I have other cameras but the X100 is just a joy to use. Glad that you're enjoying yours too!

[CzarekKukowka]

Hi Alex. For the exact reason - I am using Fujifilm for 3 years now. Different approach - I have a X-T50 with pancake 27mm f/2, 8mm for the compact, X100V-like experience. No edits, SOOC - I am in love.

[ab.collage]

I have the x100s and the xT1 and I am a diehard Fuji fan girl. I love using the x100s. Most of my favorite images and memories are from using it.

[noreply-mp]

Just got my x100vi - All those images look like something out of a movie, really cool man!

[Jack_Meadows]

You really nailed the point of this camera, and were able to showcase some of the beautiful images that it can create. It’s not about the tech specs, but instead about the entire experience, this camera can deliver. I as well have a pro mirrorless set up, and the X100 is still my favorite grab and go set up. Subbed!

[leanderhoefler]

I had quite a similar experience when I picked up a used M11 recently. It makes photography enjoyable, playful and more challenging again. Especially if it‘s your day job.
But I would even go as far and say I care more about the end result than the experience - that‘s what kept me from buying a „fun“ camera for quite a while. But to my surprise I found that when you enjoy the experience more that also results in better pictures. You experiment more, try new things and want to shoot longer. Couldn‘t be happier with this purchase.

[hikingff]

I was just talking about photos straight out of cameras, as jpegs, with no need for editing. This camera and the shots you've shared are exact examples of how simple photography can be without getting bogged down in the infinite details of lenses, bodies, etc. I am no pro, but I enjoy the photography that I do and could never spend hours editing photos without it being my real job. I really have enjoyed this video, I like the back to the roots feeling.

[NeonShores]

I ordered my X100VI in February and have been waiting months for it. Actually kind of forgot about it and figured it would show up one day. And that it did. Out of the blue without even a shipping notification it showed up Friday evening and just using it on Saturday was just a joy. Can't wait to shoot more.

Now I just need to try a bunch of recipes to see what I like...there's too many! But that's a good thing.

[qizhang]

It's about the mindset. The original purpose of photography is to capture the moment.

[Ronin]

The X100VI offers a great photography experience and I find it worth the price even if it is considered exaggerated or sold at a higher price than listed. a camera that brings great feeling that nothing else can replace.

[RegCoulter]

Alex,

Great video, thank you. You’ve expressed me feelings precisely. Having owned a lot of cameras as a professional photographer (now retired), like you, I go to the stage where I associated cameras with work, so did not want to take work with me, when I was not working.

I purchased the original Fuji X100, and experienced a real epiphany in my photography. The enjoyment, for the experience came back. It was rather ‘healing’. I’ve now owned every version of the X00 series and am waiting for my, long ago ordered, X100VI.

[alexkooistra]

Exact same experience here. I love my Fuji x100vi for daily walks and travel

[erwinkruger-haye]

My wife and I just spent almost a month in Italy and London…she took no pics with her R5 and I shot under 300 on mine.. We used our X100vis all the time and had fun…did we come back with the images I had come from the other side of the earth to get?
No, but we had so much fun playing, using the recipes, shooting jpeg and being challenged with a single focal length….and realising, as you say, that very few “ perfect” images were hanging in galleries or printed in books…

We climbed on the plane slightly jaded and returned re energised and excited…

We found so many functions like multiple exposure and Toy camera by accident….as lifelong Canon shooters we had a learning curve..

The stabilisation is superb as is the AF…non spare battery, just a power bank….It was an amazing experience… and did I mention FUN…

On a side note, everyone commented on my wife’s amazing, cool camera (she has silver) and no one noticed my all Black x100vi and did not acknowledge me or engage about the camera😅😅.