Category Archives: Camera Gear

Fujifilm Announces the X-T4 with IBIS In-Body Stabilization

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Last night, Fujifilm announced the brand new X-T4, the new flagship camera in the X Series lineup. The obvious successor to the already awesome X-T3, the X-T4 adds the one thing that a lot of people have been pining for: IBIS, or In-Body Stabilization.

In a way, the X-T4 fills two roles. Not only does it improve on the X-T3’s impressive performance, it takes over for the discontinued X-H1 as a stabilized sensor camera. Using a series of magnets instead of springs, the X-T4’s IBIS allows for an even smaller footprint inside the camera, and improves accuracy up to 8 times better than what the X-H1 offered.

Designed for shooting extremely high quality stills and video, the X-T4 also solves the number one problem that many X Series users were facing, especially when shooting video or when using the camera in extreme cold:

It has a bigger battery. 👍

As X-H1 users noticed, the 5-Axis In-Body Stabilization uses more battery power, and with heavy video shooting, the NP-126S battery didn’t always last very long. Switch to 4K and battery life is even shorter.

The X-T4 uses a brand new NP-W235 battery, which is said to provide an average of around 400-600 shots per change, as opposed to the 300-400, which is typical for the NP-126. When shooting 4K video, the X-T4’s battery life is spec’d at 110 minutes, vs. 55 minutes for the X-T3.

Add in the new VG-XT4 Vertical Battery Grip, and you can get up to 1,700 frames per charge and dramatically increase your video shooting time. There’s also a Dual Battery Charger for the new NP-W235 batteries.

Main Camera Specs

On a base level, the X-T4 looks very similar to the X-T3 under the hood. It has the same Back Side Illuminated 26.1 MP APS-C X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor, and Fuji’s X Processor Pro image processing chip. So, image and video quality essentially remain the same.

Both cameras have a native ISO range between 160 and 12,800, and both cameras shoot Full HD, High Speed (Slow Motion) Full HD, and DCI/UHD 4K at up to 60p (59.94p) at up to 400Mbps, with a shutter range of 1/4 sec to 1/8,000 sec. In addition, the X-T4 allows you to choose ether MOV format or MP4 video format. This gives you even more flexibility for sharing/uploading your video files.

With its increased power, though, the X-T4 can shoot an impressive 15 frames per second when using the mechanical shutter. Compare that to the X-T3’s 11 fps max. Using the electronic shutter, both cameras can shoot at up to 30 fps, and both cameras use Fuji’s awesome PRE-SHOT ES setting.

Both the X-T4 and X-T3 have 100% phase detect pixel coverage on the sensor and use the same autofocus system.

However, with updated AF algorithms, the X-T4 now has even faster focus performance, better AF tracking, highly improved Face and Eye Detection AF, and higher sensitivity for acquiring and tracking subjects in low light. The X-T4’s AF system will focus down to -6.0EV, which is nearing the level of complete darkness.

New Features

The X-T3 contains a number of new features, some of which were first introduced into the X-Pro 3 late last year, like CLARITY, COLOR CHROME BLUE FX, and the HIGHLIGHT/SHADOW Tone Curve setting.

However the X-T4 takes it up a notch and offers the HIGHLIGHT and SHADOW Tone Curve controls with half stop adjustments. This give you even more flexibility for capturing your scenes exactly how you want them to look right inside the camera.

It also has three “Boost” modes that change the responsiveness LCD and EVF, depending on what you’re shooting.

  • Luminance Priority: Enhances the subject when shooting in low light
  • Resolution Priority: Allows you to see more of the fine details
  • Frame Rate Priority: Allows for smoother transitions, essential when shooting moving subjects

 

The X-T4 also features a brand new Film Simulation called “ETERNA Bleach Bypass.” Designed primarily for filmmakers, this new color profile produces a high-contrast look, while keeping the color saturation low.

