Let me give you a little tip: If you ever hear the word “Fujifilm” and the phrase “would you be interested” in the same sentence, the answer should always be yes. That was exactly my response when I was asked to try the new FUJIFILM X-T100. Full disclosure, I am already an enormous Fujifilm fan. I’ve owned the X-T20 since last fall and am slightly obsessed with it. But the X-T20 is the only mirrorless camera I’ve had a chance to get my hands on, so I was thrilled to try out a different model. This opportunity came at the perfect time too, because we were really starting to get into the full swing of summer. I knew my boys (four and freshly turned seven) and I would have plenty of adventures worthy of documenting.
Having a camera that fits in my purse means I never miss a moment.
First things first, I have to start off by telling you my absolute favorite thing about this little workhorse: It’s so teeny and lightweight! For the two weeks I had the pleasure of borrowing the X-T100 it stayed in my purse in a zippered section. It was so liberating to know that I always had a capable camera available at my fingertips no matter where we went. With it neatly tucked away in my purse, our summer adventures could begin!
I love using the flip screen to capture new perspectives.
It doesn’t truly feel like summer around here until we’re able to start heading to the pool on a regular basis. We have the most generous neighbors who let us use their pool and my boys are determined to wear out their welcome. I love to take my camera when we swim and challenge myself to create something unlike anything I’ve shot before. At the pool it can be easy to fall into the trap of shooting the same thing over and over, so I’m constantly looking for new perspectives. The flip-out LCD touchscreen on the FUJIFILM X-T100 was perfect for helping me get a few shots from above.
My other camera, a DSLR, does not have a flip screen, so for overhead shots, I pretty much just hold my camera over my head and cross my fingers that it catches focus where I want it to. Being able to see the screen while holding my camera over my head with the X-T100 makes these types of shots so easy.
I love to try and capture the not-so-obvious shots at the pool, too. Getting the detail of the water droplets on their skin is one of my favorite ways to do this. I can just feel the heat of summer when I look back at images like this.
The FUJIFILM X-T100 helps me photograph life with two active boys, even in full sun.
When we’re not swimming, the Oklahoma heat pretty much requires us to find some sort of water activity to do. Water guns, water balloons and sprinklers, oh my! Shooting with a camera and lens combo that is quick to focus is key. I have to be able to get the shot and then dodge the water as fast as I can. My boys are ruthless!
I was excited to take the X-T100 to our local splash pad. It was so nice to have something smaller and a little less intrusive when out in public where there are a lot of other families. I brought along the FUJINON XF56mmF1.2 R lens and was excited to shoot with a shallow depth of field for some pretty water bokeh.
One feature of the X-T100 that really came in handy on this adventure is the option to switch from a mechanical shutter to an electronic shutter. With this model, when shooting with the electronic shutter, the camera has the capability of shooting with a shutter speed of 1/32,000 (seriously, that is not a typo). Because of this, coupled with its exceptional electronic viewfinder, I was still able to shoot wide open at f/1.2 in full midday sun.
Focus peaking totally takes the guesswork out of manual focus.
Another thing about Fujifilm’s mirrorless cameras that makes me swoon is focus peaking. Basically if you are shooting with a lens that is only manual focus (like with the Lensbaby Trio f/2.8 used in the image below) it will highlight the section that is in focus as you twist the focus ring. This takes the guesswork out of the equation, but eyesight is not the best so shooting with a manual focus lens was pretty much a hopeless cause before. Focus peaking to the rescue!
The tiny size of the X-T100 lets me live life while I’m capturing it.
While it is fun to head to the park and the swimming pool and explore our town, I have to be honest — when it comes down to it, we are a family of homebodies. I love that my boys can still find new ways to cover themselves head to toe in dirt, explore new sections of our property and prove that there is always a new and more dangerous way to flip off the hammock. My boys are loud and messy, funny and energetic. My goal is to capture their spirits when we’re home without being annoying.
I’ve found the easiest way to do this is to make a conscious effort to direct myself instead of directing them. They are much more tolerant of me photographing them all the time when I don’t put any pressure on them to perform. So I think about what I can do to get creative shots that are pleasing to me while letting them do their thing. I’ve already mentioned that I love the size of this mirrorless camera because I can keep it my purse. But another benefit is the fact that it’s not cumbersome to just wear around my neck while we’re hanging out.
I pretty much kept the FUJIFILM X-T100 coupled with the XC15-45mm lens around my neck the whole time we were at home. I barely even noticed it was there. And, it didn’t keep me from jumping in with my boys and playing with them when they asked me too. No bonking anyone in the head with a massive camera and 70-200mm lens.
The FUJIFILM X-T100 is perfect for photographing life’s little adventures.
The FUJIFILM X-T100 fit in seamlessly with how I love to capture my boys. Its size alone is enough to win me over but it is chock-full of extra features that make it hard for my DSLR to even compete. I’m not a full-time mirrorless shooter yet, but I have a feeling it’s just a matter of time.
All photos by Natalie Greenroyd
This is a sponsored post.
How does it compare to the X-T20? The more kids I have, the less I pull out my dslr, to the point that since my 4th was born, four months ago, it hasn’t been out once! Time to bite the bullet on a mirrorless!
I actually own the x-t20 and it has a few extra features that the x-t100 doesn’t have, like the abilty to back button focus and use auto iso in manual mode (my preferred way to shoot). But the tilting lcd screen on the x-t100 is better and it can take longer videos. So really it just depends on what’s important to you!