My First Trip with My Fujifilm X-T4: What I Loved, What I Hated… and Unveiling What I Really Teach at School

Hey all,

It’s done, I made it. An unreal school year is over.

It was A LOT of work for me, to teach online, but I took it also as an opportunity to explore new creative ways of teaching.

And surely it came to my help, that I can use Final Cut Pro X, I have several tripods and cameras etc, as this allowed me to have the tools and skills to translate into video my creative ideas.

X-T4 for my My Job

You must know, that I live in Italy.

But in a part of Italy, where a German minority lives (video of my province). This is why I speak both languages, Italian and German, fluently.

Also, I am a primary school teacher, so I teach German to kids that belong to the Italian language group. Hence German is their second language.

And since my “customers” are kids, I’ve tried to always throw something fun into my lessons, just to put some lightness into a situation that was very hard for them.

For example, in one video, I triplicated myself and made up a fun conversation between three Patrick’s during Grammar lesson, as you can see from the screenshot here.

Looks like it was rather successful, as you can hear from the Whattsapp audio one of my students send me. Who would have said that grammar can be so fun ;).

That’s something I could have never done in the classroom, and only the online teaching allowed me to do.

I started by filming everything with my X-E3, but once I got the X-T4, I switched to it as my main camera, and it has surely served me better than my X-E3, because:

  • the selfie screen was useful and practical
  • ETERNA was glorious
  • longer recording times
  • better video quality
  • more creative tools (like super-slow motion)
  • IBIS for when my wife had to film me handheld for stable footage
  • solid battery life

So, my first impact with the X-T4 was pure love! Everything I needed, it did it better than my X-E3.

But life is not only video…

X-T4 for my Passion

Last weekend I drove down to Tuscany with my wife (it’s a 4 hours drive only from my home), as a little reward for a frankly extremely busy time.

On that trip, I used the Fujifilm X-T4 only for photography.

Here is what I liked, and what not.

Loves

  • overall performance… it’s a beast
  • shutter sound is so buttery smooth
  • battery life: it just kept running, and running, and running… awesome!
  • I have my ISO dial back
  • oh… a D-Pad, how nice is that

Hates

  • no more one handed operation (on my X-E3 every button and dial is on the right side of the camera and can easily be operated with the right hand only)
  • bigger and heavier (although with some lenses this is actually better)
  • for reviewing images on LCD, I always have to flip screen out. On the other hand this helps to review images less, like with the hidden X-Pro3 LCD

And the Selfie Screen?

Well, the selfie screen deserves a special chapter.

I found some unexpected love for it, as well as one hate.

Loves

  • keep it tilt inwards protects the screen
  • keep it tilt inwards makes the camera look so wonderful vintage
  • keep it tilt inwards and you’ll review images way less, like on X-Pro3
  • keep it tilt inwards and you won’t accidentally activate the touch screen, which happens to me now and then on the X-E3 (I keep the touch LCD always deactivated on my X-E3, but it activates if I accidentally touch the upper right part of the screen)
  • for my video lessons, I just loved it
  • unlike the X-T100 screen, the X-T4 can tilt also in portrait mode

Hates

  • I use the Peak Design Leash camera strap, and when I tilted out the screen, sometimes the strap covered the screen, so I had to move the strap behind the screen. Hence, not only it takes a bit more time to tilt out the screen (as opposed to only flip it out on X-T3), but then also fiddle around with the strap. This was probably the most annoying aspect of the selfie screen. So much so, that I think I am considering to get Peak Design Cuff camera wrist strap and solve the “problem”

Conclusion?

Well, if it wasn’t for the selfie videos I had to do, I’d still consider the X-T3 and X-H1 screen design superior for my needs. But on the other hand the selfie screen has some advantages, that you can’t get with X-T3 screen, especially if you use mostly the EVF and want to keep the LCD tilted inwards.

Hence, I am happy with the X-T4 screen.

Images Anyone?

So, how was my Tuscany mini-trip?

Awesome!

And although we had only one day of good weather, and the other two were rainy and misty, I had lots of fun to be simply out and photograph again.

I shared one image on my Instagram page already, where I tested Classic Negative.

Classic Negative is great. Sometimes it doesn’t work at all, but when it works, it’s just awesome. In street photography it will surely shine, but also in landscape photography, as you can see below, it can give lovely results.

Now I have to get some paperwork done for the end of the school, and after that, I might share more images of my trip on Instagram… and bring you with me on my summer holidays, where so far I have planed nothing actually, except to climb my beloved Dolomites.

take care and have fun with your photography,
Patrick

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New Metabones Speed Boosters Smart Adapters for Fujifilm X Mount

Metabones has released several new Metabones Speed Boosters for Fujifilm X Mount.

