Honey, I’ve been seeing my Ex
“Honey, I’m sorry, but I’ve been seeing my Ex…” – Does this sound familiar to you? Well, don’t worry, we don’t mind.
Before buying our first Fuji, most of us came from another camera system. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, Ricoh, you name it. In most cases, the previous cameras were sold on the second-hand market to finance the purchase of your new Fuji, or just to free some space at home.
But some of us chose not to sell it, either because its value in the used market simply wasn’t worth it, or because of some feature that we were used to, and that our Fuji doesn’t have or doesn’t do it as well. Or even, why not, because after years and years of use, that camera has acquired some sentimental value. And this post is dedicated to all of you who allowed their Ex to stay at home 🙂
In the comments below, tell us why allowed your Ex to stay living at home:
- What was your previous camera system, and why did you switch to Fuji?
- Why did you keep your previous camera?
- Please share a photo of your Ex and also a photo taken with it.
The best 3 stories will be published in the next issue of our magazine. And each of the 3 winners will receive an annual subscription to our magazine!
If any of the winners are already subscribers, the next renewal will be free of charge.
The jury will comprise the Fuji X Passion editorial team, plus a very special guest: Eduardo Asenjo Matus
 | Eduardo Asenjo Matus was born in Valdivia, Chile. Street photographer, a former student of Architecture and Graphic Design, Fujifilm-X Chile and Tripodes.cl ambassador. www.instagram.com/eduardo.asenjo.matus www.eduardoasenjomatus.com |
Submissions will be open until September 28th. Tell us everything in the comments below. The deadline has started to count!
Hugo Pinho
September 21, 2020 @ 11:09 am
I will be the first to tell you all about my Ex.
I am one of the early adopters of mirrorless camera systems. At a time when DSLRs seemed to be the future of photography, I soon realized that the right camera for me was a mirrorless one. In 2012 I used two cameras, both from Sony. The Nex-7, a camera quite advanced for its time and that came to define everything that the A6000~A6600 line is today. And also the A77 which, although it looks like, is not a DSLR, it is an SLT, which allows you to use DSLR lenses but with an electronic viewfinder.
Eventually, I ended up moving to Fuji for its magnificent design and intuitive use, which allows us to focus on the subject, instead of the camera settings. I started with the X-Pro1 and the wonderful XF35mm F1.4, and later the X-E3 with the XF23mm F2.
The Nex-7 ended up damaged after a seawater bath, but the Sony A77 I still have it with me, as I can’t sell it.
In the used market it’s worth next to nothing, but that’s not why I don’t sell it. The A77 accompanied me for years on trips to everywhere, withstood the cold, heat, rain, dust. Actually, to remove the dust, I used to wash it under running tap water. I took thousands of pictures with it, and it never let me down.
All the features that today we are all looking for in a camera, the Sony A77 launched in 2011 already had them:
– 24 Megapixels
– IBIS (in-body image stabilization) which works great for video
– Weather sealing
– 12fps continuous shooting with autofocus
– 1080p60 with autofocus
– 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder
– 1/8000th maximum shutter speed
– Built-in GPS
– A superb tilt/swivel 360º LCD screen, the best system I have ever seen on a camera and that no other brand has done
– Mic socket
– Dust shake sensor cleaning
Of course, nowadays when I leave home, I grab one of my Fujis, because the Sony A77 is huge and heavy. But every now and then I still use it for a couple of shots, just to recharge the batteries. Muscle memory is something very interesting, because when I grab the A77, my fingers know the position of all buttons even with my eyes closed.
Hugo Pinho
September 21, 2020 @ 11:10 am
Sony A77, Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM @18mm, 1/80″ , f/2.8 , ISO 2500
Albert Smith
September 21, 2020 @ 3:05 pm
I’ve been shooting for 50-plus years, so I was about a half a dozen generations of “exes” in before I transitioned to Fujifilm.
I was last using Nikon DSLRs with about a dozen current Nikkor lenses as well as about 20 older manual focus Nikkors that are usable on my digital bodies.
