Written for Fuji Rumors by Rick Birt of romeobravophoto.com

*Note* This is a long post – I have a summary of pros and cons in my conclusion

As soon as the Hasselblad X1D-50c and Fuji GFX 50s were announced, I wanted one. The promise of Medium Format in a cheaper, and smaller package was incredibly alluring. For the past year my main camera has been a Fuji X-Pro2. I love it. I love the image quality, the colors, the size, and the Rangefinder styling. I also love Fujifilm’s Kaizen philosophy of constantly updating their camera lineup via firmware. All of these things influenced my decision toward the GFX. Luckily, my wife (Kelly Williams), and I were also given the opportunity to demo the Hasselblad X1D. The svelte styling, leaf shutter (ability to sync strobes at 1/2000s), and simple menus were all big pluses in the Hassy’s favor.

When we opened the boxes, we were woefully unimpressed by the Fuji GFX. Even though it kind of looks like a bigger X-T2, it’s actually kind of ugly in person. It almost looks like three different teams designed parts of the camera, and then they Frankenstein’d it all together in the end.

In stark contrast when we opened the X1D box, my wife said,

“We may have to buy two of these so we don’t fight over it.”

Similarly, we conducted two fashion shoots with these cameras. When we brought out the X1D, both models said

“Oh! A Hasselblad!”

Neither commented on the GFX.

Should this matter? My left brain says no. However, it does matter. What is this industry about? IMAGE. These tools are used to take images, because the world has placed value on images of pretty things. Don’t kid yourself, image is paramount in this business – especially in fashion and portraits.

Back to testing…

Workshop

• Workshop: Streets of San Francisco – November 3 – 5, 2017. All details at olafphoto

Cover Stories

• Fuji X-A3 First Shots: Giving the competition a run for their money at ISO 3200 at imaging-resource
• Switching Gear: From Canon to Fujifilm at phototraces
• The benefits of APS-C over full frame at the French site focus-numerique (translation)
• X-Pro2 + Mitakon 35mm F0.95 II. Three Weeks Postpartum And Rocking It at anthonythurston

Fujifilm X-T2 & More
BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama

• Fuji X-T2 in the hottest riding stuff you can buy (MTB sportsware)… scroll down and see the girl with the X-T2 at enduro-mtb
• Check out the portfolio of Anthony Thurston. Shot entirely with Fujifilm X-Pro2 (NSFW)… anthonythurston
• Robert has new blogs, all with the Fuji X-T2, up on his website at robertdoeleman
• The Legend of the Purple Hairpin | Fuji X-Pro2 at thetravelphotographer
• Chinese Opera shot with X-T2 at zackhedelic
• A short film in Batam shot with X-T2 at zackhedelic
• A prisoner of Alcatraz at olafphotoblog
• Tenderness A Simple (X-T2) shot from a Wedding in the Dordogne at f16.click
• Camera Swap Challenge – Fujifilm X-T2 23mm F1.4 vs Canon 5D Mark 3 50mm F1.4 w/ Maya at Xing Liu youtube
• Fujifilm X-T2 and XF16-55 f/2.8 is now my most favorite camera lens bundle at thinkdiff
• Fuji Mirrorless Camera System: What’s in my Bag? at Jesse Starr Youtube
• After the rain. (X-T2 + 50-140) at trevhillphotography
• The Virtual Film Camera Exercise at fernandogros
• A walk through the Retiro Park in Madrid with the Fujifilm X-T2 in Spanish at albedomedia (translation)
• Fujifilm X-T2 & 16mm f1.4 // video&vlog test in scotland incl. Mavic Pro Shots at Chris Perkles Youtube
• Bikinishoot with Simone // Fujifilm X-T2 56mm f1.2 & 23mm f2 at Chris Perkles Youtube
• Freestyle VLOG #3 – Vloging with the Fuji XT-2 PART 1 at dsphotoblog.com youtube
• Freestyle VLOG #4 – Vlogging with the Fuji XT-2 PART 2 at dsphotoblog.com youtube
• Freestyle VLOG #5 – Long exposures with the Fuji XT-2 at dsphotoblog
• What’s in my Camera Bag at chuqui
• Fujifilm: Is it a Little Like a…? (Part 4) at adambonn
• North to Norway with my Fuji X-Pro 2’s at gambofoto
• Early Spring At Elk Island at miksmedia

The Verge reviewed the Fujifilm X-T20… and it’s a very positive review.

But the parts of the review I want to highlight today here on FujiRumors are not the many qualities of the X-T20 (most of all the incredible IQ in a $900 camera), but something most of us X-shooters already experience since a long time: the pure pleasure of shooting with Fujifilm cameras.

