used cameras | FUJI X WEEKLY

Selling and Trading my Unwanted Gear

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

Over the years I have accumulated quite a collection of photography gear. I have cameras and lenses that I rarely—if ever—use. They’re on my shelf collecting dust, or packed away in a box. I’ve been meaning to get rid of some of these items, but I just never seem to get around to it.

The number one reason why I hold onto my old, unused gear is not because I want to keep it, but because I dislike the process of selling. Over the years I have used sites like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and even Instagram Stories to sell my stuff, but it has rarely been an easy and smooth process. I’ve been ghosted more times than I can count, and even scammed a couple of times. It’s such a headache!

I want to be transparent upfront: MPB is the sponsor of this article. If you don’t know it yet, they are the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear—each piece checked by hand before being MPB Approved. MPB asked me to create a series of articles sharing my honest opinion about using gear loaned from their platform (you can find the links at the bottom of this article).

A couple of weeks back, they asked me about testing the selling and trading process for myself—and since I’d been putting off selling my old gear to raise funds for a camera I had my eye on, I jumped at the suggestion to try (fingers crossed) an easier way. It is important to note that they didn’t give me any special treatment or pricing. So while I have purchased from MPB a couple of times in the past, this article is about my experience going through the sell and trade process as a normal customer for the first time. Free, fast, and fair is how they describe their instant quote process, so let’s put that to the test.

I had three items that I no longer needed: My Fujifilm X-M1, Fujinon 100-400mm lens, and Canon EOS 5DS R. For the X-M1, I wanted to trade for a Fujinon TCL-X100 II Conversion Lens, which MPB had loaned to me back in October. For the zoom lens and Canon DSLR, I wanted cash. I did this in two separate transactions—one trade, and one sell.

How to sell with MPB

When you visit the MPB platform, you are presented with a path choice: “Shop” or “Sell/Trade”. When you click “Sell/Trade”, you are prompted to provide information about the gear you’re looking to sell—what exactly is it, and what is the condition it’s in (there’s even a quick guide if you’re not sure how). After that, you just select “Get Instant Quote”, provide some basic information (name, email, and optionally your phone number), and MPB presents you with a tentative offer. All quick, easy, and painless.

For my Fujifilm X-M1, since I was planning to trade, I added the TCL-X100 II lens to the Buying category, selected my desired cosmetic condition, and chose the specific one that I wanted to trade for. When I clicked “Get Instant Quote”, I was presented with a price for the X-M1 that was well above what I had anticipated being offered—I didn’t expect so much! I added some batteries and accessories to the trade, and still had ample cash leftover. The next step was to box up the camera, and ship it for free via FedEx. I should note that trading gear doesn’t increase or decrease the price of whatever you are buying or selling.

A few days later I received an email from MPB that my item was received. The next day another email came stating that my item had been inspected, and my quote updated. They reduced the amount they wanted to pay for it by a little and I could either accept or reject it. I had the option to reject the offer and get my gear returned for free if I wasn’t happy, but I accepted. It was still more than I had anticipated, and there was still cash leftover after the trade. I provided MPB with banking info, and two days later I was paid. Just yesterday, the TCL-X100 II, batteries, and accessories arrived in the mail, and I couldn’t be happier with the whole process.

Next, I went through the same process to sell my Fujinon 100-400mm lens and Canon 5DS R camera; however, the quote for these two items were both less than I had hoped for. I needed them gone fast, so I decided to send them in anyway. When MPB reviewed the lens and camera, they once again adjusted the quote, this time significantly increasing the value of the Canon DSLR. It was still less than I would have liked to have sold them for, but the overall increase made me feel a little better about it. I later learned they use MPB Re.Value—the world’s leading proprietary dynamic pricing engine for used camera gear with millions of data points—to provide real-time prices for buyers and sellers.

I was curious how much of a markup MPB would give my items (after all, they’ve got to earn a profit), so I found them on their website. The X-M1 has a markup of $149, which seems quite reasonable. The Fujinon 100-400mm has a markup of $339, and the Canon EOS 5DS R has a markup of $333, which leans in their favor. You could say that I left money on the table, had I sold these items myself instead of using MPB, but that’s assuming I would have been able to sell them for that price, and that I wouldn’t have had to pay shipping and other fees. Add to that the time and hassle of doing it, plus the risk of being scammed or worse, and I would say that selling to MPB was undoubtedly preferable.

