Where’s The X-Pro3 Review? (Plus X-T4 stuff)

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I’ve been receiving emails from readers asking where the heck my X-Pro3 review is already?! After a lot of careful consideration, I decided to pass on the Dura Black X-Pro3→ I had preordered a few months ago, and I’m not sure if it’s a camera I’ll ever own,1 as much as I’d like to. Part of this came down to budget, but the other part comes down the X-Pro3 simply not being the right camera for me.

How did the X-Pro go from being my favourite camera ever with the second iteration to something I can’t even justify the purchase of with the third? A bunch of reasons, cumulatively, and some of them are admittedly a bit retroactive.

  1. The “Hidden” LCD: More than enough has been written about this screen already. It caused a ton of controversy. I’m not going to say Fuji shouldn’t have done it—I still think something bold like this was the right call, and we should be thankful Fuji are willing to push boundaries in that way—but it’s not the right direction for me personally.
  2. The OVF magnification: I was really disappointed to learn about the move from a dual 0.36/0.6× to a singular 0.52× magnification, even if the OVF is better in all other respects. I previously recommended looking elsewhere if you plan to do most of your shooting outside 18 to 50mm, and now that range is reduced further with 18mm being beyond the X-Pro3’s OVF field of view. I was hoping for a third magnification2 not one less.
  3. Missing D-pad: I can sort of understand the desire for simplicity, but this is a trend I just can’t get behind, especially on cameras that have the room for it. The GFX 100 doesn’t have a D-pad for crying out loud.
  4. The sensor: I have zero issue with the sensor and processor combination found in the X-Pro3, X-T3, or X-T4. That written, because I already have Fuji’s top of the line imaging as far as still photographs are concerned in the X-T3—and the difference between X-Pro2 and X-Pro3 is marginal (again, as far as still photography goes)—it makes the X-Pro3 less attractive.

Missing Features

Now that the X-T4 is out, there are a couple more things that irk me about the X-Pro3:

  1. If the X-Pro3 had the fully articulating screen of the X-T4—Sub monitor and all—I’d have had one for months already. I’m sure there are engineering challenges to solve for there, but I really hope that’s where the next iteration goes. That way the photography purists can easily hide the screen away, but full access is still available to anyone who wants it.
  2. I’d have been pretty frustrated if I bought the X-Pro3 with its lower capacity NP-W126S battery only to have the X-T4 be announced a few short months later with a newer, higher capacity battery. I thought the battery should have been addressed with the X-Pro2 and the subsequent X-Trans III generation of Fuji cameras. Here we are four years on with one flagship body still on the old battery technology, and the other body on a new one.

Despite the items above, I’ve almost convinced myself to buy an X-Pro3 a couple of times. For many people it will be a fantastic camera, but I really do think I’m going to hold strong and sit this generation out. There are just too many “if only’s” with the X-Pro3, and I feel like the next generation could solve at least some of them.

About The X-T4

The X-T4→ is a similar situation. It’s clearly going to be Fuji’s most versatile camera yet, but as mentioned, I have its still photographic quality in the X-T3 already, in-body image stabilization when I need it in the X-H1,3 and I just don’t shoot a whole lot of video.

I initially thought I might get an X-T4 to go along with my X-T3 for a two-body setup, but then I’m not only dealing with two different sets of batteries, but also slightly different button interfaces, and screens. The latter is far from a dealbreaker, but it contributes to my decision-making process. I personally prefer the default rear button operations on the X-T3.4

2 × X-T3

I’ve been selling off some older kit in recent weeks to fund the purchase of something new. I contemplated a move to Medium Format (more on that below), but I think the prudent choice would be to buy a second X-T3 with its reduced price and free grip kit.→ My desire is to have two bodies as similar as possible—with image quality being the priority—each with a prime lens and Peak Design plate→ attached. Had the X-Pro3 turned out different, I’d have gladly worked with the differences between it and an X-T body (probably the X-T3 in that case), but failing that, two X-T bodies would also be just fine. I could look at also selling the X-T3 to fund two X-T4s, but I just don’t think that makes much sense.