So what are you waiting for… get an X-T20, and join the X-side of life :)

“I didn’t understand the pervasive appeal of Fujifilm cameras until I spent some quality time with one […]

No alternative camera system feels as sound an investment of my money as Fujifilm does. […]

It’s tough for me to decouple the pleasure of shooting with the X-T20 from its eventual results. The process of capturing images with this camera is more satisfying than any other I’ve known (except maybe Fujifilm’s own X-Pro2, which I’ve only flirted with). […]

Fujifilm’s mirrorless cameras are simply better. Our reviews of these cameras tend to devolve into emotional expositions about passion for the art of photography, but ultimately Fujifilm just wins on all the practical fronts that matter. The X-T20 has the best viewfinder, best ergonomics, and best image quality in its price class. The Fujinon XF lens ecosystem is unrivaled. If there’s any problem for this camera, it’s in convincing people that it’s worth trying — because I’m confident that once they do, they’ll fall in love with it just as I did.”

You can read the whole review at TheVerge.

Fujifilm X-T20: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCH AUS: CameraPro

And then I Thought: “Stop Waiting for the X-E3, and get the X-T2/Zero (X-T20)” … Did Fujifilm Hit the Sweet Spot with the X-T20?

Flash

Godox is making many Fujifilm shooters very happy at the moment, and I quite regulary get emails of Fuji X and G shooters switching from other brands (such as Profoto), to Godox. And given the huge interest Godox arose amongst the Fuji community, I think it’s high time to share again a Godox-centric roundup.

But before we dive into the Godox world, some reviews from the non-Godox world (EF-X500 included)… all fresh from the internet.

For older stuff just search fro EF-X500 on fujirumors.com, and you will find links to EF-X500 reviews like the one at Robert Hall Photography Youtube and also check out fotograficoweb’s “Fujifilm EF-X500 Shoe Mount Flash Review” at fujirumors.com)

EF-X500 and FlashQ System

• BC Superweek with Fujifilm EF-X500 High Speed Sync at joengphotography
• FlashQ system review – T1-S V.2 and Flash Q20 -in 4k at Zed ProMedia Youtube

GODOX

• Damien Lovegrove Godox XT1-F feedback shared at the GFX group here: “XT1F units have arrived. I have literally shot 1000s of frames now with the Godox system in HSS and normal sync using the TT350F and the X1TF. I can confirm that on balance I am finding about ⅔ of a drop off in flash output from regular sync to HSS across the AD200 and AD600 units. In some situations I’m not seeing any loss of exposure and in others a small reduction in exposure. I’m talking about going from 1/125th at f/16 to 1/500 at f/8 or 1/4000 at f/2.8 etc. I need to get out of the studio and shoot some real location portraits.”
• David Ward Godox feedback shared at the GFX group here: “This is a follow on to my testing the X1Tf, TT350f, TT685f and V860IIf with a Fujifilm GFX. Now with the XT-2; As I expected, the X1Tf, TT350f, TT685f and V860IIf all work with the XT-2 as they did with the GFX. This confirms that the TTL flash capabilities of the latest generation Fujifilm cameras are consistent. Even though I don’t have access to an X Pro 2 its on the compatible list from Godox along with the XT-2 so there should be no surprises. The larger speedlites are big and heavy on the XT-2. I compared the TT350f and V860IIf in M mode with the flash head aimed directly at Manny. As expected considering the guide numbers, there is a one EV difference. That’s good news because it means that anytime the V860II would be firing at less than half power, the TT350 is up to the job. Naturally two AA batteries are a far cry from the Lithium Ion battery in the V860II, but the weight difference is significant. I’m going to confirm how everything works Friday on a wedding shoot. Ceremony outside so some chances for fill with CL200, or speedlites. Then CL200, and TT350 and V680II during the reception inside. As noted with the GFX, setting X1Tf TTL FEC also changes the value in the camera. With the speedlites it acts as expected. FEC in camera is additive to whatever is set via the X1Tf with no changes from the flash to the groups.”
• Initial thoughts Godox XT1-F trigger for Fuji at maxmilne
• Fujifilm X-PRO2: HSS, TTL & Godox TT350F at sritch
• Godox TT350F Review – Tested on the Fujifilm X-T2 at Mitch Lally Youtube
• Fstoppers Reviews the Godox Thinklite TT350F Flash for Fujifilm X at fstoppers
• A FR-reader reminds regarding us the X1F transmitter, that you can get more flash power in “hypersync” if you use the x1 to trigger the flash in manual via the ft16 receiver.

And in case you missed it:

• Godox TT350F Review (for Fujifilm) at fujirumors.com
• First Godox XT1-F Hands On Report and Damien Lovegrove Final Godox Testing at fujirumors.com
• Godox News: Cross Brand TTL and HSS, XT1-F Preview, Godox Products for Sale Now also at BHphoto & more at fujirumors.com

Godox/Flashpoint X1T-F controller: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox/Flashpoint TT350F: Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox/Flashpoint TT685F: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox/Flashpoint V860IIF: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox AD200: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Sony a9 vs Fuji X-T2: Which Has Better Color? at Denae & Andrew youtube (using PROVIA on X-T2)

Sony Vs. Fujifilm – Colors

The Blind Test

Andrew wants us to play a bit, so why not, I’m in :)

He will show you some images, taken with Fujifilm X-T2 and Sony A9, standard color profile (on the Fuji X-T2 it’s Provia). He won’t tell you which images has been taken by which camera. You just write up what you prefer, and at the end check out the results.

