I’ve been searching the last couple of days for a new Fujifilm camera. Actually, a used camera. You might recall that back in September I posted that I wanted to buy a full-spectrum camera for infrared photography. I’ve had an interest in infrared photography for a long time, and I’ve been eager to try it, but the funds to buy such a camera have eluded me. I did get the green light to spend $300 or less on a used camera to eventually (maybe mid-2020) convert to full-spectrum. There are a few different companies that will convert your camera to infrared, and the going rate seems to be about $300, plus you still need to buy various filters, so it’s not exactly a cheap endeavor. I have been searching for a cheap Fujifilm camera that’s hopefully gently used, since I need to keep costs down in order to make this dream a reality.
When I looked at various places, such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, KEH, etc., I was surprised to see a lot of great options for $300 or less. I found some Fujifilm X-E1 bodies for under $200, one as cheap as $150. The X-E1, or “Sexy One” as it was once called, was my introduction to Fujifilm cameras, and is a solid choice. I saw an X-T10 that claimed to have a low shutter count but with some serious scratches for $200. There were several X-E2 bodies for around $250, and an X-E2s for under $300. I was surprised to see a few X-T1 bodies for $300. There were also some non-X-Trans Fujifilm cameras, such as the X-A3, X-A5 and X-T100, for under $300. I had a lot to choose from.
As I was looking at all of these cameras, I was reminded of some articles I’ve written. About a year-and-a-half ago I published Digital Is Disposable, which is about how we continuously buy the latest gear and don’t keep what we own for very long. It’s just as true now as it was then. People (myself included) upgrade their gear much too quickly, and cameras that are still excellent get tossed aside like an old moldy bag of tangerines just because there’s something else that’s brand new. Last week I briefly touched on this topic in my Photography Investments article, and just the other day in 5 Tips To Become A Better Photographer. It’s better to keep your gear longer and spend your money on experiences instead of upgrading your very capable and practically still new camera.
The flip side to this coin, however, is that if you want a cheap yet excellent camera, there’s plenty to pick from. Maybe you’d like a second camera body. Well, you can have one for $300 or less, maybe even as low as $150! Perhaps your kid or spouse has been begging for a camera, but you don’t want to spend a bunch of money. Why not buy something used and affordable instead of brand new and expensive? I’m just throwing this out there in case you didn’t realize that used Fujifilm gear is going for so little.
I purchased a Fujifilm X-T1 that claims to have a very low shutter count and is in like-new condition for only $300. That seems like a fantastic deal! Sometimes someone else’s description doesn’t match how I would describe it, so when it arrives I’ll see just how “very low” the shutter count is and just how “like new” it actually is. If it’s in halfway decent shape I’ll be happy. With any luck sometime in the coming six months or so I’ll be able to convert it to full-spectrum, something I’ve wanted to do for many years. One man’s junk is another’s treasure, as the saying goes, and I’m hoping this camera will prove to be a treasure for me.
Happy to hear you’ve found a way to do infrared photography. I look forward to seeing your work.
Does shutter count matter for mirrorless cameras with electronic shutters?
I don’t think it matters. I think they seller was trying to say that the camera was lightly used, which I hope is the case. I’ll find out soon enough.
There’s still a mechanical shutter that could potentially fail. However, I suspect the “low shutter count” is fictive because, afaik, cameras with gen 1-2 x-trans sensors don’t report the shutter count. In gen 3 and later, the shutter count is in the Exif of each image.
That’s a very good point. I hope it simply is intended to mean “I barely used it” but my experience is half the time used items aren’t exactly as they’re described, and I’ve come to expect that. Thank you for the input!
Ah. That makes sense.
I acquired a used XA1 that had already been converted to full spectrum and absolutely love it! If I had the option again I would definitely get something with an EVF though.
I HIGHLY recommend getting the IR Chrome filter from Kolari Vision – mimics Kodak Aerochrome in-camera without needing any post-processing or channel swapping.
Quite a few Fuji lenses are reported to have infrared hotspots – the only one I have that doesn’t is my favourite 35 1.4 which is very handy. Would prefer a wider angle but at least I can make it work for landscapes.
That’s awesome! Thank you for the tip! This database seems to be incomplete, but a good resource:
https://kolarivision.com/articles/lens-hotspot-list/
You‘re so right! I use my X-Pro1 since 2013 and bought a used X-T10 as a second body. Both are well till today 🙂
So I wonder that you not have looked for or found a used X-Pro1. There are a lot of near mint bodys under 300€ here in germany.
I did look, but except for a couple that needed repairs, I didn’t find any for $300 or less. I would have loved an X-Pro1, though.
I recently bought an X-E2 body for AUD$169 and have matched it with the 45mm lens from a Minolta XG1 for which I paid $75. I call it my Fuji-Minolta kit. Shooting manual focus again is both a challenge and a joy. Thanks for your blog too!
Wow, that’s awesome! Sounds like you got a great setup for very little money. Those old Minolta cameras are pretty good, too. I used to have an XG-1.
As someone who has shot an X100 exclusively for more than 5 years in a wide range of conditions – from street to portraits; from events to low-light bar gigs – I could not help but think that getting to know your camera strengths and weaknesses and using them to get the shot is one of the best ways to grow as a photographer.
That said, I’ll soon be in the market for an upgrade to my X100 – the slow AF and operational speed, and maybe the ISO – are the main drivers towards an upgrade. Currently considering the X100T (same camera but better + chrome) or either an X-T20 or X-E3 (mostly for Acros) but I have seen some attractively-priced X-T1s on sale…
I think you would love an X-T20 or X-E3, and neither are expensive. I will report how the X-T1 is, as it seems like quite the bargain. Whatever you choose, as you said, knowing your gear well goes a long way towards getting the most out of it. Thank you for commenting!