After selling gear through MPB for the first time, I’ve learned that it’s a quick, easy, and painless process. While I would have liked to have received a little more for two of the three items that I sold, overall I am pleased with the outcome, and I will certainly use MPB again in the future.

Your Gift Guide for Affordable Fujifilm Gear

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

It’s the holiday season, and Christmas is right around the corner. Maybe you want to give a gift to your photographer friend or family member something that they will absolutely love. Perhaps your spouse, child, grandchild, or niece/nephew is interested in following in your footsteps, and are hoping to find their first “real” camera under the tree. If you are shopping for a fellow photographer or budding photographer, I’ve got some gift ideas for you!

For my 40th birthday, my wife got me a Fujifilm X100V, which was such an incredible gift! For her 40th birthday, I gave her a Fujifilm X-T4. While those were certainly wonderful presents, they were very unusual for us, as we don’t typically spend anywhere near that much for birthdays and Christmas, and probably a lot of you reading this don’t either. There are tons of great more affordable options and it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so for this article I’m going to narrow the premise, which hopefully will provide some of you with a little better clarity.

First off, I’m assuming that you don’t have a small fortune to spend, and so you don’t mind buying used gear, which is more affordable, and perhaps a bit more practical as a gift. MPB, the sponsor of this article (where all my suggested gift ideas can be purchased from), is the largest global platform where you can buy, sell, or trade used photo and video gear—each piece checked by hand before being MPB Approved. If you’re thinking about upgrading or gifting gear this holiday season, embracing used is a great way to keep costs down without compromising on quality. Secondly, this website is Fujifilm-centric, so all of my suggestions will be related to that brand of gear.

Let’s jump right in!

Fujifilm X-T1 — Best learning camera

For someone who wants their first “real” camera to learn photography on, the Fujifilm X-T1 is my top recommendation. First, it has manual tactile controls to learn the principles of photography with (such as the exposure triangle). Second, while it is “old” for digital technology (released in 2014, a full decade ago), it is still very capable. This was Fujifilm’s flagship model when it was introduced, and 10 years later it holds up pretty well. Interestingly, in 2021, Antonio Faccilongo won the World Press Photo Story of the Year with a photograph captured with this model. Third, the X-T1 is quite affordable, and can be purchased for less than $500. You will need a lens to go with it, and my top recommendation is the Fujinon 35mm f/2, which can be had for less than $300 used. Depending on the exact copies you pick, you can get a camera and lens combo for under $800, and even under $700 if you don’t mind a few scuffs.

Fujifilm X-S10 — Affordable hybrid for videography

While many cameras are great for photography, some don’t excel at both stills and video. My top recommendation for an affordable hybrid—a camera that’s good for both stills and video—is the Fujifilm X-S10, which has in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS), an important feature for videography. If you are buying for someone who has shown an interest in creating TikTok or YouTube videos, you’ll want to strongly consider the X-S10. It can be had for under $900, which makes it the most expensive camera in this list; however, I think it pairs well with the Fujinon 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6, which is one of the more affordable lenses at about $150.

Fujifilm X-A2 – Most affordable camera

I get asked somewhat frequently what is the cheapest way to get into Fujifilm, usually from those wanting to buy a camera for their child or grandchild. Is it possible to do so under $500? Well, it is possible, but just barely. The Fujifilm X-A2 can be had for under $350, and the Fujinon 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 is about $150, which brings you in right around $500. The X-A line was Fujifilm’s most budget-friendly series. The X-A2 was released in 2015 and is approaching 10 years old; however, it is still surprisingly capable, with similar technical stats as the Fujifilm X-T1.

Fujifilm X30 — Fun for the one who has everything

For the photographer who has it all, the Fujifilm X30 is a fun little camera! There’s a pretty good chance that the photographer you are shopping for doesn’t have this model. It’s older, and doesn’t have particularly impressive stats, but what it lacks technically it more than makes up for in pure joy. Nobody is going to make a career out of this camera, but for fun snapshots that have a ton of character, the X30 is one to take a close look at. It’s not necessarily cheap at around $700, but at least you don’t have to buy a lens for it, since it is a fixed-lens camera.

