Up until this point in my life all my pictures have either been taken with my grandfathers old Konica film camera or my iPhone. Well, maybe at some point I had a flip phone, or some random point and shoot camera in high school that I maybe used 5 times. I have been saying I want to get around to getting a camera for a long time now and I decided this year I was going to do it.
I have been going back and forth for a long time between DSLR and something like the Fuji XE-1. Last year I REALLY was close to picking up the XE-1 but I waited. Then the x100 and x100s were getting a lot of talk and I started trying to decide between the XE series or the x100 series and then I just gave up for a while.
About a week into the new year I had a chance to get an x100s at a great price so it forced me to either decide I was going to wait and go DSLR or jump and pick up the x100s. I went back and forth with the idea and I kept thinking about the ability to change lenses and expand my camera and all that stuff. Normally I am the type of person that loves buying something that is great quality one time and being able to expand upon it and get a ton of use out of it. I love going down the rabbit hole with hobbies (ask anyone who has seen my board game shelf) but with photography I think the thing that has kept me from getting into it for so long is that very type of thinking. Its exhausting, the thought of buying a big DSLR then toting around lenses and a tripod or a light meter and a bunch of other accessories just sucks the fun out of the whole idea for me. The reason I love shooting pictures so much with my iPhone is because its simple and I love seeing what I can do with in the confines of what my phone offers. I love trying to set up a good shot and seeing what you can do with what you have. Researching lenses and looking at prices stresses me out, too many variables too many options. When I go out to shoot what lens do I bring? Do I bring all of them? I will just bring all my bags just in case. Or maybe after I take a shot Im wondering if that could have been better if I had that nicer lens or the right lens. If I could just spend a little more and get that nicer lens THEN my shots would be really good.
I do love helping people shoot, I have assisted a lot in the previous agency I worked at and I still shoot weddings with friends all the time and I enjoy it. But I would never want the pressure of trying to have all the right gear to shoot my own. Trying to keep up with whats new and best and the constant money sink that it can be really scares me away from it.
Well I ended up going with the x100s, it was too good of an offer to pass up. I know people have complaints about it but one thing I have learned while reading photography blogs is people have complaints about every camera. I am super happy to have something that takes good pictures and there is enough going on with the camera to keep me learning and busy for a long time, but not too much where its overwhelming. Its small and easy to tote around, it fits right in my work bag. I don't ever have to worry about shelling out a bunch of money for different lenses. For me, where Im at right now its perfect. I will be experimenting with it a lot this year and posting some stuff when I have them. Im looking forward to seeing how I feel about this camera over the year. I feel really good as of now that I made the right choice and I think my wallet will be thanking me for keeping it simple. I have only been able to take test shots in doors recently because of all time low temps outside so here are some terrariums and books.
