Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hello All,

I have now had a chance to play around with my new X-Pro1 for a couple of days. I have to say I'm very impressed by it. The focusing is definitely not as slow as people are making it out to be (but also don't compare it to a DSLR either). I really like the weight (or lack there of) and how it handles. I find I can do all of the basic operations very quickly and efficiently. I am really enjoying using it, and I am glad I have read much information about it on forums, as I am aware of the quirks and have been able to adjust to them immediately instead of learning about them myself and getting frustrated. I guess it pays not to be the first sometimes.

I will add more additional information as I get a chance to use the camera more. For now I will post a few photos taken over the last couple of days (no editing - straight from the camera). Unfortunately I have not found anything overly interesting here in downtown Edmonton to photograph so do not expect too much of the photos (plus I am still learning the camera).


Flower by JordanFaust, on Flickr


LRT Bridge by JordanFaust, on Flickr


High-level Bridge by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Purple Flower by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Wooden Walkway by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Supper by JordanFaust, on Flickr

For those interested some new information about accessories for the x-pro1, including some updated information on the new lenses coming out this fall.

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digita ... gue_01.pdf


J.

Ok I thought I would give a few more initial impressions as I've had a few more opportunities to shoot with the x-pro1.

The more I use it the more I love how it handles. Everything I need to adjust is right where it needs to be and the mechanical dials are a pleasure to use. I can literally adjust most shooting functions (all that matter anyways) without removing my eye from the viewfinder.

In addition the high ISO on this thing is amazing! 3200 is definitely useable and even 6400 - with some post work and noise reduction software would be useable (of course I have not tried this so I cannot promise!)

Shooting RAW is a problem as Apple's Aperture does not yet support this camera, and so I haven't tried yet. But I will say the jpg's are fantastic and if you actually get the picture right at the time of capture you are golden (for those of you who figure you will just fix things in post with this camera - right now with the lack of really good RAW support - may want to look elsewhere for a camera, at least for now). Lack of RAW support also means the current converters that do support it are not rendering the images any better than the cameras jpg's and sometimes worse. Just an FYI based on reading user forums on this issue, not personal experience.

I am participating in the Gladstone model shoot on Saturday and will be taking the x-pro1 with me (just got the flash unit for it as well) and will see how it handles along side my trusty Nikon D300s. Please also keep in mind that this is my first model shoot so all photos may look bad lol.

Cheers,

J.

Very attractive images. The X-Pro1 is a really nice camera and the lenses, for how they perform are a bargain, IMO.

Wow - is all I can say about the x-pro1. Without even realizing it I wound up using the x-pro1 for the entire Gladstone shoot yesterday - except one pose I took out my Nikon because I needed a wider angle lense and I only have the 35mm 1.4 right now (although I did take potos of that pose with the fuji and they still work - that is actually the first photo I posted below).

The camera is just continuously impressing me. And the more I use it the more fun I find it. And I can't say enough about the image quality of the camera and lens. I have a few photos from the shoot up on the Gladstone thread in the after event section. But I'll post a couple here as well.


Window Silhouette by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Looking through the window 2 by JordanFaust, on Flickr

J.

I am in calgary this week for work so playing around with taking some photos during my off time.

Here is a panoramic of Downtown Calgary from the x-pro1 - straight from the camera (no editing)


Calgary Panoramic by JordanFaust, on Flickr

Turned out pretty good - I did notice at least one little spot (when zoomed in) that would need some fixing - but overall the camera did a great job on the panoramic.

I am hoping to get a chance to travel up to the mountains on Wed and/or Thurs evenings and take some photos with the x-pro1 (and x10). I will report my findings on that as soon as I can (although this is definitely where I wish I had a wide angle lens for the x-pro1).

J.
J.

looks good .... looks like a vast improvement on the x100 ... taking all the things that didn't work on that camera, and fixing them. I don't know if I'd consider one in the future... but I'd take a serious look at it.

The major thing that I am enjoying right now with my V1 - is the video. What is the video capabilities like on the X-Pro1?

The x-pro1 is definitely a photography camera, video is just something added because every camera has it now. I have not tried it yet, but It can do basic HD recording 1080p I think at 24 fps (not sure if does 30 fps). And thats about it really. Video on this is just if you need it in a pinch - can't even compare to the Nikon v1 (or most other cameras out there).

great camera, but I cant justify the price. when will you use this over your d300s?

Well I definitely justified the price (at least to myself) lol. I will be using this camera when I want to travel light (don't want 20 lbs of camera gear with me). That being said - it is a much newer sensor then the D300s so there maybe times where I do not care about the weight but will still use the x-pro1. But right now I only have the 35mm 1.4 so definitely limited range (unlike my D300s where I have from 8.5mm (fisheye) up to 200mm covered. If I was going say into Algonquin Park, where wildlife photos may hopefully happen then for sure I need the D300s.

