For me, photography has been a lifelong passion, dating back to when I was just 5 years old with my trusty Kodak 110. The ease of loading cartridge film and snapping away with minimal fuss sparked something in me that would only grow stronger over the years.

As I grew older, so did my equipment. My first SLR, the Centon K100, holds a special place in my heart – not just for its 50mm 1.7 lens, but also because it was present at some of my earliest shoots, including that memorable concert at Yeovil Ski-Lodge. Working with 800 ASA Fuji film stock gave me a unique look and feel that would be hard to replicate with digital.

For over two decades, I’ve worked predominantly with Canon gear. While it’s always delivered great results, I often found myself trading off between the desired aesthetic and practical considerations. Concerts felt flat, while portraits were exceptional but lacked character. This led me to a period where I lost interest in photography for myself – until I picked up the Fuji X Pro back in 2015.

The X Pro was a loaner, and though I eventually returned it, it had already reignited my passion for photography. The form factor, feel, and shooting style all clicked with me in ways that Canon hadn’t. The split diopter on this camera gave me confidence in focusing – knowing exactly what I wanted to bring into sharp relief.

Fast-forward a few years, and I found myself growing increasingly frustrated with Canon’s limitations, including overheating issues and restrictions on functionality. It was around this time that I began exploring other options, including the Fuji X100F.

The X100F became my go-to camera for many shoots – it was unobtrusive, felt great to use, and produced images with a character that resonated with me. However, its limitations in low-light conditions meant it couldn’t be used for every job. I eventually returned to Canon, but the experience had left an indelible mark on my approach to photography.

It wasn’t until 2024, when I picked up the Fuji XH2, that I truly began to enjoy myself again behind the lens. Yes, there were teething issues with firmware and some trade-offs in terms of smoothness – but these seem to have been ironed out over time. Paired with my trusty primes (18mm, 33mm, and 56mm), the XH2 has become an indispensable workhorse for both photo and video shoots.