After eight months of shooting and developing film, I decided to dip back into digital photography—for the convenience, speed, and cost savings. The Fuji X100F had been on my radar for a while, and it felt like the perfect fit. I visited London Camera Exchange in Taunton, traded in some old gear, and picked one up.

The Fuji X100F is known for its compact body, fixed 35mm f/2 lens, and beautiful in-camera film simulations. It seemed like the ideal digital companion to my film kit—easy to carry and quick to shoot with, without sacrificing quality. This cameras size is perfect as you slip this into a coat pocket easily. At 469g in weight you barely know its there.

I met up with Ellie, a fellow Fuji shooter, and we headed out to the Quantock Hills just outside Taunton. Snow had been forecasted, and we got it—but the fog was an unexpected bonus, adding a cinematic feel to the landscape. We wandered for about an hour, and I captured 163 images. Since shooting film, I’ve developed a habit of taking just 2–3 shots per scene. It keeps things intentional and enjoyable.

Out in the field, the Fuji X100F impressed me right away. The live view and autofocus were fast, and the leaf shutter was whisper-quiet—ideal for candid moments. I loved being able to switch between the optical viewfinder and the EVF depending on the situation. One thing I did find slightly annoying at times is when the camera goes into standby. To wake the camera you assume you half press the shutter, well you kind of do, but you have to hold it down for around a second to wake the camera.

I shot everything in JPEG Fine. One of the main reasons I chose the Fuji X100F was for its colour science—those classic Fuji tones, especially the greens as they are stunning straight out of camera. I only made light edits: a subtle tone curve, slight shadow and highlight adjustments, and a hint of vibrance. Shooting RAW you will get 24.3 MP. The APS-C X-Trans CMOS III sensor is perfect for those trips away with friends and holidays.

In regards to the battery and power, turning off the screens live view helped stretch power throughout the shoot. Luckily when I got this camera it came with two extra batteries, but as it stand one is enough for a day out and I've not needed to use another. I love the fact I can just charge when I'm driving.

The Fuji X100F is exactly what I hoped it would be—fast, compact, and creatively inspiring. Its built-in ND filter giving you 3 stops is great for aiding those long exposures, and the black-and-white film sims are excellent. It’s now a go-to in my kit—for BTS content, low-light shots, quick grabs between film rolls, or simply when I want a camera that stays out of the way and lets me enjoy the moment.