The X-T3 is a bit smaller, lighter, and is still Fuji’s best still image quality. I don’t really need IBIS, personally. When a steady camera is critical, I want to use my Peak Travel Tripod.→ Now that I’m shooting RAF exclusively, and processing in Capture One,→ I’m not at all concerned about new Film Simulation Modes. I don’t vlog, barely shoot video, so I’m really having a tough time justifying the X-T4 for anything more than a review/comparison.

The X-T4 Will Be An Amazing Camera

Earlier this week I tweeted an overly simplified upgrade path for the X-T4. While I stand by that, it must also be said that the X-T4 is set to be an absolutely incredible APS-C camera. I wish some of those features made it into the X-T3. I would love to keep that LCD folded closed, screen side in, and to have the outstanding IBIS at my disposal, but the improvements the X-T4 offers to my shooting style simply aren’t great enough to warrant the upgrade. So I think I’m good with the X-T3, and probably a second one.

What’s This About Medium Format?

After the X-Pro3 ended up not being the camera for me, I started looking into Medium Format again. I would love to have the image quality and dynamic range a GFX 50 offers. The 50S→ is much too large, bulky, and frankly, ugly for my liking, and with the rather exceptional pricing on the 50R,→ I thought it and a half price GF 50mm F3.5→ would be the way to go. So much so that I almost ordered the lens before having actually handled the 50R.5 I’m glad I didn’t because the 50R is enormous. Small for Medium Format, sure, but compared to an X-Pro, or even something like a Nikon Z7, it’s huge.

What Does This Mean For Reviews?

There probably won’t be much in the way of body reviews for the next while. With the X100V→ accounted for, that’s three new Fujifilm bodies I’ll likely be passing on.

I feel I’ll be able to make informed kit recommendations still, however, and the new cameras will absolutely be making an appearance there shortly.

  1. At least not at any time when a review would be worth writing or reading. ↩︎
  2. Ideally all of Fuji’s recent compact primes—XF 16mm F2.8, XF 23mm F2 WR, XF 35mm F2 WR, and XF 50mm F2 WR, not to mention the kit lens, FFS—should be perfectly comfortable to compose with the OVF. ↩︎
  3. Granted not as good, or as compact as what’s in the X-T4, but it’s fine for my limited IBIS needs. ↩︎
  4. It makes far more sense to have the two lock buttons on the same plane than it does to move one down and replace it with the Q Menu. ↩︎
  5. There is a remarkable lack of 50R’s available to handle in Toronto, Canada. Fuji will actually bring the camera to you if you ask for it, but I wanted to get an initial feel for it before troubling them. ↩︎

Fujifilm X Summit and the X-Pro3

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Last Friday, Fujifilm Japan held a “Fujifilm X Summit” in Shibuya to talk about a few upcoming developments. Toshi Iida, General Manager hosted alongside Shin Udono, Senior Manager, and Takashi Ueno, Senior Manager from Fujifilm as well as X-Photographers Bert Stephani and Tomasz Lazer.

XF 33mm 50mm F1 WR

The XF 33mm F1 WR was due to be officially announced anytime now, but it seems Fuji were a little too quick to add the lens to the roadmap. Back in July I wondered if it was premature to proclaim the lens as “world’s first mirrorless lens with an F/1 maximum aperture.” They are indeed sticking to F/1, but the focal length has been extended from 33mm to 50mm.

There are exactly two reasons for this; size, and weight.

When Fuji announced the XF 33mm F1 WR, I envisioned a lens about the size and weight of the XF 56mm F1.2. Early mockups of the XF 33mm F1 WR were already much larger, in around XF 90mm F2 WR territory, and since then—despite Toshi’s insistence the team make it smaller—it has actually become larger. In order to achieve excellent image quality from the centre of the frame through to the edges, and eliminate all the resulting aberrations, we were looking at a lens with 15 elements (the XF 35mm F1.4 has only 8), and over 1.3 kilograms in weight. The lens was so large, it was going to include a tripod mount, like the ones found in telephoto lenses. For a 50mm equivalent, that’s more than a little nuts.

The new XF 50mm F1 WR promises to be 35% smaller, with a target weight of under 900g (still pretty damn heavy), and we are to expect “50% richer bokeh.” I have no idea how one measures bokeh in terms of percent—there could be something lost in translation here—but at least some of this will come down to the change in focal length.

