A New Fuji X Convert
Yes I could use my phone. In fact, this photo of my X-T200 is shot on iPhone 11. But when you’re at a protest, the last thing you want is for your phone to run out of juice…
I’ve cheated on film. Again. This time I got myself a Fujifilm X-T200.
I was deciding whether I should upgrade my Canon EOS APS-C DSLR setup or go mirrorless once and for all. I had been looking for quite sometime to buy a digital camera that is lightweight, inexpensive, and can shoot proper videos. I already have access to full frame Canon EOS and Sony a7 for work, so this would just be for my fun personal everyday use. The X-T200 seems to check all the boxes.
Also, I have not been traveling much for obvious reasons, the only few occasions I get to do photography these days is at the protests. And it’s getting a bit expensive shooting film at protests. Since I didn’t have a digital camera that wasn’t a Leica (I don’t want to risk it getting smashed, wet, lost, or stolen) or an old and slow system (the EOS I have is from 10+ years ago), I was also in the market for a feature heavy shooter that is portable and not fancy; one that I can just toss in my backpack and go.
Road blocks, made up of used shipping containers, set up by the police to prevent protesters from reaching the Government House during their #หมู่บ้านทะลุฟ้า protest march on Saturday March 13, 2021. Fujifilm X-T200, with XC 15-45mm f3.5-5.5 OIS PZ, at 23mm f3.5 1/850s ISO200
The video capabilities on the X-T200 are also pretty good; it shoots in 4K and has an external mic jack, which my D-Lux 109 is lacking. Auto-focus is also an appreciated luxury, especially when you need to be quick and spontaneous, which my Leica M-E definitely does not have. This thing is also so small and light, thanks to the supplied, and very capable, Fujinon XC 15-45 f3.5-5.5 kit lens that is mostly plastic. I got an additional Fujinon XC 35mm f2 as well, which I think I will make it my default.
So far I am loving it. I doubt I will ever upgrade to more pro models like X-T4 or X-Pros as I just don’t have a need for them. The X-T200 is an entry-level camera yes but it has everything I need to make good photos and videos. And since it’s about 10 months old now, the price is just insanely cheap at the moment.
So if you’re just starting out in photography, or an advanced shooter who needs a secondary camera to your already professional or legacy systems, this is definitely it. No regrets.
A makeshift curtain made with post-it’s, written with messages protesting against the use of the draconian lese majeste law, which is the Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, at a protest near the Government House on Saturday March 13, 2021. Fujifilm X-T200, with XC 15-45mm f3.5-5.5 OIS PZ, at 23mm f3.5 1/180s ISO200
