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Fujifilm X-Pro3 Reviews: HDR Plus Sample Images and Enjoying the Feel Rather than Pixel Peeping

Godon from Cameralabs shows the HDR Plus feature on X-Pro3

Fujifilm X-Pro3 – The Miracle ;)

Here a roundup of Fujifilm X-Pro3 reviews.

Notice how that they mostly focus on shooting experience, rather than pixel peeping. And honestly that’s kind of refreshing, as we usually are bombarded with charts, crops and comparisons when a new camera comes out.

Seen from this perspective, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 already achieved what it’s ment for: focus on feel and experience, rather than technical specs.

In case of Gordon (Cameralabs), he says the hidden screen helped him to review images and access menus way less than he normally does. He says:

Previously I always preferred the X-T series over the X-Pro series. But with the X-Pro3 I was surprised just how refreshing and enjoyable I found the experience, how little I worried about settings or features and how much I’d like to shoot with it again.

The Features

With that said, of course the reviewers also go over the new features of this camera.

For example, Gordon from Cameralabs shows samples of the new HDR plus mode, a feature that Gordon says “makes a really good job”. Press the shutter once, and the camera takes three images and combines them into one HDR image (see images below). It works used handheld.

Oh… and Gordon LOVES the new Classic Negative film simulation.

Now let’s cross fingers that all the X-Pro3 firmware goodness on the X-T3, X-T30 and GFX100.

Sure, I have been told that Fujifilm is working on it, but it never hurts to remind Fujifilm how much we’d love to have a Kaizen update ;).

The Viewfinder Tidbit

One more thing worth to notice.

As you know, the optical viewfinder on the “old” X-Pro2 had a build-in 0.36x and 0.60x magnification modes. So, when you use let’s say a 35mm lens, in order for your frame not be too small in the viewfinder, you could switch to the 0.60x magnification.

This is no longer possible with X-Pro3, as it has a fixed OVF magnification of 0.52x.

However, Gordon says that the overall much bigger optical viewfinder on the X-Pro3 helps to compensate for the lack of 0.60x magnification.

For your convenience, down below I have extracted and overlayed both viewfinder frames at 23 and 35 so you get a clear idea how big the difference really is.

With all that said, check out the Fujifilm X-Pro3 review roundup below.

JOIN: Fujifilm X Pro User Group

Fujifilm X-Pro3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, FocusCamera

The Reviews

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Fujifilm X-Pro3 Stories #3: Aged or Damaged

Fujifilm X-Pro3

Fujifilm published the third episode of its Fujifilm X-Pro3 stories series, called “Aged or Damaged“:

JOIN: Fujifilm X Pro User Group

Fujifilm X-Pro3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, FocusCamera

#3 – Aged or Damaged

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JOKER Images Taken with FUJIFILM, Leaving Lightroom for Capture One, Fujifilm X-H2 Concept – Top October Articles

Here are the top articles on FujiRumors for October.

I hope you enjoyed reading FujiRumors in October, and I will give my best to give you an interesting Fuji-November ;).

  1. No Joke: Official JOKER Movie Images taken With Fujifilm X Series Gear ;)
  2. It Was Inevitable: I am Leaving Lightroom for Capture One Pro
  3. New Fujifilm X-Pro3 Hands On Images
  4. Fujifilm X-Pro3: Facts and Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2
  5. Magnum Photographer David Hurn Shoots Fujifilm X: “Photography has Just Two Controls: Where You Stand and When you Press the Button”
  6. Fujifilm X-Pro3 Specs and Images Leaked: Improved Autofocus at -6EV, HDR Shooting and Lots of Firmware Improvements
  7. Fujifilm X-H2 Mockup – Ideas to Set it Apart from Fujifilm X-T4
  8. Fujifilm’s Classic Negative Film Simulation Coming via Firmware Update to X-T3, GFX100 and X-T30
  9. One Year After Leaving Full Frame and Shooting Weddings with Fujifilm X-T3 – Did it Work?
  10. How to Fine Tune Your Fujifilm Film Simulation to Get the Ultimate Vintage Look

And…

Cracking the X-Pro3 Classic Negative Film Simulation Look on Your X-T2 (and other Fuji Cameras)

The ONE trick Fuji doesn’t want you to know.

Cracking the Classic Negative look

Hardly any other company puts that much effort in creating really beautiful and useful color profiles like Fujifilm.

Fujifilm calls them “film simulations”: inspired by the look of old film stock, they try to bring some of that magic into the digital era.

