Fujifilm X100V – my experience

I don´t write about photographic gear very often in my blog, since I prefer to showcase my photos and associated experiences. It is my opinion that current cameras and lenses across several formats are more than capable to deliver excellent images. It is up to the photographer to go out, find inspiration, and produce memorable photos. As those who read my blog know, in the past 4 months or so I have been trying out the Fujifilm X100V, using it in the type of occasion where I prefer to carry only one simple but high-quality camera.

Such instances have included walking several trail paths in the Rota Vicentina in southwest Portugal; simple landscape photo sessions; and general vacation photography. My previous impressions can be found in the following links:

The Fujifilm X100V is the fifth version of an iconic camera line that first saw the light of day in 2010. So this year marks an important milestone for the little camera. In fact, one could argue that the success of the original X100 was the first significant step in the launch of Fujifilm’s X-mount system one year later. I have used several of the X100 cameras throughout the years, and the “V” still carries all of the original charm, marrying it with the modern technology and know-how of the company. There are not many camera lines that are able to maintain such strong personality traits after 10 years – this is almost an eternity in the digital age.

In order to round off this series of articles about my experiences with this camera, I have used it again recently to make some landscape photos on two occasions. Both during a weekend that I spent in the Alentejo coast, near Almograve. I merely used the camera and a tripod, can not get any simpler than that really.

On the first outing I went to the area near Cabo Sardão lighthouse, to photograph during the sunset time. The weather was cloudy, with menacing and broody skies. This made for some nice photos of the sea, cliffs, and lighthouse. For some of them I used the built-in neutral density filter; 4 stops is very useful to achieve long exposures.

Stormy sunset
Cliffs at sunset
Precipice
Approaching storm
Menacing clouds

As you can see, the weather was looking dire, but I kept shooting, as the clouds and the light were changing every minute. The interplay between the sea and the sky provided interesting compositions.

Moving on
Lights on
Cloudscape
Water world

The second outing occurred the following morning, in the small village of Longueira. Again, I simply grabbed the camera and the tripod and went out of the house before sunrise. Trying to find different and still interesting subjects after photographing a place for so many years is a challenge. However, every sunrise (or sunset) is different, and places change with the seasons. In the Autumn, often there are clouds in the sky that are illuminated by low angle sunlight, displaying warm colours. The fields are ploughed and freshly vibrant from the morning dew.

Coloured wedge
Rising sun over football field
First light
The tree
Fields of green

In conclusion, the X100V is, for me, the best version so far of this line of cameras from Fujifilm. Small, easy to operate, great lens and sensor, robust, and delivers high image quality. The final photo illustrates that in the confined world we live in today, it is still possible to imagine.

Confined

A night to day transition in Milfontes

Located at the estuary of the river Mira, Vila Nova de Milfontes is blessed with a beautiful natural setting. Here, the quiet river water reaches the Atlantic surrounded by tree-covered cliffs and golden sand beaches. No wonder that in the last 30 years or so it has become one of the most popular summer vacation destinations. In 2020 the summer was quieter than usual, due to Covid-19, but still there were some people around. Now, at the end of October, Milfontes has returned to the usual tranquility of the other 9 months of the year.

One very early morning (or rather late night?) I picked up my photo backpack and tripod and headed over to the village to make some night and sunrise photos. There are several interesting monuments and places that portray a different feel at night, and I wanted to capture that. The old church, the XVI century fort overlooking the estuary, and some architectural details, all make interesting subjects. Another highlight is the monument that commemorates the first airplane voyage between Portugal and Macau; on the 2nd of April of 1924, Brito Paes and Sarmento Beires took off from Milfontes in a risky endeavour. Two planes and 16,380 km later, they reached their destination on the 23rd of June.

Walking down the street to the river, I made photos of all these subjects, which at night display a different charater.

The old church around the corner
Chimneys
Brave pilots

The little square in front of the castle provides one of the most popular views over the river and the sea. At night, the illumination was provided by the artificial lights, which turned out quite nice on the water and the lifeguard building below.

Famous lookout at night

There was a low tide, so I walked down to the beach and made several photos of the boats and the landscape. Due to the low light levels, exposure times were quite long, resulting in subject movement on the boats and some good colour and detail in the cloudy sky.

Floating
The lifeguard building

The first light of dawn was appearing in the East. The clouds, sky, and fishing boats provided some really nice compositions. I was quite busy making a lot of photos during this period. Including a 15 minute exposure!

First light over the river
15 minutes

During this transition between night and day, the light was changing very fast, so every minute the landscape was presenting different aspects. These were typical blue hour light conditions, where landscape photographers need to work fast to catch the light at its best.

Breaking light over the distant mountains
Changing light and clouds

Looking over my shoulder I noticed the clouds in the sky turning into a fiery orange. This only lasted for a few seconds, but I managed to make a few photos. What a fantastic light that was!

On fire

Once the Sun broke through, the area became bathed with golden light and long shadows. Since the tide was low, I was able to walk under the coastal walkway. I made a few more photos, including the walkway itself, and the moored boats.

Perspective under the walkway
Fishing boat
Mira estuary

Once the Sun was shining over the area, several cats appeared to warm up. These are normally taken care for by the nice lady that ferries people across the river.

Warming up
Junior

Before I went back home for a well deserved breakfast, I took a few more photos of the castle on the top of the cliff. The light was great, and this is one of the obligatory compositions.

Castle
Shadow

Between mountain and river – Troviscais walking trail

Starting about two years ago, my wife and I have been walking along the circular trails of the Rota Vicentina inside the municipality of Odemira, Alentejo province. These trails are a wonderful way of getting to know the coastal and rural areas of the region, away from the more touristic places. This is a beautiful region located between the mountain and the sea, a singular Alentejo, as the local advertisement says.

With all the Covid-19 problems, and with the certain future lockdowns in Portugal, we have recently taken the opportunity to repeat some of these trails. Such is the case with this one, which takes us from the interior village of Troviscais to the river Mira, and back. We did this walk two years ago in November, and I wrote about it in detail here.

This time around the weather was sunny and crisp, following the passage of storm Barbara. Everything seemed fresher, and the colours more vivid, which was nice. Similar to the previous time, I simply carried a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens, respectively the Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 and the Fujinon 90mm f/2. Due to my familiarity with the trail, I had in mind making some different photos compared to the last time, especially using the close focus distance in both lenses. I also made some long exposures using my Lee Big Stopper ND filter.

Along the trail after Troviscais
Abandoned house
Wide angle close up
Telephoto close up – Autumn has arrived
Mira river long exposure
Mira river long exposure
Mira river oyster beds
Mira river long exposure
Abandoned
Window in Troviscais
Door in Troviscais
Door knob in Troviscais

Walking this trail again was a wonderful experience; we crossed rural fields with cork oak trees, up and down gentle hills, with the highlight being the couple of km along the river margin.