On the subject, I’m a little disappointed by the focal length change—50mm in 35mm equivalence is my jam—but it is absolutely the right call to keep X Series kit small and light. Bert wryly stated he was fine with the change, provided Fuji update the XF 35mm F1.4. Hear hear to that. I’ve moved back the original 35 myself, weather permitting.

Firmware Functions

Fujifilm Japan have a long list of customer-requested functions, which is to be expected. There are 20 or so commonly requested items, of which they shared what are apparently the top 9. Of those 9, they shared 3 functions are currently in development. Not the top 3, rather the top 3-5 requested features. Although I must call into question a couple of these requested functions.

On order of preference, those functions are:

Multiple shot for HDR

Cool, but if this is just for JPEG, I’m not super interested. If Fuji were able to somehow stack the dynamic range of multiple exposures into an HDR RAF, I’d be psyched. This feature strikes me as a response to things like “Smart HDR” and “computational photography.” Hopefully Fuji crushes it on their first attempt, otherwise they are going to be awfully far behind.

Focus Bracketing

Fuji’s demonstration shows 109 AF point calculations that can be combined ”on the PC in software” to create a sharp image. Also cool, but we'll need more concrete info. I definitely don’t want 109 frames to import and merge in post.

Multiple Exposure increased from 2 to 9 images

My first thought was “Who the hell is asking for this?” Honestly, I wish I could remove the Multiple Exposure functionality from my camera altogether to avoid the odd occasion is gets triggered accidentally. Doing this stuff in camera is about as useful as the Toy Camera effect is to me, but apparently people want more of it.

Gimbal and Drone Compatibility

A bonus function that wasn’t on the list. Buttons on gimbals will soon actually work, and key functions like shutter speed, exposure settings, and focus will be adjustable from both gimbal and drone controls. Big step up from just Start and Stop (recording).

Which Cameras?

One item of note is we don’t have any idea which cameras these features are in development for. Given Fuji has called these features “firmware functions” certainly suggests they will be coming to cameras that are already available. My guess is at least X-Trans IV, but it would strange to exclude the X-H1, so perhaps X-Trans III cameras will also be included.

X-Pro3

Now we get to the main event. A teaser for the development of the X-Pro3. Toshi set the whole thing up talking about “Pure Photography,” and asks “Why don’t we go back to basics?” Both of which sound familiar, but as I’ve quipped a number of times in the past, Fuji has delivered on what Nikon promised with the DF, seemingly without even trying.

Pure Photography

“Pure Photography” is described as having 3 parts:

  1. Carry & Access
  2. Find & Frame
  3. Shoot to Express (pressing shutter most important)

This in turn was broken out into 4 categories: Size, Weight, Discreet, and Durable. The rest of the presentation only loosely tied back to these items, but it’s worth understanding the thinking behind the X-Pro3’s direction.

Titanium

Toshi started with Durability. The X-Pro3 will be machined from titanium, a material largely abandoned for being too difficult to work with due to manufacturing challenges, and heat dissipation. But, as Toshi put it, Fuji “found a way.”

DuraBlack and DuraSilver

An added coating will (optionally?) be added to make the camera even tougher. Fuji calls these “DuraBlack” and “DuraSilver.” Standard black will seemingly also be available, but it is unclear whether this added finish will come at a premium. I suspect it will be treated the same as “Graphite Silver” was, and at least this finish adds function in addition to form, in that it will be 10 times more resistant to scratches than steel. My days of sweating over my camera getting scratched are behind me, but I totally understand this is important to people.

It will be interesting to see how the combination of Titanium and Dura finish stacks up against, say, the thicker magnesium and “hammer tone finish” of the X-H1. There was casual mention of the X-Pro3 feeling light, but no official claims of it being lighter than the X-Pro2. That suggests it is tougher without increase in weight.

This is good stuff, provided the X-Pro3 doesn’t run into any thermal issues. Given the combination of build materials, and pure photographic vision, it’s possible we could be looking at relatively limited video functionality in the X-Pro3. Personally, I’d be A-OK with it not even shooting video. Can’t get much more pure than that.

