Rolling in the dirt…………..
* 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
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014 at 3:36 pm
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Can you explain what focus peaking is? Also, did you see the interview by the Luminous Landscape guy(s), of the Fuji guys, at Photokina? http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/photokina___days_2__3.shtml#2
I did see the interview, interesting! Focus peaking is when in manual focus what snaps into focus, very clearly looks like fractured glass. You know exactly what is in focus, plus the area that is in focus moves as you focus, which makes placing the area of focus precisely.
My wife and I are new to the Fuji X-T1 after many years with Nikon full frame, most recently the D800 and Df. We are well into our senior years and deeply appreciate the lighter weight. My back is now my friend again.
I totally agree with your comments. The minimal noise is great, the viewfinder is great, and the color palette is great. So far we find all of the lenses are equally sharp or sharper than our Nikons. Photoshop does a good job on chromatic aberrations and distortions with raw images which are in my judgement mostly minimal with most lenses. We had only been raw shooters with Nikon. However, the jpgs coming out of the X-T1 is spurring a change in our shooting to raw plus fine jpg.
We belong to three local camera club and are the only Fuji shooters at the moment. They joke about our sudden and massive change Fuji, but they are beginning to appreciate the quality images that we are getting. I would have liked to kept a skeleton Nikon kit, but budgeting said differently. I had to fund the switch without interfering with the other half’s interior re-doing. For the two systems – we don’t share cameras and lenses well – we invested more than our first house in the 1950’s cost. Thank goodness our Nikon gear had good used equipment value.
See you soon at the Nelson, Nevada workshop. We look forward to getting your sage guidance and advise directly.
Jerry R
Can’t wait to meet you!
Your points above would be on my list as well.
Another difference with Fuji that I really appreciate is I can buy ANY of their lenses with confidence knowing every one is built with solid materials and high standard for image quality. This takes the guesswork out of choosing a lens.
This consitency could also apply to their x-series cameras. They all measure up to a similar solid build and IQ standard – only changing features between cameras. This simplifies life when looking for a second camera body.
In April, I sold off 20 yrs of Nikon gear for a Fuji X-T1 and …. see point#9 above. 😉
Glad it’s working for you!!!!!
Loving my new Fuji X-T1! Weight was one factor that pushed me to switch. However, after just one day of shooting I have to say the sharpness of the 18-55 and 55-200 is spectacular. I’m not “old school” but the location of everything seems very ergonomic to me and it has been easy to become comfortable with this camera. Love the focus peaking.
See you soon.
Can’t wait to see the great stuff I know you will produce with it!
Reading your blogs, I always learn something.
Thank you )^o^(
I agree with all the points you mentioned above.
However, I’ve rarely seen great Landscape photos
from this camera….
Is it because all those Landscape photographers are
young and strong to carry heavy gears walking hours (?_?)
I’ll make you a deal, I’m doing a landscape.workshop or two this fall, I’ll try to shoot you a few!!
At 71, the Nikons and Canons in my life were just too much to carry around. Thought the quality of the full frame cameras would be lost; but, much to my surprise, the new X-T1, with its really fine lenses, produces images which will rival any camera or lens. Both the 18-55 and 55-200 are tack sharp across the entire range and the low noise allows shots that would require post processing in the Nikon or Canon full frames. The look is distinctive; and, with so many choices in looks, it seemed a no brainer to go with Fuji 100%. Have already pre-ordered the new X-100T; and, when the last of the old gear is sold, will no doubt be looking for more Fuji lenses. Bill, thanks for your ongoing discussion on these fine instruments.
Thanks Bill, I don’t mean to sound like the Fuji rep, which I’m not and I don’t make a dime when they sell stuff! I do however enjoy the gear and believe for some of us like you and I, it is a real alternative yo the world of Canokin!
I have been a Canon shooter for over 30 years. It was purely economics and attitude: back then Nikon was expensive and, well, a little arrogant. From the F-1 and AE-1 forward Canon began nipping at Nikon’s heels and that really made the world better for both Nikon and Canon shooters.
Right now it’s not clear where either of the big boys are going. Nikon seems committed to DSLRs with a lot of good models and glass. Canon appears to be making a splash in the cinema/video world and its latest DSLR offerings are more evolutionary than revolutionary. Both Nikon and Canon have mediocre at best mirrorless offerings although the Nikon 1 autofocus is to die for. (Note to Fuji: The Nikon 1 autofocus is to die for. Get with the program.)
