Tag Archives: camera

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

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

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 lens I had.

Then I bought a 28mm wide angle, and shortly after, a 70-210mm. I was drawn to those lenses because they showed the world in very different ways than my eye saw it. As my style developed with action and adventure photography, this “normal lens” view fell out of favor and my poor 50mm got shoved into my camera bag where it sat, neglected and rarely used for a long time.

However, as the years have passed and my style continues to evolve, my excitement for the “normal lens” has been rekindled, and I’ve come to see just what a versatile tool the regular old normal lens is. Today, my normal lens of choice is the little tiny Fujifilm XF35mm f/2. If you look inside my camera bag, you’ll see that my 35 f/2 is fixed to my main X Series camera body much of the time.

I’m just wild about the form factor of this sexy little lens, and I’ve fallen in love with that “normal view” once again. Over time, I’ve learned how to use it to its full potential.

Normal lenses are called normal because they see he world in a similar perspective and angle of view as the human eye. The beauty of this kind of lens is that if you get in close, it will blur the background and make your subjects stand out beautifully against a soft wash of color. This makes it an amazing choice for shooting portraits or details out in the world.

Move in even closer and your depth of field becomes extremely shallow. This gives you an ideal effect for closeup photography and shooting still life subjects. It won’t get you as close a macro lens, just close enough to isolate your subject matter against a very soft background.

Back up a little bit and you’ll show more of the environment. Not too much, just enough to help flesh out the story of your subject. I love shooting landscapes with my little 35 lens, because it allows me to narrow down the world and create a nice, concise and focused scene.

Normal lenses do have one big limitation, they’re not always the best choice at medium and longer distances. They simply can’t bring distant subject in very close. Also, since depth of field begins to widen out, you end up with what I call the classic “postcard look,” where the subject matter is all presented in the same, flat perspective.

For this reason, when shooting subjects that are far away, normal lenses tend to produce rather amateur looking imagery. This makes them tricky to use for shooting adventure, sports and events, because further than about 20-30 feet, you can’t isolate your subjects from the background anymore. Everything ends up being in focus.

However, if you’re able to move in relatively close, you start to get those shallow depth of field benefits back. And you can always shot how they relate inside the bigger world. This is how I use them for landscapes and adventure; as I said, I try to create a nice focused scene that tells an abbreviated story of the greater environment.

The ease of shooting with a lens like this is that it shows the world in a very familiar view. It sees the scene as your own eyes see it, without distracting you with all that stuff in the peripheral areas of your vision. Your approach with normal lenses is pretty much “look, see and shoot.”

In today’s photography world, fixed lenses are often cast aside in favor of zoom lenses, which obviously allow you to change your focal length and adjust your framing without moving your feet.

However, I like moving my feet. I also love the simplicity of having one look with prime lenses like the Fujifilm XF35mm f/2, and I believe that it forces you to work your creative muscles a bit more. By removing any possibilities for changing focal length, your compositional and framing skills get a better workout, and you limit the number of choices you have to make when you’re shooting. 

In addition, I feel that if you use a fixed lens on a regular basis, you’ll really get to know how it sees the world. This can dramatically increase your confidence and efficiency with composition. In the end, there’s something really cool about having a tried and true piece of photography gear that you know so well.

The Fuji system in general perfectly matches my fundamental “fast and light” approach to photography, and the little 35 f/2 fits right into the kit. For a guy who often depends so much on wide angles and zooms, I’m sometimes a little surprised at how much I love this little normal prime, but I guess that’s how love works.

Even if you don’t shoot Fuji, I encourage you to embrace the challenge of using normal lenses and explore the creative benefits they can offer you.

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

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

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. 

Comparing the Fujifilm X-T100 and the X-A5

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

The Fuifilm X-T100 has just been released. It’s the new “entry level” X Series model, and it’s gotten a lot of favorable press, largely due to the fact that it’s a darling little camera. It also has many of the creative modes and features that are found on the higher end X Series cameras, which makes it the perfect introductory camera for budget minded photographers who want to get into the Fujifilm system.

In my mind, the X-T100 is the camera that Fuji should have come out with a few years ago. I just think it offers photographers a better user experience than you get with the X-A5 and the previous X-A models

That said, the X-T100 and the X-A5 are very similar in many ways. In fact, with regards to specifications and performance, they’re nearly identical. So what’s different? What does the additional $100 get you on the X-T100?

Let’s do a quick comparison of the X-T100 vs. the X-A5 and see which one might be more suited to you.

Basic Specs

Both the X-A5 and the X-T100 have a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor that shoots 6000 x 4000 pixel images at full size, (they’re the only current models that don’t use the X-Trans sensor), they both feature 11 Film Simulation modes, (no ACROS), they both have focal plane and electric shutters that can expose from 30 seconds all they way up to 1/32,000 second and they have the same AF system, with Single, Zone AF and Wide Tracking.

Both cameras have a built-in pop up flash, EV+/- control of up to +/- 5 stops, ISO sensitivity from 100 all the way up to 12800, extendable to 51200, and both cameras have wi-fi and Bluetooth image transfer. In addition, both the X-A5 and the X-T100 have the same Fuji F mount, so they can use any of the Fujinon lenses, even the full-on pro glass like the 50-140 or the 100-400.

Both cameras have the ADV Filter modes, including Toy Camera, Miniature, Dynamic Tone and Partial Color, they have all the same exposure modes, including PSAM and Full Auto Scene Recognition, all th same menu settings and functions, and they can both shoot video in Full HD and 4K.