ETERNA – Photo by Pål Laukli

ETERNA Bleach Bypass – Photo by Pål Laukli

 

Body Design

The X-T4 retains the same basic look and ergonomic functionality of the X-T3, with a few small tweaks, as you can see in the pictures below.

The old AF-L/AE-L buttons have been replaced by an AF-ON button, which I assume will also work as a Fn button. The Q Button has been moved up as well, and now there’s a simple “STILL and MOVIE” control on the color below the shutter speed dial.

The other big change is the new Vary-Angle LCD Touch Screen, which allows you to close the screen against the body for distraction-free shooting, or preventing it from being damaged, say if you’re scrambling on sketchy terrain or banging the camera around, which some of us do sometimes.

The X-T4 body is slightly bigger than the X-T3, but not by much. It also has a slightly larger grip, which will certainly appeal to many photographers. It’s not nearly as big as the X-H1 grip was, but it does offer a larger hand hold than the X-T3.

Overall

Fujifilm certainly jumped ahead of the usual X Series update schedule. It comes only a year and a half after the X-T3’s release, but with constantly improving technology and increasing competition and demands from shooters, I guess it’s not a surprise, especially with the demise of the short lived X-H1.

Obviously the X-H1 allowed Fujifilm to figure out the whole IBIS thing, but let’s face it, that camera was kind of an oddball in the lineup. If you loved your X-T2/3, then you probably didn’t like the body layout of the H1. It looks like Fuji finally decided to give people what they were asking for: a stabilized sensor X-T series camera.

So, here it is, through and through: A fully capable IBIS body that offers all the benefits of the stabilized sensor, but that faithfully retains the classic X Series design and ergonomics that we’ve all grown to love. In my mind, this is probably the best move they could make.

There’s no question, the X-T4 is the best, fastest and highest performing X Series camera ever made. Whether you shoot stills or video, this camera will get the job done for you in a big way.

For everyone who’s been waiting for this camera, you only have to wait a little bit longer. Official release date on the X-T4 is April 30, but of course, if you preorder, there’s always a chance it will arrive sooner. 

If you already have an X-T3, then there might not enough reasons to upgrade to the 4. I would say that if you’re a professional and you need the fastest, most capable system for high-end photography and video, then sure… get the X-T4 and either sell the 3 or keep it as a superbly awesome backup/second body.

Of course, having IBIS on the X-T4 can extend your shutter speed by up to 6.5 stops. This is a big concern if you love to use the Fuji primes, which don’t have OIS stabilization built into the lens. This can be a huge boon to anyone for shooting in lower light.

If you’re one of those people who are still using the X-T2, or even the X-T1, then this is probably your logical upgrade… unless you want to save a few hundred dollars and pick up the X-T3 on sale. (It’s currently $200 off, with a price of only $1,299. That’s quite a bit less than the X-T4, which has a $1,699 price tag.)

Either way, we’ve got to hand it to Fuji; they’ve really delivered with the X-T4. Even the trolls will have a hard time picking this one apart.

You can preorder the X-T4 here, and you can see Fuji’s official X-T4 site here. 

And you can watch this X-T4 preview video by my good friend Bryan Minear.

Finally, now that the X-T4 has officially been announced, I can get to work updating my X SERIES UNLIMITED eBook to match this, and also the X-Pro 3 and X100V. Man… what a great time this is to be a Fuji user!

First Look at the Brand New Fujifilm X100V

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Nine years ago, in February 2011, Fujifilm released the first generation X100. Being a brand new camera that was designed from the ground up in nearly every single way, the X100 was the very first model of the newly launched X Series.

With a retro-style rangefinder style body that used an hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, an APS-C sized sensor and a fixed 23mm f/2 lens and a working, numbered aperture ring, the X100 also introduced a number of other innovative technologies, like the Fuji film simulations.

The X100 won numerous awards and quickly became a favorite for shooters around the world. Photographers praised its elegant, classic design, intuitive controls, high quality image quality and the timeless creativity it fosters. In just a few years, X100 has become one of the iconic cameras of our time.

