After spending considerable time with the Fuji X-H1 and having experience with the Fuji X-E2 as my original daily carry, I knew I wanted something that matched—or came close to—the quality, power, and speed of the X-H1. The X-E2 is a great camera, but it wasn't designed for photographers like me. Over time, it felt more like a toy; I couldn't use it for professional work. The image quality began to feel lacklustre, and it didn't serve well even as a backup. For the past three years, it's been sitting in a box.

The best option I could think of was the Fuji X-Pro2. At the time of purchase, the X-Pro3 had been out for only two years and seemed overpriced—a common theme with Fuji in recent years. The X-Pro2 shares the same X-Trans III sensor as the X-H1, minus the in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), making it the perfect compact option. It also served as a digital replacement for my beloved Leica M6 TTL, a camera I thought I'd keep forever but realised I didn't really need after seven years of use.

The Rangefinder Experience

Speaking of the Leica M6 and rangefinders, the X-Pro2's hybrid viewfinder was the primary reason I bought it. I can switch at any time between the optical rangefinder and the electronic viewfinder (EVF). Personally, I prefer using the optical rangefinder, especially with a 35mm lens—it's a match made in heaven. Some lenses are too wide to support the field of view, and occasionally I suffered from parallax error, causing me to misalign my frame. But with the right lens, the rangefinder experience is unparalleled.

A Photographer's Camera

The X-Pro2 is exactly what you'd expect. If you're reading this, there's no need for a full breakdown. It's one of the most straightforward cameras designed for photographers, offering the power you require. While it has hybrid features, you're not buying this for video; you're getting it to shrink down your camera body away from the classic DSLR shape. You want something "old school" that mimics your Leicas, Olympuses, and specifically the Contax G1 and G2, which were the original inspirations for the X-Pro series.

The Gripes and Their Fixes

I have two main issues with the X-Pro2, both of which have been brought up by others in the past. One is easy to solve, while the other you'll have to deal with or upgrade to the X-Pro3.

The Grip

First is the grip of the camera—it's too small. While it makes sense for the camera to be compact, the grip doesn't offer enough to hold comfortably, especially during extended shoots. Fortunately, Fuji was smart enough to make a first-party grip for it: the Fuji MHG-XPRO2. It's the one accessory I believe you must buy with this camera. It solves the grip problem and provides an Arca-Swiss plate if you want to attach it to tripods.

The ISO Dial

The second issue is the ISO dial embedded into the shutter speed dial—a brilliant feature that was poorly executed and later fixed in the X-Pro3. The problem? It's spring-loaded. Once you let go, it snaps back down, which can be annoying. Sometimes it gets stuck, and on one occasion, it moved without me lifting it, altering my settings unexpectedly. It's unfortunately badly implemented but not enough to ruin an otherwise great camera.

The Unexpected Perks

Moving away from the negatives, there's one feature I really love that I haven't seen in any other camera but the X-Pro series (correct me if I'm wrong): the ability to lock your back buttons. Simply hold down the Menu/OK button, and a yellow lock icon appears on the LCD, preventing accidental presses of the back buttons—except for back-button focus. This has saved me from numerous accidental button presses, especially since I tend to press my face against the camera quite a bit.

Putting It Through Its Paces

In terms of personal usage, much like my five-year journey with the X-H1, I've really put the X-Pro2 through its paces. For six months, it was my main camera due to accidentally breaking my first X-H1, and it served as my second camera for two years until I bought another X-H1 this year.

It's seen and done a lot. It's great in music situations as it's small, and with the Fujifilm 18mm f/2 lens, it's almost pocketable, fitting into any space my arm can reach. It's a street photographer's dream camera, excellent for documentary work where bigger cameras look threatening, amazing for long protest days as it barely weighs you down, and perfect for portraits—proving that size doesn't equate to quality. It's a proper all-rounder.

The Current State

Unfortunately, as of now, my X-Pro2 is currently out of commission. I took it to the French Alps for a music festival, and on the last day, I fell, causing the shutter button to come off. I can't reattach it, so it needs some love from the Fuji repair center.

Final Thoughts

I've been using this camera for 3-4 years now, and there's really no better everyday or backup camera than this if you're within the Fujifilm ecosystem. Lately, it's regaining popularity because of overpriced new models and a growing appreciation that older equipment doesn't mean inferior quality. Many working photographers will tell you that since 2012, you almost can't go wrong with the camera body you choose. It's really about whether the camera feels good in your hands and inspires you to make great photographs.

If you're considering the Fuji X-Pro2 in 2024, know that you're investing in a camera that stands the test of time—both in build quality and in the images it helps you create.