8 minute read

X100VI Field Test: Documentary Photography

Detroit-based creator Vuhlandes tests FUJIFILM X100VI on a personal photography project documenting life in Motor City

The Creator – Vuhlandes

“I initially got into photography and filmmaking because, coming from where I come from, you don’t necessarily see a lot of people who make changes with a camera,” begins Vuhlandes, a photographer, filmmaker, and Detroit resident specializing in documentary and environmental portraiture.

“That’s something I wanted to do, to be a face for, for the people and kids who come from the same places I do,” he continues.

Vuhlandes has built a huge online following for his compelling images that captivate audiences with their grittiness and unashamed authenticity.

“I just wanted to tell raw, unfiltered stories about where I’ve come from, and the life someone would live in a place like where I come from. That’s why I tell the stories I tell and document the things I document,” he continues.

The Project – Detroit: My Baby

With such credentials, Vuhlandes was the perfect creator to test FUJIFILM X100VI fixed-lens digital camera on his documentary photography project, Detroit: My Baby.

“It’s a photo-based project that centers around Detroit and me as a photographer, who just so happens to be from Detroit,” explains Vuhlandes.

“Detroit itself, and my overall experience of being a photographer from the city, has not only shaped my style, who I am, and what I decide to frame, but also what I value within photography – and life in general,” he explains.

“It can be a difficult city to be from, live in, and grow up in, but at the same time it is beautiful and inviting. I wanted to show that through the work I was creating, whether it was cars, random places throughout the city that mean something to me, or other places in the city that mean something to everybody.”

The Camera – X100VI

X100VI is the next generation of Fujifilm’s X100 camera series. By packing professional-level features into an extremely compact body, this legendary family of fixed-lens digital cameras has garnered huge popularity with photographers of all levels, the world over.

Such a combination of advanced functionality and convenient portability makes X100VI perfect for street, documentary, travel, and everyday photography.

Close up of someone holding X100VI fixed lens premium compact camera and making an image.

Photo 2023 © Shotti NYC | FUJIFILM GFX100 II and FUJINON GF120mmF4 R LM OIS WR Macro, 1/500 sec at F4, ISO 600

Size vs Resolution

One of the biggest upgrades enjoyed by X100VI is the 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor.

While resolution is not a deciding factor for Vuhlandes, this many pixels in such a portable body was certainly not lost on him.

“I don’t tend to get too much into specification when testing out a camera, but it would be hard not to rave about such a high-resolution sensor in a camera as small as this,” he says.

He explains that, for him, it’s more about the quality of image the sensor creates than the number of pixels it includes, so the high dynamic range and legendary Fujifilm color tones produced by X100VI were a big hit.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a brand-new Film Simulation mode, REALA ACE, was a welcome addition.

Image of classic car on oversized alloy wheels with driver's door open to reveal red leather interior.

Photo 2023 © Vuhlandes | FUJIFILM X100VI, 1/2000 sec at F2, ISO 500

REALA ACE Film Simulation

REALA ACE is the newest addition to the set of 20 Film Simulation modes available on X100VI. This versatile mode offers faithful color reproduction and high-contrast tonality, making REALA ACE suitable for a wide variety of subjects and situations – perfect for creating straight out of camera (SOOC).

“I do like the addition of REALA ACE. It’s a Film Simulation I’ve never created with before, but will probably become the one I use the most; it felt natural, but with a lot of character,” Vuhlandes declares.

In fact, REALA ACE was behind his favorite image from the project, one that shows a classic car in a parking lot.

“The contrast between the gray of the parking lot and the color of the car makes it pop. The colors look amazing,” he beams. “When I was younger, my dad used to have an old-school car and would go meet up with his friends in a parking lot, so that one resonates with me on a personal level.”

Image of classic car on oversized alloy wheels

Photo 2023 © Vuhlandes | FUJIFILM X100VI, 1/2000 sec at F2.8, ISO 1000

Film-Like Quality

The nostalgia created through the combination of subject matter and Fujifilm color science was perfectly complemented by X100VI’s ergonomics and Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder.

The latter offers photographers the option to create using a rangefinder-style optical viewfinder (OVF), in addition to its 3.69 million dot electronic viewfinder (EVF).

As an avid film photographer, this was key for Vuhlandes.

“I love how X100VI feels in my hand – it’s like a film camera. Looking through the viewfinder is like looking through a film camera viewfinder. Everything about it is film-like, and that draws me to it.”