It really comes down to what I will be shooting and how flexible I need my equipment. Definitely for my photography (which is more general - I don't do just one style or type) the x-pro1 is not a DSLR replacement. Will the D300s get a lot less use, more certainly - especially when some of the other primes come out later this year and next year (the 14mm, 23mm and the 56mm).

Cheers,

Jordan

A little Rocky Mountain Panoramic


Rocky Mountain Panoramic by JordanFaust, on Flickr

It is very funny, I didn't think the 35mm (50mm equivalent on FF) would be as versatile as it is. I thought it would be too long to get mountain photos, but it wasn't. And when I needed some more width I just turned on the pano mode of the camera and got some decent shots.

The light wasn't the best - it was a cross of stormy weather and some light here and there - quite the mixture. Very lucky I didn't really get rained on.

More thoughts on the X-Pro1 to follow (once I'm back home).

J.

Zach Arias takes the X-Pro1 to Mumbai

Camera aside I like this guy's work.

Ya I have his blog bookmarked - try to read it every so often. Has some great shots using the x-pro1 - well he's a good photographer regardless of the camera - he just recently did a digital rev episode - Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera - got some great shots too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh6zr3wKRV0

J.

Yeah saw the Digitalrev, quite good. Probably the best pro photographer cheap camera vid, certainly the best results. It's no secret that most street bores me, the images he gets of people and the style in which he gets them (not a creeper) are both quite commendable.

And just so I haven't completely hijacked the thread, the colour coming out of that Fuji is fantastic.

Samyang 8mm f/2.8 lens fisheye lens for Fuji X mount. Posting this here since we don't, currently, have a mirrorless camera info thread.

Ya I know, I've been watching this the last few days. It's definitely on my lst of lenses to buy. I actually ordered a Kipon Nikon F mount adapter so I can use my Nikon lenses, with aperture rings, on the x-pro1. I'll have more impressions of the x-pro shortly.

J.

Time for my next update.

So I've come to realize that focusing with the x-pro1 can be a challenge at times, especially if you are trying to chase around small children (although that is not really an area the x-pro1 was ever suppose to accel at).

I have noticed on numerous occasions of getting out of focus images of my nephew while he runs around. I did manage several keepers, when he stayed still. With that said I love shooting wide open and in doing so also hampered my chances of getting a sharp photo. Here is one that did come out good, while he was moving.


photo by JordanFaust, on Flickr

Luckily I came across this blog of someone who provides some really useful tips to help with using the autofocus and increasing your chances of keepers when dealing with fast action. A definite read for any fujifilm x series camera owner.

http://fujixfiles.blogspot.de/2012/08/f ... d-and.html

Even with some of the small bumps and quarks, my x-pro1 has become my goto camera and something I don't mind carrying around with me all day. I really can't wait to purchase some new lenses for it and expand its capabilities.

J.

No comment on the kid except that he is nice and sharp The article was excellent as it shows how to work with focusing system rather then complaining. I'm surprised how many people use AF without much understanding on how to get the most out of it besides pushing the button.

Now that I haved used the x-pro1 exclusively for two model shoots I've come to realize how far away I still am in mastering this camera. I know I will get there. It will take some time to be aware of what my camera is telling me and realize when that is not what I want and quickly make the adjustments I need. I am so use to flying a bit more on auto with my Nikon, but the fuji needs more attention. While this will lead to a steeper learning curved then I may have wanted, it will ultimately make me a better photographer.

I think what I need to learn to do is slow myself down. Look at the information the camera is telling me and look at the scene, figure out what I want from the scene and adjust the camera as needed. Or change the scene if that is within my power. This is actually something I should have been doing with my Nikon, but I didn't, not too the degree that I think I need to with the fuji. Of course this could also be that taking landscapes there was not as much to worry about, and now that I'm shooting things with more complexity, I need to be much more concerned with the camera settings then just is my aperture small enough for the DoF I want.

I think I just want to add that it shouldn't have taken me to purchase a new camera, with several quarks, to realize that I really need to learn this camera. With my Nikon I just learned enough to to get the shots I wanted, but ignored some of the more advance features to makemy life easier - it took over 3 years for me to be shown how to use the exposure bracketing. I think I violated the first rule of photography, know your gear. That will change and I plan on learning every aspect of my x-pro1 and to go back and make sure I know my Nikon too. I think this is a category that far to many of us fall into and I think we all need to slow down a bit and really get to know our gear.

J.

p.s. - if you'd like to see some photos from the second model shoot just head over to the "aftermath" section and go to the Shake Ramble & Roll Vintage car model shoot.

Don't be too harsh on yourself. I think the stuff you've been getting out of the Fuji is great. It really is quite a capable camera that you're getting neat results out of.

The few brief times I have played with it, and just about any other camera like it, Leica aside admittedly, there is a lagginess to it, a p&s type lagginess. I press something, usually the shutter button for focus or shutter release, and there's a wait. Is it this that causes, or is partially responsible, for those moments that make you stop and think? One of the great features of DSLRs is their tremendous versatility, sometimes we take that for granted and miss out because of the convenience.

