X-E4: Mustafa Hacalaki x Carry Less. Create More!

Our experiences shape us. Memories, observations, every little fragments of life…

My childhood memories are far away now. Our cottage house where I spent every summer with my sister and grandparents. The great mulberry tree that I read comic books in its shade. Blue-green colours of the Aegean Sea, warm sands under my feet. And… of course, my grandfather, who took our pictures unceasingly with his old film camera.

I often ask myself the same question, maybe that is when my interest in photography started. Honestly, I do not know. But today I am so grateful to have some pictures taken with this old camera.

I have always believed that I have a photographic memory. What I see remains in my mind longer than what I read. I can easily find a place that I have visited before or recognize a face that I have seen a long time ago. However, as time passes, our memories begin to fade.

I know that one can find inspirations anywhere, even in simple things. I have that obsession for capturing moments of life, not only the epic ones but also the mundane moments of my life. I strongly believe that, in the future, these simple moments will become precious souvenirs of my past. But no matter what I shoot, I am trying to add a little cinematic touch because of my passion for cinema.

As a graphic artist, I must have a tool with me all time to document my life. A camera that is small, discreet, but powerful. Over the years, Fujifilm X series became that creative tool for me. Much more than a tool, in fact, it is more like a companion who inspires me to capture and to create more

I discovered Fujifilm cameras in 2015. My first one was an X-E2. I combined it with the 27 mm F2.8 lens because of its small size. I really enjoyed keeping it by my side and taking visual notes of my daily life. I recall the first time I transferred the photos to my computer. The image quality from this camera with this little lens was just…amazing!

Many years later, I now own a Fujifilm X-Pro2 body with a few Fujifilm lenses as well as the beautifully designed X100V. The X100V became my loyal companion instantly. Its sensor is very powerful for low light shots and the weather-resistant body encourages me to go out and shoot more in Montréal’s winter nights. It is very neat to have it beside me everywhere.

Today, I find very exciting to hold the latest version of the X-E lines of cameras in my hands. Although I love the experience of my X100V, I sometimes miss the flexibility of a small interchangeable lens body. At this point, Fujifilm X-E4 gives me that flexibility, with a design that has become more elegant and minimal over the years.

At first glance, we can say immediately that X-E4 inherits the lines of the X100V.  But also they share the same sensor and its newly designed tilt screen is very practical.  It allows one to capture discreet street shots much more quickly. Just like on the Fujifilm X100V, the tilt screen is attentively integrated on the body. It is very sleek. Fujifilm’s latest film simulation Classic Negative, which I use and like a lot on X100V, is now available on X-E4 too.

The X-E4 is very well built. Its top and bottom plates are made of aluminum as in the X100V. Yet, its body feels smaller in hand. Even with the 23mm f2.0 lens, it is quite light. For this model, Fujifilm offers a specially designed hand grip and a thumb rest as a kit. The thumb rest gives photographers a better rear grip and reduces camera shakes, especially at slower shutter speeds.

If I can talk about the lens choice, personally, I have always enjoyed using prime lenses. For my night walks, I usually prefer using the 23 mm F2.0 and the 35 mm F2.0 lenses, because of their fast autofocus capability in low light. When I want to keep things minimal, I use the 27 mm pancake lens, with which the camera becomes very discreet.

I have always thought that a camera is just an instrument to capture the moment. Yet, if you connect with this tool thoroughly then it becomes something more; a third eye, a companion. I think, Fujifilm listens and understands photographers to produce great tools like this.

Since day one, I have enjoyed every bit of my journey with the Fujifilm mirrorless system. I rest assured that it helped me a lot in developing my photography skills. I know better now where to go, what to do with my photography, and Fujifilm offers me everything to do that.

For documenting life freely, I do not need to carry more.