Things change…….

It’s amazing how much things change over time.  I had a conversation today with a dear photographer friend who will remain un-named.  I will tell you this, if I did give you his name, you would find extremely familiar!  Anyway we talked about a number of things but one was the move that is happening in the photo market place.  As a good part of the photo community is aging and the need for smaller and lighter equipment is becoming more prevalent.  As had been my experience, a number of other longtime DSLR  shooters have “had” to make a lighter choice!  Now deciding to make that kind of a change, is not an easy choice, in fact the many people I’ve talked to, that have made that change, did it with a great deal of trepidation.  Why such angst?

First of all, many, in fact, most of the shooters out there my age, or anywhere close to it, have either been Nikon or Canon shooters.  When you use a brand of camera for over 40 years you may develop pretty serious attachments.  I certainly did, and I’ve heard the same story from a good number of others.  No matter how much you love something if you can’t carry it, it doesn’t matter.  I’m saying this because as my friend said on the phone today, it’s pretty hard to walk down a different road.  I don’t mean to drag you guys into this hand wringing, but it’s going on with more folks than you might think!   Nikon and Canon, and in fairness Leica, have been the far and away choices to serious photographers.  If you were a sports shooter, or needed a rugged, weatherproof camera you are going to be a Nikon or Canon shooter.  If you want the most expensive and highly craft, essentially hand made camera in the world, with extraordinary glass, you probably already own a Leica!

That’s all well and fine, but if you’re a photographer and those are no longer viable options, (because of size and weight), what do you do?   It’s not simple, as a lifelong Nikon shooter I enjoyed wonderful sensors, great glass, and very well engineered, rugged,  bodies.  I’m not saying that because I used to work for Nikon, I’m saying it from the heart.

As they say, the water flows under the bridge and as you look back the bridge is disappearing as you head on downstream.  Now let me brag on my solution!  I had only three “requirements” as I looked for a replacement system; (1) The best image quality I could get, (2) a system that had the build quality and ease of use I was accustomed to, and (3)  Really sharp , well made lenses, that covered the needs I had in terms of speed and focal length range.

So how has the Fuji X System met those needs?

ONE:  Image quality.  The X bodies with the X-Trans Sensor have much better than adequate resolution being 16 mega pixel, APS-C size.   Because the sensors are larger than many smaller system cameras, the noise is extremely low, even at 6400 ISO.  Fuji color is simply magical, the best I’ve ever experienced and their unique feature allowing three files all of different color palettes or monochrome, makes image making much more productive!  While the D800 certainly was the detail king, but for me, I seldom needed that much resolution, and these smaller files are a joy to work with!  I have to say, I’m thrilled with the image quality of the Fuji X System cameras.  (I own the X-Pro1, the X-E2, and the X100s and these comments area true of  all three).

TWO Build Quality & Ease of Use.  The Fuji bodies are very, very well built, and have taken some hard use in stride!  I would not say, however,  they are in a league with the heavy built Nikons and Canons, or Leicas.  The other area that I’m slightly concerned with is that they are not sealed against water. While I have shot in rain and snow, I’ve protected them,  and had no problems.  Truthfully if it is raining I’m usually enjoying a cold beverage, waiting for it to stop!  One part of the build that I am very excited about is the retro design which returns all the major controls; Aperture, Shutter Speed knob and Exposure Compensation to places I’m used to finding them, and comfortable working with!!!!!!  I simply love the design!

THREE Lens Quality.  This was my greatest fear, because I honestly believed that no one, and I do mean no one made glass as good as my beloved Nikkors.  Time out, Canon makes some lenses that are just stellar, so does Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, and all the other manufacturers, but I have always felt that, lens for lens, Nikkors are the best.  *(Yes, for you Leicaphiles, Leica lenses are stellar, and stupid expensive, and cover a pathetically small range, but I’ll give it to you that the quality is amazing!)  I have to be honest the Fujinon glass was my most wonderful surprise.  I was well aware of the long prestigious history of Fujinon glass used in the television, (video and film), and big format cameras, but these lenses designed for the new X system are simply stunning glass.  I own the 14mm, 23mm, 35mm, 18-55, 60mm Micro (used in the image at the top), and the 55-200.  Several more are coming in early 2014, and I already have them on order!  These lenses are great!   And my current set gives me 21mm to 300mm coverage almost without gaps!!!

So, to sum all this up, I still feel a little guilty, but my back and shoulder never hurts from trying to carry too much heavy gear, and my images are getting better all the time, because I’m having a lot more fun!

Merry Christmas,

the pilgrim

Photo Note:  Fuji X-E2, 60mm Micro lens f22 @ 2.2 seconds, lit with a portable LED light. Common kitchens soda straws, held together with a rubber band!

Couple of other shots from a trip out today!  Fuji X-E2 with the 23mm (35mm equiv,) f 1.4 lens

Fine dining in Corbin!