Some time ago, after one too many trips where my Sony ZV-E10’s screen was barely visible under the harsh sunlight, I decided I needed a viewfinder after all. I had always thought if I get another camera, it would serve a different purpose than my current one, since there’s no reason to own more than one of the same “level” cameras.
My small Sony ZV-E10 was tiny, cute, and easy to carry, but lacked a viewfinder. Of all the Sony cameras that had a viewfinder, the only ones I liked (and was in my price range) were the Alpha line (6400-6600), but it was so close to what I already have, with the addition of a viewfinder, getting one seemed redundant.
I’ve been interested in Fujifilm’s film simulation concept for a while now, so I contemplated between a X-T30, X-T5, and X-S20. In the end, I settled on a X-T5 for the features, but while I was waiting for the model I wanted to be back in stock (it’s off and on in back order1), I thought, “why not buy used?” I don’t need the latest and greatest. So I scoured eBay for a X-T3. I ended up buying from a very nice person2 who took care of it and kept it in low shutter count.
Since the only lens I had that could work on this was my Minolta lenses with a MD-FX adapter, I started with one of my Minolta 50mm lenses. I took some aesthetic shots of it using my Sony ZV-E10 and my Cokin center spot filter. These photos are dated September 5th, but I have my hands on some X Mount lenses now.
I also played around with my Cokin pastel filter. It was fun taking these photos, and and I posted a photo (with my phone) of my ZV-E10 taking photos of my X-T3 for laughs to my Instagram stories. As much as I like the look and focal distance of my Minolta 50mm, the old lenses are heavy, and the X-T3 is much more heavier than my tiny ZV-E10, so the combination made this very heavy for my weak wrists, and I spent some time in a mild crisis over whether or not I made the right decision getting this.
Now though, writing this late at night on September 15th, after I’ve taken the X-T3 out (with a lighter lens) for some photos, I’m pretty happy with the results and I don’t have any regrets.
Anyway, all this to say I’ve got at least two cameras3 now and I’m looking forward to learning how to better use the Fujifilm line in the future.
Footnotes
- I briefly entertained the idea of getting a X100VI before I realized everyone wants one and Fujifilm is never going to make enough for this to be available. I don’t know why nearly everything they make is out of stock and how they keep doing this… ↩︎
- I really like the idea of giving used items new homes and adopting things. I think it adds character to an item. The person I bought this from took great care of the camera and I’m happy to continue that tradition. I usually keep the stuff I own in mint shape. ↩︎
- While I was trying to get my hands on a X-T3, I thought to myself, “why not go even older?” and looked into their smaller bodies (X-Pro and X-E). Between entertaining that idea and also trying to get my hands on the all-too-popular XF 27mm lens, I ended up buying a pretty banged up X-E1 with the old version (not WR) of a 27mm attached to it, which was a great deal. Prices for all Fuji is insane on the resale market right now since so much is back-ordered. People are bidding so high for any 27mm lens available, and I refuse to pay more than MSRP for it, especially the old, non-WR version. I might write about my X-E1 in the future, but lol for now I will say I technically own three cameras… ↩︎