Fujinon WCL-X100 II & TCL-X100 II — Conversion lenses for X100-series cameras

If the photographer you are buying for already owns a Fujifilm X100-series camera, like the X100VI, X100V, and X100F, a great addition are the two conversion lenses: WCL-X100 II and TCL-X100 II. These two lenses add versatility to any X100-series camera, and are especially great for travel photography. They’re not terribly expensive, either: the WCL-X100 II is about $200, while the TCL-X100 II is about $230. Choose one, or choose both. If it’s just one, I would give first consideration to the WCL-X100 II.

If you are searching for a holiday gift for the photographer or budding photographer in your life, I hope that this list provided you with some clarity. I always enjoy receiving camera-related clothes and coffee mugs and things like that as gifts, but if you really want to give a camera or lens, those do cost a lot of money, and I think that this list has some excellent suggestions; however, feel free to browse MPB’s current inventory, as you just never know what you might find.

Fujifilm X30 — Fujifilm’s Forgotten Retro Compact Zoom

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

The Fujifilm X30 is an amazing and fun little camera. All it does is create wonderful pictures. It was quite surprising, and just blew away my expectations! I bet some of you aren’t even aware that this camera exists.

MPB is the sponsor of this article. They loaned me a Fujifilm X30 to try out for a couple of weeks. For those who don’t know, MPB is an online platform where you can buy, sell, or trade used photo and video gear. “At MPB, there’s something for everyone who wants to try something new, hone their skills, or pursue their passion—and it won’t cost the earth.” If you’re in the market for used camera gear, be sure to check out their platform—you can learn more about MPB here. Thank you, MPB, for making this article possible!

The Fujifilm X30 is a compact fixed-lens zoom camera with a tiny 12MP X-Trans II sensor. The third iteration in the series, the X30 was already a bit dated when it was released in 2014. With its discontinuation in 2016, Fujifilm abandoned the series altogether. The camera has a 28mm-112mm full-frame-equivalent f/2-2.8 lens, so it covers a lot of focal lengths. It has pretty good close focus capabilities and even optical image stabilization. There’s a lot to like on paper, but the 2/3″ CMOS sensor is just really small, and I think it’s hard to take a camera seriously with such a tiny sensor—especially when that tech is a decade old or more. That’s all on paper, of course, and real world use is what actually matters.

Despite the tiny sensor, the Fujifilm X30 is actually a similar size (just a tad smaller) to the Fujifilm X-E4 with the Fujinon 18mm f/2 pancake. The camera is not nearly as compact as I had expected. I had anticipated the dimensions to be more similar to the Fujifilm X70—perhaps even be pocketable—but it’s actually noticeably larger. In place of the usual Shutter Dial is a PASM Dial (which was common on Fujifilm’s lower-end models at the time); otherwise, the X30 looks and functions like many other Fujifilm X-series cameras. Because of the tiny sensor, it has significantly lower high-ISO capabilities than the APS-C models—I think it’s best to keep the camera at ISO 800 and below, but I did use ISO 1600 in some low-light situations and it was ok enough.

I programmed seven Film Simulation Recipes into the camera’s C1-C7 Custom Presets: Classic Kodak Chrome, Kodachrome 64, Pro Film, Lomography Color 100, Provia Negative, CineStill 800T, and Monochrome Red. This is a good set that covers most situations. Also, because each one uses a different White Balance type, the camera will remember the White Balance Shift for each. On the older cameras, which aren’t capable of saving a WB Shift within the C1-C7 presets, the experience is much improved if each Recipe uses a different White Balance type. I used Kodachorme 64 the most, and Classic Kodak Chrome second most—at one point or another, each of the seven came in handy.

*Fujifilm X30 – Classic Kodak Chrome Recipe*

*Fujifilm X30 – Lomography Color 100 Recipe*

The pictures from this camera are amazing! They have a ton of character—I especially love the lens flare. I think the photographs are the selling point of the X30. It doesn’t have a ton of resolution, so you probably can only print up to 11″ x 14″ and not likely any larger; however, the files are plenty large enough for web and social media use, which is how most pictures are seen nowadays. I could see myself using this as an everyday-carry. Just grab it while heading out the door on ordinary outings.

