I Went to a photowalk in the French Quarter last night. It was sponsored by Fujifilm and Luminar.

I hate going downtown, but I don't have any experience with Fujifilm and was hoping there would be some product testing. Turns out... yes!

After chatting up the young lady from Luminar, I was able to try out the new x100vi for a bit.

They got a local photographer to lead the walk; Devonte Williford.

The x100vi is a blast to shoot with. There’s something about cameras with a minimalist form factor that just improves the photography experience. My Sony cameras are vastly superior to my Canon m6 mk ii, but I just enjoy shooting with the Canon over my Sony cameras, because it’s so much simpler in design. The same applies here.

But as fun as a camera is, it doesn’t mean much if the camera doesn’t produce great images. The x100vi certainly does that. These images are clean and sharp with nice color.

I suppose color is something that has to be addressed when it comes to Fujifilm cameras. One of the big selling points for them seem to be their “film simulations”. You can choose from a number of set “film looks” in camera to produce a certain look that you want straight out of the camera. Whenever youtubers/ influencers discuss the Mark V or the Mark VI of these cameras, they talk about the film simulations as a selling point. It shouldn’t be. These film simulations amount to filters, just like you would find on Instagram or Snapchat.

If you like that, fair enough. But it doesn’t make a lot of sense to shoot that way unless you’re doing it for fun. Don’t get me wrong, the filters don’t ruin this camera by any stretch of the imagination. But I really didn’t bother trying them out.

There are a few big negatives to this camera.

First, the layout and the menu. This wasn’t a camera that was friendly to product testing. I literally thought the shutter speed dial was the ISO. And I never managed to figure out how to change the ISO while I was using it. While I’m sure a bit of time to play with it would have revealed what I needed to know, it shouldn’t be that difficult to figure out one of the three main functions on any camera.

Secondly, the lack of interchangeable lenses is not practical. The 23mm lens is a 35mm equivalent, which is pretty versatile, but it won’t cover every situation. Having that nice, tight pancake lens is great… right up until you need to shoot a subject at a distance.

Finally, the price. $1600 is too much for this camera. It just is. It’s a great camera that will yield some great results and would be great for travel photography. But not at that price.

There are better alternatives for much cheaper. Get the Sony a6400 or the Canon m6 mk ii. Both of them have a similar body style to the x100vi. And if you buy them used, you can probably get a couple of lenses with the bodies for the same amount. Granted, you won’t have snapchat filters or be as hip. But you’ll have better autofocus, by a mile.

Look, I liked the x100vi. I wouldn’t even mind owning one as an everyday carry camera. I just wouldn’t pay that price. I kind of wish Fujifilm had done something bold and just made this exclusively a stills camera. The could have probably improved a lot and charged less. Not every camera needs to be a hybrid still and video camera. Especially a camera like this. You’re not going to buy something like this to shoot video.

Anyway. Would I recommend it? If you have a ton of money and this isn’t going to be your only camera? Yes. If you’re looking for your first camera, absolutely not.

Incidentally, I do want to thank Fujifilm and Luminar Global for sponsoring the photowalk. I had a great time.