I have tons of Canon gear. In addition to the D30 and 1DII, I literally bought the D60 (2), 10D (2), 20D (2), 30D (2), 40D, 50D and 7D the day they were announced. Not so with the 7DII. With five years to work Canon introduced what appears to be merely an evolutionary product. No desire to spend for the 7DII, grip, batteries, etc., on faith based on the specs. Maybe next year after it’s been thoroughly vetted. It’s not that I am divorcing Canon — they have been moving away from me.
Enter Fuji. The current X offerings are quite good, lighter, virtually no noise and great image quality (for the most part) plus “kit lens” glass that rivals Canon L lenses. They also have their share of boners which make you want to slap the head of Fuji R&D on the side of the head with a bowling pin. Autofocus could and should be faster. You can use old fashion cable releases quite nicely on the X-E1 and X-E2 but not on the X-T1. The X-T1 is a nice camera with a lot of potential but it could be smaller instead of trying to make it look like a mini DSLR. Fuji’s tardiness in bringing out capable flash, teleconverters and extensions tubes is puzzling. Battery life is an issue. Cleaning the sensor is a chore and there are reports of dust under the glass. Glass that’s workable for wildlife and birding is missing in action,
That said, the image quality is worth a few compromises and it only has room to improve. What I get out of a 16mp camera is better than the 7D because of virtually no noise. Regular firmware updates are duly noted. The size and weight advantage is huge (although Bill “Bag of The Month Club” Fortney will soon be carrying too much with him if he doesn’t watch it) and it will get bigger.
I crammed a lot of gear and a Macbook into an old Tamrac 636 messenger bag but on a few trips lately I left that at home and packed two camera bodies, two lenses, a flash and just the bare essential necessities in my carryon bag. I scaled down my ballheads due to the reduced weight and am considering getting an even lighter tripod. I never quite understood the people who felt they needed to carry B&H on their backs anyway. I take what I will likely need. Sometimes I may want to carry an extra body and lens and just yesterday I found a packable $3 (well, $2.99) nylon backpack at Ikea.
Because of how good the Fuji X system offerings are — even with the omissions noted — Canon will have to do a lot of convincing to get me to buy than 7DII. What Bill says about the Fuji X system is spot on and I have had some very good landscape images from my X-E2 and X-E1. (Don’t forget the cable release, tripod, ballhead and RRS L-brackets!)
The elephant in the room will be if Canon, in particular, wakes up and improves its mirrorless line to be competitive. Nikon could do the same but Canon has more incentive with the mediocre EOS M that is sorely in need of replacement. Unlike Nikon 1, the EOS M has an APS-C sensor but just about everything else sucks. If Canon can keep the size and weight stable and out-Fuji Fuji on image quality while including the latest EOS line enhancements, it could easily be a major contender. But I am not holding my breath for it to happen.
If you a bird or other wildlife photographer, the Fuji X system isn’t for you — yet. I think portrait photographers may want to sit this out until Fuji gets its act together with flash. Otherwise, I listened to Bill and he didn’t steer me wrong. And, yes, the Fuji X series can successfully photograph more than rusty tools, cars, paintbrushes and nails!!!
Ditto! Well said, and you are dead right, Fuji is not a sports or moving wildlife camera, for most everything else, “personally” I wouldn’t shoot anything else!
Well said Bill. It’s the ‘retro’ controls that made the difference for me over other options such as Olympus or Sony. I rarely need to use menu options and the aperture/shutter controls so seem so much more intuitive than a mode dial.
I kinda like being part of the Fuji tribe too.
Will you be at the bonfire tonight?! We’re roasting a pig!!!! O.K. couldn’t resist, but you’re right it’s a cool tribe, I mean what tribe that has Nick Coury as the Witch Doctor wouldn’t be cool!!!! Love you Doctor Nick!!
So glad to be a part of the tribe!
And this news today makes life interesting — or at least prophetic. From an interview with a Canon honcho:
“Q. What needs to happen before Canon will create a serious mirrorless camera?
A. We are serious. We are really focused on mirrorless and we’re spending lots of time, and devoting a lot of manpower to scaling up mirrorless development right now.”
There’s also word Nikon is working on a larger sensor mirrorless. For me (and my wallet) — we’re staying put right now.
I hope the big boys realize how much they will have to improve over the Fuji before they are serious contenders.
