Fuji X Series

[GMac11]

I can vouch for the Sigma as well, absolutely cracking lens for the price. I’ve never used the Fuji 56mm f1.2 so I can’t comment on a comparison but what from I’ve seen/read elsewhere I’d say unless you absolutely need that slightly extra aperture (and it is slight) then the the Sigma makes more sense.

As mentioned above, the XF 90mm is incredibly sharp (probably Fuji’s sharpest lens except for the new 1.4 trio). It also produces wonderful images. The only issue with the 90mm is it’s quite a niche focal length and you’d really need to get the use out of it. I captured some amazing images with it but it might have left the house twice in the last couple of years. For indoors I find it too long and for outdoors you’re less constrained so I’d prefer the versatility of the 50-140.

 

[jesta]

Is the Fuji X-T2 worth upgrading from a X-Pro 1? I've had my X-Pro 1 for 8+ years and looking to upgrade. I mainly shoot street photography, architecture but will also shoot portraits, family gatherings/ events and recently landscape photography. I was initially looking at X-T4, however I can't justify the cost, it's almost 2 years since it's release and the more I've read the more it seems that a majority of the upgrades from X-T3 benefits videos which I have no interest.

So after going down a rabbit hole of reviews the X-T2 seems to be recommended as a cheap but still a great camera, however, as I already own a X-Pro 1, is an upgrade to X-T2 worthwhile? I love the X-Pro 1, my complaints are, it's slow auto focus, EVF res and refresh rate are quite poor and it's slow writing when shooting RAWs. Would the X-T2 see a big improvement on the mentioned disadvantages of the X-Pro 1? I've also thought about the X-T3 but if the X-T2 is more than capable I'd rather save the money and put it towards another lens.

 

[Spleen Sauce]

Is the Fuji X-T2 worth upgrading from a X-Pro 1? I've had my X-Pro 1 for 8+ years and looking to upgrade. I mainly shoot street photography, architecture but will also shoot portraits, family gatherings/ events and recently landscape photography. I was initially looking at X-T4, however I can't justify the cost, it's almost 2 years since it's release and the more I've read the more it seems that a majority of the upgrades from X-T3 benefits videos which I have no interest.

So after going down a rabbit hole of reviews the X-T2 seems to be recommended as a cheap but still a great camera, however, as I already own a X-Pro 1, is an upgrade to X-T2 worthwhile? I love the X-Pro 1, my complaints are, it's slow auto focus, EVF res and refresh rate are quite poor and it's slow writing when shooting RAWs. Would the X-T2 see a big improvement on the mentioned disadvantages of the X-Pro 1? I've also thought about the X-T3 but if the X-T2 is more than capable I'd rather save the money and put it towards another lens.

So the X-T2 was a big jump up over the X-Pro 1 in terms of speed overall. The EVF resolution is very decent (I'm assuming you're not bothered about losing the hybrid viewfinder from the X-Pro series?). If it were me I'd stretch to an X-T3 - with the latest firmware update it's a different league of speed again and the autofocus system is definitely a step up from the X-T2.

All that said, the X-T2 is still a damn good camera so you can't really go too far wrong.

 

[philstanbridge]

The XT-3 is an excellent camera for the money. I'm very happy with mine, especially so since the last firmware update. I would try and go the extra mile, and grab an XT-3 over the 2.

Sigma lens should arrive today, looking forward to trying it. Every single review I have seen say its excellent value for money, and incredibly sharp. So it sounds perfect. Plus it was significantly cheaper than the 56mm fuji.

 

[GMac11]

The XT-3 is an excellent camera for the money. I'm very happy with mine, especially so since the last firmware update. I would try and go the extra mile, and grab an XT-3 over the 2.

Sigma lens should arrive today, looking forward to trying it. Every single review I have seen say its excellent value for money, and incredibly sharp. So it sounds perfect. Plus it was significantly cheaper than the 56mm fuji.

You won't be disappointed, I got the lens on release and it is superb. Sharp as anything and super fast AF etc etc.
The ONLY thing it's missing is the aperture ring but that doesn't bother me at all.

 

[philstanbridge]

So aperture set by camera buttons presumably?

 

[GMac11]

Front wheel for me, I can’t recall if that’s standard or if I set it there. It’ll be either that or the rear wheel by default for sure.

 

[jesta]

The XT-3 is an excellent camera for the money. I'm very happy with mine, especially so since the last firmware update. I would try and go the extra mile, and grab an XT-3 over the 2.