Once again, a big “thank you” to MPB for loaning me a Fujifilm X30. It definitely is “outdated” in 2024, but the images that it creates are surprisingly wonderful, which makes it worthwhile to own and use. I think this could also be an excellent option for someone just learning photography. Even though the X30 is an easy to overlook model—especially since compact zooms have largely been forsaken by the industry—the retro design of this camera and especially the nostalgic photographs that it makes are easy to love.

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured on a Fujifilm X30:

Previously in this series:
Fujifilm X-Pro2 — The camera that got away (again)
Fujifilm X-T50 + Fujinon 23mm F/2 = Interchangeable-Lens Fujifilm X100VI??
Leica Q2 from the perspective of a Fujifilm photographer

Up next: Close Up with the Fujinon XF 30mm F/2.8 R LM WR Macro

BTW, in the top picture the camera is sitting on Kyle McDougall’s book An American Mile. An excellent photoessay, and great for inspiration—I highly recommend it.

Fujifilm X-Pro2 — The camera that got away (again)

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

Back in 2018, I briefly owned a Fujifilm X-Pro2. I loved that camera! It was so much fun, and the perfect compliment to my Fujifilm X100F. To this day it remains my absolute favorite interchangeable-lens model by Fujifilm that I’ve ever purchased. Unfortunately, I had to sell it.

You see, I didn’t have a lot of money back then to spend on (what was at the time) my hobby. I’m sure that many of you can relate. I found a good deal on a used X-Pro2, but I really couldn’t afford it. Using PayPal credit, I was able to hold onto the camera for about six months, but when the interest came due, I had to let it go. I had high hopes that I could find a way to keep it, but it just didn’t work out. The day that I mailed the X-Pro2 off to its new owner was a sad one (although I’m sure it was quite happy for them). I’ve thought about that camera—and the summer of 2018 when I briefly owned it—many times since. I’ve often wondered if I’d like it just as much today as I did then.

Thankfully, the kind folks at MPB, who are fans of Fuji X Weekly and Film Simulation Recipes, provided me with the opportunity to find out. MPB is the sponsor of this article—this is the first ever sponsored post on this website, by the way—and they loaned me a Fujifilm X-Pro2 to try out for two weeks. For those who don’t know, MPB is an online platform where you can buy, sell, or trade used photo and video gear. “At MPB, there’s something for everyone who wants to try something new, hone their skills, or pursue their passion—and it won’t cost the earth.” If you’re in the market for used camera gear, be sure to check out their website—you can learn more about MPB here. Thank you, MPB, for making this article possible!

Fujifilm released the X-Pro2 eight years ago, in 2016. It’s a rangefinder-styled 24mp APS-C mirrorless camera with a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. The X-Pro2, which resembles a classic film camera, is rock-solid, and feels like it could last forever, even if you tossed it around a little. In my opinion, the X-Pro series is one of the most beautifully designed camera lines of all time. The X-Pro2 was an instant classic when it was newly released, and will continue to be for many years to come.

I chose the specific Fujifilm X-Pro2 that I wanted to borrow from the MPB website the same as if I were buying it. When the box arrived in the mail, the camera was exactly as the website described. The camera functioned like it was brand-new; the body had a few minor signs of wear, which I was well aware of due to the gear-specific ‘cosmetic condition’ rating displayed on the platform. There were no surprises, and I got precisely what I was expecting to get. Did I mention that the X-Pro2 is a beautiful camera?

When I had the X-Pro2 back in 2018, I brought it along with me on some epic roadtrips. It went with me to the Black Hills in South Dakota. It traveled with me through Colorado and New Mexico, including The Great Sand Dunes and Taos. I have many great memories associated with the X-Pro2. Was how I felt more about those adventures than the camera itself? Or was the camera truly that great?

