Hello. This time, I took a somewhat "unexpected" camera out onto the streets.
It's FUJIFILM's waterproof tough digital camera, the FinePix XP90.
"Isn't that a camera for underwater or snowy mountains?" you might think. And you'd be right. But when I intentionally used this camera as a "snap shooter" in the city, an interesting world unfolded before my eyes.
This time, I will report on the XP90's "street capabilities" with a heavily subjective perspective.
1. The ultimate mobility: Capturing the city with "one hand"
For street photography, I believe the greatest strengths are "small size" and "speed." The XP90 fits in your pocket and has a large shutter button that can be pressed even with gloves on. This is perfectly "just right" for walking around the city.
An ordinary cityscape. A barber pole and an iPhone repair sign. I can quickly capture this "everyday clutter" with one hand, without stopping. Without the pressure of "I'm going to take a picture now" that comes with a high-end camera, it feels like the true warmth of the city is captured.
2. "Ground level" shots without fear. Low angles thanks to its toughness
The true essence of this camera lies in its robustness. Low-angle shots that would make you hesitate with an ordinary camera, like scraping it along the ground, are a breeze with the XP90.
Look at this impact. Aiming at the feet of passersby through a traffic cone. Or capturing the asphalt where your shadow stretches out, from an extremely low angle. When you're free from the worry of "the camera might get dirty" or "it might get bumped," your perspective becomes increasingly free. This "low perspective" dramatically changes street photography.
3. Fujifilm's characteristic "color rendition" and "strong contrast"
What's surprising about using the XP series is how it renders colors. As expected from Fujifilm, a film manufacturer, the vividness of primary colors and the way light and shadow are depicted are very dramatic.
Blue, yellow, red. The XP90 captures the colors overflowing in the city richly and powerfully. Also, the way contrast is handled on bright days is somewhat nostalgic and reminds me of the "excitement of early digital cameras."
Deep shadows created by strong sunlight. By deliberately emphasizing the difference between highlights and shadows, ordinary travel scenes are captured as if they were movie stills. This "uncompromising depiction," which modern high-megapixel cameras lack, might be the true joy of using the XP90 on the street.
The XP90 was a snap camera that "turns everyday life into an adventure"
It's too good to be kept solely for underwater use. The FUJIFILM FinePix XP90 was a wonderfully tough and creative companion, not only for harsh environments but also for freely roaming and shooting in the "urban jungle" we live in.
It's a camera that teaches you the joy of "shooting freely and boldly" more than just "taking beautiful pictures." If you find one used, I highly recommend picking it up. I'm sure the paths you usually walk will look different.
Click here for a list of FinePix XP90 products
If you're looking for used cameras and lenses, please leave it to our store, Five Star Camera!
We offer a diverse lineup including film cameras, medium format film cameras, digital SLRs, mirrorless cameras, and compact cameras.
In addition to selling, we also buy. Even if you just want an appraisal to know the value of your equipment, we welcome you!
You can check products in person at both our Shinjuku and Toyama stores before purchasing, and we carefully check each item for purchases as well. Please feel free to contact us!