Close up of man in bandana holding X100VI fixed lens camera to his eye

Photo 2023 © Shotti NYC | FUJIFILM GFX100 II and FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR, 1/2000 sec at F1.7, ISO 200

Tactile Retro Design

The stylish design was also a hit – not just with Vuhlandes, but also with the people he met.

“I remember being in everyday situations – in the store or wherever – with the camera around my neck and getting a bunch of compliments on the camera as if it’s part of my outfit,” he laughs.

However, the best part for Vuhlandes was the external controls that allow you to change essential exposure settings without having to look at the camera’s LCD.

“That’s my favorite part,” he tells us. “Being able to change aperture, shutter speed, and ISO so easily.

“It feels like you’re doing something right when you use an analog dial to change these settings.”

Close up of Fujifilm X100VI fixed lens camera in hand

Photo 2023 © Shotti NYC | FUJIFILM GFX100 II and FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR, 1/160 sec at F4, ISO 3200

Versatile Fixed Focal Length

Along with the 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, X100VI’s high-quality FUJINON 23mmF2 fixed lens played a huge part in creating the images for Vuhlandes’ project.

“I love fixed-lens cameras,” beams Vuhlandes. “Having to carry multiple lenses and other accessories can get in the way when you’re just trying to go out and make pictures.”

The lens offers an equivalent focal length of 35mm in 35mm film format and uses precision optics, which are more than capable of reproducing every detail recorded by the high-resolution sensor.

“I do a lot of environmental portraiture and documentary work, so I try to get as much as possible in the frame without it being too much. 35mm equivalent is a good focal length for that – so this is the perfect setup.”

mechanic standing in workshop between racks of car tyres

Photo 2023 © Vuhlandes | FUJIFILM X100VI, 1/60 sec at F2, ISO 1000

Autofocus with AI-Based Subject Detection

At the heart of X100VI is X-Processor 5 – an image processing engine that not only powers an in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system offering up to 6.0 stops of correction, but also autofocus (AF) featuring AI-based subject-detection.

This improved AF enables X100VI to detect and follow specific subjects such as certain types of animal and vehicle.

“The AF on this camera is extremely good. It’s possible to set different types depending on what you’re photographing – that’s insane,” asserts Vuhlandes.

“We were making images of someone skateboarding and I was able to just choose the relevant setting, then sit back and let the AF do the work,” he recalls.

Skateboarder in a skatepark performing a flip trick over a gap between two flat ramps

Photo 2023 © Vuhlandes | FUJIFILM X100VI, 1/1000 sec at F2, ISO 125

Professional Video Features

Vuhlandes also highlights X100VI’s high-quality video features, which he says add to the camera’s versatility.

“I do a lot of filmmaking, and it’s insane that you can record F-Log footage at 6.2K/30p and 4K/60p in such a small body.

“As a filmmaker, I feel like I can take this camera out to make professional short films and photographs at the same time. It’s an amazing camera all round.”

close up of FUJIFILM X100VI fixed lens camera in hand in someones lap while they adjust settings

Photo 2023 © Shotti NYC | FUJIFILM GFX100 II and FUJINON GF55mmF1.7 R WR, 1/1000 sec at F2.5, ISO 640

The Verdict

In conclusion, Vuhlandes tells us that X100VI is a welcome addition to the Fujifilm lineup, building on the strong reputation for quality, portability, and style for which the X100 series is renowned.

“You get the same quality out of this as a camera twice the size. Put it in your coat pocket, take it wherever you want, and create whatever you want with it,” he enthuses. “It’s a game changer.

“From the colors to the ergonomics to the images it produces, I couldn’t even imagine getting the same from any other camera.”

Shop FUJIFILM X100VI today and read the full specifications here.

Hear more from Vuhlandes as he offers his expert advice on photographing people and choosing the right location, or browse all the content on Exposure Center for education, inspiration, and insight from the world of photography.


CREATE/SEND/SHARE

see your image on our Social Channels

Share your image and story with us for a chance to be featured.

Success.
Please select an image
What would you like to share about this image and why would you like to share it?

