Tag Archives: compared

Equipment, Fujifilm, Reader Questions

Reader Question: Fujifilm X100vi, XPro2, or…

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From time to time folks contact me with photography questions. If the question seems like it might be of interest others I like to answer here. Today I will respond to one of those questions.

“PJ” writes:

I mentioned that I’ve followed you on the FM site and have had a look at your website. 

I know you are/were a big fan of the X-Pro2. I have one with a 35mm f1.4 which I use to toss in the backpack or take on a walk around town. For heavy lifting, I have a full set of Nikon gear. 

I may have a case of GAS, as I’ve been seriously considering replacing the X-pro with a Fuji x100vi. Advantages seem to be a smaller, lighter camera, 40mp sensor, IBIS and newer technology. I guess I could get a pancake lens for the x-pro to make it smaller but I’d lose some of the advantages of the x100vi.  I’m not so interested in a new camera with interchangeable lenses, which would rule out some of the other Fuji offerings. 

My original message to you was to pick your brain and see what suggestions/advice you might have and if you have any opinions on the x100vi. 

Look forward to hearing back from you. 

I’m glad to share some thoughts on that question, PJ.

Bottom Line Up Front

The Fujifilm X100vi is a very attractive camera, as long as its pluses and minuses align with your needs and expectations — and it has technologies found in other newer Fujiflm cameras. The X-Pro2, though a few ears old, is arguably the best camera in Fujfilm’s X-Pro series and is more adaptable. There are also some other options if you want something the same size with updated features and flexibility.

A Slightly Longer Summary

As I see it, there are three options, each with its own set of pluses and minuses.

The X-Pro2 is still a good camera. While its sensor is a bit older and has less resolution, my experience tells me that it can make great 20″ x 30″ prints. It is a full-featured camera that accepts interchangeable lenses, giving more options if you want to use something other than (or in addition to) your current 35mm f/1.4 lens.

The X100vi is an appealing camera that strikes a chord with users who like the old fixed-lens, manual control aesthetic and appreciate its small size and very good image quality. It also has image stabilization, which can help when shooting with longer shutter speeds in low light. It has been updated with other newer Fujifilm features and technologies: 40MP sensor, IBIS, and other functional improvements. To get those things you sacrifice some flexibility.

Other cameras could be good compromises, too. I like the XT5 with its small size (about that of the X-Pro2), ability to use any Fujifilm lens, upgraded 40MP sensor, image stabilization, and other functional improvements. The tiny XE4 (if you can find one!) equipped with the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens is as small and light as the X100vi, and it accommodates any Fujifilm lens.

All of these are attractive options that can make fine photographs. The trick is matching each option’s pluses and minuses to your own circumstances. (My choice was to move from the X-Pro2 to the XT5 for the higher-resolution, small size, access to more lens options and various other improvements.)

The Full Story

This will be a bit long. The question opens up related questions: is a fixed lens camera the right thing? Is an older camera still sufficient? Are there alternatives to both of those options to consider?

I’ll start with some background for readers who may not be as familiar with these cameras as PJ is.

Continue reading Reader Question: Fujifilm X100vi, XPro2, or… →
Commentary, Equipment, Reader Questions

A Few Thoughts On EVF Versus OVF Cameras

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This is one of my occasional posts adapted from something I wrote elsewhere but felt might we worth sharing here on the blog.

A person had asked about “switching” from a Canon DSLR to a Fujifilm mirrorless camera, and some others had replied with points about the ergonomics of the smaller cameras along with some comments about using electronic viewfinders (EVF) in place of optical viewfinders (OVF). Since I use both (OVF and EFV, Canon and Fujifilm) I thought my thoughts might be relevant. 

Note: A few details of the article were updated on March 8, 2018 to reflect more recent developments – for example, referring to contemporary products from companies mentioned here.

EDITING CURRENTLY UNDERWAY

If the goal is a smaller camera and you already are invested in a Canon DSLR system, one option is to consider one of the much smaller Canon bodies. I know a couple of serious photographers who use the little SL1 for travel and certain other kinds of photography, often with smaller and lighter lenses. This gives you a traditional SLR OVF if you are concerned about using an EVF.

Here are some thoughts about perceived/real potential “downsides” (from some perspectives”) of the Fujifilm x-trans cameras specifically and regarding mirrorless cameras in general:

The EVF — The EVF versus OVF issue is complicated and, in a number of ways, subjective. Early on there was a lot of resistance to the EVF products — I think it was a combination of resistance to something new along with the relatively poorer performance of the initial versions. (They were slow, had lower resolution, and generally did not provide as positive of an experience.) I had such cameras a long time ago. (Does anyone else recall the Canon Pro1 of a dozen years ago?) More recent EVFs are far better in every measurable way — though they still won’t be for ideal everyone.

EVFs have pluses and minuses. In the minus category…

  • they show you a video image of the world, rather than an optical view of the “actual” subject
  • as video devices they are never be truly realtime displays — there is always at least some display latency
  • it takes more battery power to drive a video display.

In the plus category…

  • they are usable in extremely low light due to exposure simulation
  • additional useful data can be overlaid on the scene image
  • useful focusing aids can be incorporated into the display, etc.
  • they can reduce the size/weight of the camera and permit use of smaller lenses

In the end, you simply have to try an EVF camera for a while. Lots of people are fine with them, and even some of us who prefer the quality of an OVF are happy to use EVF if it is part of a package that has other advantages for the kinds of photography we are doing. Continue reading A Few Thoughts On EVF Versus OVF Cameras →

News, Photographers, Stories

‘From Film Holder to Memory Card’ at TOP

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The Online Photographer (a.k.a. “TOP”) is one of the blogs I follow regularly – lots of great thought-provoking posts show up there on a regular basis, frequently written by folks who know what they are talking about. Take a look if you don’t already follow TOP.

I enjoyed a recent article (“From Film Holder to Memory Card”) by photographer Charles Cramer in which he describes his transition from large format film gear to using medium format digital systems. My favorite example of Charlie’s ironic humor in the post is his “apology” to those who haven’t made the switch: “Note to my large format friends: O.K., I sold out—but I get to use zoom lenses!!!”

In any case, this post is another data point to consider if you happen to be one of those folks who is certain that great photography must be created using traditional film gear and processes. While there is absolutely no question that great work can still be done that way, it is equally possible to do wonderful photography with newer technologies… and, as Charlie illustrates, there are some things that can simply be done more effectively, less expensively, and with better results.

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