Of course I did it, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m used to the Fuji look or not, but Fujifilm turns out as winner in 67% of the cases for me (14 for Fuji, 7 for Sony).

Especially in the portrait shots series I almost every time prefered the Fuji output over Sony’s (when Andrew shot nature/flowers, my results were more balanced).

On the other hand, Andrew prefered 11 times Sony and 10 times Fuji.

This shows that personal preference plays an important role…

… but let me add also this…

Don’t Forget the Film Simulations!

Fujifilm has put a terrific effort and lots of knowledge into developing the Fujifilm film simulations. Velvia (for landscapes), Astia (for portraits), Acros (for black and white) and Co are all ment to give you great out of the box images for certain situations.

So why not use them?

These film simulations give us not only great results in terms of colors (the famous “Fuji Colors”), but they are also a whole lot of fun to use. Personally I often just like to play around with the internal RAW converter and change film simulations on my images, maybe while I’m in the train back home after a day of shooting.

I believe that, if Andrew, in the first part of his review, would have used the Velvia profile on the Fuji and the Vivid on the Sony, I’d have liked Fuji colors in his test even more than the current 67%. As mirrorlessons wrote on their X-Pro2 Vs. Sony A6300 comparison (which I’ve shared here on FujiRumors):

“if we compare both vidid profiles (also called Velvia on the X-Pro2), we can see that the Fuji produces a warmer, more saturated result.”

Now, I perfectly get it why Andrew used only the standard profile. It’s of course a valid test. But the thing is, that in real life sometimes I like to fine tune my images, and the fastest and often best way to fine tune the colors, is to use one of Fujifilm’s film simulations.

Guys, do you want to experience the magic of Fujifilm colors? Then have fun and use the film simulations :)

Read also

• “Skin Tones – Fuji 56/1.2 vs Sony 85mm GM, Canon 85/1.2 L, Zeiss Batis 85, & Panasonic Leica 42.5/1.2” at fujirumors.com
• “The Great JPEG Shootout by TheCameraStoreTV” [also here using Provia only] at fujirumors.com
• The World of Film Simulations explained. More at fujirumors.com

& More

There is one more Sony Vs. Fujifilm SOOC color comparison. You can find it at How To And Reviews Youtube. But please note that he uses Canon glass on his Fujifilm. I think to really judge the colors a system gives you, he should have used Fujinon glass.

Fujnon glass has a great color rendition. For example, when I use my Samyang 12mm on my X-T1 for landscape photography, the image look less vivid then when I use Fuji X-mount glass (of course always with Velvia setting).

Don’t get me wrong, for that price, the Samyang 12mmF2 is a no brainer and it’s all in all a lovely lens I didn’t reget a second I bought it. But sometimes I miss the “little extra” Fujinon glass gives me, not only in terms of sharpness, but also in terms of color rendition.

I guess I better start looking around for a good deal on the XF 10-24 ;)

San Francisco with the Fujifilm X100F & X-T2 at olafphoto youtube

Fujifilm X100F
BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

We know that the Fujifilm X100F is a huge success. Hence, the internet is full with (great) feedback about the X100F. So let’s dive into today’s X100F zone… and don’t forget to join our 11,300 members strong X100F facebook group… it’s creativity pure over there :)

• 5 Reasons to Buy a Fujifilm X100f – “The mini X-Pro2” at Mattias Burling youtube
• Goodbye Leica… Hello Fuji X100F at Vinny The Lens youtube
• Meet the X Stealth Shooter (or the art of camouflaging – includes X100F images) at ivanjoshualoh
• My Fujifilm X100F Acros Film Simulation Recipes at roeschphotography
• Fuji X100F Accessories at photographything
• BROMPTONgraphy (X100F + X-Pro2 images) at ivanjoshualoh
• Los Angeles street photography with the Fuji X100F – Part two at ianmacdonaldphotography
• San Francisco Street Photography with the X100F at olafphotoblog
• San Francisco In Square at olafphotoblog
• Fuji X100 Mark II Wide and Tele Conversion Lens Review (28mm & 50mm) at shuttermuse
• The Fujifilm X100F – how does it deliver as an everyday camera for professionals at diyphotography
• Fujifilm X100F Review at mirrorlessons. You can also check out their Fujifilm X100F “Fast5” Review on their youtube channel
• Fuji X100F Out West Arizona and the Grand Canyon at Vinny The Lens youtube
• Fujifilm X100F with WCL, TCL and digital zoom at timecaptured
• Fujifilm X100F — 6 Week Thoughts + Review in Japan at Joe Allam Youtube