Consumer Submission Terms and Conditions:

MY FUJIFILM LEGACY MEMORY
1. AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND THE FUJIFILM PRIVACY POLICY: BY UPLOADING A SUBMISSION (as hereafter defined) AND CLICKING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS ON THE SITE, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND, WITHOUT LIMITATION OR QUALIFICATION, TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND THE PRIVACY POLICY, AVAILABLE AT https://www.fujifilm.com/privacy_policy/?_ga=2.188005036.507021620.1563365952-1582032552.1552994675. Any information contained in a Submission, including image, contact information such as physical address and email address, and any other personal information submitted, will be used in accordance with FUJIFILM North America Corporation’s (“FNAC”) Privacy Policy and these Terms & Conditions. Each Submitter acknowledges that submission pursuant to these Terms and Conditions constitutes the necessary and proper permission for FNAC’s use of his or her Submission pursuant to these terms and the Privacy Policy. In addition, by uploading a Submission on the Site, each Submitter represents and warrants that he or she is at least 13 years of age. Yes, I’d like to receive more information regarding FUJIFILM products and services via e-mail (e.g. by newsletter or other marketing communication). I also agree that FUJIFILM North America can use my contact data in accordance with its Privacy Policy to inform me about FUJIFILM products and services by e-mail.

2. IMAGE AND PHOTO DESCRIPTION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
A. Each photo submission (each, along with the required submission form and any provided description, a "Submission") that you as the Submitter determines to submit to FNAC must be uploaded to the submission website at http://www.fujifilm-x.com/en-us/ShareMyFujifilmLegacy (the “Site”) and accompanied by a fully completed submission form located on the Site. Each submitted photo may be no larger than 10 MB, no longer than 2000 pixels in the longest dimension, and it must be formatted as a JPEG, TIFF, GIF, PNG, or BMP. Any description you provide relating to the image may be no more than 1500 characters, including spaces. The Submission may reflect any topic or subject matter, but must be the original work of the providing Submitter, and must depict an original photographic creation. The Submission must have been captured using a FUJIFILM X Series camera and lens (i.e. any FUJIFILM XF or XC lens) or GFX System camera and lens (i.e. any GFX lens).

B. No commitment is made by FNAC to review, consider or post any Submission, and FNAC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deem any Submission as inappropriate, unworthy, or unsuitable for posting for any reason, and at any time with no obligation to inform, explain, or justify its reasoning


C. The Submission(s) must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any third party person or entity, and by uploading a Submission you represent and warrant that: (a) the Submission is your personal, sole, and original creation and has not been derived from, reproduced, or copied in whole or in part from any work by a third party person or entity; (b) the Submission does not violate or infringe any intellectual property right of any kind, including but not limited to any copyright, trademark, trade name, publicity right, or other proprietary right of any person or entity; (c) the Submission is your personal, sole, and exclusive property; (d) any person(s) depicted in the image has given his or her approval for the submission; and (e) no person or property depicted in the image is depicted in a misleading, misrepresentative, or false fashion;


D. The Submission(s) and its title and description are subject to the following content guidelines, and may not, in any instance, in FNAC’s judgment:


(i) Contain, depict, reflect, promote or endorse nudity, profanity, obscenity or pornography; content that is sexually explicit or suggestive, violent, derogatory, disparaging, or defaming; or potentially hazardous content, behavior or activities;

(ii) Contain, depict, reflect, promote or endorse the sale, distribution, possession, use, or abuse of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, firearms, knives or other weapons; or any particular social or political agenda, issue or message;

(iii) Appear to duplicate or replicate a previously received Submission;

(iv) Contain, depict, reflect, promote or endorse any third party owned trademarks, logos, copyrights, images, or trade dress (such as clothing bearing a distinctive logo, a third party’s artwork, or materials from movies or published in other media) including third party products;

(v) Contain, depict, or reflect any identifying information relating to any person depicted, (such as license plate numbers, personal names, email addresses or street addresses), and including any likeness or other information of famous individuals (such as past or present celebrities or public figures, or individuals impersonating them);

(vi) Contain, depict, reflect, promote, endorse or communicate content inconsistent with the reputation and corporate image FNAC and/or FUJIFILM Corporation wish to communicate; and/or

(vii) Violate any law, or reflect, advocate or promote any activity that may violate any law.

Submissions determined by FNAC to violate any of the above content guidelines are subject to rejection. FNAC reserves the right to take all necessary measures to remove any given Submission as it deems appropriate in any given instance, and/or to change any Submission title or description provided at any time and for any reason.