They will be available soon at BHphoto and Co.

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Press Released / Specs / Images

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May Top 10 Posts: Fujifilm X-H2, The Telephoto Problem, GFX MK II, XF Lens Roadmap and New Firmware Rumors, BAYER vs X-TRANS

Here is our roundup of the top ten posts for May.

I hope you had a bit of fun reading all this, and I will work to try to keep the Fuji world fun and interesting also in June and beyond.

  1. Fujifilm Manager: Fujifilm X-H2, The Problem With Telephoto Primes, GFX MK II and IBIS, Fujifilm X80 vs Compact MILC, Fast Primes & More
  2. RUMOR: New Fujinon X Mount Lens Roadmap with One Prime and One Zoom Mark II Lens – Vote Your Favorite
  3. Fujifilm launches “FUJIFILM X Webcam” to Run Your Fujifilm X/GFX Cameras as a Webcam
  4. WARNING: Viltrox Lenses Can Damage Your Fujifilm X-Pro3 (Official Viltrox Statement)
  5. Fujifilm X-T4: About Overheating, X-T4 IBIS vs Olmypus EM-1 III, Comparison with Sony A7IV
  6. Fujifilm BAYER vs X-TRANS Blind Test: 88% of Preferences Go To…
  7. How to Use Your Fujifilm Camera as a Webcam for Free (No Need of Camlink 4K)
  8. Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R with Aperture Ring Listed at Some Stores: A Dream Come True or a Sweet Illusion?
  9. FUJIFILM Firmware Updates Coming in June for X-T4, X-A7, GFX100 and More?
  10. I Don’t Get it: FUJIFILM X-T4 gets Highly Praised SONY ‘Real-Time Tracking” Feature, but (unlike with Sony) Nobody Talks About it – VIDEO

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Fujifilm India: “Using Fujifilm Cameras as a Webcam Possible Soon thanks to Plug-and-Play Firmware Update” and Pro Res RAW Video?

Did you listen to the 1 hour and 36 minutes long Fujifilm India live event with bad audio quality and half of it spoken in Hindi?

Probably not… but I did (you’re welcome) :).

I reported about it here already, when we talked about the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0.

And trust me, everything else they said, you know already (smaller IBIS, longer shutter life etc).

I don’t want to waste your precious time, so let’s get to the point of the only thing, that was new.

In fact, there was one thing said, 1+ hours into the talk, that I thought deserves a separate article. And it’s the only really new thing of all the event.

When the Fujifilm India product team was asked about the use of Fujifilm cameras as a webcam, one Fuji guy answered (I quote):

Live streaming is getting very popular and of course important during the COVID-19 situation. We all need a camera which you can just plug-and-play.

I can not say about it definitely, but I have heard from the developing team that we are developing something and they are soon going to release a firmware. There will be plug-and-play, and the X series camera will become like a webcam.

Yes, I have heard they are working on it, but I have no confirmation at this moment. But definitely they are doing something. Something is cooking.

Much more vague the answer if there will be Pro Res RAW for video via ATOMOS. Basically a “we know about this demand but we don’t know if it will come“.

Let’s hope that’s correct and more accurate than what another Fuji guy said during the same event, claiming that the X-T4 processor is improved over X-T3, so X-T4 is faster than X-T3.

How to run a Fujifilm camera as a webcam at this point in time?

Well there are two options:

Let’s cross fingers this firmware comes soon!

Oh… and namaste!

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Toshihisa Iida: “Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 Coming This Year, Well Balanced used on X-T4”

Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida introduced the Fujifilm X-T4 and teased the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 at a recent online 1 hour and 36 minutes event for Fujifilm India. Here is what he says:

  • X-T4 has new and more accurate IBIS, bigger battery and new shutter mechanism
  • Fujifilm colors are “memory colors” (more about it here)
  • Fujifilm has a long history with lens development. It’s one of the only 2 companies in the world, that can develop broadcasting lenses
  • he shows a early working prototype of the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 (image below), world first f/1.0 lens with autofocus
  • Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 will be launched this year
  • Still balances well on the Fujifilm X-T4

The very long event continues with a live Q&A session with Fujifilm India Product Team. Bad audio, half of it in Hindi… it’s up to you ;).

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→ Top X-T Community: Fujifilm X-T facebook group
→ Top X-T Page: Fujifilm X-T Page

Fringer EX-FX (Pro) II Smart Autofocus Adapter Firmware 1.70 Released

Fringer has released firmware 1.60 for the Fringer EF-FX Pro II and Fringer EF-FX II smart autofocus adapters.