After going 100% digital, I kept all of my film cameras, Nikons, Leica Ms, and Rollei TLRs. I always resented selling photo gear, often re-buying items, so I just keep everything.
I currently have a Fujifilm X100, X-T2, Xpro2 and an X-E3.
I have the 16mm, both f/2.8 and f/1.4, 23mm f/2, 35mm both f/2 and f1.4, 50mm f/2, 60mm f2.4 and the 18-55mm zoom.
I also have adapters to allow use of my Leica lenses and my manual focus Nikkors.
Every once in a while, I take out my DSLRs and quickly remember why I jumped into Fujifilm with all my enthusiasm.
fujixpassion
September 21, 2020 @ 3:34 pm
It’s an impressive collection that you have there, Albert! If you could share a “family photo” here, even if it isn’t with all the members, it would be perfect.
Hugo Pinho
September 21, 2020 @ 3:39 pm
I do understand you, Albert. I do! 🙂
A few months after selling my Contax G1 and G2, I deeply regretted it. They were in mint condition, and now I can hardly recover them, neither in that state nor at the price for which I sold them.
Albert Smith
September 21, 2020 @ 6:13 pm
He has his daddy’s eyes…
Albert Smith
September 21, 2020 @ 6:18 pm
Don’t know what happened… photo did not load.
Albert Smith
September 21, 2020 @ 6:23 pm
And…
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:41 pm
Wow! That thing is a monster.
Carlos Rivera
September 21, 2020 @ 6:46 pm
Im not sure if it counts, but for me was the other way around. My first slr camera was the X-T2. I decided to sell it and the lenses to help fund a sony a7iii. Great camera, but as soon as i shot the first photo, i regretted selling the x-t2. I was mad at myself. The sony gives me great “professional” photos, but definitely doesn’t have the “soul” fuji has.
For a while i thought the whole thing about the fuji difference was sort of BS, even though i loved my x-t2, and took a practical “professional” decision to switch. Boy was i wrong. Went and got an x100v. Got the “soul” back. Still getting used to the focal length, as i used to have the 35f2 on the camera 75% of the time, it just feels right.
armando rafael
September 22, 2020 @ 2:04 am
Armando Rafael
I came from the Nikon family had a Nikon d80, d200 and d600 alone with all the lens 35mm, 85mm and the 70-200mm .
After developing muscles and back pains from carrying this equipment around I slowly ventured into the sony a6000, great little camera used it during my South America trip to Uraguay and Argentina…. Then during a Fuji Xpro2 demonstration at a local camera store …. I picked up this gem of a camera and it just felt right……. it was light, adorable and fashionable …. I bought the camera and the rest was history….
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:41 pm
White snow with the background of a white wall and windows panes with one spot of colour. 👏🏽
armando rafael
September 22, 2020 @ 2:26 am
Armando Rafael
I came from the Nikon family had a Nikon d80, d200 and d600 alone with all the lens 35mm, 85mm and the 70-200mm .
After developing muscles and back pains from carrying this equipment around I slowly ventured into the sony a6000, great little camera used it during my South America trip to Uraguay and Argentina…. Then during a Fuji Xpro2 demonstration at a local camera store …. I picked up this gem of a camera and it just felt right……. it was light, adorable and fashionable …. I bought the camera and the rest was history…. I still have the Nikon d200, d80 was stolen during the Jazz Festival and gave the sony a6000 to my son, which he used during his 5 month vacation trip.
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:39 pm
Armando, I like how this composition gives a sense of the expanse of the beach and the solitude that these two beach walkers are enjoying,
Chris
September 22, 2020 @ 2:25 pm
I started my Photo/Video Journey 2011 with a Canon 550D and jumped to a 5DMKII a few years later and now, i still own both of them. I got a lot of lenses for them, like 24-105f4, Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART, SIGMA 70-200 2.8, the Canons 50/85mm 1.8 and a 10mm Fisheye from Sigma.