As I was removing the X-Pro2 from the box, many of those memories came flooding back. It was a great joy to hold it once again. This time, I wouldn’t be able to take it on any roadtrips. Would I feel the same without some travel experiences to go along with the camera? I wondered what I would think about the X-Pro2 all these years later—would it hold up to the test of time?

Back in 2018, I mostly used three lenses with the X-Pro2: Fujinon 60mm f/2.4, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4, and Meike 35mm f/1.7. Of those three, the only one that I still own is the Meike, so I used it extensively during the two weeks that I had the X-Pro2. I also tried a Helios 44-2, Pentax-110 50mm f/2.8, and 7Artisans 35mm f/0.95. Each of those four lenses have unique characteristics and strengths. The X-Pro2 is especially fun to pair with vintage and manual lenses, and I very much enjoyed that approach with it.

I shoot JPEGs, and rarely edit my pictures (aside from some cropping/straightening). I found that this approach works very well for me. The photographs in this article are all camera-made JPEGs that are not post-processed. The Film Simulation Recipes that I used with the camera six years ago were mainly Kodachrome II, Dramatic Classic Chrome, Vintage Agfacolor, Acros, Acros Push Process, and Agfa Scala. A few of those pictures remain personal favorites to this day.

Above: My Fujifilm X-Pro2 photos from 2018.

For this project, the seven Recipes that I programmed into the C1-C7 Custom Presets on the X-Pro2 were Kodachrome II, Kodak Gold 200, Kodacolor, Classic Kodak, Color Negative, Provia Slide, and Acros. The Kodachrome II and Acros Recipes require the same White Balance type but different White Balance Shifts, so I used the Kodachrome II shift with the Acros Recipe; however, towards the end of the project I replaced Kodachrome II with Analog Monochrome, and switched the Acros WB Shift to be correct for that Recipe. You cannot program a WB Shift into the X-Pro2’s C1-C7 presets (like you can with newer Fujifilm models), but if each Recipe uses a different WB type (or share the same WB type and WB Shift), you don’t have to remember to adjust the WB Shift when changing Custom Presets, and you get a better user experience.

When reviewing the pictures after I returned the camera, I discovered that the Film Simulation Recipes I had used the most were Provia Slide, Acros, Kodak Gold 200, Kodachrome II, and Kodacolor (in that order). Provia Slide is a brand-new Recipe that I created on the X-Pro2, and it wouldn’t exist if MPB hadn’t loaned me the camera, and is a very positive side effect of their sponsorship. I’m quite happy with how several of these images turned out, even if I only had the local sights to capture.

Using Film Simulation Recipes on the Fujifilm X-Pro2 provides a film-like shooting experience and output, especially when combined with vintage or manual lenses. It’s an analog approach with the convenience of digital. Since the pictures don’t need to be edited, you can download them straight from the camera using WiFi and immediately share them—or send them off to be printed—right from your phone. That can save you a lot of time and hassle, while making the process more enjoyable and authentic.

Above: My Fujifilm X-Pro2 photos from 2024.

It was once again heartbreaking to mail off the Fujifilm X-Pro2. I very much wanted to keep it. The camera is just as great in 2024 as it was in 2018. I can’t help but think that 20 years from now the X-Pro2 will be sought after for the photographic experience and picture aesthetic that it provides. There aren’t very many digital cameras you can say that about. I feel like in today’s age where new camera models are constantly being released, and photographers just have to have the latest-and-greatest, it’s easy to overlook legendary cameras like the X-Pro2. And I do very much mean that the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is legendary—those who own it already know it, and those who don’t haven’t yet discovered it.

If you want to buy a Fujifilm X-Pro2, MPB has a number of them in stock right now. Or, if you prefer other Fujifilm cameras, they have many to choose from. If you have some gear to sell or trade in, they’ll give you a free (and non-binding) quote.

Will I buy a Fujifilm X-Pro2, this time to keep? I’d love to and I hope to, but I already own way too many cameras, so I’d first need to part ways with at least a couple that I rarely use. The X-Pro2 is extremely tempting. I don’t have an answer one way or the other yet, but the X-Pro2 is one that I certainly wish that I had.

Up next in this series:
Is the Fujifilm X-T50 + Fujinon 23mm f/2 a good alternative to the Fujifilm X100VI?