Daily Archives: September 23, 2014

* One of my best shots ever, and made in 1:1 format in the Fuji X-E1 and the 18-55 Kit lens!!!  Even at 3×3 feet it is stunning in detail, and color.

 

 

Rolling in the dirt….. is an old expression  we used to use to describe discussing things into the ground, something we are guilty of here!

 

We,  (a group of friends from His Light Workshops), have a Facebook page where we can share our latest images, news, prayer requests, and do some good natured poking fun at one another mostly regarding what gear we use. I’m sure you can imagine that after being a life long Nikon zealot and even working for the company for my last 11 years of regular work life, when I switched it caused more than a small ripple among my dedicated Nikon friends.  Now 99% of the back and forth is genuinely good natured, just having fun teasing and taunting.  Every person that joins in the fun are wonderful shooters more than capable of making incredible images (and they do), with any camera system!

 

This morning in the process of shooting back some fun information I actually came to some realizations myself about why I’ve become such a big fan of the Fuji X-System!  As always, this is just information for you to enjoy, discount, agree with, or not,  and if you already are shooting the Fuji X System, you may want to chime in about your experiences too!

 

So here are several thing that are different about the Fuji System that I simply love!

 

1.  The weight and size.  This one is obvious, but it is after all why I switched, I simply could not comfortably carry the heavy big DSLR systems anymore.  I can now carry two bodies and 7 lenses plus all the accessories for under 12 pounds, in the Nikon system that was well over 22 pounds. *Weight is not a bad thing!!!  Big solid, well made cameras and lenses are good, if you can carry them!

 

 

2.  Fuji color.  I really don’t know how to explain it, I loved the look of Kodachrome, then I loved the look of Velvia, I love the wonderful extended tones of Panatomic X Black and White film.  Fuji really knows color, and they have built a camera system that handles color differently.  I didn’t say better, but just more to my liking!  ….and obviously to a lot of others as well.

 

 

3.  Monochrome along with two color palettes straight out of the camera for every shot you make!  The Fuji X cameras offer shooting in any three color or monochrome palettes you desire, the Black and White even are offered with either a yellow, green or red filter!  The results are stunning.

 

 

4.  Real time, WYSIWYG in the viewfinder.  With the superb EVF of the XT-1 you see exactly what the final image will look like after the exposure.  The active in viewfinder Histogram allows using the exposure compensation dial (conveniently right at your right thumbs resting place!)  to alter exposure on the fly!

 

 

5.  Performance at High ISOs.   The X cameras are virtually noiseless, even at 6400 you get very usable images.   The shot below was made at 6400 and it had not been treated with any post noise reduction software!!!!

 

 

6. The Fuji cameras are whisper quiet!!!!!

 

7.  The retro controls are the way I learned and they simply work best for me, it’s hard to break dozens of years of doing things a certain way!  If modern works for you, great

 

 

8.  The incredible focus peaking that allows the use of so many legacy lenses to make images I could never afford to make any other way!  If I was using a current Nikon body and wanted a 600mm F4 lens the cost would be $12,000.  For $2,000. you can find mint condition 400 f 3.5 lenses that are an equivalent 600mm f 3.5 on the Fuji!

 

* Shot with the Nikon 300mm f 4.5 IF-ED lens which on the APS-C sensor of the XT-1 is an equivalent 450mm lens!

 

9.  A new lease on my photographic life!  Since I made the switch I’ve been more excited, more motivated, more committed to becoming the photographer and person God desires for me to be.  Anything that helps us feel like that can’t be bad!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim