The pleasure and ... the pain!: the Fujifilm X-Pro2

If you are looking into my modest photo bag, you will certainly notice the contrast between the presence of two opposite camera model design and interface: the Fujifilm X-S10 and the Fujifilm X-Pro2. The first one (X-S10) can be called an action subject captor and the second one (X-Pro2), a classical photo composer. Although the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is an excellent traveler camera (urban, casual, intimate, etc.), this older Fuji X-mount model have the other interesting quality of being simple to use with a less extended interface menu to deal with. Only the absence of any in-camera stabilization sensor system (IBIS) may be seen as a disadvantage by some photographers (which I agree to a certain extend).

Following my usual compact camera criteria, the Fujifilm X-Pro2* have a rather big camera body alongside with somewhat larger control dials and function buttons that are making most parameter manipulations easier to do and secure. And many of those functionalities are cleverly done such as the auto-focus look (AF-L) that can be used to pre-focus the attendee subject leaving at the same time the front focus lever to its continuous position (C). Some reviewers compare the Fuji X-Pro2 with the Leica M series models which is, in a sense, an incorrect analyst because the X-Pro 2 is an automated camera model at first rather than an exclusive manual one (especially in autofocusing optionality).

One of the very specific features regarding the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is the presence of its optical viewfinder (OVF) that mimic the old optical viewfinder of the great rangefinder camera era. Although the focusing system of the X-Pro2 is using a complete different technical and hardware principle, some advantages have been retain such as be able to see outside the frame of the lens focal selected for anticipating the subject final composition getting a non-distracting view of the subject without any image sensor interpretation (a "raw" view if you prefer). For other photographers that prefer to preview as much as possible their final picture before taking it, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) can fulfill the task like many other mirrorless camera models. The EVF option is also a better viewing option when you are coupling a zoom lens with the Fuji X-Pro2. At the end, the Fujifilm X-Pro2 viewfinder options are unique in this market (interchangeable lens camera, ILS).

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 offers less than many other Fujifilm X-mount series models. For examples, no moveable rear LCD screen; no internal electronic flash; no (complete) Auto switch or control dial Auto position; no filter or special effect interface. But as a "pro" camera model, the camera body construction is suited for an intense use in adverse conditions.

The freedom of creativity is often opposed to the diktat of technically and modern photography and is one of the best illustrations of this dilemma. Getting be too much involved by the multiple interface (and parameters) possibilities can simply kill the enthusiasm and the motivation generated by a creative impulsion. It can also have the tendency to force photographers to replicate the algorithms embarked into the camera CPUs. But, on the other hand, automation is a good thing à priori because it prevents to be overwhelmed by purely technical challenges that are eventually stop spontaneity and enthusiasm to take pictures.

If you are looking for an "intended" photo in regard of the basic parameters of a picture such as image rendering, shutter speed, aperture/deep of field, composition, shooting moment, all of these can play a fundamental role to your final picture. But some of those technical adjustments may be less important and will depend of the context and of the goal of doing this particular imagery. The reference algorithms are based on a widespread image analysis of sometime thousands of photographic situations and the final parameter adjustments applied to them, but there are common bias that can restraint many constructive pictorial creative attempts. Working with a simpler interface camera to technically pre-set like the Fujifilm X-Pro2 opens larger original imaging possibilities.

In view of the newest Fujifilm X-Pro3, many of us may ask if is it still pertinent to stay with or choose the Fujifilm X-Pro2? In fact, those two successive Fuji camera models have a different personality despite their optical viewfinder central characteristic. And it is mainly du of the different LCD back screen design interpretation. In one case (X-Pro2), the LCD is a fixed one with direct visual reference that is been aligned with the lens axis. Moreover, the X-Pro2 LCD screen can be activated exclusively to review your already done pictures. On the X-Pro3, the LCD screen is movable but in an off-camera position which seem to me more intended to use it as an after taking-picture reference and its natural closed intended position is obvious. Time will tell which system will be favored if Fujifilm persist or not in that trend for future X-Pro designed cameras.

If you are asking what the best camera would be to choose, you may simply confuse yourself with all the different reviews, diverse statistics or even with the good-intended advice that will create a final confusion without any help to select a definitive camera model. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is definitively no more, five years after its 2016 introduction, the flavor of the month. Its availability (as new) is almost non-existent now, but it remains a solid valid choice for basic reasons like its optical-electronic viewfinder, its simplicity to use and its obvious durability.

More about the Fujifilm X-Pro2!
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* Nobody is perfect for us and certainly not a specific camera model. The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is a large size camera comparable to a Leica M10 (35mm image sensor format) in dimensions although the Fuji is weighing notably less and because of its "rangefinder" design with its off-center viewfinder, it is an easy camera to hold with your right hand.

The Fuji X-Pro2 optical viewfinder (OVF) is still puzzle me a bit and I have found that it is better suited to use it in conjunction of a fix focal lens. Comparatively, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is the perfect tool when using a zoom (variable-focal) optic. In both cases, the autorotation (horizontal-vertical) info display is a very pleasing feature.