The Day I Chose Fujifilm

In 2019, when I was looking for my first camera, I was still a student and money was a real consideration. I wasn’t trying to invest in a system or commit to something expensive. I simply wanted a camera that fit my budget and felt reasonable for a beginning, something that would allow me to learn without the pressure of having spent too much on it.

At the same time, I didn’t want the cheapest option either. I wanted something I would actually enjoy using, something that wouldn’t feel like a compromise every time I picked it up. That balance led me to the Fujifilm X-E2S, paired with the XC 16-50mm lens. It sat comfortably within what I could afford, and more importantly, it felt like a complete camera rather than a temporary one.

I started photographing whatever was close to me at the time: streets around where I lived, friends I spent time with, light moving across familiar places. Most of those early images were ordinary, and many were clearly imperfect, but the camera never felt like it was getting in the way. I didn’t feel the need to justify the purchase or rush to upgrade. I could simply use it and learn at my own pace.

At some point, while exploring the settings, I came across Classic Chrome. The difference was subtle, but noticeable. The colors felt quieter, the contrast more controlled, and the images seemed closer to how the moments stayed in my memory. They didn’t look dramatic or overly processed. They felt settled.

That discovery made me curious. I started reading more, adjusting settings, and trying to understand how small changes could affect the final image. This was when I found Fuji X Weekly, and began experimenting with different recipes. I didn’t follow any rules or goals. I simply tried things, kept what felt right, and moved on from what didn’t.

Through this process, I began to understand what I appreciated about Fujifilm. It wasn’t about performance or specifications. It was about the emphasis on looks as a starting point, on making choices before pressing the shutter rather than fixing decisions afterward.

I no longer use the X-E2S today, but it established something important early on. It showed me that photography doesn’t have to begin with expensive gear or technical ambition. For me, it began with a camera that fit my budget, felt right in my hands, and quietly taught me to pay attention to how a photograph should feel.

That was where it started.