This is a very interested post Dick! I suspected both Nikon and Canon could see the writing on the wall. For me I would be grilled to see them join the battle! Could they do something as good as Fuji? I think they could, but will they? Another question! You have to realize that Fuji targeted the high end user market directly competing with Nikon’s and Canon’s DSLRs! Nikon brought out the Nikon 1 series that are built, designed and aimed below that market! When I worked for Nikon and hot my first Nikon 1 J, I threw an “internal” temper fit!!!!! I had been hoping for something like the Fuji or Olympus cameras of today! I think financially Nikon made a. Good move, the cameras were a good hit in the market they were going after. I felt they were way overpriced and the lens line was way to limited for some one of my interests. I was in the process of recovering from shoulder surgery and was unable to carry anything large. I worked Photo Plus at the Nikon booth but slipped away during a break to see the then new Fuji X10. It was what I had hoped the Nikon 1 was going to be. Built solid like a Leica, Retro look and feel, a fast exceptional zoom, and very reasonably priced!
Of course I still worked for Nikon and had tons of Nikon gear both my own and Nikon consignment gear, but couldn’t manage much of it weight wise. I secretly shot the little X10 and soon found that I was making unbelievable images with it, retirement was right around the corner, and I was falling more in love with the Fuji! Sounds like an illicit affair, and I did feel guilty, but many Nikon folks owned other cameras and enjoyed them privately so I was not alone! All of us were still Nikon shooters, but enjoyed other products from time to time!
After I was officially retired I acquired an X-E1 and several lenses, the size, wright, retro design and most of all the extraordinary image quality won me over! To this day some friends are convinced that something happened to cause me to be upset with Nikon! ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE! If I were still able and desired to carry a big DSLR system, I’m sure I would own a pair of D810s, but that was then, this is now!!!!
This was well written and, for the people who don’t know you, explains a lot. I will take the liberty of filling in a few blanks, if you don’t mind. In recent memory I never heard a Canon or Nikon rep blindly “trash talk” the competition. A Canon friend spoke highly of Bill’s professionalism and integrity. It was a Nikon rep (Ed Yost, I think) I met on Cadillac Mountain at a GAPW workshop who let me know that he saw a mint Canon 300mm f/2.8L for sale at a camera store.
I shot a lot for a year with Nikon 1 V1 bodies and lenses as an experiment. You’re right — frustrating. But the things Nikon did well were full of promise — focusing speed and accuracy, for example. 10mp was a limitation in marketplace but I did shoot some very nice images nonetheless. The Nikon 1 was much more popular in Asia. It was a good experiment for me but frustrating that Nikon didn’t do a meaningful followup. Canon, for its part, had better image quality on the EOS M but tortoise-like focusing, among other ailments. Both systems were not ready for prime time and, to make matters worse, if any company should have been at the forefront, they should have been.
As photographers we look for solutions. Right now Fuji, IMHO, offers the best balance between size, weight and image quality. My secret hope has long been that Canon will come up with a revolutionary mirrorless camera body the size of the X-E2 or smaller with amazing focusing speed and image quality along with the ability to use any Canon EF lens! Or that Nikon will find a way to deliver superb image quality from its Nikon 1 series’ mini-sensor!
I agree Dick, Canon and Nikon have many incredible tech advances, now they just need to roll them into a mirror-less camera “System”!
Should have been “thrilled”. Not grilled……hate auto spell!
Sitting here in Ouray listening to the rain once again. In fact the rain has followed me from Mexican Hat where it rained about an inch Friday night and the wind blew around 30 MPH but deliverd great clouds and left over rain showers Saturday morning made for some great Fuji B&W shooting. Arrived in Moab and had more t-storms and 3+ inches of rain and lightning and yes more great Fuji B&W at Arches and along river road with lots of massive cloud action. Something about those t-storms in the red rock desert country. And here I set again listening to rain but oh those Aspens looked good on the ride in from Moab, even in the rain. Morning should bring more Fuji opportunities this time in color. And yes that Olympus M1 is a great handling little camera also that bad part is learning two different camera systems. But I plan to set the M1 up to match the Fuji from an operational standpoint. So in a drawn out ramble I have to agree with number 3 and 4 above and I plan to try out #5 on a few Milky Way shots this week over the Sneffels.
Fuji color is really tremendous. The X-trans sensor can nuance tonality like no other chip. It records colour the way my eye sees it and I truly love it! Congrats on the switch! Have a merry Christmas Bill and God bless as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!