Now, nine years later, Fujifilm has announced the latest model in the series, the X100V. Continuing to build on the capabilities of the previous X100F, the new 100V contains a number of new features that make this classic camera an even more powerful model.

New Specs and Design Changes

Along with a new 26MP BSI X-Trans sensor and the X-Processor Pro chip, the X100V has an updated, second generation version of the 23mm f/2 lens that’s been optimized with a second aspherical element, which allows it to resolve higher resolution imagery with excellent low light performance. (The original X100 only had a 12MP sensor.)

In addition, the X100V has a two-way tilting, higher resolution LCD screen with touch capabilities, 4K video, improved battery life, two new Film Simulations, (ETERNA and CLASSIC NEG), Electronic Shutter with a max frame rate of 20fps, and a number of other creative settings that bring it to the same feature set as the X-PRO 3.

It also follows the cleaner design trend that Fujifilm has been applying to many of the other models in the lineup. Like the X-E3, X-T30 and X-Pro 3, the X100V does away with the 4 Thumb-Pad buttons on the back and instead brings those Fn button operability to the touch screen LCD instead. You can also opt to use the Q button as a Fn button, which give she X100V a total of 10 Fn options.

As with pretty much every change that Fuji, and every other company do for that matter, some people will love the new design of the X100V and some won’t. Either way, the X100V does add some powerful capabilities that bring it into the next generation.

CLASSIC Neg.

New Creative Features

The X100V contains a number of new creative features and camera settings that were first introduced in the X-Pro 3. Here’s a look at a some of them:

New CLASSIC Neg. Film Simulation

The new CLASSIC Neg. film sim looks awesome. Built to replicate the look of the old FUJICOLOR SUPERIA color print film introduced in the late 1990s, it’s designed to give you the look of consumer color negative film that was so prevalent in the days and decades before digital photography took over.

In a sense, it’s designed to look like snapshots of old.

With CLASSIC Neg., Fujifilm digs into its 85 year history with film and color, and gives us a unique, but familiar look. This new film sim taps into our color memories with a bold and unique expression that plays nicely with the already rich set of color choices we have on the X Series.

The color palette of CLASSIC Neg. is interesting. It has a similar, strong tonality to CLASSIC CHROME, but with slightly richer “Fuji-style” colors that you see in the PRO Neg. film sims. The effect is a slightly muted, but high contrast look that, again, is reminiscent of the matte finish prints that so many of us grew up on.

This gives it a very representational look, and I find it to be a highly versatile film sim. It seems to work with just about every kind of subject and it produces a very cool and timeless look that holds a great deal of style. CLASSIC Neg. is a great addition to the X100 series, and I’m sure that it will quickly become a favorite for many shooters.

I absolutely love CLASSIC Neg., and it’s already one of my own favorite film sims. In my mind, the addition of CLASSIC Neg. might just be the strongest reason to upgrade.

CLASSIC Neg. Film Simulation

Velvia Film Simulation for comparison

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR

This setting builds on the awesome WARM/COOL B&W ADJ setting that first appeared in the X-T3. When shooting in one of the Monochrome film simulations, you can not only push the image towards the warm and cool side, you can also push it towards the green or magenta side as well.

Instead of a single slider, you now have a full “white balance” graph that allows you to adjust the X-Axis (warm/cool) and Y-Axis (magenta/green) in any combination you want. This allows you to further customize your monochrome images in a much wider array of tones and color shifts.

When you see two examples together, like the shots below, the color shift stands out like a sore thumb. However, when you view a shifted image on its own, the effect appears much more subtle and intriguing. See the end of this post for another standalone example to see what I mean.

COLOR CHROME FX BLUE

This adds a different take on Fuji’s existing COLOR CHROME EFFECT, which boosts the tones in your images to produce deeper colors and gradation in subjects that already have a high degree of saturation.

COLOR CHROME FX BLUE only boosts the blue colors of your scene. The effect is like using a polarizing filter on skies, and it also deepens shadows as well. I find that it adds a really nice touch to certain imagery, and I especially love using it with the CLASSIC Neg. sim. It’s subtle, but it’s there. With the two shots below, you can see the slight difference between the effect being on and off.

• Built-in 4 Stop ND Filter

Where the original X100 had a 2 stop ND filter, the X100F had 3tops. The new X100V has upped that one more to 4 stops. This definitely opens up your shooing options. With today’s camera performance, the reality is that if you need an ND filter, that extra stop can make a big difference.

• 11FPS Continusou Shooting and Electronic Shutter

Adding to its mechanical leaf shutter, which now fires at a max frame rate 11 fps, the X100V has an ES option that allows you to shoot at up to 20 fps, and 30 fps in the 1.25X crop “Sports Finder Mode.” It also has the awesome PRE-SHOT ES mode.

• Improved Focus Bracketing

Like the X-Pro 3, the X100V has an additional AUTO shooting mode that lets you adjust with only one setting (INTERVAL), instead of three. (FRAMES, STEP & INTERVAL).

• 4K Video Shooting with Dedicated Movie Settings Menu

The X100V allows you to shoot video either Full HD or 4K at up to 200Mb/s, in either 16:9 or 17:9 DCI 4K aspect ratio. It also has a full, dedicated Move Settings Menu, and offers Full HD High Speed Recording and a host of creative video shooting options, including Monochromatic Color, the Highlight/Shadow Tone Curves and F-Log Recording, Zebra Setting, Time Code, Move Silent Control and others.

You can also set your dedicated output options and send either 4K or HDMI video signal to HDMI and/or the SD card.

• HDR MODE

The X100V features a new HDR Shooting mode, with dynamic range options of AUTO, 200%, 400%, 800% and HDR PLUS, which gives you maximum variation in the dynamic range of your capture.

• Native ISO 160-12,800

The X100V has the same 26.1 Back Side Illuminated X-Trans sensor as the X-T3 and X-Pro 3, so it also has the same native ISO range of 160-12,800.

• Advanced Multiple Exposure

The X100V allows you to layer 9 images and combine them using Additive, Average, Comparative Bright/Dark modes to produce different looks. You can also use apply other creative settings to each layer, like using different film simulations for each one.

Overall Thoughts

As an X-T guy, the X100 is not my usual tool, but I got a chance to try out the new “V” and found it to be a very fun camera. I embraced the sense of liberation that it offers. Body shape aside, it’s Fuji DNA inside and out, all the way through. And as a fan of prime lenses, I certainly liked the fast, fixed 23mm f/2 lens.

Given that all of the settings on the X Series are common between the models, it was a seamless transition to go from the X-T3 to the X100V, and I had a ton of fun shooting photos around my neighborhood during the coldest months of January. It was the closest thing I have to street shooting near my house.

I even took it only an all day snow bike ride, just popping the camera in my frame bag for easy and unencumbering access. When I explored on foot last week, I just stuck it in my jacket pocket.

I did find it a bit hard to navigate with thick, bulky gloves, but to be fair, each time I took the camera out, it was around 10 below zero. Any camera is difficult to use in these kinds of conditions. That said, the aperture ring was quite easy to use, even with gloves, since it has two “handles” that assist with operation.

Having been spoiled by the X-T series, I welcomed having a flip screen, and I found myself using it quite often. In very cold weather, it’s just easier to deal with a screen than pressing your face against the cold metal camera and fogging up the screen. I’m sure that in any other situation when it wasn’t below zero, I would end up using the hybrid OVF/EVF a whole lot more.

CLASSIC Neg.

I’m sure that some people will grumble at the few ways that Fujifilm has changed the X100V, and some folks will balk at the increased price tag, but even with a few small modifications, the X100 is and always has been an amazing camera.

I’ve been using cameras long enough to know that nothing ever stays the same with any model or series. Stuff always changes, and even if you think you won’t be able to tolerate the mods, in most cases, your fingers will learn to fall in line pretty quickly.

