Here at artofrv.com, we are Fuji fans! Mr. ArtofRV (aka Patrick Lynch) has gone through a few models in recent years and even converted me (Lauren) this year when he surprised me with a FujiFilm X-E3. I interviewed Patrick to get an idea of why Fuji is his camera manufacturer of choice and what makes them such great travel companions…
Patrick Lynch spent nearly a decade as a photojournalist at newspapers in New England before spending the next two decades working as a photographer for the State of Florida. He currently enjoys RV travel from his home base of North Carolina, shooting for the pleasure of it and selling stock photography on Alamy, and photo art on Fine Art America.
SIDE NOTE FROM LAUREN: Every once in a while I turn around and find that Patrick has left his camera in some precarious position (such as on blocks in the ocean, as pictured above) doing long exposure shots. Yikes! All part of the adventure, I suppose.
Q: What camera equipment did you start on?
Patrick: Film! I started in 35mm with a Pentax K100 and stuck with Pentax for a number of good photography years. When I started working as a photojournalist I used what was Pentax’s only pro camera: the Pentax LX, a camera that still is holding its value today. Back then most photojournalists I knew were using the Nikon F3 but I found the Pentax to be a bit nicer.
Q: What is your current go-to camera?
Patrick: After several Fuji X series cameras, my current go to is the Fuji GFX50R. It is called medium format but the sensor is not even the size of a 645 film image. However, I like to call it “Fuller Frame.”
Q: What made you choose Fuji as your current equipment?
Patrick: I thought I was done with photography after leaving my job with the state of Florida. I was burned out. (For those who dream of being a pro photographer, know this: it can become as mundane as any other job when you do it all day, every day.) However, it was not long before I realized I wanted at least a small camera. It was in my blood to create images. I decided on a Fuji X100 Limited Edition. After all, I was only going to have one camera so it should be a nice one. Fuji has a great reputation for quality so that and the ergonomics factored into my decision to go with Fuji. There is no shortage of reviews by people who think that Fuji was going for a retro design and that the cameras are a bit more pricey than others in their class. I don’t think Fuji was attempting a “retro” look. I believe they were sticking with design standards that developed for a reason. This design may cost a bit more, but it’s well worth it for people who appreciate a quality well-designed camera.
Q: What is your favorite feature?
Patrick: My favorite feature on the Fuji cameras I have used is the placement of the exposure compensation dial. It is easily operated by the thumb without removing the camera from the eye. I have seen people question why it is there and even tape it off, thinking they have fixed something. I am not a “shoot in manual” photographer. Once you learn what your meter is doing and how to evaluate a scene, it just makes more sense to pick a suitable auto mode. (Exposure compensation does nothing in full manual. In an auto mode and will tell the camera to increase or decrease exposure from what it thinks is best. The truth is a camera does not know what it is looking at. The photographer should.) The exposure compensation dial is a feature I rely on.
Q: Are there auto settings that you normally use?
Patrick: I normally shoot in Aperture priority. This is where I select the aperture and the camera selects a suitable shutter speed for the aperture I select. However, as technology has improved so has the automatic modes. So in addition to selecting a suitable shutter speed, I have my camera set to select a minimum shutter speed and to adjust the ISO to meet this minimum. So I might select to shoot at F4 and have the camera to use a minimum shutter speed of 1/250th of a second at ISO 100. If the scene is bright maybe the camera will shoot at 1/500th of a second. If a dim scene the iso will come up until it reaches a point where 1/250th will work for the shutter speed.
Q: What other features influenced your decision?
Patrick: I like mirrorless. I’m not saying it is better for everything but on average it works best for me. Mirrorless cameras are slightly more compact, with sharper images and no mirror box.
Q: What are your favorite lenses and accessories?
Patrick: I currently use the 63mm which is a normal / 50mm in 35mm. It is an excellent lens. I got a good deal on a 23mm and although I rarely shoot wide, it is still a must-have. It is 18mm in 35mm. I recently sold my Fuji X trans system and then purchased a 100-200 f/5.6 This lens did not blow me away but for the price and portability it is a great walk around lens. Top on my wish list is the 110mm f/2. The 120 macro would be nice But if I could only pick one other I would likely choose the 250mm f/4. The only two left out are the 45mm and the 32-64mm. I believe both are excellent lenses, they are just not on my want list as I wouldn’t use them much.
Q: What is your least favorite feature? Is there a workaround for it?
Patrick: My least favorite feature was only on the X trans cameras. It was a love-hate thing too. It was the x trans sensor itself. The quality is amazing. The raw processing was a trick. Adobe was not good at it. There are various raw processors out there and you need to find what works best for you. I tried about all of them and after the testing, I tried one I did not give much attention to at first. Photo Ninja produced the best quality for me.
Q: How does the Fuji Company treat its customers?
Patrick: I have no first-hand experience but I have heard good things. I have also heard not so good. I think it may depend on where you send your camera in for service. The good feedback I have heard has impressed me.
Q: What about Fuji’s history appeals to you?
Patrick: Quality and not being part of the pack. If you want the camera everyone else makes then buy that. Fuji does things differently but not just to be different. They create a quality product that performs it’s designed purpose very well.
Q: Why did you buy a Fuji for your wife? And which one did you pick for her?
Patrick: Because I love her and want her to have the best. 😉
Also, Fuji is known for outstanding jpg quality and great images straight out of the camera. It’s compact and perfect for taking on hikes.
Lauren: Patrick surprised me with a FujiFilm X-E3 after I’d used Canon for a couple of decades. I really do love how small and lightweight it is. It’s so easy to use and I get high-quality images from auto settings. It’s also great for shooting video. I’m hooked!
Q: How can photo enthusiasts connect with you on social media?
Patrick: I can be found on Instagram @the.master.of.photography 😉
FUJIFILM X-E3
- Compact & Lightweight Camera Body
- Touchscreen Operation & Focus Lever
- X-Trans™ CMOS III sensor & X-Processor Pro
- Wireless communication with Bluetooth
- 4K Video Recording
- Advanced SR AUTO mode
FUJIFILM GFX 50R
- Rangefinder style
- Compact and lightweight body
- Weather resistant structure
- 43.8×32.9mm 51.4MP CMOS medium format sensor
- X-Processor Pro
- 2.36M-dot touchscreen LCD back panel
- FUJINON GF Lens
© Lauren Lynch and artofrv.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lauren Lynch and artofrv.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
When you buy recommended products through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. We appreciate your support! By buying through our links, you make this website and future reviews possible at no additional cost to yourself.