I've heard a few people that have switched systems say this same sort of thing happens to them, the change causes them to slow down. As you noted, this should not be a necessary part of slowing down.

No it is definitely not the lag - well that's not 100% accurate. The EVF does have a slight lag in the image displayed and what is happening in real life. The OVF of course has none of this. But for certain lenses or when precise farming is required the EVF is needed. This is causing, not a slow down, but the odd photo to be missed or focus to be off slightly (depends if the subject is moving or staying still).

So I think it's just working within theses known confinds that i have to adjust too and rethink I take photos. For example I read a post by someone on a fuji forum about if using the EVF that you should learn to keep your other eye open so can see in real-time what is happening and so know when to take the shot instead of relying on the EVF for that deceived moment. An interesting idea I want to try.

J.

Funny I just read a Thom Hogan blog post for today (August 6, 2012) at his website www.bythom.com that was talking about the Nikon D800 and at the end of his little rant he says pretty much what I was saying. It's nice to know that I am not alone here!

Very nice

So it's been a while since I updated my impressions page with something new. Well I finally got my adapter to make use of Nikon F mount lenses (with aperture ring). I thought it would be difficult to manual focus, but as it turns out it is much easier then I imagined. I just focus base on the normal EVF screen (OVF cannot be used of course) and use the 10x zoom focus assist option to fine tune. It actually works Better than I thought and even read. I'm sure having focus peaking like the Sony NEX series would be nice, but definitely not necessary.

My only complaint with using the adapter is that you cannot use the exposure compensation and you manually have adjust your own settings to override the cameras exposure (which luckily is pretty accurate most of the time). Well I actually have two complaints, but the second one has to do with the stiff aperture ring of my Nikon 50mm 1.8D, which it was more fluid like on my fuji lens.

The more i use this camera thr more I love it! Its light, can produce amazing images in the right hands, and hey its very stylish to boot. I have also adjusted my settings, and myself, to obtain better and quicker automatic focus and so increasing my hit rate. I was amazed while at the CNE the other day how the camera was able to lock on the take photos of some of the fast moving rides and produce sharp images.

I am planning to add to my new kit shortly. I will be purchasing the fuji 18mm 2.0 to give me a little more angle of view for when the 35 is just too tight. I am also going to be looking for some additional old school manual focus Nikon lenses to extend my lens range.

Below are a few photos from a recent trip downtown for some night photography (both photos taken with the use of a gorillapod) and some photos from my trip to the CNE.


At the Gate by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Archway by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Rasta Fun by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Anastasia by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Ben and his Camera by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Best Seat in the House by JordanFaust, on Flickr


Around We Go by JordanFaust, on Flickr

More still to come!!!

I'm waiting to see the D300s ad....

Just a quick update. I have purchased the fuji 18mm 2.0 lens. I was going to wait for the 14mm - but I'm impatient and I kinda realized that I generally do not shoot that wide, and rarely use my wide angle lens on my Nikon. I usually fine the 17mm mark wide enough, so the 18mm should be fine.

Unfortunately no impressins of the lens yet, nor photos, as I have not had a chance to really try it out yet. Hopefully very soon and I will probably update my rolling review.

And no the Nikon D300s will not be up on the sell thread, until I can bag me a moose with the X-Pro1, the Nikon stays.

Just playing devils advocate here; Aside from portability, do you think your impressions would be the same if you weren't comparing it to the fairly outdated sensor of the D300, but say something more recent such as a D7000/7D? You're looking at 5+ years of technology difference there. It's an awesome piece of kit, but at what seems to be already near the $3000 mark, its a pretty big pill to swallow for me.

The thing is I'm not actually comparing it sensor wise. More on the versatility and handling size. Yes the X-Pro1 will take better photos as its a newer sensor, but it still will never match the D300s in speed, of focusing and capturing. Plus I just have a much larger and lens selection with the Nikon, giving me much more control on how I shoot. The X-Pro1 was never meant to replace the D300s, even though it does seem to have recently, I just really wanted and needed a lighter camera to bring with me for certain types of photography. And because it's my new toy I find I am taking it every time, more so just to really discover what it can and can't do. I am still hoping to get out to Algonquin Park this fall, and while I'll bring the X-Pro1 with me, it will most likely stay in the car a good portion of the time.

I don't want to jack your thread so we can move to PM if you like, but when are you thinking Algonquin? I will be in the park from September 22nd to October 4th and if you are up we can connect and I might be able to help put you on moose.

DG

A Nice Little Surprise!

A nice little surprise was waiting for me in my mailbox today. Fujifilm sent me a lovely little cable release for my X-Pro1 as a gift for registering my camera (and apparently being one of the early purchasers). A nice little touch. Now I don't have to go out and buy one myself if I want to do exposures longer than 30 seconds.

Thanks Fujifilm!

J.