FUJIFILM X-T30 III: Travel Photography x Jess Ellis
London-based travel photographer and content creator Jess Ellis tests out the FUJIFILM X-T30 III (X-T30 III).
“I got into photography in a roundabout way,” begins Jess Ellis. “I started making travel content – sharing videos of where I was, the food and giving advice – and got a bit sick of being behind my phone all the time. I found it was disconnecting me from the experience of being in new places and taking in new things.”
“I picked up a Fujifilm camera for exactly that reason. My first camera, three years ago, was the FUJIFILM X-T30 II, and I basically haven’t put it down since. I enjoy the places I’m visiting much more, and have noticed things in a much more meaningful way. I’ve gone on such a photography journey since then. I make a lot more photos than videos these days.”
For Jess, using a dedicated camera became a way to disconnect from her phone and reconnect with the world. “I was tired of being on my phone. I think we all are these days – you look at your screen time, and you’ve spent six to eight hours a day on it. As a content creator, my entire job is on my phone, so when I’m out there making content, I don’t want to use it – I want something more intuitive.”
The FUJIFILM X-T30 III
Now an experienced travel photographer and content creator, Jess finds a steady source of motivation in the subtle details of the places she visits. “I’m inspired to show the small moments that happen in-between; little observations you might not immediately think of when you picture traveling to a destination or visiting a place.”
“I’m inspired by my feelings and memories when I come back from a trip, and that usually has more to do with a weird Sunday morning I spent strolling around a quiet area – something like that. I want those sentiments to translate to my images.”
The process is simple but rewarding, she explains. “I like to walk around and see what takes my interest – what’s exciting in that moment. You can move around the same area of a city at different times of the day or week and see completely different things. When I’m making photos while traveling, I try to be in that exact moment.”
Jess worked with the new FUJIFILM X-T30 III on a trip through Bath and the Cotswolds – locations she already knew well. “I’m very comfortable there, and love the region,” she notes, although her perspective is shaped by her background.
“I’m from New Zealand, and we don’t have a lot of architectural history there. Something I love about living in the UK is that so many places are filled with beautiful buildings. That’s what I enjoy about Bath – it’s such a beautiful city no matter the time of day. And then I love the contrast of the Cotswolds, especially in summer, where you’ve got this lush, overgrown greenery.”
New Film Simulation dial
One of the key updates to the X-T30 III is the addition of a Film Simulation dial, allowing users to flip between iconic Fujifilm colour profiles and their own custom recipes in quick time. Jess found this particularly inspiring. “The recipes and Film Simulations are what make Fujifilm cameras so special. Having access to all that on a dial makes the creative process much more intuitive.”
There are 20 Film Simulations available to choose from on the X-T30 III, including fan favourites like CLASSIC CHROME and REALA ACE. All are inspired by authentic analogue colour science, drawing on Fujifilm’s considerable expertise in the field. Meanwhile, slots FS1-FS3 of the dial can be programmed to hold custom user settings – granting infinite possibilities.
For this project, Jess alternated between default simulations and her own concoctions. “I do a bit of both – I’ll use the built-in Film Simulations, then I’ve got a couple of go-to recipes figured out over time.”
This flexibility meant she could easily experiment during the trip. “It definitely made me want to try Film Simulations I hadn’t before. I used a fair bit of NOSTALGIC Neg. on this trip, and started really liking the look of it.”
Lightweight and versatile
Weighing only 378g and offering the same slim dimensions as its predecessor, the X-T30 III is a camera that balances performance with portability – qualities Jess sees as essential. “Perhaps the key factors for everything I bring into my process are that it needs to be lightweight, easy to use, and not intrusive. If I can’t pack it into my handbag, I’m not taking photos with it – and that defeats the point of buying a camera.”
Newly available as part of a kit with the X-T30 III is FUJINON XC13-33mmF3.5-6.3 OIS lens – which Jess got to grips with on this project too. “It was also great,” she enthuses. “It’s clear, sharp and I enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with a different focal length since it goes so wide.”
As an interchangeable-lens camera, the X-T30 III affords users the ability to choose any focal length they want. “I’ve now got my dream set-up,” explains Jess. “I’ve got FUJINON XF35mmF2 R WR lens and XF50mmF2 R WR lens, which are both the perfect size for this camera. And I can bring both of those primes and this camera in my nice handbag.”
“I’ve also just got FUJINON XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR II lens. I’ll take that to Japan with me at the end of the year. It’s the only lens I need for a trip like that because it’s just so good.”
Fast and connected
Also, brand new to the X-T30 III is the addition of X-Processor 5 – the same image processing engine found in flagship cameras like FUJIFILM X-H2S and GFX100 II. This gives it access to rapid subject detection algorithms and AI-enabled face and eye tracking.
“The whole camera felt that bit faster,” Jess notes. “When you’re out traveling and might want to photograph people in one scenario but then not in another, the autofocus needs to be reactive.”
Across the board, Jess’s work demands speed, and the X-T30 III’s wireless workflow proved invaluable for everything that comes after the photography. Using XApp, the camera can connect by Bluetooth to a phone and quickly transfer images for delivery or further processing.
“It’s essential because I’m probably out photographing three to four times a week,” Jess points out. “Being able to leave a job, sit on the Tube and transfer all my photos before I get to my stop – and have them ready to upload or in Lightroom by the time I’m home – is an invaluable part of the process.”
Jess found the analogue-inspired aesthetic of the X-T30 III attracted curiosity wherever she went. “I was surprised by a camera that looked like this was so well received,” she muses. “Sometimes you can feel insecure or intrusive when walking around with a camera, especially doing travel photography. But when I took this out, I got lots of compliments. You get a really warm reception when you have a more traditional-looking camera – that’s what I enjoy about the look of this one the most.”
The perfect travel companion
Summing up her time with the X-T30 III, Jess is clear about who will suit. “It’s for anybody who wants to make more photos – and do it easily,” she states. “It’s the perfect beginner camera. It’s easy to use right out of the box, which is the most important thing when starting out, but it also has so much flexibility for when you grow your understanding of photography.”
“That’s very special to have in one camera – something that suits a beginner, but can grow with you as you get better. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to make more meaningful photos when they’re travelling.”