In fact, Minami-San, the Fujifilm employee responsible for colors back in the film days, is still today working at Fujifilm and in charge of the digital film simulation development. You can see his story here.

One more nice thing: Fujifilm film simulation can be fine tuned ad libitum:

  • read here – How to Fine Tune Your Fujifilm Film Simulation to Get the Ultimate Vintage Look
  • read here – This Guy Fine Tuned his Fujifilm Film Simulation Settings Inspired by the Work of Great Film Photographers. See “Chrome Eggleston” & More
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3 Development Story: Classic Negative Film Simulation – Learning from Film

And now we come to the Fujifilm X-Pro3.

  • X-Pro3 offers more in camera editing options than any other Fuji camera
  • X-Pro3 offers a new film simulation called Classic Negative (inspired by Superia)

Of course we all demand for this firmware update, which should give us Classic Negative and other X-Pro3 goodness also these Fuji X/GFX cameras.

But some can’t manage their impatience, and tried to emulate the Classic Negative film simulation look, as it’s the case of Jean-Pascal Remon.

How to get the Fuji Classic Negative Look to your X-Pro2/X-T2
And save yourself to buy a new camera.

by Jean-Pascal Remon – websiteinstagramblog

From what I’ve seen, the new Fuji Classic Negative film simulation is generous on the blue and green level, while remaining somewhat warm and keeping a low contrast.

Here is how to achieve this look.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm X-Pro3: An Unforced Error or A Sign of Love for Photographers?… and Why Oscar Wilde Thinks the X-Pro3 is a Smart Move ;)

X-Pro3: Unforced Error or Great Intuition?

Oscar Wilde said that “there is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about“.

Well, given the massive buzz over the last few weeks surrounding the Fujifilm X-Pro3, we can definitely say that Fujifilm avoided the worst: not being talked about!

And believe me, if the X-Pro3 would have just been an X-Pro2 with X-T3 specs, the reaction on the web would have been: “ok… nice… next!”

With Fujifilm’s bold and polarizing hidden LCD screen, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 is now on everyone’s lips (and Oscar Wilde thinks that’s already good).

Alone here on FujiRumors we got thousands (!!!) of comments in just a few days, all discussing the new LCD screen!

But the buzz surrounding the X-Pro3 is big everywhere, not only here on FujiRumors.

  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3: Top 10 Things You Might have Missed – Post Launch Coverage
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3 Live Blog with lots of hands on reviews
  • read here – Press Release: Fujifilm Introduces the Mirrorless Digital Camera “FUJIFILM X-Pro3”
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3 Full Specs Leaked and Comparison with X-Pro2 and X-T3
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3: First Step into Fuji’s 3 Year Computational Photography Masterplan

And we talked about the tilt screen here:

  • read here – Look at This: The Fujifilm X-Pro3 Hidden Screen Gets Our Love Again :)
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3: You Don’t Get it! Running After Sony Specs is Wrong. Better Offer a Different Photographic Experience!
  • read here – Some LOVE the Fujifilm X-Pro3, and Here is Why!

But the discussions continues all over the web. Some love it, others call it a “lost opportunity” and an “unforced error“.

You’ll find the latest X-Pro3 opinion roundup below.

NEW – Fujifilm X-Pro3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, FocusCamera

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X-Pro3 – Opinions Roundup

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Fujifilm X-Pro3: Top 10 Things You Might have Missed – Post Launch Coverage

What a massive live blogging that was!

So many X-Pro3 first looks have been shared on the web, and we collected them all in our epic live blogging or read the full press release here.

And while we all know about the bigger and better hybrid viewfinder, the new computational photography features, the hidden LCD screen and so forth, I thought that in due to the huge flood of information I pick out a 10 things, that you might have missed.

They all come from the various first look reviews we have collected here:

  1. The little sub monitor on the back of the X-Pro3 screen screen is not backlit. Hence difficult to see in the dark. On the other hand, it distracts you less in low light
  2. front dial no longer clickable
  3. the DURA X-Pro3 versions are fingerprint magnets, but Lee Zavitz says it gives it an extra retro touch that people could actually like… and the extra coating keeps scratches off
  4. if you use adapted lenses, you can now name the lens in camera, and that name will be stored into the EXIF data
  5. focus peaking now offers a yellow overlay option
  6. six customizable buttons (including AE/AF lock and q button that can be assigned to something else) + four swipe functions on screen
  7. the new HDR computational photography feature works handheld. It stitches the JPEGs automatically, but also saves the RAW files so you can stitch them together by yourself in post
  8. New focus bracketing interface: determine your far and near frame, and camera automatically detects how many frames it needs to shoots based on your aperture and focal length
  9. X-Pro3 can output tiff files in 8 or 16 bit via interal RAW converter
  10. Q menu can be transparent, so you see the effect of the changes you apply in real time. Also, the Q-menu isn’t locked to the dedicated Q button anymore, and can be assigned to whatever you wish
  11. Maxiumum 4K @ 30P at 4:2:0 F-log in 10 bit (like X-T30). No HDMI output. Continuous shooting speed of X-T3
  12. the EVF improvements influenced negatively the OVF: Instead of having the X-Pro2 0.36x and 0.60x magnification modes, the X-Pro3 splits the difference with a fixed 0.52x magnification
  13. the regular black X-Pro3 will ship on November 29, and the X-Pro3 DURA versions on December 13

Turns out we have 13 points ;).

Fujifilm X-Pro3: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, FocusCamera

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Fujifilm Introduces the Mirrorless Digital Camera “FUJIFILM X-Pro3”

Fujifilm introduces the mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-Pro3”

– Constructed with strong yet lightweight titanium to provide portability and durability with premium quality
– Further evolving the world’s only viewfinder that can be switched between the optical and electronic systems
– Pursuing “PURE PHOTOGRAPHY”, fulfilling the true purpose of photography of freezing a moment in time, by encountering a subject and shooting a high-quality photo through the viewfinder.

Fujifilm X-Pro3

Tokyo, October 23, 2019 — FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) is pleased to announce the launch of the FUJIFILM X-Pro3 (X-Pro3) in late November 2019, as the latest flagship model for the X Series lineup of compact and lightweight mirrorless digital cameras that deliver outstanding image quality with Fujifilm’s proprietary color reproduction technology. The X-Pro3 is the first Fujifilm digital camera to use strong yet lightweight titanium to achieve advanced portability and durability, making it easier than ever to enjoy photography with premium image quality.

The X-Pro3 comes in “Black”, which features premium-quality coating for dignified appearance, as well as “DR Black” and “DR Silver,” which have the Duratect™* coating applied to deliver strong resistance against scratches while achieving highly refined exterior appearance, thereby expanding the appeal of the X-Pro3.

Fujifilm has evolved its “X-Pro Series” by launching the Series with the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 in 2012 and introducing the FUJIFILM X-Pro2 in 2016. Defining the purpose of photography as freezing a moment in time, “PURE PHOTOGRAPHY”, with its hybrid viewfinder, the X-Pro3 enables photographers to encounter subjects at various places, to help document the world we live in today. The company has developed the X-Pro3 with commitment to (1) producing a compact, lightweight and highly-durable camera body in elegant yet understated design to allow users to carry the camera easily, (2) providing an excellent viewfinder that captures a photo subject accurately and facilitates perfect framing, and (3) offering color reproducibility that creates images exactly as intended by users.

The new X-Pro3 is an exceptionally portable and durable mirrorless digital camera that has a magnesium-alloy interior, which is covered with lightweight, robust and corrosion-resistant titanium on the exterior to achieve premium quality design, bringing out the beautiful tone and texture of titanium to the maximum.

The X-Pro3 has the “Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder”, the world’s only viewfinder that can be switched between optical viewfinder (OVF) and electronic viewfinder (EVF). The EVF uses a bright and high-resolution 3.69-million-dot organic EL panel for enhanced visibility. The camera also features the back-illuminated 26.1MP “X-Trans™ CMOS 4”** sensor and the “X-Processor 4” high-speed image processing engine, which have both won strong reputation following their use in the FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJIFILM X-T30. Also, evolved algorithm enables the camera to realize fast and accurate phase-detection AF at the minimum luminance of -6EV, which is close to pitch darkness. Fujifilm’s unique Film Simulation function has been added with the new “CLASSIC Neg” mode, simulating color negative film traditionally chosen for snapshots of day-to-day scenes, so that users can enjoy high-quality photo with versatile tonal variations.

With the X Series including the X-Pro3, the GFX Series of mirrorless digital cameras with a Large Format sensor***, and the extensive lineup of interchangeable lenses, Fujifilm will continue to provide everyone the splendor of photography and the joy of taking photos

* Duratect™ is a trademark or registered trademark of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
** X-Trans™ is a trademark or registered trademark of FUJIFILM Corporation.
*** An image sensor that measures 55mm diagonally (43.8mm x 32.9mm), providing approximately 1.7 times the area of the 35mm full-frame sensor

1. Main product features

(1) Fujifilm’s first digital camera made of titanium for exceptional portability and durability

This is Fujifilm’s first digital camera whose exterior is made of titanium, making it lightweight, strong and resistant to corrosion. The internal framework of the camera body is made of robust yet highly rigid magnesium alloy for exceptional portability and durability.
The X-Pro3’s sophisticated design brings out the appeal of titanium’s beautiful tone and unique texture to the maximum. It comes in three color variations, namely the “Black” using quality coating for dignified appearance, as well as the “DR Black” and “DR Silver”, which have the surface-hardening technology called Duratect™ applied to achieve strong scratch resistance*4 and appearance of premium elegance, making the camera an absolute pleasure to own.
The weather resistant structure is sealed in 70 places of the camera body provides dust and water resistance. The camera is also capable of operating at temperatures as low as -10°C, allowing field photography in the toughest of the shooting conditions.

*4 Achieving the Vickers hardness rating of 1000-1500Hv

(2) Further-evolved “Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder” in pursuit of the “shooting-through-the-viewfinder” style

The X-Pro3 is equipped with the world’s only “Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder.” Users can flick a lever to instantaneously switch between the OVF, which captures your subject exactly as it is, and the EVF, which allows the users to check exposure and other settings while shooting.
The EVF now uses a high-resolution 3.69-million-dot organic EL panel. It has the maximum luminance of 1500cd/m2 and boats high contrast, making it possible to display the finest details even in shadows and highlights. Its faithful color reproducibility provides an advanced level of visibility.
The “Smoothness priority” mode*5 has been added as the EVF’s new display option. It provides smooth vision equivalent to approximately 200fps for a minimal sense of residual images, and is the perfect option when tracking a fast-moving subject.
The camera also features the “Electronic Range Finder” function, in which a small EVF window is displayed within the OVF. The highly convenient function allows users to view the subject as it is while using the small EVF to enlarge the focusing area of the frame.

*5 Only available when the “Boost” mode is selected in the Performance setting

(3) Equipped with the X Series’ fourth-generation sensor and image processing engine to enable enhanced shooting functions

The X-Pro3 is equipped with the back-illuminated 26.1MP “X-Trans™ CMOS 4” sensor and the “X-Processor 4” high-speed image processing engine, which are the X Series’ fourth-generation devices that have both won strong reputation following their use in the FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJIFILM X-T30. The use of evolved algorithm means the camera is capable of fast and accurate phase-detection AF at the minimum luminance of -6EV, which is close to pitch darkness. Smooth AF is achieved by utilizing the range limiter function, which limits the range of focal lengths for using AF.
The camera’s “HDR Shooting” function combines multiple images of different exposure levels to create a picture of natural colors free of highlight or shadow clipping.
The “Multiple Exposure” function has been evolved, combining up to 9 images taken in different framing or time, into a multi-layered collage for a mysterious effect. Users can apply the Additive, Average, Comparative Bright or Comparative Dark mode as the exposure setting for images to be layered together.

(4) Use of unique color reproduction technology for outstanding image quality

Fujifilm’s unique color reproduction technology, nurtured over 85 years, produces “memory colors,” vivid colors exactly as you remember.
The Film Simulation function, which applies diverse color tones to images, has been added with the new “CLASSIC Neg” mode, designed to simulate color negative films traditionally chosen for snapshots of day-to-day scenes. It creates high contrast to add definitions and dimensions to your subject.
The Black & White adjustment function*6, a popular function originally introduced to the FUJIFILM X-T3 and FUJIFILM X-T30, has been updated as the “Monochromatic Color” function. It offers the original “Warm / Cool” tone options as well as the new “Magenta / Green” hue option, giving users a choice from a broad gradation of colors.
The Grain Effect function, which simulates the graininess unique to pictures developed from photographic film, has been evolved so that the users can adjust “strength” and “size” to control the degree of grain strength and coarseness.
The previous models’ “Color Chrome” effect has been added with the new “Color Chrome Blue” mode, reproducing deeper colors and greater tonal definition in blue skies and other primarily blue subjects for versatile photographic expressions.