Also, “DuraBlack” looks hot. That’s definitely my choice of finish.

Hybrid Viewfinder

Both the OVF and EVF have been upgraded.

OVF

  • Clearer
  • Less distortion
  • Wider angle of view

The first two points are great. On the last, it sounds like there is more room for the viewfinder frame when using wider lenses like either of the 23mm, but I hope the viewfinder is also larger.

EVF via brand new panel

  • Higher resolution
  • Higher contrast
  • Wider colour space
  • Brighter
  • Higher frame rate

The one thing missing from that list that I really wanted to see was magnification. Once you get used to the EVF on an X-T or X-H, going back to the X-Pro takes a little getting used to.

The UI of both EVFs looks updated well. The text on the OVF has more white backing, and Fuji has introduced blue into the UI. It looks really nice.

Hidden LCD

Undoubtedly the most controversial portion of the announcement, the X-Pro3 will sport what we know as the “Sub Monitor” from the GFX 50s, 100, and X-H1 on the back. The LCD flips down for when it does come time to review your images. The Sub Monitor can also display your Film Simulation Mode in a nice graphic representation of the film packaging. It looks great, and feels very Hipstamatic.

My initial reaction is that it feels a bit gimmicky, and at the very least, extremely niche. That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. I love Fuji’s commitment to Pure Photography, but no one should expect big sales figures out of this thing. At least left-eye shooters won’t have to worry about nose smudges on their LCD anymore.

New Film Simulation, Classic Negative

It looks nice, and I’m sure like ACROS and CLASSIC CHROME before it, it will be the new Film Simulation hotness for a while. Which current cameras will be bestowed this new Film Simulation Mode, I wonder. I hope at the very least it trickles down to any X-Trans IV cameras (X-T3/X-T30).

Official Announcement

The X-Pro3 will be officially announced October 23, 2019, preceding “FujiFest” which is set to hit cities around the world, but disappointingly, none in Canada.

Thoughts

You’ll notice I haven’t complained about the lack of a D-pad yet. I had intended to, but after some thought, I’m not sure a camera of this kind really needs one as much. I do think we are going to want, if not need more access to Function buttons. Press and hold a button, turn a command dial, and watch the setting change on the Sub Monitor. One of the key features of the D-pad is being able to use the directional buttons as Function buttons when I’m not navigating menus. The way the mockup looks now, owners will either have to flip the screen open to make adjustments, or peer through the viewfinder, which can be a really clunky experience. Unless Fuji comes up with a way of using the Sub Monitor for that, but I won’t hold my breath.

Early Reactions

Based on replies on Twitter, and what I’ve seen online, reactions to the X-Pro3’s new design are mixed to say the least. There’s certainly some love for the idea, and Fuji’s willingness to put all their wood behind this arrow, but there are about as many people wondering if Fuji have their collective heads screwed on tight.

My Reaction

The X-Pro3 is decidedly old school, and borderline hipster, but I can definitely get behind thinking if the user experience lives up to the Pure Photography mantra. I think I’ll have a really hard time recommending a camera that is so purpose-built to anyone who might dabble in many different genres. But then, that’s entirely the point of “purity,” isn’t it?

Lens Wishlist: XF 14-40mm F4 OIS WR

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The XF 16-80mm F4 OIS WR is due to be announced anytime now. It’s poised to take over many a photographer’s travel lens needs, but having just finished another trip of fairly long distance hiking,1 what I’d like to see Fuji announce is is something even smaller, lighter, and ideally-suited for landscape photography. Something like this.

Focal Length: 14-40mm

My landscape sweet spot is in the neighbourhood of 24mm in 35mm equivalence, with 21mm typically being my max. That gives us 14mm on the wide end. My favourite focal length is around 50mm (35ish APS-C), so I had to be sure that was included. With a bit of breathing room, that brings us to 40mm. Plus, “14 to 40 F4” has a nice ring to it. Spoiler alert on the aperture there.

Maximum Aperture: Constant F4

For landscapes, I’m typically shooting between f/5.6 and f/11 so a Fuji lens closed down a stop should get me real close to maximum sharpness. Sure, I’d take f/2.8, but every extra stop means more size and weight, and I’m trying to be realistic with my desires. With a constant f/4 aperture, I’d be hoping for a lens about the size of the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 OIS. Having the front element fixed on zoom would be a bonus, but probably unlikely at 40mm.

WR or GTFO

As readers of this site know, the lack of weather sealing on the XF 10-24mm F4 OIS is my biggest issue with the lens. If that lens had weather sealing—and performed a little better at 24mm—I’d feel much less inclined to even write this article.

In this photographer’s opinion, XF lenses should no longer be released without weather sealing. Thankfully, that’s been the case for some time now.

OIS: 5-stops

I want to use this lens on cameras in which Fuji’s current in-body image stabilization (IBIS) will not fit.

Size and Weight

This one’s important. Mockups of the XF 16-80mm F4 WR OIS from our friends at FujiRumors show it to be considerably smaller than the XF 16-55mm F2.8 WR, but also considerably larger than the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 OIS. The former results in a camera + lens combination that stays in my bag more than I’d like it to. With proper cameras competing against smartphones for use, if they’re in a bag and your phone is in your pocket, it can be all too easy to just grab that travel snap with your phone, even though you might regret it later. As another old friend once wrote:

A camera in hand is 60% more likely to be used than one that's slung by its strap, 85% more likely than one in a shoulder bag, and 98% more likely than one in a backpack.

Bottom line, if my camera were small enough and light enough to be slug around my neck/shoulder all the time, it would be used more often.2

Close, but not quite.

There are some lenses that are close to my landscape nirvana, but every one of them comes with compromises.

  • XF 10-24mm F4 OIS: The size is getting close (especially given that front filter ring stays put when zooming), but the weather resistance is not. Its focal length is also wider than I’d like for a travel/landscape lens.
  • XF 16-55mm F2.8 WR: This lens would do it for me if it were smaller and lighter. And not just a little. As noted above, I want a camera and lens combination I can wear around my neck comfortably.
  • XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 OIS: Size, weight, OIS (even though it’s not quite enough stops worth), all great. Lack of weather sealing is a deal breaker, and I’d like something a little wider. I could even live with the variable aperture if everything else was right, but I’d rather not.

A Non-Standard Zoom

Now that Fuji have their core lineup of lenses pretty fleshed out, I want to see them move back to releasing lenses that are different, and well-suited to what X Series originally promised; superb, full-frame-rivalling image quality in a premium compact package. The exotics and ultra-fasts like the XF 200mm F/2 OIS WR and XF 33mm F1 are exciting, but they are big, heavy hunks of glass that are only mounted with purpose. They’re certainly not ever going to be my daily carry. Same goes for the “Red Badge” zooms. By most accounts, Fuji needed to get the “standard” zooms like the XF 16-55mm F/2.8 WR and XF 50-140mm F/2.8 OIS WR shipped. Perhaps now it’s time for something less standard.

I love what Fuji has done with primes recently with their F2WR3 lineup, and the XF 16-80mm F4 OIS WR is a step in the right direction, but weather resistant zooms could still use some slimming down. I admit I’m as guilty as the next photographer for wanting those pro zooms made available, but I think that has resulted in a zoom lens lineup that’s typical, and less interesting and differentiated than it could be.

  1. We put 15-22 KM per day on our feet every day of our last two trips. ↩︎
  2. I realize this at least partially comes down to my own discipline or lack thereof—how hard can it be to take a camera out of a bag, right? However, oftentimes we travel with others, and there’s a limit to how how many times we can slow down or flat out interrupt a walk or hike. It’s their vacation too, after all. ↩︎
  3. And a 2 point eight now. ↩︎

How I Packed For The Lake District

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A Brief Personal Story

This summer has been an adventure. Back in May, we had booked a trip back to the Lake District for the beginning of September. Lakeland is probably our favourite place on earth. The density of glacially carved mountains and lakes, and village cafe and pub splendour is unmatched. After publishing my review of the X-H1, I got to work on my XH1 vs. X-T2 article. It was coming along great, and as a bit of a spoiler, I was excited to finally shoot in The Lakes with Fuji cameras,1 and eager to put the XF 16-55mm F/2.8 WR to work on a stabilized body.

But in early June, one of our 4 cats got sick. Real sick. My wife and I spent 11 weeks exhausting every possible resource and sparing no expense trying to nurse our beloved cat back to health. After multiple opinions, and even more trips to veterinarian services, we decided there was no choice but to cancel our trip, believing we would still be getting Charlie back on his feet.

Things didn’t pan out that way, and sadly, we had to let Charlie go on August 19, 2018.2

…

A few days later, my wife and I talked about what we would do with the vacation time we had already booked off work. No way we could go away, right? But then, what were we going to do otherwise, sit around at home? We decided to look into what was still available, and incredibly, everything we had previously booked still was, so we will be walking the fells of North West England in tribute to Charlie.

Back To Photography Stuff

Now, with all that time lost, I had to figure out what the hell to bring. It’s been a bit of a scramble the last couple of weeks, but given I leave today I’m settled on my photographic gear selection.

In the grip section of my X-H1 review, I noted that I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to deal with the heft of a gripped X-H1 and an L-plate, or stick to a body-only L-plate. As it turns out, I ended up getting both. The convenience of 3 batteries was too much turn down any time I wanted to use proper support, but I knew a gripped and plated X-H1 would be too big to travel with. Not only is it big and heavy, the size also has an affect on potential carry options.

Carry

The last time I was in the Lake District, I packed my Nikon gear in a newly acquired LowePro Photo Sport 200 AW→ after quite a bit of agonizing. I still love this bag. It’s crazy light, super adjustable, and has superb straps, both for your shoulders, and your waist. It is an excellent bag for hiking. Note that this is the first version of the bag. I have not yet tried the LowePro Photo Sport 200 AW II,→ but it looks like they haven’t fixed unbroken things.

Camera(s)

Based on the main camera compartment of that bag and my memory, the X-H1 with L-plate is fairly similar in size to the Nikon D700 I had in it before. It fits perfectly, where a gripped body would not.

I always thought when I traveled back to The Lake District, I’d bring something along the lines of my Invincible Landscaper kit. I’ll be bringing the lenses, but I won’t have a body dedicated to each. Instead, my second body will be an X-Pro2 with a weather sealed prime mounted for casual documentary shots.

Lenses

The X-H1 will mostly have the XF 16-55mm F2.8 WR mounted on it. The section below the main camera compartment in my bag is just large enough to hold an XF 50-140mm F2.8 WR without the tripod collar attached. It’s not ideal, but it seems about as sturdy to have the camera mounted on my tripod as it would be using the rather flex-prone tripod collar.

When I last took in these dramatic landscapes, I went wide with the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8. This time around, 16mm on APS-C—24mm in 35mm equivalence—is the widest focal length I’ll have with me, and instead of going wider, I’m going much longer. This should open up my shooting possibilities a fair bit, but I’m wondering if I’ll miss the wide end.

Now, if this trip were happening a few months from now, there’s a very good chance I would repeat my focal length choice from last time with the XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR.

The XF 10-24mm F4 OIS sadly wasn’t even on the consideration list because weather sealing. If that lens came with those two magical initials, “W” and “R,” I’d be bringing that lens instead of the XF 16-55mm F2.8 WR along with a set of 72mm filters, rather than 77mm plus a step-up ring.

On my X-Pro2, it should come as no surprise that I’ll have the XF 35mm F2 WR mounted. I’m tossing around the idea of leaving the second body at home, but I really think I would regret it.

Support

I’m pretty shameless about going overboard on the support side of things. Luckily the tripod is one area that has gotten considerably smaller, and lighter. The TVC-23 and BH-40 I had for the full frame DSLR, protruded from my backpack a ridiculous amount. The TQC-14 I have now is much better suited for travel. I’ve thought about moving to the TFC-14 for travel for less weight, even more compactness, and to get closer to the ground, but the Quick Column is extremely convenient for quick (yes, quick) adjustments to height without having to reset 3 tripod legs and my composition. When it comes to getting low to the ground, I have one of Really Right Stuff’s Pocket Pods. And finally, when a tripod with won’t fit or isn’t allowed, I also have their Travel Clamp, which is proved to be remarkably versatile. Finally, I have a mobile phone clamp for capturing time lapses from fell tops and or while shooting long exposures.

Accessories

I’ve stepped the XF 50-140mm F2.8 WR up to 77mm via a Breakthrough Photography 72-77mm step-up ring so I can use a single set of 77mm filters—also from Breakthrough—for both Red Badge zooms. 3-stop, 6-stop, and 10-stop NDs as well as a Circular Polarizer are all in a tiny Tiffen filter case. They say it’s only for 58mm filters and smaller, but I get 77mm filters in there no problem.

The step-up ring means I need to go hoodless with the XF 50-140mm F2.8 WR, so I won’t be able to use it if the rain goes sideways. It’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make.

Hiking

One of the main reasons for our trip is to seriously get our hike on. For that, a good pair of boots, waterproof jacket, an accurate set of maps, and a compass are imperative. I’m new to Harvey “Superwalker” maps, but I already like them better than the OS maps I’ve used before. I find them so much clearer. For guided navigation, and to avoid the bother of a working smartphone, we use a Garmin Oregon 600, which has served us very well on trips to Europe in the past. We’ll see how it fairs on the minor roads in the Lakes.

The Whole Kit

Fujifilm

Really Right Stuff

Breakthrough Photography

Other

See you in a couple weeks.

  1. My last trip to The Lake District with DSLR bulk on my back was the impetus for wanting to downsize in the first place. ↩︎
  2. Charlie was our first pet together, and if I may, the best little cat you could imagine. He would come when called, speak when spoken to, and more often then not, if we were sitting, Charlie was sitting with us.

    90% if the content produced for this site was with Charlie on my lap for at least some of it. I’d say “Charlie, time for work.” and he would dutifully hop on and keep me company. He was an awesome cat, and we are still very sad to lose him at only 13 years of age. ↩︎

Thoughts On Lens Categories

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With the latest Roadmap update, Fuji has officially categorized their lenses into 6 key categories: Ultra-fast Prime, Compact Prime, Macro, Red Badge Zoom, Zoom, and Cinema Zoom. That they have separated the primes into two categories is interesting to me, as it highlights gaps in each.

Can we expect an “Ultra-fast” 18mm in the future? The XF 18mm F2 isn’t exactly slow, but I can’t see anyone being disappointed by say, an XF 18mm F1 WR with better optics, a clutch manual focus ring and engraved depth of field markings.

What about a compact 14mm F4? The XF 14mm F2.8 is the lens I would have had the most trouble categorizing. I’m not sure I’d call it “Ultra-fast” as primes go, but then it might be just large enough to be outside of “Compact” territory despite being about equal to the XF 50mm F2 WR in size and weight. A weather sealed option by way of an XF 14mm F4 WR would be a great addition for fans of 21mm who are not keen on a lens as large as the XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR.

Likewise, might we see a compact ~90mm? Knocking a stop or two off the XF 90mm F2 WR would certainly make engineering a smaller lens possible, and without all that glass to shove around, they could do away with a linear motor or two.

The “Red Badge Zoom” seems to be the only category one might call complete since Fuji have decided to categorize their exotics like the XF 200mm F2 OIS WR under “Ultra-fast Prime.” We’ve only got 8-140mm covered at F2.8 though. I could see another big, fast telephoto in this category’s future. I suppose one day we might see Fuji take another page out of Nikon’s playbook and release a second generations XF 16-55mm F2.8 WR with OIS built in. They better not think about moving to a 82mm filter thread though.

I’d love to see Fuji release a “Mark II” version of some lenses to address build quality consistency (loose aperture rings, anyone?) and weather sealing on old favourites like the XF 14mm F2.8, XF 23mm F1.4, and XF 56mm F1.2. I’d add the XF 35mm F1.4 to that list, but with the XF 33mm F1 WR announced, that effectively is a Mark II in my mind.

September Announcements

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Now that Fuji seems to be getting themselves back in gear, I figure it’s a good time for me to do the same.