Regardless of what a few people say on social media about stuff like this, in reality, there are very few things that end up being deal breakers. For me, a major performance issue or a lack of some vital settings might seal it as a no-go, but if it’s a case of getting used to a new button/dial map on the body, that’s no biggie. I’m smart. I’m an adaptable human that can learn new tricks.

Despite a couple of body changes, the new X100V has all the goods inside: New sensor, new film sim, faster autofocus, electronic shutter, 4K, and a host of other settings that can make a real difference in your fun creative photography process.

Guess which film sim this is…

Given that the X100F is over three years old, the new V is a welcome upgrade. If you’re using one of the older X100 models, than this one is definitely worth looking at. If you’ve been lusting after an X100 for awhile, then this one brings it with some incredible performance and a gorgeous new film simulation that I’m pretty sure you’re going to love.

Being the very first X Series model and the camera that launched the entire modern Fujifilm revolution, the X100 is indeed a very beautiful and iconic item. Over the years, it’s won so many design awards and endless accolades from users, and in a time when every manufacturer has diversified their factory locations, the X100 is still made in Japan.

It pretty much boils down to this: If you want an X100, then there’s not much that’s going to sway you against it. As far as cameras go, it’s the real deal.

If you’ve been waiting for the newest version, then here it is. If you know you’re not an X100 person, then I’m not going to try and talk you into it.

Either way, the X100V will start shipping on February 27. You can preorder the camera here.

NOTE: I’ll be updating my X SERIES UNLIMITED eBook soon to included all of the new settings found in the X100V and X-Pro 3.


CLASSIC Neg.

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My First Look Review of the New Fujifilm X-Pro 3

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Anytime Fujifilm releases a new camera, we can look forward to many of the updated specs and features being populated into future models, and in many cases, with already current models via firmware updates.

Just as the X-Pro 2 introduced the 24MP sensor and the much faster X-Processor Pro image processing circuitry, both of which were eventually rolled into the X-T2, now we have the same thing in reverse.

Fujifilm has taken nearly all of the advancements that were introduced in the X-T3 last year and rolled them into the much anticipated X-Pro 3, which was unveiled last week at PhotoPlus Expo.

Matching the X-T3 Specs and Features

Built with the same 26.1MP Back Side Illuminated X-Trans 4 sensor and the X-Processor 4 image processing chip, the X-Pro 3 now has the same power and creative performance of its X-T brother, and it gives users a huge array of new creative options.

Essentially, the X-Pro 3 has the same low light performance, the same 2.16 million pixel autofocus system with 100% phase detect coverage, faster, more precise tracking and 2 full stops of increased sensitivity in dim conditions, and the same movie recording specs that allow for shooting up to 15 minutes of DCI/UDH 4K at up to 200Mbps.

In addition, the X-Pro 3 now has the radically updated electronic shutter, and everything that goes with that. This means the X-Pro 3 will fire at up to 11 fps with the mechanical shutter, and up to 30 fps with the electronic. It also has the immensely powerful PRE-SHOT ES feature that is so useful for shooting action and other fast breaking scenes, as well as 1.25x Sports Finder Mode, and the Electronic Front Curtain Shutter, which offers reduced camera shake at lower shutter speeds.

In other words, X-Pro shooters now have a immensely powerful machine that allows them to capture a wide range of difficult and challenging scenes and push their creativity, just like the X-T3 shooters have enjoyed for the past year. Only, it comes packaged in that traditional stylistic body design which has captured the enthusiasm of photojournalists, wedding and portrait shooters and street/travel photographers around the world.

One notable change to the body, though, is that, like the X-E3, the X-Pro 3 does not have the four Thumb Pad buttons on the back of the camera. Instead, it has both touch and swipe controls on the main LCD screen, and the AF/selector joystick, just like the X-T3 has. This gives the back of the camera a much more clean design.

Hidden Screen and New Back Panel Sub Monitor

Although the X-Pro 3 retains the same familiar rangefinder design, it’s undergone a couple of significant changes. The most obvious thing is that the main LCD screen is gone. Well, not gone, just hidden.

