When I was visual communications student back in the day, I bought a 70’s-era Canon rangefinder on eBay for $50 because I’d read that they were similar to the classic Leica M’s, which I’d never be able to afford. I loved it and I learned to be a better photographer because of the constraints.

Ultimately, dealing with film became a non-starter as everything went digital so I gave it to a buddy but I’ve long pined for a nice digital rangefinder. Epson made and discontinued one a few years ago that took Leica lenses, Leica of course built digital M’s still priced out of my reach and there are a few other fixed focal length kits out there but nothing has really turned my head.

This Fuji X100, though. Hoo, boy, now that looks like something, doesn’t it? Beautiful build, manual knobs, a fast f/2 35-mm equivalent lens, an optional TTL viewfinder mode, HD video and a few other tricks.

It sounds like it has a few quirks but this is the first digital rangefinder that I’ve gotten excited about.