2015 i bought my beloved Sony A7s MK1, which, is still standing on my desk. I used it with an adapter for the Canon Lenses and i got really, really good at manuel focusing, becausing it was just really, i mean REALLY bad at the adapted Mark 1. The Sony went with me to Trips in Norway, England, Japan and to Holidays in Austria/Germany. We build kinda a Relationship, i saw the Northern Lights on Camera and not with the eyes. That was just crazy… i did shoot a commercial project this year with the 5DMKII. It was just on Point and i really felt slightly nostalgic, because i knew it was a beast… and still is… BUT
…after i finished collecting a complete Set of Vintage Canon FD lenses for filming my A7s decited that she’s entering the street of retirement. Shutting of out of nowhere, eating SD-Cards ect …
Then my XT3 landed. Man, i can not say how much of a joy it is to go out with it and film and make memories. I got an adapter for the Canon Lenses and FD Lenses, but i also got the viltrox 23 & 33mm 1.4. Even if i still love the Sony A7s, i made soooo much more Photos/Memories with the XT3 right away. It’s different. A good difference.
I’m really looking forward what my viewfinder and i will see and yeah, having back a AF is also a handy tool. 😉
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:30 pm
I don’t have Albert Smith’s 50+ years of experience and high-end cameras or Armando Rafael’s extensive collection of Nikon bodies and lenses.
Between 2006 and 2018, I owned two Nikon digital cameras. I had long felt that the Nikons I owned and many of the cameras (Sony, Canon, Olympus, Panasonic) that I had rented/borrowed over those years were more like gadgets than cameras. Fujifilm came around the corner with the Fujifilm X-Pro1, Fujifilm X-E1, and started to develop a new system with apparently excellent lenses; I was very close to switching when they released the Fujifilm X-T1. But I hesitated.
When I finally broke up with Nikon in 2018, it was a clean break, literally. The last Nikon fell off a table, breaking the mirror box. I took that as a sign. I knew what I had to do. I dumped all my Nikon lenses and other gear on MPB, and I bought a used Fuji X-T2 and XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR shortly after the X-T3 was released. A few months ago added the XF27mmF2.8 to aid my new interest in street photography. The switch was not because of technical specs but because of the way the Fujifilm cameras feel when operated. My choice of camera is about how I prefer to interact with my camera. I love that my Fujifilm X-T2 has dedicated single-purpose individually marked dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, and the metering mode. I like the layout of the retro-styled controls that allow me to make quick changes without jumping through menus. The Fuji feels “right” in my hand, a “real” camera with tactile knobs and dials just at my fingertips.
But my first camera is a Pentax P3(P30) with an SMC Pentax-A 50mm f/2 lens, which I purchased 33 years ago for a college photography class. I used it until 2000 when I bought my first digital camera, a Sony DSC-S70 point-n-shoot, my primary camera until 2006. My wife and I were spending too much money on developing film. She was shooting about a roll a week, documenting our new baby’s daily life.
I still have both of those cameras. Inspired by the community on 35mmc, I recently restarted my use of film cameras, shooting rolls Ilford HP5 Plus 400 and Kodak Ektar 100 using my P3. Last year, while doing some end of summer cleaning, I found my Sony DSC-S70, bettered and some Sony memory cards in a box in the basement. The lens was clear, but the batteries were no good. A quick trip to Amazon.com, and I had two new batteries. The reason I still have these two cameras is they remind me of where I started. Each is a bit of nostalgia.
Apologies for the comment length.
7 September, 2019 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S70 | Carl Zeiss 7-21mm f/2-2.5 @ 9.3 mm | f/2.0 | ISO 100
7 September, 2019 |Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S70 |Carl Zeiss 7-21mm f/2-2.5 @ 9.3 mm | f/2.0 | ISO 100
Pentax P3 | Pentax-A SMC 50mm f/2 | Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Pentax P3 | Pentax-A SMC 50mm f/2 | Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:32 pm
I was not able to attach or embed images captured on these cameras.
Pentax P3 | Pentax-A SMC 50mm f/2 | Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:36 pm
7 September, 2019 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S70 | Carl Zeiss 7-21mm f/2-2.5 @ 9.3 mm | f/2.0 | ISO 100
Khürt Louis Williams
September 22, 2020 @ 3:45 pm
I attached the images from the “Exes” to the comments.