The LCD screen is now reversed, and instead of being visible all the time, you must flip it down to see it. Fujifilm did this to foster a more traditional style of shooting, which encourages you to shoot using the Optical/Electronic viewfinder and trust your creative instincts in the moment, instead of shooting with the screen and/or checking your images after every shot.

(Note: There is some misconception online that the LCD only flips halfway down. It actually flips 180 degrees, all the way down. It does not stop at 90 degrees.)

To help in this process, the X-Pro 3 feature the Hybrid Multi Viewfinder that’s graced all of the X-Pro models. It allows you to choose between using a bright, clear optical viewfinder, or an improved 3.69 million pixel OLED Electronic Viewfinder. Or, you can combine both and display a small EVF screen in the bottom corner of your optical viewfinder so you can get a Live View of your scene and check for precise focus or see the effects of your chosen film sim.

In place of the back panel LCD screen, Fuji included a second Sub Monitor screen, which give you two different functions. The default mode is to show a digital “Label” of your current film simulation.

This harkens back to the film days when you tore off the label on the box of film you were using and slipped it into the dedicated slot on the back of the camera. This allowed you to quickly and easily see what film was currently loaded inside the body.

This is such a cool design touch. I absolutely love this feature, mostly because it brings me back to those days when I shot film myself. Seeing the actual film box logo for Velvia, or whatever sim I’m using, puts a huge smile on my face and makes me feel all warm inside.

However, not everyone seems as impressed as I am about this feature. When posted about it on Twitter, I had a few people remarks in not-so-gentle terms that little film sim display was a “stupid, completely unusable gimmick.”

I can understand that people who never shot film might not quite understand the visual significance of this feature, but I would argue that it’s not completely unusable. In fact, it’s quite usable.

Let’s say you’re drawn to shooting with the optical viewfinder, but you still like to use some of the film simulations. Even if you shoot RAW, maybe you occasional shoot with a favorite sim, like ACROS or CLASSIC CRROME, because they impart such cool looks on your scene.

If you’re shooting optically, you’re not seeing the film sim effects on your scene, which is just like the traditional way that we all used to shoot. We never knew what the picture was actually going to look like until we got our film developed, and this was a large part of the magic of film photography.

Shooting with the X-Pro 3, you could adopt a similar shooting style, but you still want to know what look you’re going for with your images, right?

The film label shows you that, and if you like to use multiple sims and change them on the fly, all you have to do is press the dedicated Fn button that’s set to Film Simulations and turn the thumb dial. You’ll see the label change as you scroll through the options. This is much easier than flipping down the screen to do bring up this menu item, or trying to do it inside the EVF.

However, if you still think this isn’t a feature you’d use, then you can go into the SCREEN SETTINGS Menu and switch the Sub Monitor so that it displays your basic shooting info instead, as you can see above.

On a side note, This meant that Fujifilm had to come up with an official logo label for the CLASSIC CHROME sim, which wasn’t actually a real film. Legend says that it was loosely based on Kodachrome, but either way, here’s what they came up with:

New Film Simulation: CLASSIC NEG

With the X-Pro 3, Fujifilm has included ETERNA, and they’ve also introduced a brand new film sim called CLASSIC Neg. Based on the old FUJICOLOR SUPERIA print film, this is designed to simulate the look of negative film, which produced the snapshots of our lives that so many of us lived back in the days before digital.

CLASSIC Neg. has a pretty interesting color palette. The way I like to describe it, is that it has the harder tonality of CLASSIC CHROME, but with the richer, Fuji-style colors of the PRO Neg sims. It has relatively strong contrast and rich colors, but with more muted tones.

I love the new sim, it has a wonderfully rich and characteristic look, and it’s yet one more tool that we have to evoke and inspire different moods with our imagery.

So much of Fujifilm’s legacy is wrapped around film and color, and the film simulations are the extension of that rich heritage in the digital world. In fact, I think that the film simulations are the lifeblood of the X Series cameras, and they foster such a unique style of creativity. If you haven’t seen my video tutorial on the film simulations, you can watch it here.

Other New Features

In addition to all the cool stuff that’s been ported over from the X-T3, the X-Pro 3 sports a number of brand new features that are not found on any of the X Series cameras yet.

One of these is the Monochromatic Color setting, which allows you to shift the overall hue of your black and white scenes. Unlike the WARM/COOL BW ADJ. setting, which only shifts up or down in two spectrums, this new setting lets you use a White Balance style graph to choose any color you like, in whatever amount suits you.

Just like the WARM/COOL setting, this adds a huge tool for experimenting with a variety of individual looks. Here are some examples below. Pretty fun, eh?

Other features include COLOR CHROME EFFECT BLUE FX, which adds more saturation and depth to only the blue channel of your images. Also, with the X-T3, Fujifilm has updated the FOCUS BRACKETING setting, and it now allows you to set a front and back focus point for your image.

A new CLARITY adjustment setting, which accompanies your Highlight and Shadow Tone and Color controls, works much like the CLARITY slider in Lightroom. It lets you render your subject with added contrast and definition at the edges, or reduce and create softer looking scenes. Portrait shooters will love having the option to make “minus” clarity adjustments, while street and action shooters might like to add clarity to their scenes.

Here’s what the new CLARITY effect looks like in action.

Overall Thoughts and Impressions

I’ll be honest, I’m an X-T guy through and through. The X-T3 is my main camera these days, and to me, the earlier X-Pro series cameras just don’t fit as well with my style.

However, since I had an opportunity to test out the 3, I wanted to give it a fair shake. I was fortunate to be able to use the camera for a few hours during one of the days I was at PhotoPlus, and so I took it out on one of the Photo Walks that Fuji led at the expo.

I did my best to adopt a more “X-Pro shooting style,” whatever that is, and I forced myself to embrace the traditional, simplistic creative style that this camera offers. I adopted a shooting workflow that was inspired by the mojo of the X-Pro 3, often using the optical viewfinder, and not relying on the LCD screen to review every image, at least not right after I shot it.

Walking around our few-block route near the Javits Center near the rapidly growing area known as Hudson Yards, I experimented with some of the new settings and immersed myself in the process of letting my creativity run free as I got used to the camera.

Despite the notable ergonomic difference between the X-T and X-Pro series, I quickly got used to the camera and became pretty proficient with changing settings and even flipping the screen down when needed. I found the X-Pro 3 to be an incredible fun and highly capable camera to use, and even though it’s different than the X-T3, I easily recognized why this model appeals to so many people.

Overall, I think that Fujifilm did an amazing job with the X-Pro 3. It’s a pretty special camera that indeed fits with their rich heratige of traditional photography. Their goal with the X Series cameras is to encourage creativity with tools that clearly reflect their legacy, but that also offer incredible image quality and the highest level of performance, and in my mind, the X-Pro 3 fits that bill perfectly.

Aside from the few people who think the film sim label display is a stupid gimmick, I’m positive that the rest of you veteran X-Pro shooters and new Fuji users who are interested in this camera will love the X-Pro 3.

It comes in three colors: Black, Dura Black, and Dura Silver and it starts shipping on November 28. You can pre-order the X-Pro 3 here. 

See Fujifilm’s special X-Pro 3 site here.

Why I Love Shooting with the Fujifilm XF35mm f/2 Lens

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My first lens was a manual focus 50mm f/1.4, and from day one, it was true love. It went everywhere with me, attached to my shiny, chrome body Nikon FM2. We shot everything together, mostly because that was the only … Continue reading →

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 … 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 →

4th Generation X Series – My Full Review of the Fujifilm X-T3

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I knew this day would come, and I’ll be honest, I’ve been a little nervous. I knew that Fujifilm would eventually release the successor to the X-T2, and I’ve been concerned that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations, or that they might change something … Continue reading →