For most people Fuji might not sound like a worthy contender when they consider getting a camera in the world of Nikon’s and Canon’s. Where it is always about the big 2, Fuji hit the sweet spot since the launch of X100 which I have been drooling over for a long time. Since the X100, there has been X10, X-Pro 1 and very recently X-E1. You don’t say No to Fuji when you are offered to take the amazing X-Pro 1 for a ride. Thanks to my friend Brian for recommending me to Fujifilm Middle East and a big thanks to Fujifilm ME for letting me have the X-Pro 1 along with the fantastic prime lenses to cover the 41st National Day Celebrations in the UAE.

Its been a couple of weeks with the equipment and I was surprised how my initial ‘jeez’ changed to ‘omg’ in a short while when you spend some time the the camera. I am primarily a Nikon user along with my always in the bag cam being a m4/3 lumix. I do keep trying various brands very often, so I didn’t really need to open up the users manual to figure out the X-Pro. Most stuff you need is right there at your finger tips. All we basically need for making a picture is a good eye and nailing down the exposure triangle (Aperture, Shutter, ISO). Selecting focus points could have been improved as its a bit of hassle to dig in deep. And how I wish I had spare set of batteries for that day. Focusing, a bit on the slower side but you get used to it and can figure out how to make it behave to your liking. Patience pays off when the images pop up on you big screen. The X-Pro 1 has been in the market for a while now and there will be enough reviews that show the Pros & Cons, so I don’t have to talk about most of the things all over again.

The good thing of Fuji is the response to correct the cons with new firmwares. We all love a company that listens to its end consumers and Fuji tops on that front. And when we talk of image quality, there is nothing that comes close to it in its class. It’s a class apart. I love shooting at high ISO and this sensor knocks the shit out of most beginner to mid-range DSLRs. I have been thinking of replacing my old m4/3 with another camera but held back on the upgrade. Probably a good time to shift once I get my hands on the X-E1 and that should make a permanent place in my everyday bag along with the XF 35mm 1.4.

Scroll through the images below for UAE 41st National Day parade held in Downtown Dubai. Missed getting the crazy stuff happening around at night as the battery gave up.

Thanks for scrolling through, though the scrolling seems infinite with a lot of pictures. Hopefully I will figure out a way to add slideshows someday