My Bag Of Cameras at Zack Arias Youtube (includes X-Pro2 and X100T… but he might soon upgrade to X100F. And no, he still didn’t get the Fujifilm GFX. Why? Watch from minute 16:00 to find it out :) )
Matteo’s Trilogy
(Using X100T) The poetry of Rio’s ‘Suppressed Favelas at cnn.com
This brief article is to share my Fuji X-T2 settings for wedding photography and I hope you’ll find it useful.
I switched from Canon to Fuji for my wedding work because I was looking for a lighter, more portable alternative to my DSLR’s that wouldn’t wear me and my back out during the marathons that have become wedding shoots. Weight was becoming a serious issue for me with my Canons and thankfully this last generation Fuji APS-C X-Trans sensor seems to perform well enough in terms of resolution, noise (lack of), latitude and high ISO capabilities to output excellent results in a light and compact package: small sensor means small lenses and all that comes with it. Also, with this last iteration Fuji X cameras have gotten a lot better in terms of controls (exposure compensation dial and focus point selection joystick above all), features (double memory slot) and software and have become great tools suitable for professional use during weddings.
What happened then is, I switched for the size and weight and got hooked by the shooting experience. These Fujis are really fun to use and – once you get used to them – they are also practical and quite functional. These cameras are very versatile and offer a lot room for customization. Depending on your style of shooting and type of photography, there’s a lot to work on as far as setting up the cameras to get them to perform in a way that is suitable to you, your work flow and the results you’re after.
For the portrait session part of the day I was set up in the hallway outside the chambers so we could have easy access to the senators as they roamed the halls to and from meetings. I used a clamshell set up with a light on a boom, a reflector under for fill and a background light to brighten the background. The lights I used were Flashpoint 360ws Streaklights with Bowens adapters. The background light used a gridded hair light from LA softbox to avoid light spill. I used the Fujifilm X-T2 with the XF 50-140mm at f/8. This camera and lens combo is the sharpest I’ve ever shot with, its truly an amazing combo although I am falling in love with the XF 16mm f/1.4 macro.
Senate Chamber Group Panorama
This is my 3rd panorama and 2nd portrait session with the Indiana senate. The senate is all about business so making sure I was doing things quickly and efficiently is very important. I was able to get into the senate chamber 20 minutes before the scheduled group photo so I was able to get a plan worked out. There were several obstacles to overcome to biggest being where to take the photo. The further back I go the more of the front desk is in view (which means more photoshopping) but I get a better picture with less distortion. I tethered my Fujifilm X-T2 camera to my laptop so I could get a better idea of what the final composite would look like and decided the further back I go the better.
I recently went on a trip to Canada and really got to put the Fujifilm X-T2 through it’s paces. I’ve played around with the video before but I feel like this trip was my first, real, intensive test of my X-T2’s video capabilities. Prior to this, I had a Panasonic GH3 (that I used exclusively for video work. I used an X-T1 for my photography), which I had sold when I got the X-T2. The following is a collection of thoughts I had regarding using the Fujifilm X-T2 for video work:
Note that I did not record to an external recorder. So everything was shot in 4K 23.97 4:2:0 with the Fujifilm XF18-55 f2.8-4 IS and XF50-140 f2.8 WR IS lenses.
In my opinion, the video files look fantastic. Especially when viewing in 4k on a 4k display.
Nearly every gripe I had while shooting this video was fixed with the new firmware 2.0, such as:
The ability to use single point AF while recording
The ability to change ISO while recording
Using the EVF/LCD while recording
I thought I wanted a firmware that added F-LOG internal recording. Now I don’t care as much. Sometimes it’s nice not worrying about having to grade too much. And if you record in a log profile in 4:2:0 I feel like you wouldn’t be able to push the image too much before you started getting banding and the image falls apart. Of course if they added it it’d be a nice option to have, but I don’t think it’s really necessary. But I’m no colorist, so maybe someone can correct me here.
Speaking of color, I barely touched the color of any of these files. The most I did was adjusting the color temperature in a few shots and add a bit of sharpening. That’s about it. I used the PRO Neg Standard color profile/film simulation.
Most of these shots were handheld. I did add warp stabilizer to a few shots in post.
The X-T2 weather sealing, in my experience, is pretty rugged. Exhibit A (disclaimer – your individual mileage may vary!):
I tried using one Tiffen 77mm variable ND filter for both the XF18-55 and XF50-140 lenses, using adapter rings to fit the filter on the lenses. This was a mistake that led to missed shots. I’d try to swap lenses to get a certain shot, but then I’d have to unscrew the filter and put it on the other lens. By the time I had it ready, usually the opportunity was missed. I ended up buying another variable ND from The Camera Store in Calgary.