Michael Mesh
September 22, 2020 @ 4:46 pm
Photography is my hobby for more than 50 years.
First cameras were different models of Zenit and I has my own small lab to develop B&W films and print photos. In 2002 I have purchased new Nikon F65 for my daughter and from this time the photography is our mutual hobby.
When digital cameras start to arrive I decided to try one and got Olympus C750 UZ (4 MPs and 10x optical zoom). In 2003 my daughter and me traveled across Scotland for few weeks with both Nikon and Olympus cameras. We were really impressed about colors and quality of photos produced by Olympus and our digital journey is started. During the time we got 2 Olympus cameras with more MPs and better zooms; Nikon D70, D5200, D5300 (still have); D7000 and 2 D750 (still have both) and different lenses.
We traveled a lot with all our cameras (sometimes packed light but sometimes with serious weight of cameras, lenses and tripod) and got many great photos which provide us with good memories.
While I like my cameras I think my story is more about photos rather than about equipment.
Nikon D750 is real workhorse with great auto focus and amazing low light capabilities. But every time I looked at my photos I thought that something is missing here in comparing with photos SOOC from my old Olympus.
For sure I tuned my Picture Control parameters in the camera and can tune almost everything in the post processing but this is not what I like to do- sitting against monitor and make changes .
I still dreamed about obtaining best photos straight from the camera- and preferably JPEGs. On this way I started to read different magazines (include Fujixpassion) and visit different forums.
Long story short- I was strongly impressed by photos published in Fujixpassion magazine and on Fujixweekly.com . People specially mentioned great Fuji colors and JPEGs (as well as film simulation options).
In February 2020 my relatives abroad bought for me Fuji X-T30 with 18-55 mm lens. I was supposed to visit them in March 2020 but cancelled my trip due the COVID problem.
But decision was taken- to try mirrorless camera and go with Fuji.
So in the May I bought Fuji X-E3 with 23mm/F2 lens and started to have a fun. When my X-T30 will arrive to my home I will have 2 bodies and 2 lenses which hopefully can cover most of my photography interests.
With X-E3 I am still on the learning curve but already can say that I greatly satisfied with photos I am taking – colors are absolutely good to my taste and JPEGs are good as well. I can only agree with many Fuji users that camera design, weight, size and ergonomics are so nice and special -makes my hobby be much more interesting and pleasant.
This brings me back to my Ex…
Now I have a photos which I like – and straight of the camera . This remind me a time when I used my first digital camera Olympus C750 UZ. I don’t use it now but I keep it and camera in the working condition. Few years ago my friend took this camera with him to safari and came with good photos:).
I will attach few photos taken by Olympus. They talks by themselves.
Michael Mesh
September 22, 2020 @ 4:47 pm
And one more from Olympus..
Michael Mesh
September 22, 2020 @ 4:51 pm
As was requested I am sharing a photo of my Ex (s)
George R de Vries
September 24, 2020 @ 6:20 pm
Shooting since 1963… My most recent Ex is a Leica D-lux-5 that I bought in 2010. I sold it because I wanted a camera with a viewfinder… After some playing with Olympus cameras I finally got me a like-brand-new Fujifilm X-E2. I love it to bits, mind – but I have still to learn how to make intuitive photos like I did with my Leica. I had the vision – the camera made the picture. Magic ! Never had that feeling before, or since…
Maybe I should… Oh well.
George R de Vries
September 24, 2020 @ 6:38 pm
What I mean…
Keith Wee
September 28, 2020 @ 1:08 pm
My ex was a most interesting camera, the Olympus E-M5, literally the one that brought the microfourthirds mount to the world’s attention.
The E-M5 was proudly one of the first few forefathers of mirrorless cameras, and I believe led many innovations, for example IBIS. Think real world tested weather resistance in a small enough package with good enough optics like a 12-35/2.8 I could bring along when I surmounted the Base Camp 1 Mount Annapurna and this is one key reason why this camera has never left me even after a good 8 years. Till today the camera still functions and that is testament to the build of the camera.