E. If the Submission(s) contains, reflects or incorporates any materials, content or elements that are subject to the rights of third parties, the Submitter is responsible for obtaining, prior to providing the Submission, any and all releases, permissions and consents necessary to permit the use and posting of the Submission by FNAC and its parent and affiliate companies (including without limitation, FUJIFILM Corporation). This includes obtaining the written release, permission and consent to use any name, image, likeness or property of any person who, or items that appear in or are identifiable in the Submission(s). Where a minor appears in or is identifiable in any given Submission, the Submitter is responsible to put a written release, consent and permission into place with the appropriate parent or guardian of such minor. FNAC reserves the right to request documentation reflecting these releases, permissions and consents from any Submitter at any time, and to undertake measures to remove the posting of any given Submission(s) pending receipt of such documentation.


3. LICENSE FOR FNAC TO POST AND POSTING GUIDELINES: Upon submitting a Submission, each Submitter grants to FNAC, its parent and affiliate companies, a royalty free, irrevocable, perpetual and worldwide right and license (but without any right of sublicense) to modify, adapt, and reproduce the Submission, and to use and display the Submission, in whole or in part, either (i) on the FNAC Instagram (@fujifilmx_us), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/FujifilmXUS), or Twitter (@FujifilmX_US) Account, as a social media post; or (ii) on a FNAC or parent/affiliate company website (such as, without limitation, www.fujifilm-x.com), including without limitation, as a homepage banner. Submitter understands that any use made of the Submission will be commercial in nature, and may be in connection with the promotion of a FUJIFILM branded product. This right and license is granted in return for FNAC’s review and consideration of the Submission and in return for the potential opportunity for publicity resulting from FNAC’s posting and tagging of the Submission, and without any right or expectation of the Submitter to receive any further compensation (directly or indirectly) of any kind. FNAC and its parent and affiliate companies shall have no obligation to provide further notice to, or to obtain any further approval from, the Submitter. All Submission postings to be made by FNAC will be subject to the following posting guidelines:


A. If FNAC posts any given Submission, FNAC will use commercially reasonable efforts to credit the Submission on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by tagging the Submitter’s handle as provided to FNAC through the Site. FNAC will credit each Submission on the FNAC website with the Submitter’s first name and last initial, and Instagram handle if and as applicable. If city and state information is provided, FNAC may reference that information as well in connection with any given Submission posting. Note that FNAC does not guarantee that any given Submission will be posted.


B. FNAC is not responsible for any unauthorized third party use of any Submission. Without limitation, this includes any copying, reproduction, distribution, re-postings, forwarding, linking to, or re-publication made by any third party at any time.


C. FNAC shall have the right to modify each Submission, including but not limited to, altering, and editing any provided description. By uploading a Submission, each Submitter agrees that he or she shall have no right of approval, no claim to additional compensation and no claim (including without limitation, claims based upon invasion of privacy, defamation, right of publicity or copyright) arising out of any use, alteration, modification, editing of any or all of the Submission.


4. FUJIFILM SITE CONTENT AND PROPERTY: The trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, designs, images, and content at any time displayed on the Site, including but not limited to FUJIFILM, INSTAX, FinePix, BUILD YOUR LEGACY, any other trademarks, logos, designs, and intellectual property and the FNAC posted content and images, shall at all times be the sole property of FNAC and/or its parent and affiliates, or shall be the property of third parties (such as any given Submitter) used by FNAC with any necessary and proper permissions in place. Nothing contained on the Site should be construed as granting, by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right for any Submitter, or any third party, to use any trademark, service mark, logo, design, trade name, product name, content or image displayed on the Site without the prior written permission of FNAC. For absolute clarity and without limitation, no Submitter or third party is permitted to post, display, publish, forward, link to or re-publish any images of FNAC or any Submission(s) of any other party unless specifically authorized to do so in writing by FNAC. Neither FNAC nor its parent or affiliate companies are sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or otherwise affiliated or associated with, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform.


5. NO REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, AND LIMIT OF LIABILITY:

A. FNAC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS RELATING TO THE SITE AND TO ANY IMAGES OR CONTENT POSTED ON THE SITE, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. FNAC ALSO ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR, ANY DAMAGE TO, OR VIRUSES THAT MAY INFECT, ANY SUBMITTER’S OR SITE VISITOR’S COMPUTER EQUIPMENT OR OTHER PROPERTY, OR FOR ANY LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF ANY MATERIALS, IMAGE, CONTENT, OR DATA ON ACCOUNT OF ACCESS TO, USE OF, OR BROWSING IN THE SITE, OR RELATING TO OR BY REASON OF A SUBMITTER’S SUBMISSION OF ANY MATERIALS, IMAGE, CONTENT OR DATA TO THE SITE.

B. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING OR OTHERWISE ANY OTHER PROVISION HEREOF, IN NO EVENT SHALL FNAC'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO ANY SUBMITTER OR SITE VISITOR FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, LIABILITIES AND CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY SUCH SUBMITTER OR SITE VISITOR TO FNAC, IF ANY, IN CONNECTION WITH SUBMITTING MATERIALS, IMAGES, CONTENT OR DATA TO THE SITE, OR IN ACCESSING THE SITE, AS APPLICABLE. IN NO EVENT WILL FNAC BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY INSTANCE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS, LOST OPPORTUNITIES, OVERHEAD OR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, LOSS OF USE, OR DAMAGE TO REPUTATION OR GOODWILL) EVEN IF APPRISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH DAMAGES.


6. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND TAKE-DOWN PROCEDURE: If you believe in good faith that any material, image, or content appearing on the Site infringes your copyright, then you (or your agent) may send us a written notice that complies with this provision, requesting that the applicable image, or content be removed. Note that by submitting this written notice, you acknowledge and agree that FNAC may forward your written notice (to include your, or your agent’s, personal contact information) and any related communications received by FNAC to the original Submitter of the allegedly infringing content. Furthermore, by submitting this notice, you acknowledge and agree that FNAC’s sole responsibility to you upon receipt of such notice will be to remove the allegedly infringing image or content, and you acknowledge and agree that you will have no further right or remedy against, or as to, FNAC for its original posting of the Submission on the Site, although you may have other rights and remedies as to the Submitter.
Your infringement notice must be sent to [email protected], and must include the following information:


A. A copy of your specific image or copyrighted work that you are claiming has been infringed;
B. identification of the FNAC posted image or content that is claimed to be infringing or the subject of infringing activity, and information reasonably sufficient to allow FNAC to locate such image or content on the Site;
C. the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the complaining copyright owner;
D. a statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the image or content by the original Submitter is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
E. a statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
F. a physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Within ten (10) business days of receipt of a written notice meeting the above-referenced requirements, FNAC will take down the allegedly infringing image or content, and notify the Submitter of such image or content of your claim / infringement allegation. FNAC will not re-post the removed, allegedly infringing image or content until it receives written notice from the complaining party that the dispute has been resolved. The process outlined in this provision is the exclusive process to be used to complain to, or otherwise advise, FNAC about any infringement of your rights by any Submitter or any Submitted image and/or content posted on the Site.
7. PRIVACY POLICY: Personal information contained in a Submission or otherwise communicated to FNAC will be used in accordance with FNAC’s Privacy Policy, which can be found here: [INSERT LINK TO PRIVACY POLICY]. In addition, and as stated above in Section 6, your contact information may be shared to a party complaining of infringement. By uploading a Submission, you hereby agree to the Privacy Policy.

8. MISCELLANOUS TERMS:

A. By uploading a Submission, a Submitter is communicating with FNAC electronically. Each Submitter consents to receive communications relating to the Submission from FNAC electronically, generally by email. FNAC may communicate by e-mail, or by other electronic methods such as through social media communications. Each Submitter agrees that all agreements, notices, disclosures and other communications that FNAC provides electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

B. All Submissions are administered by FNAC from its offices in Valhalla, New York, United States of America. These Terms and Conditions are governed and interpreted under the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Each Submitter agree that any claim or dispute against FNAC arising out of or relating to the use of the Site must be resolved by a court located in the Eastern District of New York, unless otherwise agreed upon by all parties. Any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to a Submission must be filed within nine (9) months after such claim or cause of action arose, regardless of any statute or law to the contrary. In the event any such claim or cause of action is not filed within such 9 month period, each Submitter specifically agrees that such claim or cause of action shall be forever barred.

C. These Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy, which are part of these Terms and Conditions and are incorporated herein by reference, set forth the entire understanding and agreement between the Submitter and FNAC with respect to a Submission. Each Submitter acknowledge that any other agreements between with respect to a Submission is superseded and of no force or effect. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall be determined to be unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable by a court or other legal authority of competent jurisdiction, then that provision will be severed from these Terms and Conditions and will be deemed replaced by an equivalent enforceable provision that, as nearly as possible, reflects the intent hereof. The severance of any individual provision of these Terms and Conditions will not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

BY UPLOADING A SUBMISSION, EACH SUBMITTER AGREES
TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
AND THE PRIVACY POLICY.

  • Should be Empty: