Category Archives: Reviews and Recommendations

Comparing the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30 – What’s Different?

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Every time Fujifilm releases one of their “X-T” flagship cameras, they follow closely behind with the little brother/sister version. This time, the supremely powerful X-T3 has been followed with the X-T30, which by all means is an amazing little camera.

These stepped-down versions have always been great models, because fundamentally, they’re the same camera, just not quite as rugged and not weather sealed. Although a few features are different, they offer the same image quality as the higher end models, at a greatly reduced price.

In this case, Fuji’s new X-T30 costs $600 less than the top shelf X-T3. At $899, the X-T30 represents an amazing value, and quite possibly the best value for the incredible performance it offers.

In this post, I’ll quickly run down what the main differences are between the X-T3 and the X-T30 and what you save (or get) with that extra six hundred dollars.

Body Design, Weather Sealing and Durability

The main difference between the X-T3 and the X-T30 lies in the basic design. Where the X-T3 has an all-metal magnesium-alloy body, the X-T30 is built with a magnesium-alloy top and a mix of metal and plastic in the rest of the body. Also, the X-T3 is weather sealed, where the X-T30 is not.

This makes the X-T3 an overall tougher camera, and it will handle more abuse. However, don’t discount the toughness of the X-T30. It’s still built to withstand a regular life of knocks.

Back when I used  the X-T10, I gave it a considerable amount of abuse in the outdoors; I even subjected it to heavy rain a few times, and it survived just about everything I threw at it. I expect the X-T30 to offer the same level of durability. For most users, it will be fine. However, if you regularly beat the crap out of your camera, than it may not.

Size and Weight

X-T3 Dimensions: 5.2 inches wide, 3.7 inches tall and 2.3 inches at its widest. (132.5 x 92.8 x 58.8 mm) and weighs 1.19 lb (539 g) with the battery.

X-T30 Dimensions: 4.7 inches wide, 3.3 inches tall and 1.8 inches at its widest. (118.4 x 82.8 x 46.8 mm) and weighs 13.5 oz (383 g) with the battery.

The X-T30 definitely feels smaller, and it has a slightly less pronounced grip than the X-T3. However, it does have a nice, streamlined feel and a more compact size if you like to go fast and light. Pop one of the small primes on the X-T30 and you have tiny little powerhouse that will probably fit in your coat pocket.

Electronic Viewfinder

This is one of the biggest differences. The X-T3 has a much larger, higher resolution and higher magnification EVF than the X-T30. (3.69 vs 2.36 million dots, .75x vs.62x mag. and .5 inch vs .39 inch panel size.)

Keep in mind, though, both viewfinders offer 100% coverage and even the X-T30 viewfinder still offers a larger, wider view than what you’ll get on most similarly priced DSLRs.

Button/Dial Layout

This is where the two cameras differ the most. Where both cameras have a “3-dial” top deck, the controls are slightly different.

The X-T3 has ISO, Shutter Speed and EV+/- controls across the top. Where the X-T30 has a similar layout on the right side, instead of a dedicated ISO dial, it has a dedicated Drive Dial. This allows extremely fast “on-the-fly” selection of all your shooting modes. This means moving ISO control to one of the Fn buttons.

The X-T30 also has the Full Auto Switch, which puts the camera into Advanced Scene Recognition Mode. This mode offers worry-free shooting in any situation, under any type of lighting condition.

Also, following with the design style of the X-E3, the X-T30 has a slightly different button layout and it does not have the four button D-Pad on the back of the camera. Focus selection is achieved using the AF/Selector Joystick and the four Fn controls from the D-Pad are now accessed with touch screen “swipes.”

Sensor and Image Quality

Here’s where it gets good. Both the X-T3 and X-T30 use the exact same 26.1 MP APS-C Back Side Illuminated X-Trans 4 Sensor. They also use the same Quad Core X-Processor 4 computer chip, which means that both cameras shoot the exact same image quality and have excellent high ISO performance.

Side-by-side, there is no difference – They both shoot 14-bit RAW files and gorgeous looking JPEGs with those legendary Fuji colors, and that’s what makes the X-T30 such an amazing value.

Autofocus Performance

As with image quality, the X-T3 and X-T30 are identical with regards to autofocus. Both cameras are built with 2.16 million pixel, 425-AF point phase detect AF system that covers the entire frame and increased sensitivity down to -3EV. Essentially, this means you’re able to achieve workable AF performance under very dim conditions like candlelight.

Also, with the increased performance of the X Processor 4 chip, both the X-T30 and X-T3 are able to track moving subject with a very high degree of speed and accuracy, even at ultra high frame rates.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer Capacity

MECHANICAL SHUTTER: Using the mechanical shutter, the X-T3 can fire at 11 fps, even without the grip. The X-T30 is limited to 8 fps, which is still very fast; certainly fast enough for most sports and action scenes. In many cases, if you can’t nail it in 8 fps, you won’t be able to nail it in 11.

In many fast breaking situations, technique and timing is more important than an additional 3 fps. That said, if you know what you’re doing, those extra 3 frames per second might make a slight difference between a great shot and an exceptional shot with slightly better framing.

ELECTRONIC SHUTTER: Both the X-T3 and X-T30 feature incredible fast electronic shutters that allow for blackout-free shooting speeds of up to 20 fps and full resolution and 30 fps using the new 1.25X “Sports Finder” crop mode.

As of right now, these are some of the fastest blackout-free frame rates in the entire industry, and they offer incredible creative option when shooting very fast moving subject matter.

BUFFER: Buffer capacity is one of the main areas where the X-T3 has the advantage. It’s always been this way, even with the original X-T1 and X-T10. The higher end models have more internal memory which allows for a much larger buffer.

Shooting at 8 fps, the X-T3 can nature almost 50 RAW frames and 200 JPEGs without stopping, where as the X-T30 will start to stutter after only 18 RAW frames and about 90 JPEGs. This will probably not be a factor for most shooters. Again, if you need more than 90 frames to nail your scene, maybe there’s another approach you can take.

Nearly Identical Camera/ShootingSettings

Since they have the same sensor and processor, both the X-T3 and X-T30 feature nearly all of the same shooting and camera settings. In fact, most of the menus are identical on both cameras, with means that they both share the exact same creative controls, focus options and camera customization.

It also means that my X-SERIES UNLIMITED eBook covers every single feature found on the X-T30.

When the X-T3 was introduced, it has some really cool creative features that are now included in the X-T3, including B&W ADJ (WARM/COOL), COLOR CHROME EFFECT, PRE-SHOT ES, SPORTS FINDER MODE and ETERNA film sim.

I’ve written about the new B&W ADJ feature, which I LOVE using, and I’ve also written about the amazing PRE-SHOT ES feature, which is a special boon to sports, action and wildlife shooters.

Movie & Video Capabilities

Both the X-T3 and X-T30 offers amazing 4K capable movie capabilities and greatly expanded, dedicated movie settings menus. There are a few main differences, though.

The X-T3 is able to shoot 4K at higher frame rates (60p vs 30p) higher bit rates, (400Mb/s vs. 200Mb/s), for longer durations (30 min vs. 10 min) and with the option of using a more advanced video compression codec.

However, this will not be an issue with 99.999% of video shooters. For most projects, the X-T30 will shoot gorgeous looking video that’s fine for most types of projects. If need those higher specs, you’ll definitely want the X-T3.

Final Thoughts

As with the X-T10 and X-T20 the new Fujifilm X-T30 offers incredible performance at an exceptional value. You get identical or nearly identical performance of the X-T3 with regards to image quality, AF speed/tracking and electronic shutter frame rates, you get all of the same Fuji film simulations and the same color reproduction, all of the same creative, shooting and camera settings, and high quality video.

In my mind, aside from the slight design differences, when I think in practical, real-world terms for people shooting in most conditions, the only differences between the X-T3 and X-T30 are toughness and weather sealing, buffer rate when shooting a high number of frames in CH Mode, and a more substantial grip and a slightly bigger electronic viewfinder.