I would buy a Fuji XF18-55 f4 WR IS if they made it. The 16-55 2.8 WR looks great, but the IS is very nice to have when I don’t have a shoulder rig, which is most of the time. I take too many photos to usually ever want to use a shoulder rig. I generally tend to find it too cumbersome for me. I would even accept a larger/heavier lens if they could make a XF 16-55 f2.8 WR IS. Basically, I want the best of the XF18-55 and XF16-55 and turn it into one super lens. Is that too much to ask, Fuji?!
I’m actually not sure where the internal mic is on the X-T2. But it feels like I cover it up with my hands whenever I’m recording, as almost all my audio sounds muffled. Or the X-T2 internal mics are just that garbage. That’s also a possibility.
I wish the mic jack had it’s own, independent cover. I hated exposing all those plugs to the elements when all I wanted to do was plug in my Rode Videomic Pro. This led me to not use it very often. It kind of defeats the purpose of weather sealing in that regard.
Be wary of your command dial. I shot all my video in 4k 23.97 and used a shutter speed of 1/50. But sometimes I’d inadvertently hit my command dial, shifting my shutter speed a third of a stop.
The crop when shooting 4k was both a blessing and a curse. It was nice having a little extra crop when I was trying to record something far away. But it sucked trying to get a wide shot and not getting everything fit into the frame. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
I hate the fly by wire system of the Fuji lenses. It makes pulling focus/rack focus nearly impossible. Even the fly by wire focusing on my Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 seemed more bearable than this. I’ve heard the Fuji 23mm 1.4 and 16mm 1.4 both have pretty cool manual focus rings with hard stops (I don’t own these lenses, so I don’t know how well they work). That would be amazing if they could somehow incorporate it into all of their lenses. I know that likely won’t happen though.
Fuji shooters tend to naturally gravitate towards each other. A random guy walked up to me while in Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and asked if I was using a Fuji. Turns out he also had an X-T2 and we ended up talking shop for a few minutes. This would never happen when I had my Canon or even my Panasonic. Thinking back on it, I wish I got his name, seemed like a cool dude.
If anyone is wondering, the other cameras I used for this are the GoPro Hero 5 Black and DJI Mavic Pro. But probably 95% of the footage comes from my Fuji.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a message! And if you’d like to check out my other work, you can visit me at www.albenosaki.com or @alben.osaki on Instagram!
Michael Schnabl: image was made on one of my “Fine Art Portrait” workshops …
shot with Fuji X-T2 and XF 56mm
ISO 200 / f/2.8 / 1/200
Photo: Michael Schnabl photography
Model: Federica Martinazzi — at Fotopraxis-Fotoworkshops
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NOTE :: HOW TO SEE THE IMAGES
To see, add and vote images click on “Photos” and then “See All“
Here are the most liked images of the Fujirumors facebook page… and keep it up, share and vote your absolute favorite X or G shot… and here is how to do it:
1) SHARE & DESCRIBE: go to the Fujirumors facebook timeline and submit your favorite X-shot (and a short description) in the timeline by selecting “Photo/Video” .
2) VOTE & COMMENT: All the images will be displayed at the Fujirumors facebook photo page (click “See All”). You can vote, share & comment the images there.
NOTE: The next selection will start from those images shared starting from April 3!
Since the launch of the X-T2 last year, we have all learned how good the 4K video on the X-T2 is. Now, I will not bore you again with cold video tests and comparisons. At this point it’s far more interesting to see what creative photographers and videographers can produce with it.
He shared his experience and the videos in his blog post: “Shooting video with the Fujifilm X-T2, Zhiyun Crane and Blackmagic Video Assist” at kjetilkvienmadsen
TransIII Vs. Bayer
Fujifilm X-Trans III vs. Bayer (X-T2 with Fujinon 56mm f1.2 APD against the Sony A7II with Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8) – Texture & Detail Comparison at thephotofundamentalist: “What I have personally concluded is that when a top quality 24MP Full-Frame sensor and the 24 MP APS-C X-Trans III are compared using vaguely comparable lenses, the results at low ISOs are very close indeed when using Adobe Lightroom CC.”
Fujifilm X-T1 WPJA Award
French wedding photographer Bogarte has been awarded by WPJA (wedding photojournalist association) with 2 pictures shot with his X-T1 and XF16mm 1.4. Here are the two pictures that you can view on the wpja website: Picture 1 and Picture 2. Last wedding season, he used 2 X-T1 (16mm and 56mm) and X100s then Sony A7s with 35 2.8
You can have a better view on his work at bogarte.fr
Two or three times a year, I feel like I need to put a bit of order in the whirlwind of rumors, and give you guys a well-ordered overview of the rumors shared so far this year by FujiRumors.
