Three things have been on my list of wanted items to compliment my newish Fujifilm X100 camera: a leather strap, lens hood & adapter and a leather case. The X100 has quickly become my preferred camera because of it’s light weight, ease of transport and amazing ability to take great photos. In fact, it has prevented the Canon 5D from coming on all but one of my recent trips. This is further compounded by the fact that the X100 is a lot of fun to shoot and not at all bad to look at. I don’t think I have ever owned any single thing that has garnered more attention; everyone asks about it.
My first acquisition was a brown leather strap hand-made by Bryan at Tipton & Co. which I picked up while he was showing at Old & New. Tipton makes great stuff and fills a much needed void with its selection of American camera specific leather goods. If you are in the market for a leather camera strap keep an eye on Tipton & Co., big things are in the pipeline.
Next on my list was a leather case to protect the body of the X100. The options for these specific leather cases are even less plentiful than straps, though thankfully I was tipped off to the Japanese maker Aki Asahi’s custom made leather cases. For $122 (including express EMS shipping), Aki will make you the case of your choosing. You can select the leather from a variety of color options and can even pick the color/material of the snap. The cases are beautifully made and I expect the leather to only get better with time and use.
The last piece of the x100 accessories puzzle was the Fujifilm X100 lens hood and adapter ring. This is an item that I have patiently waited to become available again (though it is now either sold out or overpriced) and picked up at regular price ($129) from Amazon. Fuji has battled with constant supply / availabilities for both the camera and the accessories due to the overwhelming demand and the March earthquake / Tsunami in Japan. Patience is a virtue when it comes to the X100.
While you can absolutely take beautiful photos without any of these items, I think all three add-ons create a more enjoyable experience and they help make an already great camera even better. Not to mention, make the shooter look even cooler.
Looks great! I’ve only had my X100 for about a month so far, but it’s already the best digital camera I’ve ever owned: easy on the eyes, lightweight enough to the point where I can carry it anywhere, and results in beautiful images.
even I can take pictures with that thing… v v cool.
I have been eyeing the X100 for a while now as carrying even a D700 can get heavy. A few years back I shot with a Fujifilm S5 professionally, slow as heck, very soft images but had some of the best color rendition (especially the white balance) of any camera I have owned. If I could get the depth, the crispness and responsiveness of my D3 with the quality color rendition of my 50mm AFS 1.4 in something the size of an X100… I would be a happy photographer. I do like the clean images that come out of the X100; also it helps that the camera is just amazing to look at!
Jealous! I love this camera even though I’ve never even handled one. I want to buy one, but you know, I needed a new washer/dryer set. (Priorities) You know, all of us clothing-crazy fashion enthusiasts need proper equipment to wash our clothes, so if you ever want some info on this subject, let me know. (I am a journalist.)
@CSP
Hand wash cool, do not wring, drip dry. Dryers turn clothes in to lint.
$122 is dang inexpensive for a custom case.
I foresee this being significantly less controversial than your Smythson notebook. Beautiful case, congratulations.
We are dying to get one of these.
You took beter photos with the Canon 5D MkII .
Fabulous fabulous camera. I am sold.
@jiheison
I do indeed line dry most of my clothes. :-)
Well-dressed rig. When not lugging my Oly E-3 around (especially on a motorcycle), I use a Fuji Finepix F-20 that has now become something of a cult camera because of its low-light capability. Of course, it has none of the x100 sentimental design characteristics, but its P&S output continues to blow me away. If Oly ever decided to abandon 4:3 format, I think I would turn to Fuji for my next serious camera (and this is coming from a life-long Leica and Rolleiflex film guy).
My biggest question is how do you like that hybrid viewfinder? I loathe electronic viewfinders; that’s what is keeping me back from an Oly EP.
I just got one of these and I’m totally loving it!
Fist, a very big thank you to Fuji’s product designers for staying true to classics and using round/eyelet lugs.
Second, everything looks amazing together, and will even more so as it gets continuously used and beat up. Looking forward to seeing that case as it ages. Their prices are very reasonable as well for a custom cut case.
Am I going with the Leica X1 or the Fuji X100?
Look at Flickr ; I prefer the X1 photos .
Not 100% happy with the X100. Functionality is a BIG issue, having to crank the hell out of the manual focus ring, constant back focusing of the autofocus and headaches with the accesory package. Using the adapter ring with a UV filter (a must, because god help you if you break the lens) makes it impossible to attach the lens hood or lens cap. Also, it makes for a snug fit if you are using the Fuji leather case and cover.
Aesthetically, it’s brilliant, and the photos look great, but without the functionality issues sorted out, I can’t see it taking the brunt of the work away from my DSLR.
Right now it’s a very expensive niche camera.
Luigi’s cases are much nicer, but I’m liking the Tipton strap.
LOVE IT.
You may want to consider adding a “Thumbs UP” thumb rest and/or any of their decorative shutter buttons. These items not only look great (especially the decorative shutter buttons) but they also add to the functionality of the camera. I am a Nikon shooter but if I were to purchase a Fuji X100, I would definitely buy them. Btw Great website!
http://matchtechnical.com/Beep.aspx
http://matchtechnical.com/default.aspx
Tried it. Hated it. So many problems with that camera. Good for retro lovers, bad for usability and variety of controls. The case and strap are beautiful though!
Very nice case and strap. I have been deciding on an upgrade from a D-Lux 4 to an x-1, but I miss the built in viewfinder. I am going to have to pay more attention to the Fuji.
Lot of cash for that camera. I’d like to see a hack of taking a more affordable SLR and putting the guts into an old 50’s era 35mm Canon.
Michael, you’re absolutely fucking with me on this post. I just bought a “last resort” case after not being able to source a good one that was cheaper than Luigi’s… This must be the only site I missed, and it looks rad.. sad I didn’t find it sooner.
I assume you saw this?
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/dressup/20110411_437684.html
I assume you’ve seen the X-100 forum? I followed one of their posts and went for this lens hood/adapter when the fuji was unavailable and its flawless for $29.
http://www.x100enthusiasts.com/discussion/141/50-fujifilm-finepix-x100-lens-hood-review-lh-x100-ar-x100-clone
Gordy’s Straps are a great choice for the X-100 also.
Best portrait camera ever.
Ariel, There are plenty of options cheaper than Luigi but nice enough. JnK is another good one. http://jnk-handworks.com/