I’ve been enjoying my new camera for two-and-a-half months now and I finally settled into a good system… so I present my Fujifilm X100T set-up. (I don’t cover my software settings here, but will in the future)
When looking for a new camera, I wanted something fast and discreet. The X100T fit the bill and when I had to choose between the silver/black version or the all-black, it was easy. Of course both versions are beautiful but I was aiming to make mine ‘invisible’ and the all-black was closest. To make it even more nondescript I cut some gaffers tape to cover up all the white lettering on the top. I also covered the T mark on the front and the LED light on the back. Lastly, I took black paint pen to the white lettering on the lens filter and hood. As you can see, it’s quite stealthy! And also a bit shabby, which makes it unattractive to thieves. (In addition, I keep the camera in ‘silent mode’ which disables audio beeps, flash, and AF assist lamp)
On the rear of the camera, I added a little frog sticker that I put on just about all of my personal electronics. It’s there to remind me that I should be having fun in whatever I do. You can also see a small question mark sticker. That is to remind myself to ask some simple photo-related questions before I take photos: “Is there a clear subject? Is there fore-, mid-, and background? High or low angle?”
For my accessories, I have a convex soft-shutter release which screws into the shutter button. I added a little Loctite so that it doesn’t unscrew. I love this little accessory! It makes snapping photos a much more enjoyable experience, and also I believe it reduces camera shake. I highly recommend getting one!
I used to have a Thumbs Up Grip that attached to the hot-shoe and adds a nice stable place to rest your thumb. It made carrying and operating the camera with one hand much more secure. But I removed it because when I carry the camera across by body using the neck/shoulder strap (which is just about always), that thumbgrip just digs into my side. It’s just too annoying.
Speaking of the strap, I don’t use the one that came with the camera because it has a white logo on it (trying to be discreet, right?) and also because it is too uncomfortable. The edges are a bit sharp. So I am using a simple fake leather strap that came with a half-case I bought for my XF1. I am keeping my eye out for a cheap leather strap, but nothing perfect has come along yet. I adjusted the strap’s length so that it can be slung across my body.
Lastly, I put B+W 49mm XS-Pro Clear filter on the front of the lens for protection. When I am walking around with my camera, I don’t use a lens cap but simply keep the UV filter on there. It’s much faster that way. And for the record, I do have a lens shade/hood that came with the filter adapter, but I don’t use it. It’s too big. (I use a lens cap when I put the camera in a bag though)
So that’s it! My everyday set-up. The X100T is already a great platform for quick and discreet shooting but the customizations make it even better!
I am sure you wear black, just to be stealthy ;-)
Haha. Photo ninja!!! :)