Just Another Fuji Convert, From Trying Every Other System – Read here
Hello!
My name is Serge and I’ve written a guest feature before, about adopting the fuji system, in particular using the Fuji X-Pro2 my personal life, street photography, as well as concert photography.
This time I’ve had the chance to put it through an intensive, 1 week photo trip to Havana, Cuba. I paired my x-pro 2 with a fuji 23mm f2, creating a fast focusing, light, reliable, comfortable and even weather sealed combo.
What it created is really that feeling when youre not even thinking about the camera, when you can just be immersed into whats happening around you, which in turn appears to lead to better images. Gear annoyances can take you out of that zone, and fuji x-pro 2 with 23mm f2 allowed for an immersive experience. What is also interesting, is that i ended up using mostly SOOC jpegs or built in profiles for editing. Throughout the whole trip, I’ve only wished for a tilt screen for the x-pro 2. Now that I’ve purchased a fuji X100F, i still feel like the x-pro 2 combo was just a little more responsive and robust.
Although it sounds a little hokey, i really enjoyed walking around Havana with the x-pro 2 and 23mm f2, feeling as much of a bond as one can have with a piece of equipment :).
We are pleased announce version 2.1 of RoboSHOOTplus. It is available NOW for MX-20 and MX-15 upgrades! This version adds Studio Strobe and additional flash support, High performance with CH/CL manual mode, In-Camera Control improvements, and more. Also, by virtue of expanded Nikon speedlight compatibility, this release enables Nikon support even on the lower cost ‘X-15 units. As a result, the MX-20 and MX-15 make great companions, as with that combination you can upgrade both over-the-air!
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!
Before we start, I will make clear that I’m not an expert in designing and developing cameras. So I don’t know if the solution recommended by FR-reader CUCKOO is realistic. I’ll just share it here so that we can think about it.
Also, remember that OIS/IBIS compensates only for the shakiness of your camera, but not for the “shakiness” of the world outside. The best OIS and IBIS on earth can not freeze the movement of people and animals around you or of branches and flowers dancing in the wind.
With that said, OIS/IBIS is still very handy feature, and I consider it a pity, that Fujifilm did not implement OIS in the XF 16-55mm F2.8 and the XF 90mm F2. If these two lenses would have OIS, I think the Fujifilm X system would not need IBIS, unless…
you shoot with adapted (and slower) glass
you shoot video
A Possible Solution for IBIS on X-cameras?
Did you know that there is already this Fujifilm camera with IBIS? Sure, the XP120 is not an X-series camera, but it’s interesting to know that other digital Fujifilm cameras already have optical sensor shift technology.
Now, Fujifilm said it clearly: X-mount is not compatible with IBIS, because IBIS moves the sensor, which means the amount of light at the corners is reduced when the sensor is shifted. You’ll basically get more vignetting that Fujifilm could correct digitally, but they do not want to do it because “we don’t want to compromise our image quality.”
Ok… so Fujifilm does not want to digitally correct vignetting created by IBIS. But what about the solution proposed by FR-reader CUCKOO in the comments to this post (especially thinking at video with X-gear)? I quote:
“[For video] Fujifilm must swallow their pride and construct a stabiliser solution. If there’s a will there’s a way. For stills I agree with them 100%. For video I disagree 100%.
I think most (all?) videographers today agree that a stabiliser is quite essential to shoot video in many cases, especially if you’re doing it all by yourself, like many artists, YouTubers, one man bands and small production teams are doing it.
The most obvious way to implement a stabiliser would be to crop the readout area a little bit when IBIS is turned on. Enough crop for the stabiliser to work within the image circle. It shouldn’t be too much crop needed actually. This would be invaluable to a lot of video shooters. Turn off the IBIS to have full sensor again.
I recently got a Panasonic GH5 out of necessity. Its yucky colours leaves a lot to be desired. IBIS and no recording time limit however is more important. Colours can be improved a lot afterwards.. Shaky footage is more painful to improve in post.. and it cannot improved as well.. love-hate relationship with ge GH5.