However, that’s where they break off. The X-T100 can record up to 30 minutes of 4K video at 3810 x 2160, and 30 minutes of Full HD at 1920 x 1080. The X-A5 can only record up to 5 minutes of 4K video, and only 14 minutes of continuous Full HD.

Performance

Both the X-T100 and the X-A5 have the same image processor, although it’s not the X Processor PRO chip that’s found in all the higher end models. However, the X-T100 is built with more internal memory, because not only can it record longer video clips, it has a larger buffer. 

This gives the X-T100 better continuous shooting performance. Where the X-A5 can capture about 10 frames at 6 fps and 50 frames at 3 fps, the X-T100 can capture about 26 continuous frames at 6 fps. In addition, there’s no limit to how many frames you can continuously capture at 3 fps. You can pretty much shoot until the card is full, or your battery runs out.

In addition, the X-T100 reportedly has a newly developed autofocus algorithm, which is said to offer faster, more precise focusing. Although I haven’t tried it yet, my guess is that autofocus on the X-T100 will be faster and more accurate than what the X-A5 offers.

With regards to image quality, both the X-A5 and the X-T100 will produce excellent photos. Since they utilize the same sensor and processor, there will be no difference in quality, color or sharpness. Slap one of the razor sharp Fuji primes on either body, and you’ll get even finer resolution and clarity.

Body Design

This is where the two cameras stand apart. Although the X-A5 is quite stylish with its rounded contours, silver chassis with either brown, black or pink faux leather trim, and the “selfie mode flip screen,” it still looks a little “consumer-ish.”

The X-T100, on the other hand, looks, feels and handles more like the upper level X Series models. The main difference is that the X-T100 has a viewfinder. The X-A5 doesn’t. Sure, this makes the X-A5 a little less compact, but I imagine that most photographers would find a an EVF to be a worthy tradeoff.

Being able to put the camera up to your eye and look through a viewfinder just feels more immersive. In addition, an EVF is much easier to see when you’re shooting in very bright sunlight.

Also, like the X-T20, the X-T100 has anodized aluminum top and bottom plates, and it comes with a small detachable grip that offers slightly better handling. The X-A5 also has a metal top plate, which is improved over the earlier X-A models.

LCD SCREEN

In addition, the X-T100 has a three-way tilting LCD screen that gives you much more flexibility when you’re shooing difficult angles. In fact, the screen on the X-T100 is much closer in design to the one used on the X-T2 than on the X-T20, which tilts, but doesn’t rotate.

DIALS

On the top deck, the X-A5 has an exposure mode dial and a “control dial,” which usually functions as an EV+/- dial. However, depending on what shooting mode you’re in, you also use this dial to choose your shutter speed, adjust Q Menu settings and scroll through pictures during Playback.

The X-T100 has the exact same setup on the left side of the top deck, but it also has an additional dial on the right side. This Fn (function) dial is used to control any number of shooting parameters, again depending on your currently selected shooting mode.

Or, you can chose from any one of 18 different functions to control with this dial, including film simulation and ISO. This lets you customize the operation of the camera to match to your own shooting style and subject matter.

Overall: X-T100 For the Win.

While the X-A5 is a decent little camera that will take great pictures, the X-T100 is just a better camera. The overall SLR-style body design, viewfinder, tilting/rotating LCD screen and the additional Function dial will likely appeal to most enthusiastic photographers over the more “consumer-ish” X-A5.

Add in the updated AF algorithms and larger buffer and this makes even easier to justify the extra hundred dollar price tag of the X-T100. It also makes the X-T100 a much more appealing choice as a backup or second camera alongside one of the higher end models.

Of course, if you already have some Fuji lenses, there’s no need to buy the kit version. You could save the $100, pick up the body only and have a sweet little backup camera to use with your existing glass.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a serious budget X Series camera, whether you’re just getting into the system, or if you want an additional X Series body, or if you just want a great interchangeable lens camera at a very good price, the X-T100 is your best option out there right now. 


 

 

Fujifilm Announces the Stylish New X-T100

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

Although Fujifilm has an awesome selection of mid-range and high-end cameras, in my opinion, the “budget end” of the X Series has been somewhat lacking. They had the X-M1 and the X-A series, which is now up to the X-A5, but none … Continue reading →

Fujifilm Announces the X-H1 Camera with In-Body Stabilization and Enhanced Video

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

Last Thursday, Fuijfilm announced the new X-H1, which is the first X Series camera to features in-body image stabilization, commonly referred to as IBIS. Using a combination of accelerometers, 3-axis gyro sensors and a special dual-processor, the X-H1 can analyze … Continue reading →

A Look at the Fujifilm X-E3 and its New Touch Screen Gestures

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

Last week, while at the PhotoPlus trade show, I finally got a chance to take a close look at the long-awaited successor to the X-E2 and X-E2S, the brand new Fujifilm X-E3. Positioned as the little brother/sister to the X-Pro2, the … Continue reading →

Review of the Actus Mini View Camera for Fujifilm X Series

Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog Posted on by

Earlier this summer, I had the chance to try out the Actus Mini View Camera For Fujfilm X Series, manufactured by Cambo Photo. This innovative and well-crafted device turns your mirrorless Fuji into a high quality, and highly portable view camera, and … Continue reading →