Why I Left Fujifilm

In recent days, I shared some photos of a couple of cameras that were not Fujifilm and mentioned that my main workhorse camera would no longer be a Fuji. To my surprise, my comments and DMs were flooded with people asking why, congratulating me, or expressing their disappointment. I’m writing this blog to clearly explain why I switched, for anyone who’s interested.

What did I use before?

My original photography kit was entirely Fujifilm-based. My workhorse cameras were the Fuji X-H2S and X-H2. My fun cameras were the X-T5 and X100VI. As for lenses, I had the f/2.8 zooms and f/1.4 primes. These were reserved for the larger bodies, while a few smaller f/2 primes were used with the X-T5. I’ve been using Fuji cameras since I began photography around seven years ago, and until now, I hadn’t ventured into other brands.

What do I use now?

There will be a separate blog about my current setup, but to keep it brief: I now use a Sony A7R V as my workhorse camera and a Leica Q3 43 as my fun photography camera. I will keep the Fuji X100VI as my daily carry. Lastly I have a Sony A7CII as a backup. For lenses, I have the Sony 24-50mm f/2.8, 16-25mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/4. For primes, I own the Sigma 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm f/2 lenses. In the future I plan to experiment with the f1.4 primes too.

Was the switch sudden?

Although it might seem sudden in terms of purchasing the gear, this decision had been on my mind for over a year. I came close to switching a few times before but never quite committed, for one reason or another. However, after over a year of contemplation, I made the decision last week.

Are any brands involved?

No, there are no brands involved. I have no contact with Sony or Leica, and they most likely don’t even know I exist. I wouldn’t want this switch to be sponsored by a brand, as that would compromise my ability to fairly review the equipment.

Was the switch expensive?

Yes, it has been costly overall. Once I’ve traded in my Fuji gear, it will offset the expense a bit, but I’m still thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Is the switch difficult?

Not at all. A camera is a camera, and anyone with a brain can figure out how it works in less than a day by experimenting and Googling things they don’t understand. Adjusting to the files and adopting a new editing approach takes some getting used to, but as I’ll explain later, that’s part of the reason for the switch.

Why Sony?

Of all the brands, Sony is the one I’ve had experience with before and genuinely enjoyed using. I know some people dislike them, but I personally loved the A7 IV. Sony also suits my shooting style best in terms of layout, functionality, and features. It’s the most compact system with the widest range of lenses. For me, it was either Sony or nothing. Expect many detailed blogs on this camera and system in the future.

Why Leica?

While the Sony is fantastic for getting work done, it feels a bit like a computer, which is great for when I need the camera to get out of my way. However, I wanted something more stripped back for when I want to enjoy photography at a slower pace. Although the X100VI was intended for that purpose, I honestly struggled to fall in love with it. The only other option that caught my eye was the Q3 43. Yes, it’s very expensive, but since photography is my job, hobby, and passion, it’s an investment I can easily justify. Like with the Sony, you can expect many future blogs about the Leica.

Why leave Fuji?

This is the part most people are curious about. There are several key reasons:

Lack of professional features

In recent years, Fujifilm has increasingly targeted the beginner market with its APS-C cameras. While they’ve introduced features I consider gimmicks (e.g., film simulation dials), they’ve neglected updates for professionals. Compared to Sony, the X-H2 is missing many critical features. For instance, I still can’t program individual custom buttons for photo and video modes. This might seem trivial, but for hybrid shooters it can be a pain. More on this in another blog.

Decline in build quality and reliability

The X-T3 was built like a tank and felt premium. By comparison, the X-T5 and X100VI show a noticeable decline in build quality. I’ve also experienced reliability issues with nearly all my Fuji cameras, with many requiring repairs. Most recently, the paint on my X100VI began peeling on a hot day. Prices are rising, but quality seems to be dropping.

Autofocus issues

Autofocus has worsened with each update. While shooting in Vietnam with the 18mm f/1.4 prime, autofocus in AFC mode was slow. Switching to AFS helped, but that misses the point. In video, AF was even worse, with frequent hunting during talking-head segments, prompting comments from viewers. On a £2,300 camera, this is unacceptable, especially after numerous firmware updates.

Over-reliance on Fuji colours

I realised I’d become too reliant on Fuji’s colour profiles as a base for editing. When editing Sony files earlier this year, I struggled to achieve the desired colours straight away. As a professional, I need to produce my vision from any modern RAW file without relying on a specific brand’s aesthetic or colour science.

Content creation opportunities

Switching brands opens up opportunities to create new content for a fresh audience. Since writing blogs and creating videos is a significant part of my income, this pivot makes sense from a business perspective.

Avoiding a label

I noticed I was becoming known more for the brand of camera I used than for my work. Some even referred to me as “Mr Fujifilm” or “a Fujifilm photographer.” No serious photographer wants to be defined by their gear rather than their art. Switching brands will, I hope, shed this label.

Boredom

After seven years with Fuji, I know the system inside out. With nothing new or exciting on the horizon, I felt I’d outgrown the brand and needed the challenge of exploring something different.

Will I keep any Fujis?

Yes, I will keep the X100VI as a daily carry camera and out of all the Fujis, it’s the one I enjoy using the most. The rest of my Fuji gear will go.

Will I make a video on this topic?

I don’t think so, this blog covers everything, and I don’t feel the topic warrants a video unless there is enough demand.

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