For all that it has, the X-T30 is an amazing little camera with a nice little compact body and a price tag that’s $600 lower than the X-T3. It offers everything you need to make awesome pictures, no matter what you shoot, and I can attest, it will withstand a reasonable amount of abuse. Just don’t smash it too hard or drop it in the water.

The X-T20 was one of the top selling mirrorless cameras, and the X-T30 is sure to follow in that trend. Small enough for travel, unobtrusive street photography, hiking and backpacking, bikepacking and cycle touring, affordable enough for amateur photographers or as a second body for pro shooters, and fun enough for everyone, what’s not to love?

Of course if you want top of the line and need the most rugged, weather sealed body, the fastest buffer for capturing action subjects and wildlife and the highest video specs, then the X-T3 is clearly the camera for you.

You can order the X-T30 here, and it comes in three colors: black, silver and charcoal silver. The X-T3 comes in silver and black. 

First Look at Fujifilm’s New XF16mm f/2.8 WR Lens

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I’m a huge fan of Fujifilm’s awesome f/2 WR prime lens series. The XF35mm f/2, XF50mm f/2 and the incredible XF90mm f/2 are among my favorite and most used lenses, so I was very excited to hear last year that the next lens in the series would be the XF16mm f/2.8.

Now that it’s been released, I’ve been able to shoot a few photos with it, and I can say, this was indeed the lens I was waiting for.

Back in the day, when I was a budding adventure and outdoor photographer, my favorite wide angle lens was the venerable Nikon 24mm f/2.8. This piece of glass saw more action in my early shooting days than any other. To me, it had the perfect meld of size, weight and view angle, and Fuji’s new 16 2.8 brings that classic combination to the X Series.

Even though the other lenses in the series are f/2, Fujifilm opted to shave size and weight and make this one an f/2.8. That’s plenty fast for most wide angle uses, and besides, if you really need a super fast wide, you can always spring for the XF16mm f/1.4.

However, that 16 1.4 is quite a bit bigger, heavier and much more expensive. Whereas the 1.4 version comes in at 13 ounces, which is just three ounces shy of a full pound, the new 16mm f/2.8 comes in at just 5 ounces. In addition, it costs under half as much: only $399, vs $999 for the 1.4.

Yes, speed is nice, but as I said, 2.8 is plenty fast for most wide angle photography, and for the size and weight difference, the new XF16mm f/2.8 is a fantastic little lens.

I just think that wide angle lenses are so versatile in the world of outdoor photography. They’re indispensable for shooting landscapes, action/adventure scenes and astrophotography, but also great for environmental portraiture, because you can get close enough to feature the subject and still show enough of the background to tell the story.

Having used a variety of wide lenses over the years, I’ve always found this focal length to hit a real sweet spot. If a lens gets too wide, you can start to get distortion at the edges, and by the nature of the design, ultra wide glass is usually bigger, as well.

Fuji has the tiny XF23mm f/2 lens, but that classic 35mm “photojournalist” focal length has never really been my cup of tea for regular use. It’s just not wide enough. The 16mm with it’s 24mm view angle yields an excellent combination of wide, small and relatively fast, which in my book, hits the target for everything I want.

Just like the other lenses in Fujifilm’s compact WR series, the new XF16mm f/2.8 follows the same classic “Fuji-cron” design, with a lightweight, compact build, a numbered aperture ring and a slightly tapered front. It comes with a small, very unobtrusive hood. The kind you have no problem leaving on all the time.

Lens quality is amazing, with gorgeous color reproduction, no visible distortion or softness at the edges, and very quick and responsive autofocus. It allows you to get quite close, with a minimum focusing distance of 6.6 inches.

(The photos of the poppies above was shot at the closest possible distance.) Compare that to Fuji’s 16mm f/1.4, which has a minimum focusing distance of 5.9 inches.

Compared to my other favorite wide angle, Fuji’s XF14mm f/2.8, the new 16 f/2.8 has a slight edge in size, minimum focusing distance, and again, it costs less than half as much. And it’s weather sealed, which the 14 is not.

I don’t have a single bad thing to say about the 14mm f/2.8, it’s been a mainstay in my bag since my first days shooting with the X Series, but I have to say, the smaller build of the new 16 is pretty nice. It makes it that much more appealing for use on an ultralight weight bike trip or hiking trip in the backcountry, especially if you anticipate bad weather.

