{"id":16532,"date":"2016-02-10T21:09:44","date_gmt":"2016-02-10T21:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=16532"},"modified":"2016-02-10T21:21:37","modified_gmt":"2016-02-10T21:21:37","slug":"a-first-look-holy-cow-batman-its-the-x-pro-2-sockem-pow-wham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=16532","title":{"rendered":"A First Look: Holy Cow Batman, It’s the X-PRO 2!!!! Sockem! POW! WHAM!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By now you have read reams of reports, reviews and tests on the new Fuji X-PRO 2. \u00a0There is little sense in my duplicating all of that, so I will approach this from a different direction. \u00a0I would like to attempt to answer some key questions I had when I first heard about the X-PRO 2;<\/p>\n

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(1.) \u00a0Is it a significant improvement over the XT-1 ( a camera a really love a lot!)?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Yes, it is Fuji’s latest and newest technology and, and in almost every way, it is an improvement over the last generation of cameras. \u00a0Fuji looked at every performance category and found a way to bolster it. If you decide to purchase the X-PRO 2 you will have the most capable camera Fuji has ever produced in the X System line!<\/p>\n

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(2.) \u00a0How much of a difference does the increase in resolution from 16 to 24.3 mega pixels really\u00a0make?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is not a scientific study, \u00a0just a judgement based on a looking at thousands of image files over the past decade. \u00a0Resolution wise a 33% increase is significant and it does lead to crisper more detailed images. \u00a0Even though it is readily apparent even in small sizes, it will make the resulting prints in large sizes (feet by feet) very impressive indeed. \u00a0You must understand that because the 24.3 mega pixels resides on an APS-C size sensor the pixel density gives resolution that is very much like a 36 mega pixel full frame sensor.<\/p>\n

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(3.) \u00a0Does it in fact have as good or better high ISO – Low noise performance compared to the X-T1.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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In the past packing that much resolution on an APS-C size sensor meant that you had to sacrifice noise at higher ISO settings, Fuji has conquered this somehow and now we can have very high effective resolution and extraordinary low noise even at very high ISO settings. \u00a0So far I believe with this sensor you can shoot all the way to 6400 with almost no noise penalty. \u00a0It is my opinion that Fuji’s noise levels were already essentially an industry standard, this sensor and processing chip take them to an even higher level!!! \u00a0Mark this one down for 1 to 1-1\/2 stops higher ISO with low noise.<\/span><\/p>\n

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(4.) \u00a0How is the construction? \u00a0How do the buttons perform?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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All the buttons and controls are improved from the X-T1, they are raised more, and have a satisfying click when depressed. \u00a0The four way pad on the back now does not need an application of sugru to work properly as the X-T1 did. \u00a0Because of the new “Joy Stick” moving the focus points and menu items is now much easier and positive. \u00a0The exposure compensation dial is larger and easier to turn with your thumb, though not too easy to be accidentally moved. \u00a0The speed of operation for all function is aided greatly by the new X-Pro processor. \u00a0The viewfinder now \u00a0has a diopter correction that makes viewing much clearer without glasses. \u00a0How do the numbers look?<\/p>\n

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(5.) \u00a0Does it have any features or performance increases that make it a GAME CHANGER?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The optical viewfinder is absolutely wonderful. \u00a0The bright line frames give a great view of the scene and what is happening outside your image area. \u00a0This, added to the increase from 49 to 77 Phase Detection AF Pixels and the new camera is an auto focus monster. \u00a0Being able to move the focusing points with the joy stick is, as they say in the MasterCard commercials, “Priceless!”<\/p>\n

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(6.) \u00a0How useful is the Hybrid viewfinder?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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This is a matter of what kind photography you do. \u00a0If you are a newspaper or magazine photojournalist or a street shooter, the optical viewfinder is an absolute must! \u00a0If you need to know what will enter your frame next, go and buy an X-PRO 2. \u00a0The view is breathtaking and I have to say that even though I really don’t need an optical viewfinder, I love it. \u00a0I still find the Electronic Viewfinder better for me because it shows what the final image will look like after you push the shutter release! \u00a0The magic, the majesty of mirror less is a new beginning for photographers like you and me!<\/p>\n

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(7.) \u00a0What are my feelings about overall Image Quality compared to the X-T1?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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There is no question that the X-PRO 2 has raised the bar for image quality coming out of a Fuji X cameras. \u00a0I don’t think I could put a percentage on the improvement, but it is clearly a sizable step up!<\/p>\n

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(8.) \u00a0Does the X-PRO 2 elevate the Fuji X game?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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You bet, and I can only hope and pray that the X-T2 whenever it comes, will have most of the advances included in the X-PRO 2. \u00a0The Fuji engineers have done themselves very proud with this one.<\/p>\n

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(9.) \u00a0Who needs the Fuji X-PRO 2?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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If you want the latest and greatest, you need it! \u00a0If you love rangefinders and want to take advantage of the incredible Optical Viewfinder order yours today!!! \u00a0If you love your X-T1 and prefer that style of camera, and might want to wait for the X-T2. \u00a0Just know you will be jealous of this sensor for a few months!!!<\/p>\n

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I went out this morning and tried to find a few things to test the camera on. \u00a0Here is what I have so far!<\/p>\n

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Acros Film Simulation ISO 400 – 23mm f 1.4 lens<\/p>\n

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The Historic Sander’s Cafe sign at the original Harlan Sanders restaurant. \u00a0223mm f 1\/4 lens at f 11 \u00a0 ISO \u00a01600<\/p>\n

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Old rusty Volvo at one of my favorite antique stores. \u00a0 23mm f 1.4 f 8 \u00a0– \u00a0ISO \u00a0400<\/p>\n

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Old passenger rail car door \u00a0 23mm f 1.4 @ f 8 \u00a0– \u00a0ISO 200<\/p>\n

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Brightly painted door and wall. \u00a0Velvia Film simulation \u00a023mm f 1.4 @ f 8 \u00a0 ISO 400<\/p>\n

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L&N Railway painting on a brick wall in Corbin. \u00a0 23mm f 1.4 @ f 8 \u00a0– \u00a0ISO 400<\/p>\n

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Metal Indiana Pacers sign. \u00a023mm f 1.4 @ f 8 \u00a0 – \u00a0ISO 400<\/p>\n

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So in summatioin, killer camera, many improvements, and if you are a Fuji X shooter, and need it’s special graces, order one today!!!<\/p>\n

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NEXT UP: \u00a0Side by side image quality and noise comparisons with the X-T1!<\/p>\n

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Blessings,<\/p>\n

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the pilgrim<\/p>\n

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        By now you have read reams of reports, reviews and tests on the new Fuji X-PRO 2. \u00a0There is little sense in my duplicating all of that, so I will approach this from a different direction. \u00a0I would like to attempt to answer some key questions I had when I first […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chronicles","category-learning"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16532"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16532\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16573,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16532\/revisions\/16573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16532"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}