As requested by many users, Fringer finally found a Sigma 500mm F4 OS Sports lens and optimized it. Fringer says it performs very well on X-Trans IV cameras. A good choice for wild life!

The main improvements of firmware v1.70 include:

Version 1.70

  1. Fixed PDAF issues for some lens of the following models: Lens didn’t get recognized by the adapter due to different lens firmware version.
    – Tamron SP 15-30/2.8 VC A012
  2. AF performance of following lens has been improved further.
    – EF24-70/2.8L
    – EF24-70/2.8L II
    – EFS17-55/2.8 IS
  3. Added following lenses to the tested and optimized lens list:
    – SIGMA 500/4.5 EX DG APO HSM
    – SIGMA 500/4 DG OS HSM SPORTS
    – SIGMA 500/4 DG OS HSM SPORTS + 1.4X
    – SIGMA 500/4 DG OS HSM SPORTS + 2X
    – SIGMA 14-24/2.8 DG HSM Art
    – TAMRON SP70-300/4-5.6 Di VC USM A005
  4. Introduced smooth video AF for the following lens:
    – SIGMA 14-24/2.8 DG HSM Art
  5. Fixed IBIS issues on X-H1 and X-T4:
    – ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZE

You may download new firmware and its release notes from the Fringer website. Read the release notes or user manual to understand how to upgrade.

via Fringer

Cameralabs Fujifilm X-T4 Review

Gordon from Cameralabs published the full Fujifilm X-T4 review.

I know many of you will probably see this in a hurry on their smartphones, so I will provide the full written summary below.

  • same form factor of X-T3
  • in terms of size, the biggest difference to X-T3 is the thickness, due to IBIS and more powerful battery
  • a bit heavier
  • more comfortable grip hold
  • controls look familiar to X-T3
  • movie mode now has its own switch
  • Fujifilm is gradually understanding the needs of videographers
  • now camera is much easier and practical when switching between stills and video
  • luckily it keeps the D-Pad
  • hard to press Q button accidentally, that’s good
  • articulating screen, a delight for vloggers
  • more rigid eye-cup
  • viewfinder has a boost option for clearer low light view
  • removable SD-card slot great if you work on a cage
  • headphone jack is gone, but you can adapt it via USB-C port
  • new battery is very welcome, rated for 500 shots
  • he exceeded the given battery life, by taking  550 shots using mechanical shutter and IBIS enabled and a few minutes with IBIS stabilized 4K video clips
  • he filmed 3.5 hours clips in 4K 25p with IBIS, with battery expiring 18 minutes and 40 seconds into the 4th clip
  • after the first clip, the X-T4 became very warm, but only became a little bit hotter as the test proceeded
  • at no point it overheated or became uncomfortable to hold
  • total of 109 minutes of 4K25p video on a single charge vs 62 minutes with X-T3
  • X-T4 IBIS is more effective on almost all lenses compared to X-H1
  • X-T4 is slimmer than X-H1
  • on of the best benefits of IBIS is having a stable view while composing your image with non stabilized lenses like the XF16-55mmF2.8, XF56mmF1.2 and XF90mmF2
  • he got sharp results at 1/5th of a second using XF16-55mmF2.8. Without IBIS he could have shot only at 1/80th of a second. That’s 4 stops of compensation (a bit less than what Fujifilm claims, but still great results)
  • IBIS + DIS (digital stabilization) applies 1.1x crop at all video formats, except for 4K@50/60p, where the crop is 1.29x
  • he does not notice any additional advantage using DIS
  • If you use IBIS with Boost mode (best used with static subjects), you see a small improvement over IBIS only. Applies no crop
  • impressive 15 fps mechanical shutter
  • quieter shutter than X-T3. It is incredible silent
  • eye autofocus does a good job, but maybe not quite as sticky as the latest Sony cameras, but certainly now amongst the best out there
  • no animal face/eye detection
  • Eterna bleach bypass is ideal for stylized video
  • annoying: the large color array (where you select your color temperature) can be navigated only with D-Pad (no joystick). It would have been better if one could use the joystick for faster selection
  • images have plenty of detail, but it’s the colors and tones that continue to be a highlight of owning an X series camera
  • X-T4 will be one of the last, if not the last model to use the X-Trans IV sensor
  • recording times: 30 minutes at 4K/30p and 20 minutes at 4K/50-60p
  • X-T4 support ExFAT (does not split longer video files in multiple clips)
  • ETERNA is a great allround use film simulation for video
  • during panning IBIS is easy to catching up on itself, delivering some jarring stumbling effect. To be fair, this effects also many other stabilized systems, but it is something to be aware of
  • walking while filming is more successful (compared to panning)
  • autofocus while filming is OK, but with occasional hunting or overshooting, and lacks the ultimate confidence of Sony and Canon latest systems
  • might not be the best in class AF in video, but it is still pretty good
  • overall the X-T4 is a compelling high-end option for vloggers
  • having 24o fps slow motion is rather impressive, when most rivals top out at 100 or 120 fps.
  • 240 fps footage looks softer than 120 fps. Horizontal resolution is essential the same, but dramatic reduction in vertical resolution
  • Fujifilm Japan confirmed to him, that 200/240 fps use only about half of the vertical data
  • this is not an unusual technique, as lots of other cameras do the same at higher frame rates. Actually, few rivals even offer more than just about half of 240 fps
  • 4K/60p quality is as good as his full frame 4K in his resolution tests.
  • 4K/60p maintains sound
  • Fujifilm says the X-H line will continue
  • Gordon suspects the X-T4 will be the last body to use X-Trans IV sensor. But the X-Trans IV sensor is only 1.5 years old and delivers great results
  • the 6×6 X-Trans filter array makes it hard to implement pixel shift than the 2×2 Bayer pattern (which is what the GFX100 will get)
  • high end APS-C cost about the same of mid-range/budget full frame bodies. The Canon EOS RP costs less (even with lens) and the Canon R costs the same. But neither of those full frame cameras has IBIS, dual SD-Card slot nor 4K/60p video
  • Nikon Z6 and Sony A7III (no 4K/60) are priced a little bit higher, but still within reach of the X-T4
  • Personally Gordon would not trade a bigger sensor for the overall feature set of the X-T4 at least at this price point
  • Fujifilm enhanced a popular mode without compromising its charm
  • arguably the best crop sensor camera to date