Over time, it was not that Olympus MFT couldn’t keep up but as I settled more into photography I simply drifted into Fujifilm and next thing I knew I had settled firmly into Fujifilm, not just as a user but also as an reviewer and in a way, grew to have a family of like minded friends with the Fujifilm community and I guess this contributed to the move from Olympus to Fujifilm.
Now the camera stays as a reminder of how I started photography and also, my roots and I guess, sentimental reasons.
Keith Wee
September 28, 2020 @ 1:10 pm
Here is a shot from my trip back then in 2013 with the camera to Annapurna. One of my most loved shots from the trip.
Jess Martin
September 28, 2020 @ 3:20 pm
My Ex, the Nikon.
I’m a local family and lifestyle photographer in the Ottawa Valley region of Ontario, Canada. I worked my way up from the very bottom starting with the purchase of a d5200 years ago. I eventually ended off with a pro body D3 before making “the switch!”. I made the switch for a multitude of reasons but the primary one for me personally was weight. Overtime I had gained injuries in my wrist from the constant weight of the gear. If anyone has had the opportunity to shoot with pro Nikon bodies you know they are not light weight by any means especially with a zoom lens attached (which although is odd to most people that shoot families but for me it’s one of my favourite lenses to shoot with).
I didn’t realize that once I gained my xt3 bodies and my fujinon lenses how much my
style of photography would evolve.
Being a family photographer my clients genuinely want what they see on my feed and nothing short of that. They don’t want surprises or different colourings they want exactly what they see just with their faces instead as opposed to mine or any other clients. Therefor, it was important to me to adapt a style that was reflective of that and Fujifilm allowed me to do it. I created a style that is rustic, moody and highlights an abundant amount of reds and oranges throughout my images which is ideal when we are swimming in large portions of green here in the Ottawa Valley. It has a beautiful way of balancing it all out. When I now look back to the weight being my reason for the switch I quickly realized there was so much more reasoning behind it I just hadn’t noticed yet.
I will forever be grateful for the switch and will always appreciate the amazing equipment I have today. I continuously urge others to do the same. The bigger the camera doesn’t make you the better photographer.
Shannon Reiswig
September 29, 2020 @ 12:43 am
I think I’m better off starting this with a disclaimer:
She DOES NOT like being called the Ex. Instead… we shall refer to my life-long friend with extended benefits as AE-1.
We still live together but we have separate bedrooms.
When we met, it was love at first sight. She just felt right, and lucky for me she was a hands-on kind of gal. She gave me full control and performed beautifully.
Months faded into years, and sadly she fell ill. Somedays she didn’t like me touching her and somedays she would be so stubborn that she would refuse to open her eye. Succumbing to her illness, she let the light in.
I quietly put AE-1 in her room to rest.
Honestly, I don’t exactly recall how it happened. All I remember is another lady caught my eye, a real looker. She had a lot of the similar qualities physically but what she had inside made the real difference.
Her name was X-100T.
What a knockout! We went everywhere together and were inseparable.
She was so radiant, bursting with color and liveliness. She wanted to be loyal, but let’s be honest she was a little conservative with her point of view and don’t get me started about how she couldn’t hang for several hours at a time.
I was naive, I thought she was the one but I was wrong.
I needed something more, then it happened.
She was so different from all the others. She was shy and didn’t like to show her face in public. As we’ve grown together she’s been able to show me several different perspectives I had never seen before. It’s the craziest thing one minute I’m wide eyed and can see the world and the next minute I’m focused in on one detail far off in the distance.
Her name is X-Pro 3.
Don’t get me wrong, every now and again I go into the bedroom where AE-1 is and I look at her and remember all the good times we shared. I could never give her up, even now in the state that she is in.
I love her so much I got her likeness tattooed, forever by my side.
Shannon Reiswig
September 29, 2020 @ 12:45 am
Below is an image taken with the Canon AE-1
Shannon Reiswig
September 29, 2020 @ 1:00 am
I’m hoping I’m not disqualified! I’m in the US and it was 6:43PM still on the 28th here.