Update: After reading this be sure to check out images that relate here at my new post titled, “Fuji X-Pro1: Ditching the Huge DSLRs to Shoot Models”.

With the recent rumors about a new firmware update and lenses that will speed up focusing and boost performance, as well as the addition of a few new X series cameras coming to the Fuji line-up, I have begun to find it difficult to justify keeping more than one DSLR camera body. As it stands I own two Canon’s. A 5DMKII and, as a back up, the 7D. The decision to rid myself of the 7D would be an easy one if I didn’t depend on the video function on the both of these Canon bodies. If I only shot stills it would be a no-brainer. The 7D would be on Ebay!

Since graduating college this past May, I have been shooting mainly journalistic style images and pictures of people and models. No longer am I on the field shooting sports. Several images I have made with the Fuji have been published and looked awesome next to images shot by the big DSLRs.

Just in the past few weeks I have, most times, left the DSLR in the car while shooting with models in the area. The only times I used the 5DMKII is for portraits. That is only due to the fact that I do not own a portrait lens for the Fuji as of yet (Still waiting on the 56mm) and rely on my Canon 70-200 2.8L for portraits.

I find that with the X-Pro1, I prefer to shoot in RAW and use Lightroom 4 to process those images. Despite what has been reported by other photographers, I havent had any issues using this process. Of course, I am not really into all the tech talk and pixel peeping. I just want to shoot, edit and be happy. Plus I have been using a lot of B&W conversions and muted tones with a bit less color than normal. Perhaps this is the reason I am not seeing any blurred colors. That said, I do quite a bit of post processing in both LR4 and in Photoshop with no issues to speak of.

REASONS:

1. Low Light Performance

The low light performance on my X-Pro1 was something that I thought only matched my 5DMKII, but after shooting a model a few minutes after the sun set with only a little sunlight lighting the sky from beneath the horizon in a dark alley, the 5DMKII could not give me the images that I wanted while the Fuji excelled.

2. RAW Processing

With my DSLR’s I shot everything in RAW. It was all I knew. After reading up on the X100 which I seriously considered purchasing prior to buying the X-Pro1, I was convinced that I would be shooting mostly in JPG mode with the X-Pro1. However, when Adobe decided to finally release software updates for the Fuji, I quickly began shooting RAWs again. At first I shot both RAW & JPG, but I dont like having to erase excess files after the fact, so just today I decided to switch the camera to RAW exclusively. Perhaps if I begin to shoot more color shots and see the blur that others seem to complain about, I will switch back, but for now this seems to be just fine for.

3. Size

Everyone knows the X-Pro1 is smaller and lighter than a DSLR. You just don’t realize how much easier this makes life for you until you actually get a chance to switch to something smaller and lighter. With new clients, I normally pull out the DSLR to show that I own one but then I explain to them that I prefer using the Fuji because it just outperforms my large cameras in many situations. No one has questioned me on this yet, but there is always tomorrow. LOL..

4. Prime Time

Primes are mostly faster and force you to get some much needed exercise to get the shot! Run don’t zoom! While I do own and use prime lenses for my DSLRs, the better ones are quite costly and extraordinarily heavy. The Fuji primes are tiny in comparison and give me the same, if not better quality and performance. Plus they are cheaper. As of right now, Adorama and B&H are offering $300 off the35mm and 18mm if you purchasing them with the X-Pro1. Thats just $299 per lens! Awesome deal and I wish I was just today buying into the system.

5. Image Quality

This last reason is the best one. The quality of the images I shoot from my Fuji almost always amaze me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my 5DMKII as well, but the Fuji has quickly become my go-to camera for every situation that I can make it work for. If it was able to handle situations better prescribed to a DSLR(sports, fast focusing for moving subjects, lagless viewfinder, and excellent video), I would sell off both of my DSLRs as soon as the X-E1 hits the stores and have these two Fuji’s as my main camera and back-up.

Conclusion:

Mirrorless cameras are definitely making photographers rethink the tools that they carry on jobs these days. I will embrace the technology and enjoy every last minute of shooting with smaller and lighter cameras.

Update: After reading this be sure to check out images that relate here at my new post titled, “Fuji X-Pro1: Ditching the Huge DSLRs to Shoot Models”.