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→ Top X-T Community: Fujifilm X-T facebook group
→ Top X-T Page: Fujifilm X-T Page

DPRTV Reviews Fujinon GF45-100mm F4 on Fujifilm GFX100

DPReview TV has published their Fujifilm GF 45-100mm F4 OIS review. Here is what they think about it:

  • basic general purpose everyday professional lens
  • it’s rugged and has OIS
  • it’s like a 35-80mm on full frame
  • Chris would like something wider
  • for landscape he prefers the GF32-64mm
  • the 35-80mm full frame rage however gets into portraiture territory, too
  • but overall there is a lot of crossover between the GF32-64mm and the GF45-100
  • what Fujifilm needs to release is something that goes from 20 to 35mm in full frame terms
    [NOTE: FujiRumors leaked an old internal GF lens roadmap, and it showed a GF 20-36mm F3.5-4.5, which would be a 16-30 in full frame]
  • at 100mm he can handhold shots at about 1/30 of a second and still get very good and usable resolution. That’s very impressive
  • build quality feels excellent. Well build high quality lens. The weight is acceptable
  • excellent in containing chromatic aberration. No real chromatic aberration even in high contrast scenes
  • great job in controlling flair issue
  • optically a fantastic lens
  • sunstars are OK, but not great. But that’s classic for zooms
  • bokeh exhibits a little bit of onion rings, maybe a bit harder on the edges of the bokeh balls. Not as much cats eye in the corners wide open as he would have thought he’d get, and completely goes away if stopped down a bit
  • he shot handheld with the Fujifilm GFX100 IBIS, and he got very usable resutls at 1/15 of a second. So Chris is impressed
  • this lens would be awesome also for the Fujifilm GFX50R. It has OIS, and makes it a great walk around lens
  • has linear motor and focus incredibly fast paired with Fujifilm GFX100
  • easily delivers the sharpness you need even on 100 megapixel body
  • very consistent and high sharpness
  • in video, there is a fair amount of focus breathing. But besides breathing, it’s a nice lens for video
  • Chris says it’s still not the most versatile lens for him. He can’t rely just on this lens. He feels he has to take with him some other lens too, like the excellent 23mm prime lens or the 32-64 zoom
  • if you go with larger format zooms, this is a compromise you need to do. You can’t get same focal range easily like you get on a smaller sensor
  • depth of field equivalent of a f/3.2 on full frame. Gives you a lot of nice soft background
  • fantastic general purpose zoom

Fujinon GF 45-100mm f/4: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera
Fujinon GF 32-64mm f/4: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF 23mm f/4: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama
Fujifilm GFX 100: B&H Photo, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera

The GFX Community

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