Yesterday afternoon we received the Fujifilm X-Pro1 from B&H.  We also picked up the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R and the XF35mmF1.4 R lenses.  For those of you who do not follow the latest in photo gear innovation, the X-Pro1 is a rangefinder camera with old school controls merged with state-of-the-art digital imaging tecchnology.  The X-Pro1 extends the design that started with the Fujifilm X10 and X100 models to include interchangeable lenses (currently 18mm, 35mm, and 60mm lenses are available – the 60mm is hard to find as of this entry).

The unboxing was held this AM at around 06:15 MDT.  A very positive impression begins even before the boxes are opened.  Matte black boxes fashioned from fine smooth paper promise a sense of design elegance that as we’ll see persists throughout every element of the system.  The camera body comes in a small black box with FUJIFILM embossed on the top and with a cool magnetic closing mechanism.   An accessory box of the same size includes a strap, battery and charger, manual, software CD and the warantee information.  The body is simply beautiful.  A bit larger than I had imagined, but certainly not awkward in any way.  On the heavy side a bit.  The build quality is absolutely first rate.  The battery is placed on charge immediately.

The 18mm and 35mm lenses are packed in the same manner as the body.  Here again we have the cute magnetic latches on the black boxes.  The lenses are quite small, and fairly light.  The build quality is remarkable, with first-rate attention to detail all around.

Well, this was fun, but we need a fully charged battery to carry on.  Back soon with an operational report.

I’ll be using the time to study up on Carter-Bresson, Winograd, Arbus, Maier, Maisel, and others to get in the proper mood.

Copyright 2012 Peter F. Flynn.  No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.