What the heck???!!!
I have been a longtime, (I’m talking 45 years!!!) Popular Photography reader. I’ve used their test evaluations, for many years, as a part of my research for new gear purchases,. but, Something crazy is going on. Before I launch into this discussion, I must remind you; I’ve worked in and around the photography industry for over 30 years, Having been a tech rep for Nikon, I have worked with the best of the best, and I’ve learned a great deal from them and from my own intensive study. I also want to remind you that I’ve always (that’s always!!!) called it the way I see it. When Canon was eating our lunch on low noise at high ISO, I sat in Nikon meetings and complained that we were way behind!!! When the Nikon D3 was released I poured over research and personal tests comparing the noise between the D3 and the then current Canon models of that time period. When I told my customers that the D3 and D700 were, at that time, state of the art, I knew what I was talking about. Later when Canon re-took the lead with the 5D Mark II and then III, I called it as I saw it, again.
I’ve now read two test reports in Popular Photographer on the Fuji X-E2 and the new X-T1. Their report on the noise in both camera is pure hogwash!!!! O.K. let me soften my tone, whatever method they used to come up with their results, is flawed. If the Fuji X cameras had just so so High ISO performance, I would not have bought into that system, and I can tell you from real world tests, and side by side comparison, the Fuji X cameras (Fuji X100, X-E1, X-E2, X100s, and the X-T1 are among the very best noise performance cameras on the market all the way up to, and including ISO 6400. I know because I shoot them at those High ISOs and I can see the difference. Here is the just published result from their test of the X-T1.
Once again I do not know how they conduct their tests, they may turn off all noise processing in the camera and then get these results, but my experience with the normal factory default settings for noise reduction in the camera would yield a Low Noise Rating all the way to 3200 and only barely a moderate at 6400. Above that the noise is shockingly low, but certainly apparent. I’VE SEEN THEIR TESTS ON CANON AND NIKON CAMERAS AND FEEL THEY ARE PRETTY ACCURATE, AT LEAST AS A COMPARISON OF THOSE TWO BRANDS. So what”s up???
When I had to go to a lighter system, I chose the Fuji X-System because of the image quality and a big factor was the extremely low noise. I shoot this stuff every day and can tell you these figures are very misleading….. Nough’ said…… My opinion, take it for what it’s worth!
At Photoshop World a gentleman asked me a good question after one of my programs, and I thought I would like to share my answer with you too.
Question: If you could still carry bigger DSLRs and heavier camera bags, what would you be using today?
I have very high regard for two specific camera systems; Nikon and Canon. I like the Canon 5D Mark III and have seen some outstanding images come out of that camera, but I don’t know a great deal about their lenses, so I know I would still be a Nikon shooter if I could carry them. I personally still own a D700 and a D7000. If I was shooting Nikon today, I think I would own the D3s (happened to be my favorite pro Nikon), and the D800e. the D800e for the ultimate in resolution, and for video, and the D3s as the speed, rugged, everyday camera. Why not the D4 or D4s? Every camera makes images that have their own “look”, that is one reason I’m shooting the Fuji X System, I love their look!! I liked the D3s look better than the models that came later, just personal preference. I don’t think the difference in 12 and 16 mega pixels is a big deal, at least not for me.
Question: What lenses would you be using?
This is a, “it depends” question. I currently own a full system of 1970′-80’s AIS manual focus Nikkors; 24mm, 25-50, 55 Micro, 50-135, 105 Micro, 105 f 2.5, 80-200 (several f 4.5 & f4), 300mm f 4.5, and 400mm f 3.5 and a TC-14B. For stationary subjects, which is 95% of what I shoot, I like the manual focus glass better. If I was using the AF glass it would be 14-24 (big as a Buick), 24-120 f 4, 70-200 AFS f,4, and the 80-400 AFS-f 4.5-5.6. (but I don’t own any of that glass anymore). When I worked for Nikon I kept hoping for a 24-105 f 2.8 VR, but it never came, and you can’t use something that doesn’t exist!!!
Do I miss the Nikon system?
Sure, just like I miss my 30’s and 40’s!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Saturday, April 12th, 2014 at 12:22 pm
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I think I’ve figured out what threw off their tests. Looking at the cover photo, someone forgot to tell them that only the camera was sealed tight against water, not the 35mm lens. 😉
Waiting now for my new X-T1 to arrive and use w/the 18-55 and 55-200 combo (appreciated your input!). I’m beginning to see other gear benefits with this camera. On foreign trips, I’m able to get by with a compact tripod that’ll fit in my small bags. Decided to go with the new Adorama brand “3Pod”, P5CRH, 5-section carbon fiber, for travel.
Selling off my Nikon gear to make the switch. Like my 30s/40s, came with lots of great memories but looking forward …
I think you will love it!
I was also very surprised by their results. And why to use a scale from 1 to 10, if from 3.5 the result is “unacceptable”? I think we have reached the limits of such tests. When I am doing research before buying equipment, I currently refers only to the feedback from experienced and talented photographer like our host.
Thanks, one thing is for sure, I voted with my wallet!
Bill , I read all your blog post and becuase of you, I’m now very interested in the Fuji x system. Your comments today on the noise issue are very interesting to me. I read the same article as you. Many photographers claim that Fuji ‘cheats’ with the ISO numbers to get better ‘perceived low’ noise from their sensor. In essence, ISO 3200 on Fuji is really ISO 1600-2000 with another camera brand. Even dpreview made mention of this in some of their x system camera reviews.
Becuase of this, I posted a question on the dpreview Fuji forums to get feedback from x system users and found quite a few who agreed with the premise that the ISO calibration on Fuji cameras is ‘off’ to varying degrees. Because of this difference a longer shutter speed is required for an image than would be needed with another brand of camera. Here is a link to the discussion .
I respect your experience greatly and would be very interested in your thoughts on this issue.
Thanks again. Mike
(Not sure what happened to the last bit of my post, sorry.)
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3646841
I respect your experience greatly and would be very interested in your thoughts on this issue.
Thanks again. Mike
Here you go!
I read the post on DP and I think, for the most, part it is factual, but that still does not explain how clean images are out past 3200, if 3200 is actually closer to 2500 I’m still thrilled with the noise at 2500! I think the Fuji has ISO performance that is right up there with the best available, and that works for me!
Thanks Bill. That’s a good point.
Part of my reason for moving to a new camera is to get better low noise images. I’m considering full frame as well but not really looking forward to more expensive lenses and even more weight than my current APSc camera. That’s why this is an important topic for me. I do understand too that the x system isn’t going to be as clean as full frame, but the compromise in weight might be worth it.
I’m also trying to be realistic about just how good all current cameras really are and noise is only a small component of the big picture – pun intended ;). I’m quite sure that improving my skills and technique will improve my images more than any new camera, but, I do like the idea of a new camera!
God bless.
Honestly my X-E2, X100s, and X-T1 are all lower noise than the Nikon’sI was using! They are very clean! The real enemy of noise is underexposure, as long as you don’t do that, you wills be amazed!
Bill, I never used my Nikon D300 above ISO 400 because of the noise issue. I will push my D800 up to ISO1600 but am not always happy with the results especially with people shots. I don’t think twice about setting my Fuji XT-1 at 1600 and going much higher. I have taken tack sharp handheld photos of my dog at night in a poorly lit room with no visible noise. I’ve never used another camera that could come close to it with respect to low noise.
I agree Lynn, and I’ve talked to many dozens of photographers who say the same as we do!!!???
Fortney, you cost me a big chunk of change with the X-E2, X-E1. 18-55, 55-200, 60mm macro, EF-20 flash and a bunch of doodads!! 😀 But it looks like it’s a good investment. These are some of the best images out of the camera I’ve ever seen and noise is not a problem. I even shot some amazingly good ISO 3200 images (although I rarely go above 200). I’ll was going to say that I’ll take your assessment over their any day but I already did and, so far, am not regretting it.
I’m glad, I wouldn’t steer anyone wrong for all the tea in China, though I don’t drink tea!!!!
The ISO results of the X-T1 cannot be correct. I own a X-T1, and the IOS results blew me away (in a positive way) when I saw my own photos. I think the ISO performance figures were accidentally taken from the Leica M9 test (which I also own and love).
Sure something wrong!
Bill, thanks for reassuring my decision. I switched to the Fuji system starting last August after a random purchase of an XE-1 and kit lens. Shooting a few assignments with the Fuji along side my Nikons and Leica I slowly began leaving the later two systems behind for all the reasons you stated. By the end of December I had amassed the full system. Since then I’ve added the XT-1 and 56mm 1.2, my favorite lens. I now shoot exclusively with the Fuji system. Two annual reports, three magazine covers and many corporate and educational assignments later the only comments I’ve received is how great the color looks.
As a ‘man of a certain age,’ being able to put a couple of cameras around my neck again and shoot all day long was thrilling! In many ways I’m now back to my old (young) self.
Me too Terry, I didn’t mean to react so harshly, I just truly believe the Fuji X System is the bomb on noise, and I couldn’t figure out how they calculated their test? Glad you are thrilled like me and Willem, and hundreds, maybe thousands of others!
Bill,
I just saw your blog on the noise ratings of the Fugifilm X-T1. I read the review and was concerned about the rating. In Digal Camera issue 150 has a review of the X-E2 and it rates the noise as the best of the cameras it compared it too in the test. Other camera in the test were the Olympus OM-DE-M1, Panasonic GX7, and Fugifilm X-E1. The review said the “images are much better than those from competing cameras.”
I would think the images from the XT-1 would be similar to those of those of the XT-1.
Bill
They are essentially identical, this test is flawed.
I’m with you … PP test results are hogwash. I have a Canon 5D MK3 system and a Nikon D800E/D800 system. After having shot thousands of images with both systems, I tried the Fuji X100S and the X-T1 … the low noise at high ISO in those cameras is as good as my Canon and Nikon cameras. I have made the switch and now have 3 X-T1 bodies with various lenses and couldn’t be more pleased with the image results. I will still use my Canon and Nikon bodies with my long lenses when I go birding and photograph airshows … but for just about everything else I have made the switch to Fuji X.
I think you are spot on, I’ve had nothing but superior results from all my Fuji X cameras!
I have used Pentax, Nikon, Canon, APC and full frame cameras and recently tested the Fuji system. I can say I have never seen such great images coming out of a camera. ISO noise is better than my D700 files. I know this as I am sat processing wedding photographs at this time with lots of X E1 photographs I have taken, at all ISOs, to the test the system sat in folders next to them. On the strength of what I have seen, the quality of the lenses, the weight saving I will be moving to Fuji X immediately. Is the Fuji perfect, no, I am going to have to buy loads of batteries but the images are amazing.
Check out DP Reviews test released today! Gold Award!
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Hi Bill,
I currently have a Nikon D7000 with a Sigma 17-70 lens (very heavy with that lens) and am very interested in purchasing the X-E1 for the great reviews and price. I want to be able to use it on the street and take landscapes, but I also take close up shots of small mushrooms/plants. I read the the macro mode is basically useless on the X-E1, do you have any suggestions? I print my own work, up to 13×19 on my Epson r2880.
Thanks for your help!
Kelly