Tag 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!

You Don’t Have To Buy Every New Camera That Comes Along

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It’s time for another Public Service Announcement. Are you ready? Ok, here goes: Buying a new camera won’t make you a better photographer.

A new camera might give you some better tools that can help you maximize the skills that you already have, but it’s not going to make a huge difference in your photography. You know what will? Being a better photographer.

Getting a new camera is a lot like buying a really expensive paintbrush. If you don’t have much skill with watercolors, then that $723 da Vinci Series #10 Kolinsky Red Sable Brush isn’t going to do much for you. It’s not going to suddenly lead to better paintings.

However, if you’ve been painting for a few years and you’ve mastered your brush technique, then yes, those super high quality sable bristles will allow to translate those highly proficient skills into some very awesome paintings.

In our fast moving, constantly upgrading high technology society, we’re often led to believe that we’re nobody if we don’t always get the latest, greatest thing. Grownups are a little more immune to this attitude than say teenagers, but it’s still a purveying notion, especially for people who spend time on camera forums and reading blogs.

The mindset is that if you don’t have the newest camera, then you’re obviously not serious about your craft, and you clearly won’t be able to make any good pictures.

Well, I’m here to remind of the ridiculous nature of that argument.

One of the most popular trends when it comes to acquiring electronic things, is to put off buying a particular device, because you’ve read rumors that the next one is coming out soon, and it will be so much better. Why waste your money, when you can wait and get the new one, whenever it’s finally announced in two or three months, and then when it’s finally released to the market in yet another month or two?

But where does that get you? If you don’t have a camera yet, it means that you just put off that magical moment when you can start taking pictures and enjoying photography, until… um… later.

If you DO have a camera, it means that you relegated your camera to being an obsolete item, andante again, delayed some awesome picture taking experiences until you finally get that new one in in your hands… whenever that ends up being.

I can totally understand the excitement that surrounds getting new gear. As someone who places high value on my own imagination and the notion of being curious about what lies around the next bend, it’s fun to ponder all the great images that you’ll shoot with that new camera you’re thinking of buying.

However, I think that we all go a little overboard with the whole thing. New cameras are cool, but they’re not necessary, and you should never think that you have to upgrade each time a new model is introduced.

Our modern lives are filled with devices that keep getting improved with new models on a regular basis, but in almost every single case, our current devices are still very capable and powerful tools. The camera you bought last year, even two years ago, is still a great camera. It’s still capable of producing extremely high quality imagery and driving your creativity with a set of amazing tools.

We don’t have to get sucked into that, though. As a Fujifilm ambassador and a blogger, I try to walk the line between promoting new gear that I think is great, and reminding people that they can still make great photos with their current gear. That will always push your creativity more than buying a new camera.

I can’t speak for any other company, but I’m pretty sure that for the most part, Fujifilm would agree with me on this. If you still enjoy using your older camera, then they would support you sticking with what you have. That’s the whole Kaizen mentality, and that’s why they push firmware toward the older models. They want people to buy cameras and then love them for more than just one product run.

The reality of our modern world, whether it’s with cameras, cars, guitars or paint brushes, is that every company has to keep making better models and chasing each other with technology, because that’s just how capitalism works.

You don’t have to fall prey to this, though. I’ll never chastise you for buying the latest gizmo, if that’s what you really want to do, especially if you have the skills to take advantage of the upgraded toolset. However, I do feel strongly about the notion that you should not place all of your creative eggs in the basket of some new device that isn’t even announced yet.

My advice is to use what you have and have fun with it. Whatever camera you have is awesome, and it will let you take wonderful, creative pictures that represent the world in accordance to your own personal ideas. And if you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket, spend it on a trip. Go explore somewhere new and practice your creativity in a new place.

And if at some point, you find that your current camera is not getting the job done, or if there’s a specific issue that you feel is holding you back, then that’s when you should think about upgrading.

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.”

• 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 … Continue reading →

How I Hold My Camera – Best Practice Tips for Outdoor Photographers

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Today’s lesson is called “How I Hold My Camera.”  I realize this might seem like a rudimentary topic, but I’ve actually heard from more than a few photographers who are struggling with this, especially shooters who have recently switched from … Continue reading →

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. … 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 →