And what about the original 18mm f/2? That’s a fun little lens, but this new 16 is just way better on every level.

I love these little Fuji primes, and if you look in my bag on any given day, you’ll find at least two or three of them in there, the 35, 50 and often the 90. Add in the 16, and I’ve got an ultra compact, ultra lightweight kit that covers an extremely workable range.

Traditionally, photography has been a rather expensive activity. However, since the introduction of the X Series, Fujifilm has done an incredible job giving us a number of very high quality lens choices at reasonable prices, which allows a greater number of people to enjoy great photography.

The new XF16mm f/2.8 fits perfectly into the line and offers Fuji shooters an exceptional and very affordable wide angle lens. Given its size, weight, speed, sweet view angle and the fact that nothing else even comes close in this price range, this is surely one of those no-brainer lenses for just about every X Series photographer.

The Best Photography Business Software – fotoBiz X and fotoQuote Pro 7

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This past fall, October 4, to be exact, I passed my 22-year mark for being a professional photographer. When I look back on my long, adventurous journey as a full time working shooter, I see an enormous mix of learning, mistakes, trial and error and perseverance that got me where I am today. I also see a business model that looks radically different from when I started.

However, while it’s true that the photography business has evolved and transformed in huge ways, the fundamental methods for doing business as a photographer have remained the same. You still need a good system for keeping track of clients, pricing your imagery, creating estimates and invoices and staying on top of profits and expenses.

I’ve used a number of photography business software solutions over the years, but in my mind, the best software option out there for stock and assignment photographers is made by Cradoc. Their two flagship programs, fotoBiz X and fotoQuote Pro 7 offer a complete set of tools that will help you stay on track and keep your business organized.

Both programs work for Mac and Windows, and the Mac version has even been updated to work with OSX 10.14 Mojave. This is notable because Blinkbid, which was another great program (I actually used Blinkbid for awhile and really liked it) has stopped development past Mac 10.12 Sierra.

As one of my readers, you can use Discount Code DB0115, to receive a special 10% discount on the full version of these programs.

fotoBiz X

fotoBiz X is powerful standalone business software solution that starts with contact management. From there, it allows you to create estimates, stock photography licensing quotes, and generate over 100 kinds of documents, forms and reports. You can also keep track of your marketing efforts to prospective clients.

The user layout is very straightforward and easy to navigate. There are six main menu headings on the left sidebar: Contacts, List and Tracking, fotoQuote, Prospects, Magazines, Gear, Forms and Releases and Setup. I’ll walk you through the main sections.

  • CONTACTS

This is your client database and it shows you full contact info, related contacts, any keywords or notes you’ve entered and any estimates, invoices, stock quotes, or submissions you’ve sent that particular client in the past. This is also where you can create a new bid, bill or submission form, or send them an email.

fotoBiz X includes a number of email templates that range from Delivery Memos, Cover Letters for assignments, invoices, portfolio submission, Thank You Letters andeven Collection/Reminder Letters. 

  • LISTS AND TRACKING

This is where you keep track of all of your Assignment Estimates, Stock Quotes, Submissions and Marketing Prospects. In other words, see who’s paid you and who still owes you.

You can also see your License and Image Tracking. For any image entered in the system, you can where it’s been licensed and see how much money it’s brought in.

Stock Production allows you to keep track of your photo shoots and see how profitable they are. You can enter the cost and notes for each shoot and then assign specific image sales to a shoot, and it will show you sales history and +/- balance for that particular shoot. This can help you identify which projects are giving you the best return on your investment.

  • fotoQuote

fotoQuote Pro 7 is the industry standard for stock photo pricing and it comes included with fotiBiz X. I’ve been using fotoQuote for over 25 years, even before I turned pro, and even back then, it was the best photo pricing guide out there.

fotoQuote Pro 7 includes a full section for Assignment Pricing and a coaching system that will help you figure out how much to charge, whether it’s for a national or local client. Read more about fotoQuote below.