Sigma lens should arrive today, looking forward to trying it. Every single review I have seen say its excellent value for money, and incredibly sharp. So it sounds perfect. Plus it was significantly cheaper than the 56mm fuji.

So the X-T2 was a big jump up over the X-Pro 1 in terms of speed overall. The EVF resolution is very decent (I'm assuming you're not bothered about losing the hybrid viewfinder from the X-Pro series?). If it were me I'd stretch to an X-T3 - with the latest firmware update it's a different league of speed again and the autofocus system is definitely a step up from the X-T2.

All that said, the X-T2 is still a damn good camera so you can't really go too far wrong.

Thanks for the replies, I've had a think and taken your advice on board and bought the X-T3. It arrived yesterday and from the short time I've used it, the AF is super snappy, especially coming from the X-Pro 1 and the EVF is a massive improvement too. So far very happy with the purchase. The one thing I will miss is the design of the X-Pro 1, but I'll be keeping it as my backup camera and "discreet camera".

 

[wez130]

So I switched systems! I was set on upgrading my a6500 to an a7iV, but I had a play with an X-T3 and I really, really like the look of the colour science, and I was going to go for the X-T3 over the a7iV (The Sony seemed pretty boring in comparison, and I didn't like how the 4k60 was cropped. Then I started watching youtube videos as you do, then you end up down a rabbit hole, comparing this and that, in the end, I ended up with this

(Excuse phone pic, I really have no excuse, I just couldn't be bothered taking it again

 

[dave28]

So I switched systems! I was set on upgrading my a6500 to an a7iV, but I had a play with an X-T3 and I really, really like the look of the colour science, and I was going to go for the X-T3 over the a7iV (The Sony seemed pretty boring in comparison, and I didn't like how the 4k60 was cropped. Then I started watching youtube videos as you do, then you end up down a rabbit hole, comparing this and that, in the end, I ended up with this

(Excuse phone pic, I really have no excuse, I just couldn't be bothered taking it again

that is the best body Fuji ever made so far

 

[GMac11]

So I switched systems! I was set on upgrading my a6500 to an a7iV, but I had a play with an X-T3 and I really, really like the look of the colour science, and I was going to go for the X-T3 over the a7iV (The Sony seemed pretty boring in comparison, and I didn't like how the 4k60 was cropped. Then I started watching youtube videos as you do, then you end up down a rabbit hole, comparing this and that, in the end, I ended up with this

(Excuse phone pic, I really have no excuse, I just couldn't be bothered taking it again

Congrats, the X-H2S is an astonishing piece of hardware for sure.
How are you finding the 18-135? I often thought of getting one as a general purpose walkabout lens but, while the focal range is excellent, the size and weight (for me) isn’t.

 

[wez130]

Congrats, the X-H2S is an astonishing piece of hardware for sure.
How are you finding the 18-135? I often thought of getting one as a general purpose walkabout lens but, while the focal range is excellent, the size and weight (for me) isn’t.

I literally haven't had chance to try it properly yet due to work, however, i'm off on a road trip to Queenstown from Auckland tomorrow for 2 weeks so i'll have extensive chance to try it. First impressions though from the body are imressive, I love the film simulation modes they have so i'll be shooting in jpeg and RAW. I've seen videos though that the 1080p /240 is not as good as on the X-T4, and even the 4k/120 isn't quite as good either, not a deal breaker but i'll try it myself and see. The 18-135 was more of a 'need it now' purchase, so I have 1 good range zoom for my trip. If it's good, i'll keep it and add to it a 10-24 wide angle zoom and either a 100-400 or 150-600 telephoto for wildlife. Possibly a macro lens too. Also got a gopro hero 10 for a timelapse shoot of my drive

 

[philstanbridge]

Love the look of that beast. I’m still loving my XT 3 tbh, and couldn’t believe how much hardware has increased in cost recently. I think I paid £800 or so brand new and they’re £900 second hand now. Glass is holding its own too. I’m glad I invested in my 3 lenses when I did

 

[dave28]

Love the look of that beast. I’m still loving my XT 3 tbh, and couldn’t believe how much hardware has increased in cost recently. I think I paid £800 or so brand new and they’re £900 second hand now. Glass is holding its own too. I’m glad I invested in my 3 lenses when I did

It is shocking, i have never in the 15 years i have been into photography seen used bodies go up in value. They have always slowly devalued

 

[LiE]

It is shocking, i have never in the 15 years i have been into photography seen used bodies go up in value. They have always slowly devalued

