One year with the FujiFilm X-T30 II

About a year ago, I got the Fujifilm X-T30 II as a birthday gift from my wife. I’d had my eye on it for a while — drawn to the classic design, the compact size, and the way it seemed to strike a nice balance between being capable and not overkill. I had a feeling it’d be the kind of camera I’d actually want to carry around, and that’s exactly what it’s turned out to be.

A year in, I can honestly say it’s probably the best camera I’ve owned. Not necessarily because it’s the most powerful or has the biggest sensor — but because I actually use it. A lot. It’s lightweight (just 329g with battery and card), quick to grab on the way out the door, and small enough that it doesn’t draw too much attention. I no longer have to talk myself into bringing a camera — I just throw it in the bag or around my neck and go.

That shift — from something I plan around to something I naturally take with me — has made a big difference in how much I shoot and the kind of moments I end up capturing.

The following two photos are from our latest trip into Manhattan. Nothing planned, nothing fancy — just the kind of everyday moments I probably would’ve let pass by before. Now, the camera’s always with me, and I’m starting to see the value in those in-between scenes just as much as the big ones.