  • MAGAZINES

fotoBiz X includes a huge magazine database that shows you how much a specific publication charges for ad space. This provides an enormous amount of help when it comes to researching and negotiating with editorial and trade clients.

  • GEAR

This section allows you to keep track of your photo equipment. For each camera, lens, light or accessory, you can keep track of everything from purchase, sell or loss date, serial number, repair history, insurance, weight (for air travel and bush flights), and where it’s usually stored.

  • FORMS AND RELEASES

Here is where you can create, modify and print things like model and property release, still assignment and video assignment forms

Overall, fotoBiz X includes everything you need to run a successful photography business. It handles international currencies, it exports reports to QuickBooks, it includes a customizable License Builder, and it’s been updated so that each section reflects the current standards and specifics of the photography industry.

There is simply no better or compressive alternative for the full or part time working photographer. You can check out fotoBiz X here.

fotoQuote Pro 7

As I mentioned above, fotoQuote Pro has long been the definitive stock photography pricing guide, and coaching system with the latest version, it’s been updated to match today’s photography markets. Version 7 even includes 86 new categories, including video and online uses. And it offers a mobile app for use on iOS devices.

Put simply, there’s no other program like it. Every photograph who sells or wants to sell images as stock should own this program.

fotoQuote Pro 7 is included inside fotoBiz X, but the also have the standalone version for photographers who only want the pricing guide, or who already have a workable photography business management system.

Even if you only license a few images each year, with the negotiating tips and pricing calculator inside fotoQuote, the program will pay for itself with just one or two sales. Plus, when you deal with your client, you’ll know the right questions to ask, now much to ask, and how NOT to sound like a total amateur.

The best part about fotoQuote has always been the built-in assignment photography pricing coach. This incredibly valuable tool helps you establish the right price, whether you’re shooting a small editorial job or a large, big budget national project. With 38 coaching topics, fotoQuote gives a series of useful negotiating tips so you can approach any job armed with the right information.

Check out fotoQuote Pro 7 here.

Years of research and work went into creating and refining these programs. The owner and creator of these programs, Cradoc Bagshaw has been an acclaimed photojournalist for over 30 years, and he’s dedicated himself to producing the best solutions for working photographers.

He listens to user feedback and address every single aspect that a photographer might face when dealing with clients or managing the day-to-day operations of running your business in an ever changing industry. Not only will these tools and templates let you streamline your business, you’ll just look more professional every time you reach out to a client.

I’ve long been a fan of Cradoc applications. Back when I shot slides, I used Cradoc Captionwriter, and I first used fotoQuote almost 25 years ago while working at a small stock photo agency in Boston. I’m still using it today as part of the comprehensive program fotoBiz X.

No matter what level of shooter you are, if you want to earn money with photography, I highly recommend checking out these two programs. I think you’ll like what you see, they’re relatively inexpensive, and they’re invaluable with regards to how much time, money and efficiency they’ll save you.

If you decide to purchase either one, be sure to use Discount Code DB0115 to get your 10% discount.

A Preview Look at Luminar 3 with Libraries

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Skylum Software has just released Luminar 3. This much-anticipated update to what has become a very popular photo editing app will contain the new Library module, which will now allow you to use Luminar to import, store and organize your … Continue reading →

My Brand New eBook is Here – BEHIND THE LANDSCAPE

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I’m excited to announce the release of my brand new ebook, BEHIND THE LANDSCAPE: A Manual for Seeing, Composing and Processing Captivating Imagery. In this comprehensive eBook, I take you behind-the-scenes during the creation of sixteen of my favorite landscape images … Continue reading →

Luminar 3 With Libraries is Coming December 18

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Last fall, Skylum announced that the were developing a catalog module for Luminar which would make it not just an image processing program, but an asset management tool as well. Originally, this update was slated for early 2018. I was very excited to hear … Continue reading →

More Fujifilm X-T3 Image Examples and Camera Impressions

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The new Fujifilm X-T3 has officially been released and it’s now shipping, so I thought I’d celebrate by showing you some more image examples to give you an idea of the quality and colors it can produce. (If you haven’t seen … Continue reading →