X-E3

I’m a little surprised to see some write-ups about this camera hardly mention the lack of a D-pad. That said, I can understand the decision, and it’s interesting to see how Fuji has decided to rework the X-E series of cameras within their lineup. The X-E2S had almost nothing unique about it outside of being rangefinder-style. Fuji is constantly struggling with how to compete against the smartphone on their lower end. They will never beat the smartphone, but making their cameras work with smartphones as seamlessly as possible is nothing but the right move.

The Bluetooth connectivity is something I’m eager to try, and is a feature I think could single-handedly make the X-E3 one of Fuji’s best-selling cameras for photographers who want instant access to their Instagram accounts with their photos.

XF80mm F2.8 LM OIS WR Macro

This is a lens that many had hoped would be released this time last year, and with a longer focal length. My understanding is the size was getting out of control, and if I had to guess, it became what we now know as the GF 120mm F4 OIS WR Macro.

With weather sealing, f/2.8 aperture, proper 1:1 macro, and a linear motor (just one based on Fuji’s marketing materials) for faster AF, only the budget and/or size and weight-minded will consider the XF 60mm F2.4 Macro anymore, and unless the AF speed of the XF 90mm F2 WR is significantly quicker, or you really need that extra stop of light gathering/bokeh vs. OIS, the XF 90mm F2 WR could find itself getting dusty in inventory.

XF8-16mm F2.8 WR

Yours truly called the focal length back at the last roadmap update. I’m pleasantly surprised to see the f/2.8 aperture. I’m also pleased to see Fuji say it is most suited for architecture. This suggests to me that distortion will be kept to a minimum. If that is the case, the XF 10-24mm F/4 OIS will be off my lens consideration list faster than you can say “WR”.

GFX Stuff

I have to admit that after my initial buzz around Fuji’s new format faded, my interest in it did as well. The GFX has simply proved to be much too costly for me to really get into. Perhaps once I can get my hands on a review unit again I will add more GFX content, but for the time being, X Series is where my money, interest, and review effort is going. I’d be very interested to know how my readers feel about that.

Medium Format Telephoto

I’d be interested to know how many medium format shooters are pining for telephoto capabilities. And not just telephoto, but teleconverted telephoto. Time will tell I suppose.

FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO

In addition to the new gear announcements, Fuji also announced some software as well. When I saw “Fujifilm X RAW Studio,” my interested was piqued. X Processor Pro on my iMac? Sweet! Then I saw a camera needs to be connected to the computer. I suppose this could come in handy for RAF shooters who want to batch process, but is this software going to change any Lightroom or Capture One users’ habits? Heck no.

I continue to hope and dream for the day Fuji gives us real Fuji processing on our computational devices.

Firmware

And finally, all of Fuji’s current cameras will see a firmware update. Key features include enhanced AF tracking algorithms for the X-Pro2 and X-T2, 4K video support for the X-Pro2—something Fuji once claimed wasn’t possible due to heat tolerances—and the ability to backup and restore camera settings.

I am by far most excited about that last one. I switch cameras so often I often don’t bother adjusting settings far from their defaults, but being able to restore them will definitely encourage some customization. I’m very curious to see how they handle the transfer of settings from different models of camera, particularly where a function is bound to a specific button.

Recommended Kits, Early 2017

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My Early 2017 Recommended Kits have been posted.

Last year’s kit recommendations were awkwardly straddling two generations of sensors and processors. This year, just about the entire X-Series has caught up and is now on equal image quality footing.

A Note About Formats

What could be more awkward for kit recommendations than bodies with different sensors? A whole new format and system, natch, and that’s exactly what Fuji’s gone and done.

While I will be sure to compare the GFX with the X-Trans III sensor, it’s really not appropriate to consider medium format when building out an APS-C kit. Plus, those who need medium format know that they’re getting it already. So, apart from casual mention and perhaps an exclusive category or two, this kit building piece will focus mostly on X-Series.

A Note About Lenses

The breakneck pace at which Fuji has been releasing lenses seems to have finally levelled off a bit, but I still have a lot of catching up to do on my testing and review. Thus, a couple lenses are recommended based on preliminary testing, and have been noted as such. This page will likely see an update in the second half of this year.

My Kit

For the TL;DR folks out there, here is what I choose if I could only have a selection of 3 lenses:

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