After 6 Years am I still a Fujifilm Shooter???
When I decided to dump my Nikon gear and go mirrorless 6 years ago, mirrorless cameras were in their infancy. Only a few manufacturers were producing mirroless cameras and only 3 were making a interchangeable lens cameras. Now in 2018, with Nikon and Canon joining the parade, we have many choices of great mirrorless cameras. I’ve had more than few people ask me if I am having second thoughts about my choice of the Fujifilm’s X-Series?
I constantly evaluate my choices and think about if a system change might give me a significant advantage, all serious shooters do. To answer that question for you and myself I need to go back to the reasons I switched to Fujifilm in the first place.
Number 1: Size and weight. My Nikon full frame sensor gear was just to heavy. I had shoulder surgery and the aftermath was a great deal of discomfort lugging around heavy full frame bodies and lenses, I had to get something lighter, I had no choice!
Number 2: Quality Images: If I was gong to give up the quality of files I was getting from my Nikon’s I wanted a system that had lenses just as good and sensors that could produce equal results, but in a smaller form factor.
On the basis of those two requirements I went with the Fujifilm X-Series. After 6 years I can say that the Fujifilm bodies and lenses have given me just what I wanted, a high quality set of bodies and lenses that are smaller and ligter than their Nikon equivalents.
Do any of the new offerings tempt me? I really like the Olympus OMD-1 MK II, but the smaller sensor would cost me the exceptional high ISO, low noise I get from the APS-C X-Trans sensor, so that is a “no go” for me.
The Nikon and Canon offerings look nice, but though smaller than conventional Nikon and Canon bodies, the lenses are still huge, so nope, their not going to work for me either.
I think Pentax makes great stuff but their supporting system is just not as vast. So, it’s not going to work for me.
Sony has a lot going for it and seems to be in the forefront technologically over it’s two competitors, Nikon and Canon, but once again, big sensor, big lenses, no thanks.
Frankly I love the controls of the “throw back” designed Fujifilm bodies, the quality of construction and magnificent optical performance of the Fujifilm glass, I especially love the number of fast single focal length lenses Fujifilm offers, I love them all and own them all! The wonderful firmware update system that keeps improving their bodies, and their responsiveness to what Fujifilm owners are asking for, and getting. They offer an affordable medium format camera and are about to offer, (rumor), a second body, that will be even more affordable! The addition fo the 200mm F2 and converters makes for a very complete system!
- In case you’re listening Fujifilm, we still would lov ea 120mm f 2.9 Macro, a tilt/shift lens, maybe a full frame fisheye and my personal greatest desire, a 70mm f 2.5 Fujicron, that would be a 105mm f 2.5, anyone remember that!!!! It worked fantastic for Nikon, you ought to give it a try!!!!
So no, I am staying right where I am and this is not a knock on any of these fine brands and their gear! I’m sure for many photographers there will be a lot of happy campers with other brands! Every photographer has personal likes an dislikes and the Fujifilm gear fits me perfectly, but it may not fit you the same!
What is happening in the camera industry is healthy and will give us more choices and more choices is never a bad thing. It also raises the bar as each of these companies keep improving focusing, exposure, color quality, low noise at high ISO, and build quality, it also keeps everyone on their toes, competing and that is a great thing for you and I!!!!
So, no, I’m staying right where I am, but it’s exciting to watch!!!!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Friday, September 7th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
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Appreciate your honesty Bill. Looking forward to seeing yours and Jack’s opinions on the X-T3. I have two X-T2s. I really like them. The X-T3 looks tempting. I wish it had an improved grip like on the X-H1.
I am looking forward to wringing one out, you will know as soon as I get the opportunity!
Fuji is interesting…Their bodies went really retro, but their glass is very Nikonish in weight and size.
By this I mean, the bodies made me feel like a kid again on my father’s camera. Physical dials things in the right spot…focus on the trinity of aperture, Shutter and ISO (and/or) exposure comp. However when you compare the X-E series 1&2 vs the X-T pizza buttons on the back went from great to frustrating. Then the lenses got heavy ala Nikon after an exquisite balance on the kit lenses. So the cameras often became lens heavy when you used the heavier glass without an add on grip or battery grip.
The best handling and len balance in APS-C I had was my old Pentax kit. The K-5 balanced perfectly with the 16-50 F2.8 (best with the Sigma 17-50 HSM 2.8) or the 50-135 F2.8. The 100mm Macro was a dream optic Fuji should just outright license for their mount. The only problem there was they never really did the Kaizen improvement of Fuji in AF/features/innovation/fix the lens SDM failure rate. Image quality was great…but AF…barely budged over my six year run with them. My current M4/3 gear balances pretty nice…and even the older Oly/Pany bodies I have beat the X-T2 in AF. I was sad this was true, but also sad the 16mp sensors I have now at high ISO fall flat before a Fuji body.
So I am rooting for the X-T3 to fix the the AF and recessed buttons…and hope Fuji releases some more fast glass which balances better with an X-T3 body. Really “travel fast glass” is what they need. I miss the X-Trans files/jpeg colors and special sauce. It really is a tactile beast for someone like me…something I just don’t get from my current bodies.
For kicks and giggles I went in and handled the FF beasts from Nikon/Canon and Sony at Best Buy tonight. As cool as they are, and as fantastic they are as imaging/focusing/depth of field potential…the size and handling with most medium and faster glass…was enough to hurt my wrist from carrying it all day.
Glad I went APS-C and M4/3. I am happy the competition is on though. Good for us consumers.
Agree on all you say!
If I were to choose a new system to replace my DSLRs, it would be a difficult choice. So much new good gear is available. Until Father Time or the doctor tells me to get a lighter kit, I’ll stay with my current kit and try not to drool on all the great, new toys!
If you can carry it, enjoy it!
I agree with everything you say Bill. I switched from a full frame Canon to the X-T1 years ago. I bought the X-T2 when it first came out and sold all the heavy Canon gear. Since then I have enjoyed all the firmware releases that added features and performance improvements. I’ve watched friends upgrade their DSLRs or go the full frame Sony route. The full frame lenses are just too big and heavy. I love the analog dials, especially when I need to make quick changes to the settings.
I’m waiting for some real world reviews of the X-T3 but will probably replace the old X-T1 soon and demote the X-T2 to the backup position.
Bill,
I 2nd your motion for the 120 macro but until then I’ll just keep using my old Nikon 105 MF lens.
I got to play with the XT3 yesterday and the AFC works fantastic (so now when that tree tries to run away Ill be able to nail him at sunset) and the Face /Eye detection also worked great even with the subject walking. After spending time with it I have no regrets of trading in my XT1 and XT2 bodies. Now if I can just get it before heading out to Colorado for Fall shooting.