I’ve recently been working on this concept - a screen cover for my Fujifilm X100VI.

The reason for developing this, was to make using the digital camera feel more relatable to the experience of shooting film. For me, film cameras have and always will appeal to me due to the connection you build with your environment, rather than through a screen.

Although I appreciate the camera’s intended design, for me being able to see the screen as I was shooting became an unnecessary distraction, which impacted how I approached taking images. With film, I’m completely detached from the end result when I’m shooting, so I’m more present and focused on my surroundings. This was where the idea for the screen came from, as I wanted to translate how I shoot film to the digital camera.

Yes, Leica have already addressed this through the screen-less design of the M10-D and M11-D - however the price of these make them unobtainable for most. The Fuji XPro-3 does also have a hidden screen, however the form factor is much bigger and heavier in comparison to the Fujifilm X100VI, which is more compact - like the 1990’s film camera (Contax G1, G2, Konica Hexar AF).

The Fujifilm X100VI does offer many features which lend themselves to the filmic way of shooting. They offer manual controls, which means there’s no need to change settings via menus on screen, they have straight-out-of-camera presets which emulate film stocks and an optical finder which limits the need to stare at a screen.

As well as making a screen cover for the Fujifilm X100VI, I’ve developed a custom shooting profile to enhance my preferred use and experience of the camera.

Key Features of the Custom Profile:

OVF Display Only: The optical viewfinder displays shutter speed, aperture, and exposure settings—nothing more.
Image Preview Off: No instant gratification. You must wait until the images are loaded onto your computer, much like waiting to develop a roll of film.
Film Simulation: Set to emulate the classic look of Kodak Portra 400, softening the digital aesthetic and enhancing the emotional depth of the images.
Locked Single Focus Point: A deliberate choice to slow down the shooting process, reminiscent of early point-and-shoot film cameras including the Contax G1/G2 and Konica Hexar AF for example
Center-Weighted Metering: A nod to traditional light metering as found on the Leica M system and leans into the aesthetic of film.

Yes, this setup will limit the full extent of what the Fuji X100VI was designed to achieve, but in doing so, I’m able to wield the camera so that it behaves how I want it to - emulating some of the features and charm of 1990s analogue cameras.
Since refining the setup of the screen cover and custom profile, I’ve found myself shooting digital more often, alongside film. With my Fuji, I now approach digital photography the same way I would with my other film cameras, which has made my style feel more cohesive when shooting across both mediums. Beyond that, it has helped me truly enjoy shooting digital —keeping me more present in the moment and less distracted by screens.

Don’t get me wrong—nothing beats shooting film!. However, experimenting with this concept and tweaking design features to change how I experience shooting digital, has been a lot of fun. In making these subtle enhancements, my Fuji X100 can work similarly to the Leica M11D…..without such a hefty price tag!.

PPP Cameras Custom Profile setup can be found here

PPP Cameras Fujifilm X100VI screen cover can be found here

Co-written by Caitlin Kiely