Maple in Duck weed | Clinton River park, Sterling Heights, MI | Fuji X-T2, Fujinon 18-55 lens
I don’t write too often about gear here despite its intrical part to photography. Anytime somebody finds out about my dabbling in photography and asks what type of camera they should get, I typically respond “they’re all good.” Because quite frankly, that is exactly the case these days. Digital cameras, once you get out of the “point & shoot” models, and even with many of those – are all good starts. The refinements in choice end up being very personal selections for a specific type of photography, ergonomic preferences, specific features, ultimate end use of the photographs, and the end all reason — budget.
The human brain is the weakest link in any camera system these days.
That said, the camera remains quite important. Anyone proclaiming it is just a “box that captures light” is ignoring 150 years of innovations that have resulted in them being so good today. It is still a machine that is the interface between your environment and your imagination. Machines that make that as seemless as possible result in less obstruction. Less obstruction = more creativity! So those are the types of features that I tend to gravitate towards. The Fuji XT2 ended up being a camera that I was willing to try, despite being a longtime Nikon SLR/DSLR user for 20 years.
I have had my eye on their product line for awhile, entered it with the X100 series a couple years ago, and have been quite impressed with their attention to detail, interface, and construction. But my X100 has always just been a “side camera”, a walking around casual tool. The limitation of the fixed lens kept it from being a flexible go-to field camera. Now enter the XT2.
Sassafras leaves and sunburst, Clinton River park, Sterling Heights, MI | Fuji XT2, Fujinon 16 mm f/1.4
I only got 2 lenses with the XT2, the kit 18-55 and a Fujinon wide 16 f/14. My time in the woods to date with it has been quite relaxed. No pack of lenses, just one in my coat pocket, one on the camera, and my tripod. The smaller form factor of the entire kit is welcome, although I have been concerned about the possible ergonomic issues with large hands and decades of using much larger SLR type cameras. With the exception of being able to photograph wildlife with the reach I am used to with much heavier lenses, the lighter load is quite welcome and “freeing.” I don’t feel as constrained as I did with my single focal length X100, just enough flexibility to handle perhaps 70-80% of subjects I encounter.
As I am not a “camera tester” – I tend to figure out features as I encounter situations to use them. I have only gone through about 1.5 battery cycles, but have some good first impressions which I’ll just sum up in some likes and dislikes:
Likes
- Rear tilting LCD screen … extremely convenient for awkward positions. I even used it to compose some shots over some brush, completely over my head.
- Love the manual knobs and feel – quality clicks and movement, and aperture ring on the 16 mm lens. Lots of possible custom buttons!
- The DOF scale on the 16 f/1.4 lens!! Super easy hyperfocal setting, no charts or guesswork.
- Live display of film modes – you can compose and see the instant effects of classic Fuji film types
- Viewfinder information display is terrific, well laid out and easy to interpret
- Impressive rendering of sunbursts – nicely defined
- Image quality is exceptional, good dynamic range coverage so far in tricky lighting
- Smaller, lighter lenses – even the f/1.4
Dislikes
- Lack of a large histogram display for playback – I really like the implementation on Nikon
- Limited exposure bracketing to 3 frames/2 stops (though I figured out a workaround with the exposure compensation dial)
- AF-ON button is too small and located in an awkward spot for my hands – but I am playing with the customizations as a workaround
- Multiple exposure limited to 2 exposures (Nikon benchmark)
- lack of 1:1 macro in Fujinon lens lineup (soon?)
- That I am having much more fun using a new camera and small lightweight setup than I expected!!
Autumn Light over the Clinton River, Utica, Michigan | Fuji XT2, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4
I can see some internal fights ahead on whether I grab the Nikon or the Fuji when heading out into the woods…
Wonderful images, Mark. I believe you’ll get great enjoyment and use of this “smaller” format camera. The common downside is the ergonomics of the smaller camera bodies are not, and perhaps never will be, as good as those of a larger camera. But then perhaps one day we’ll just speak or simply think what we want the camera to do and it’ll adjust automatically.
Thanks Brooks.
I can imagine someday we might have to wear a “hair net” set of wires that have a USB cable on the other end!
Awesome! Thank you for sharing this. It’s intriguing information.
Great results with the new gear. I may try a lighter, leaner camera some day, but I’m wedded to the flexibility of an SLR system and the big files. I just upgraded to a higher resolution body, and I’m loving the integrity of the detail in the files.
I believe this statement, “The human brain is the weakest link in any camera system these days. That said, congratulations on the new tools. I am envious but I go through that about every six months or so for the latest and greatest new camera or lens. And, for me there is a fine green mist associated with my GAS.
I think you have made a good purchase as everything I’ve read about this camera is positive, but you can also say that about almost any of the new cameras. I doubt if it would replace your Nikon gear but it may offer opportunities to bring home images you like. My love of my X-T10 is the size, weight, look and quality of the images, in spite of the photographer. I also still use my X-E1 with a 27mm f2.8 on a regular basis. It’s almost like have the X100 in my hands. I have also found the size has caused me to carry it around my neck or across my chest most of the time, rather than in the bag. I will be interested in your perspective a year from now. I also dislike the limited 3 stops, the limited HDR bracketing to only 3 images and the histogram is too small on both the X-E1 and X-T10.
I just had one of the baristas at a coffee shop ask me what would be a good camera for him to upgrade with. I gave the same answer as you. I also recommended him to look on dpReveiw and use their camera comparison tool then read their reviews. He has a few years of experience with photography and printing so I don’t think it would confuse him even. That is not true for those with little knowledge of photography. I also suggested he look into the rental options such as Paul and Tom have used.
I am impressed with the quality of the 18-55mm lens. Have fun!!!!
Thanks for sharing your Fuji experience Monte. I really don’t know how many more lenses I will get with them. I have enjoyed these last few outings with no camera bag whatsoever, and no sore shoulder from carrying a heavier camera on a tripod.
Well, even though I don’t own a Fuji, opting instead for Olympus, welcome to the smaller sensor club! I really like these lightweight, easy to stow/store cameras. They are perfect for “serious” photography as well as being nice walk-around cameras. I think that you’ll really enjoy it this winter on your ice journeys. You can probably carry two of the X-T2s with no bother at all. You’ll just need to buy another one! 😉
Thanks Paul. I can see where the screen will help when out on the ice as sometimes I can’t stand where the camera is.
I switched to the Fuji two years ago and still absolutely love it (using the X-Pro2 now). There is 1:1 Macro lens with the Zeiss Touit 50mm and there is a Fuji 80mm f2.8 1:1 Macro lens on the roadmap for next year.
Good to know Jenni, thanks!
Mark, I solved the “choice” problem by ditching the Canon gear altogether. But I suspect that you are a bit more vested in the Nikon system than I was in the Canon. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts and see your photos as you use the camera. And I’ll be especially interested in your impressions of the image quality of the Fuji.
Yeah, I don’t see selling off Nikon anytime soon.
So far I am very impressed with the image quality. I even like playing with the film simulation modes. I’m just using Lightroom for the RAF files, not knowing if there are better raw conversions possible.