It’s also the opportunity for me to check back the accuracy of all the rumors I’ve shared this year.
So high time for some facts:
229 blog post published so far in 82 days (2017)
36 rumors shared in 82 days (2017)
12 rumors still to be verified
24 correct rumors out of 24 verifiable rumors
0 wrong rumors out of 24 verifiable rumors
100% correct rumors
Sure, there are still 12 rumors that have to be verified, not all will be correct (because they are wrong or Fujifilm will change plans), but I’d say of the 12 remaining, I wouldn’t be surprised if most are correct.
A big hug goes to all sources, from the most anonmyous to the most trusted one, who decided to help me to find the right path in the fake rumor jungle and to put excitement in the Fuji world by sharing accurate rumors. You make being an Fuji shooter even more fun :-)
Also, thanks to everybody, who spotted some interesting Fuji related news/rumor/deal/review on the web, and took his/her time to drop me an email with the link to it. Much appreciated… and feel free to keep it up.
Fujifilm X80 Coming Second Half of 2017 (shared February 20)
Trusted Source Confirms: “Fujifilm Developing Ultimate APS-C X-camera. Based on X-T Design. Price Not Yet Set, but Most Expensive X” (shared 14 March)
Instax Goes Hybrid: Fujifilm INSTAX Square SQ10 Will have a Micro SD Card Slot (shared 16 March)
First LEAKED Image of the Fujifilm Instax SQ (not SQ10). Film Only (shared March 17)
Instax Square SQ10 with USB-Charging (shared March 18)
MEDIUM HIGH RATING*
*50% to 74% correct
Fujifilm X100F Allows You to Change ISO Value with Command Dial (Probably Coming to X-Pro2 via Firmware) (shared January 16) – NOTE 1: X100F part is correct. To see if it comes also to X-PRO2. NOTE 2: The firmware announcement of March 23 says that this feature will come via Firmware, but only to X-T2. This sounds very strange to me. Could be an error of Fujifilm. I’ll wait for the firmware to come out, and if indeed the X-Pro2 does not get this feature, move this rumor in the wrong rumors section
Fujinon XF 33mm F1.0 No Longer on Fujifilm’s Internal Roadmap … GAME OVER for Fuji’s Super Fast Lens? (shared January 30)
Fujifilm Plans Fujinon XF 18mm F2 Mark II Lens (shared February 9)
Profoto and Miltiblitz support for GFX (shared February 26)
Fujifilm (Currently) Planing a Fujinon XF200mm F2 (shared March 2)
MEDIUM LOW RATING* *25% to 49% correct
Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR will Be The Next X-mount Lens Launched after the XF80mm Macro (shared January 25)
Fujifilm Working on the Ultimate $5,000+ APS-C X-Trans X-series Camera (also for Video) (shared March 3)
LOW RATING* *1% to 24% correct
This could actually be by far the longest section…. I’d just need to publish all the fakes ;) .
Robert F.: shared here – First long exposure shot (40 sec.) at lake starnberg / bavaria. Love the dynamic range :-).
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HOLY MOLY!!! I just realized that I didn’t post a dedicated GFX article in the last 7 blog posts… so high time for a dedicated GFX roundup. :)
As usual, all of it comes from our 9,600+ strong Fujifilm GFX facebook group. It’s simply a great resource for all things GFX. And what I post here is just a small fraction of what has been shared in the group the last few days. So in today’s roundup we will see:
A series of perfect long exposure shots
Some more images
Dynamic Range Tests
Sharpness Demonstration
Having Fun with Third Party Lenses
I’d like to add a few words to the last point, the fun with third party lenses.
There are really a lot of photographers at our GFX group, who enjoy to combine all kind of lenses on their GFX. To me, this is without a doubt one of the most fun aspects of this camera. The GFX really breaths new life into old glass, which btw, I hear has in some cases doubled its price on ebay, since the GFX launch.
So, focussing on sharpness and dynamic range is all well and good. But what I perceive in the group, is that the Fujifilm GFX has also a huge fun-factor, that results especially from his flexibility and adaptability to all kind of glass (also FF lenses, as you will see below).
This huge third-party lenses fun-factor would be basically non-existant, if Fujifilm would have opted for a “focal plane shutter-less” camera, since the camera would then work only with leaf shutter lenses.
And a final note about the endless leaf shutter Vs. focal plane shutter discussion: as photographlife pointed out in a review I’ve shared here:
“Considering that leaf shutter lenses cannot have very large apertures (and as of now, all three Hasselblad lenses are limited to f/3.2-f/3.5 maximum aperture), I struggle to find the real appeal of the leaf shutter lenses aside from the flash sync speed. If you are after beautiful bokeh, the focal plane shutter is the way to go.“