*6 A function that reproduces “Warm Black / Cool Black,” used in photo film development to produce warm or cool tones in monochrome prints

(5) Superb operability

The X-Pro3 features a 1.62-million-dot tilting touchscreen LCD monitor that fits flush on the rear side of the camera body. It can be flipped approximately 180 degrees, allowing users to shoot in various styles from high to low angles. It offers excellent visibility due to its high resolution, wide angle of view and strong contrast.
The 1.28-inch color Memory LCD monitor, a new feature on the camera’s rear panel, displays shooting settings regardless of whether the camera is turned on or not. The screen can be set in the “Classic” mode for displaying the Film Simulation mode selected, using the packaging icon of the corresponding photo film, or the “Standard” mode for displaying shutter speed, aperture and other shooting settings.
The number of icons to be displayed in the quick access “Quick Menu” can be selected from 4, 8, 12 or 16.
The X-Pro3 is equipped with a USB Type-C port (USB3.1 Gen1), enabling wired charging of the camera’s battery.

Fujifilm X-Pro3

2. Optional accessories

(1) Leather case “BLC-XPRO3” (for the X-Pro3)

This is a genuine-leather bottom case that elegantly shows off the X-Pro3’s exterior design while protecting the camera body. It also offers advanced user convenience, allowing the battery to be replaced while the case is attached to the camera.
The case comes with a cloth to wrap the entire camera body when storing it in a bag.

(2) Hand grip “MHG-XPRO3” (for the X-Pro3)

This hand grip improves the grip on the camera to reduce the camera shake, even when using a large-diameter lens. This grip can be left in place while replacing the battery or SD card.

Fujifilm X-Pro3

Don’t Panic, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 will Cost LESS than $2,000

Holy moly, what a panic!

After the last Fujifilm X-Pro3 Japanese price leak, people started out panicing that it will cost more than $2,000.

But there is no reason to panic. As I wrote in the original price leak post:

  • the Fujifilm X-Pro3 will cost 235,950 yen (converter to dollar it’s $2,173)
  • the Fujifilm X-Pro2 costs 219,450 yen (converter to dollar it’s $2,022)

This means that, in Japan, there is an 8% price increase between X-Pro2 and X-Pro3.

Now let’s apply the same 8% price increase to US pricing:

  • X-Pro2 costs $1,699
  • X-Pro3 + 8% = $1,834

So, guys, the regular Fujifilm X-Pro3 will cost less than $2,000.

I don’t know how much the DURA X-Pro3 versions will cost, though.

Look at This: The Fujifilm X-Pro3 Hidden Screen Gets Our Love Again :)

The Fuji World is upside down!

When we first leaked the Fujifilm X-Pro3 tilt screen, I asked you if you liked it. The result can be seen down below.

  • Fujifilm X-Pro3 LIVE BLOGGING on FujiRumors Oct. 23 at 1 AM New York Time

As you can see, I myself voted “I don’t know”.

I was very skeptical, didn’t understand it, but decided to wait until I have it on my hands, to form my final opinion.

And then something happened.

Over the last few weeks, more and more of you guys in the comments said something like “the more I look at the new screen, the more I start to like it!”

I felt that something changed, and so yesterday, after the massive X-Pro3 leaks, I launched the same survey again here. And look how you voted.

It’s basically the exact opposite result of 1 month ago.

So what happened?

Well, I think we all just needed time to “understand” the idea behind the screen.

We had heated discussions about the screen:

  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3: You Don’t Get it, the new Screen is a Smart Move!
  • read here – Some LOVE the Fujifilm X-Pro3, and Here is Why!

And at the end it seems that, while surely still a divisive feature, the majority of us decided that Fujifilm’s attempt to create a different photographic with the X-Pro3 just makes sense.

And FujiRumors?

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm X-Pro3 – Price Leaked and Shipping November 28

What days we are having, with massive Fujifilm X-Pro3 leaks:

  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3: First Step into Fuji’s 3 Year Computational Photography Masterplan
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3: Massive Leaks, Facts, Images and Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3 Specs and Images Leaked: Improved Autofocus at -6EV, HDR Shooting and Lots of Firmware Improvements

Now nokishita leaked the price and release date for the Fujifilm X-Pro3:

  • 235,950 yen including tax for black version (converter to dollar it’s $2,173)
  • 263,450 yen including tax for DURA black and DURA silver (converter to dollar it’s $2,426)
  • Scheduled release date is November 28, 2019

Currently the Fujifilm X-Pro2 costs 219,450 yen at the official Fujifilm Japan shop ($2,022).

So in Japan the price increase from X-Pro2 to X-Pro3 is of about 8%. Apply this to USA, and we would pass from the $1,699 launch price of X-Pro2 to $1,834.

Stay tuned on FujiRumors for more: Facebook, Flipboard, Instagram, RSS-feed, Youtube and Twitter

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