X-E5 x Teerapong Petmartsri
How the Fujifilm X-E5 Rekindled My Love for Photography: My Journey
Hello, I’m Oat Teerapong. You might know me from my photography page, “We Die, Photos Remain.” It’s a name that often raises questions, but the meaning is quite literal: when our time comes, the photos we took, the moments we captured, will still be here. For me, photography is about preserving memories, capturing the happiness I feel in the places I visit. It’s about leaving behind a visual record of joy. This philosophy led me to Fujifilm, and specifically, to the X100VI.
From the moment I started using the X100VI, I knew I’d found something special. It delivered that unique Fujifilm “feeling” and the image tones I was looking for – perfect for capturing the essence of my travels. But there was one catch: the fixed lens. As much as I loved the camera’s output, I found myself constantly wishing I could change my perspective, frame shots differently, and capture the wider variety of scenes I encountered. I kept thinking, “If only there was a camera just like this, but one that let me change lenses…”
Well, for me, that camera turned out to be the Fujifilm X-E5. It felt like the answer to my specific wish – a camera that promised the soul of the X100VI but with the crucial flexibility of an interchangeable lens mount. Seeing its simple, classic Fujifilm design only solidified my interest. It seemed to offer exactly what I needed: the look, the feel, the image quality I loved, plus the versatility I craved.
To see if it truly lived up to my hopes, I took it on a real challenge: a landscape photography road trip in Okinawa, Japan. I wanted to capture a different side of Japan, focusing on the natural landscapes rather than the typical city scenes or seasonal colours. This trip involved travelling the entire length of the island, from south to north, and even hiking into locations inaccessible by car. On top of that, Okinawa’s weather lived up to its reputation for being unpredictable – over the six days I was there, we only had two days of clear skies; the rest was rain.
These demanding conditions were the perfect test, and the X-E5 immediately impressed me with its portability. It was just so easy to carry. When you’re trekking to remote spots and dealing with changing weather, the last thing you want is heavy and bulky gear. The manageable size and weight of the X-E5 genuinely helped me a lot, letting me focus on finding the right shot instead of feeling weighed down.
But the real game-changer, the reason I was so excited about this camera, was the ability to change lenses. And it didn’t disappoint. Honestly, using the X-E5 throughout that trip, I felt like I hadn’t enjoyed photography this much in a long time. I brought several lenses – my 16mm, 35mm, 56mm, and even a 50-140mm. Being able to switch between them completely opened up my creative options. I could capture sweeping landscapes with the wide-angle and then zoom in for details with the telephoto. It felt incredibly freeing, and I found it perfect for the landscape work I was doing.
Of course, being a Fujifilm, the Film Simulations were a joy to use. I experimented quite a bit and quickly found my absolute favourite: CLASSIC Neg. There’s something about its tones and contrast that just clicks with my style. What’s even better is that for so many of the photos I took using CLASSIC Neg., I barely needed to do any extra editing later. Getting images I loved straight out of the camera meant less time processing and more time shooting and experiencing the place – which is exactly what my photography is about.
Beyond the images, the camera just felt right in my hands. The new camera grip that offers a bigger, bolder grip is noticeably more comfortable to hold making long shooting days easier. And I have to admit, I really love the design. It’s a great camera, obviously, but it also looks fantastic – it works as a photo prop in itself!
So, after putting it through its paces on that Okinawa adventure, my impression of the Fujifilm X-E5 is overwhelmingly positive. It delivered on its promise, giving me the image quality and the mood and tone, SOOC from Fujifilm that I love, combined with the essential versatility of interchangeable lenses, all in a portable and comfortable body. It didn’t just help me take the photos I wanted; it made the whole process more enjoyable again.
If you’ve been looking for something similar, I can only say: go give it a try sometime! For me, the X-E5 is the tool that helps me best capture those fleeting moments of happiness, ensuring the photos, and the memories they hold, will indeed remain.