Yea I was looking on eBay at X-E3 bodies and they are £450+

 

[Barks]

I literally haven't had chance to try it properly yet due to work, however, i'm off on a road trip to Queenstown from Auckland tomorrow for 2 weeks so i'll have extensive chance to try it. First impressions though from the body are imressive, I love the film simulation modes they have so i'll be shooting in jpeg and RAW. I've seen videos though that the 1080p /240 is not as good as on the X-T4, and even the 4k/120 isn't quite as good either, not a deal breaker but i'll try it myself and see. The 18-135 was more of a 'need it now' purchase, so I have 1 good range zoom for my trip. If it's good, i'll keep it and add to it a 10-24 wide angle zoom and either a 100-400 or 150-600 telephoto for wildlife. Possibly a macro lens too. Also got a gopro hero 10 for a timelapse shoot of my drive

How was it on your road trip?

I've had my X-T20 for years but doing some work for someone in a few weeks which means I need a backup camera. I was looking on Fuji's website and I can rent an X-H2S for a reasonable amount. I'm just concerned it might not be the best idea when I'm used to the X-T20 and being able to quickly change shutter and exposure using the dials. Also probably overkill if you're just taking photo not video.

In an ideal world I'd just rent an X-T30 II but they're impossible to buy let alone rent!

 

[wez130]

How was it on your road trip?

I've had my X-T20 for years but doing some work for someone in a few weeks which means I need a backup camera. I was looking on Fuji's website and I can rent an X-H2S for a reasonable amount. I'm just concerned it might not be the best idea when I'm used to the X-T20 and being able to quickly change shutter and exposure using the dials. Also probably overkill if you're just taking photo not video.

In an ideal world I'd just rent an X-T30 II but they're impossible to buy let alone rent!

Road trip was an erm.... adventure haha! I got to within 60km of my destination, driving over the Lindis pass at 9.30pm when i hit a pot hole and took out my front tyre completely. Luckily, a guy in a ute stopped behind me as he saw it happen, which was extremely lucky as there was no phone signal. Being a newer car, I don't have a spare tyre, only a can of that stupid tyre spray, which, consiering the state of the tyre, was pointless, so I had to abandon my car and get it recovered the next day, the guy in the ute gave me a lift to where I was going which was lucky. It's cost me about $1200 in total to get fixed, 1 new tyre (Which there wasn't a single one in the south island and took 5 days to find one!) 2 buckled wheels, and recovery cost because it was remote.

Anyway....

Apart from that start, the trip itself was really good, I didn't have much time for photography due to working 70 hours a week for 2 weeks, but I stayed in some amazing locations. The 1st place, I was cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for 7 clients at this place...

Which was breathtaking, it was about 12 km up a gravel track in the middle of nowhere! The lodge is owned by legendary music producer 'Mutt' Lange ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_John_"Mutt"_Lange ) Then I worked a weekend catering a private event, the client (Paul Salter (He owns IHG group)), flew 60 guests from Australia to Queenstown on private jets, and the chefs from one of the top 50 restaurants in the world - Attica in Melbourne, for his 60th birthday bash. He spent $200,000 on this meal, and I was working alongside Ben Shewry (He was on an episode of 'Chefs table' on Netflix) catering for this event, we stayed in a $10m mansion on 'The hills' estate in Arrowtown for the weekend! He pre-purchased 100 bottles of Bollinger champagne, and 400 bottles of various other premium wines, which at the end, most were left over, so I got to tke about $800 worth of wine home with me! Anyway, here's some pics, first 2 are from the Fuji, one panorama, the rest from my S22 ultra....

The lodge (The sky was very bland and overcast this day but I like how the panorama turned out still.

And the view from my kitchen (from my phone)

And from my phone, inside the lodge...

And 'The hills' Mansion (excuse my shadow lol)

I did manage a bit of photography though, however, still not been through pics properly let, I have processed a couple though...

(Haven't actually processed the resulting pic from this yet lol)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52341665504_8f47a48b04_b_d.jpg/[img]

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52340402332_b2a56c86ba_b_d.jpg

 

[wez130]

 

[Barks]

Oh wow that does sound like a party! Nice perk being about to take home the left over booze too!

The imminent release of the X-T5, which I didn't realise, complicates my plans. I think I might just buy the X-T30 II now and then trade it in and upgrade to the X-T5 on release.

 

[neoboy]

I see American Express are giving 10% off now at Fujifilm store, tempted to jump back in.

X-T30 looks a decent but refurbished at £449?