To me, this sounds like a relative simple workaround. But as said, I am no expert, and FR-reader CUCKOO and myself might miss something.
Feel free to drop your considerations in the comments.
Interlock AF Type setting to AF Focus setting
For example if you switch to single shot Focus (S) on the camera to then switch to Single Point focus automatically. If the camera is set to Continuous Focus to then automatically switch to Zone AF. – Of course the user should be able to set his own AF Type preference for each of the Focus settings (S / C).
Live histogram when shutterbutton is being half pressed
Set maximum number of images in CL / CH
Cooked RAWs of Film Simulations
Cooked RAWs for double exposure
Cooked RAWs for panoramic shots
Cooked RAWs for Dynamic Range Settings (DR200 / DR400 / AUTO)
Reala Film Simulation
Color Chrome Effect
E-Front Curtain Shutter
Date & Time to seconds
More Customisable Q-Menu – More options to choose from (especially RAW options)
AI Focus Intelligent version of One Shot Focus (S) and Continuous Focus (C) (Choose automatically depending upon the fact if the subject is moving or not).
Move Pixel Mapping option under the Wrench (This is not an image IQ option but a maintenance tool)
Quickly Select AF-Custom setting via rear command dial
New Leveler with Tilt & Pitch (as found in the GFX)
Star Rating to be compatible with Lightroom
Eye Sensor while shooting + LCD Menu
Auto ISO WARNING when below recommended shutter speed (Highly needed)
RGB Histogram
Anti Flicker AF option
Noise reduction to ‘Off’
Point-AF Follow Focus within Phase Detect area for moving subjects in AF-C. (sort of widea-area tracking, but different and better).
Focus Tracking with Lock-on: Nikon has added additional options here for erratic or steady subjects allowing me to fine tune my autofocus for every given situation.
Create Tone Curve (As Nikon Picture Control Editor)
Improved ‘Add Noise’ as is calculated with the ACROS film simulation but then available to other Film Simulations. (So with no noise in the highlights and deepest shadows)
4k Video Image Capture: I can now take 8mp stills while shooting 4k video or extract them frame by frame after the fact.
Slow Motion video Recording / playback
F-Log to SD card
X-Pro2 Specific
ISO set via rear command dial when ISO is set to L
4K video
What else?
Well, I (Patrick) would really like to have a highlight priority metering mode.
Kings of Photography Fuji Are Nailing it at the Moment – Here’s Why! at lightstalking
Fujifilm GFX
Gary Tyson – shared at the GFX group here: “Picked up the Cambo Actus GFX yesterday will do some testing. Just sharing a quick look at how far up/down/left right can move before vignetting kicks in. Using a hasselblad 40mm CFE lens on it. Seems to be an outstanding bit of kit” – NOTE: I could not embed the video here on FR, so only GFX members can see it.
Fujifilm GFX Dynamic Range Under Real Field Conditions at diglloyd
Fujifilm GFX Documentary Use: Fish Electroshock Survey at diglloyd
Fujifilm GF 120mm f4 R LM OIS WR Macro Review at photographyblog
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!
According to a source, right in the past, the first “significant” Firmware update for the Fujifilm GFX 50s will come in May.
I don’t know at the moment what “significant” means exactly, but sure it sounds more than just a little bug fix. However, I doubt it will be a huge update like the one that the X-T2 and X-Pro2 recently got (and more will come at the end of May).
As always, it’s a firmware rumor, so even if the top Fuji manager itself would announce it, you should take it with a grain of salt.
However, it’s time for GFX owners to make their first Kaizen wish-list… so don’t hesitate, and drop it here in the comments. You know Fujifilm reads us ;)
And feel free to enjoy our terrific Fujifilm GFX group, where 10,500+ members enjoy to share everything about the GFX and don’t forget to follow the GFX facebook page for GFX tailored news and rumors.
