Is Fujifilm a Professional Camera Brand?
It’s a question I hear a lot: Is Fujifilm considered a professional camera brand? You’ll find tons of YouTube videos on this topic, and I wanted to offer my perspective as a professional photographer.
Why I Use Both Canon and Fujifilm
I use two systems in my studio: Canon and Fujifilm. You might be wondering why I use both and how I choose between them. Let me break it down for you.
For much of my work, I can use either system. They overlap in a lot of ways, and the choice isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes, it’s about what works on the day. For example, I’ve had issues recently getting my Canon to tether to Capture One. It just refused to work, and when you're in a studio with a client, you can’t afford technical hiccups like this.
My Fuji saved the day. The X-T5 always tethers effortlessly, so when I have trouble with the Canon, I grab the Fuji and can get the job done with no problem, and with very similar results. It might not be an exciting reason, but as a professional, getting the job done is what matters most, not the gear we use to do it.
I’ve used the Fujifilm system on many professional shoots, including large corporate gigs where I’m shooting maybe 50 or 60 headshots, or when I have a headshot station and a portrait station going at the same time. In those situations, Fujifilm holds up just as well as Canon—it gets the job done and does it beautifully.
That being said, there are certain situations where I actually prefer Fujifilm over Canon.
When I shoot concert photography, especially in smaller, more intimate venues like jazz clubs or dive bars in NYC, Fujifilm is my go-to choice. There are a few reasons for this:
Film Simulations: I love shooting Acros for concerts, among Fuji’s other awesome film simulations.
Size and Weight: Fujifilm cameras are smaller and lighter, which makes them less intrusive and easier to handle in tight spaces.
Color Science: The colors straight out of the Fujifilm camera are still the best, and that’s why I often prefer it for natural light and outdoor portrait sessions. Beautiful colors every time.
However, sometimes I’ll use both systems in the same portrait session, depending on the lighting and mood I’m going for, or just the mood I’m in. In my studio, I primarily use the Canon R5 or the Fujifilm X-T5, paired with my favorite lenses—Canon’s 50mm f/1.2 or Fujifilm’s 16-55mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.0. All three of these lenses give me different focal length options, and different looks that I love.
At the end of the day, both Canon and Fujifilm work for me, and I enjoy using them. My gear choices are based on what speaks to me and allows me to do the job efficiently. For you, it might be different. The most important thing is finding the gear that works for your style of photography and gets the job done in a way that makes you happy. A professional can really make any camera work for them, but we gravitate towards certain brands that make the job easier and most importantly, more fun!
Final Thoughts
I hope this gave you some insight into why I use both Canon and Fujifilm. Whichever system you choose, remember that the best camera is the one you have with you. So go out there, have fun, and take some great pictures—no matter what gear you’re using!
And, by the way, the images in this blog were taken with both Canon and Fujifilm cameras.