Fuji X Series

Raymond Lin · 12 Jan 2023 at 11:56

philstanbridge said:
This is territory I'm not familiar with and not overly comfortable with either. I'm a stills guy, not a videographer. I might be better off using my iphone!

It's a whole other skill.

The pros would do it all manual. The story is in the focusing, and they want to be able to control the story.

Beginners just need to get people in focus, but then you give up or risk the camera picking out the wrong person to focus, if someone else move in front of him and it decides to follow the other person etc.

Then there is the whole stablising thing. Do you have a tripod or monopod or gimbal?

If you have a relatively new iPhone, I'd use that. Or get a used DJI Pocket and a micro SD card.

Raymond Lin · 12 Jan 2023 at 11:58

Shadowness said:
I’m really deliberating re-organising (and almost restarting my camera gear)

I have a Leica M6 and Hassleblad 500cm, both in excellent condition, gathering dust. Really tempted to sell both (film is mega bucks now), and buy a Fuji X100V.

I have an X-T1 and X-T2 too, but not sure if I’d prefer a more simple camera again. I’d have to get used to shooting at 35mm again, as 50mm is my go to ’walk about‘ focal length.

Nice collection, the Leica will be desirable and hold it's value.

Or you can get a cheap X100s to F instead of a V to save some money. There is a X100S for £500 in LCE.

Second hand cameras, camera part exchange, digital cameras UK, used cameras, photographic shops, England

The London Camera Exchange supplies second hand cameras, new cameras, digital cameras and other camera equipment and provides a camera part exchange in photographic shops all over England, UK.

www.lcegroup.co.uk

Shadowness · 12 Jan 2023 at 11:59

Raymond Lin said:
Nice collection, the Leica will be desirable and hold it's value.

Or you can get a cheap X100s to F instead of a V to save some money. There is a X100S for £500 in LCE.

Second hand cameras, camera part exchange, digital cameras UK, used cameras, photographic shops, England

The London Camera Exchange supplies second hand cameras, new cameras, digital cameras and other camera equipment and provides a camera part exchange in photographic shops all over England, UK.

www.lcegroup.co.uk

Yes but trying to sell it is becoming a PIA. Don’t want to go down eBay route (although I did buy the Hasselblad on eBay).

Looked at LCE as I can take it into the shop. I guess a Leica specialist is another option, but most are in London.

Raymond Lin · 12 Jan 2023 at 12:02

Shadowness said:
Yes but trying to sell it is becoming a PIA. Don’t want to go down eBay route (although I did buy the Hasselblad on eBay).

Looked at LCE as I can take it into the shop. I guess a Leica specialist is another option, but most are in London.

You can take some photos of the camera and email your nearest LCE for a quote, same with Leica dealers in London i guess.

LCE would be easiest, to trade in too for a X100v if you want to go down this route.

philstanbridge · 12 Jan 2023 at 13:55

Raymond Lin said:
Do you have a tripod or monopod or gimbal?

I've got a tripod, so I will be using that. Its only a few minutes of footage he wants thankfully, and it seems relatively straight forward. I wont be required to pan the camera, so I can keep the focus central hopefully. I haven't decided which lens to use yet - either the 10-24 (he said he would like some wide footage) or my prime.

GMac11 · 12 Jan 2023 at 16:09

Shadowness said:
Yes but trying to sell it is becoming a PIA. Don’t want to go down eBay route (although I did buy the Hasselblad on eBay).

Looked at LCE as I can take it into the shop. I guess a Leica specialist is another option, but most are in London.

I have an X-T4 that I am going to rename The Boomerang!
I’ve sold it twice on eBay and I still have it

In fairness, the first sale went south pretty quickly. It was a 0 feedback buyer who was really flakey - so I dodged one there I think.
The second time was at the end of November. Posted on 26th and it just this very morning landed back on my doorstep. Royal Mail admitted it was likely lost on the 5th December and advised me to submit my claim - which I did. Needless to say I have yet to hear the outcome of that claim but for a good few weeks I was staring down the barrel at a lost X-T4 AND the money that I had to refund to the buyer.
Luckily the buyer was an absolute gent and he assured me he would do whatever was required to ensure a happy outcome (in the event the camera resurfaced).
After 3 weeks in purgatory it DID JUST THAT so we were scrambling to see should he refuse delivery or acccept delivery and then re-post it back to me.
In the end the postie never bothered his/her backside trying to deliver it, they just left it in the depot and brought the guy a slip. So we agreed to let it sit there where it duly did until it was returned to sender on Monday.
I’ve had quite the few weeks!

Barks · 14 Jan 2023 at 06:39

I'm finding I'm doing more video work now. I'm taking my X-T30 II on trips but then producing videos with my iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The iPhone OIS and HDR - I hate to admit it - are sublime. But the videos still have that horrible processed/contrived "mobile phone sensor" look with no depth. Is the OIS technology in the Fujifilm comparable or do you need additional stabilisation stuff?

I am really tempted to splash out on the X-T5 (not interested in the video focused Fuji models, photography remains my core use) but only if it's good enough to replace the iPhone for video.

GMac11 · 14 Jan 2023 at 08:47

Barks said:
I'm finding I'm doing more video work now. I'm taking my X-T30 II on trips but then producing videos with my iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The iPhone OIS and HDR - I hate to admit it - are sublime. But the videos still have that horrible processed/contrived "mobile phone sensor" look with no depth. Is the OIS technology in the Fujifilm comparable or do you need additional stabilisation stuff?

I am really tempted to splash out on the X-T5 (not interested in the video focused Fuji models, photography remains my core use) but only if it's good enough to replace the iPhone for video.

I’m not a video guy but if IBIS is near the top of your wish list what about an X-T4? They can be picked up used for half the price of the 5.

ojrules · 14 Jan 2023 at 10:24

Also, DJI have recently bought out the RS3 mini, which is a very reasonable price. - It could allow you to get shots you want with a XT3 or your current XT30

Barks · 14 Jan 2023 at 10:42

GMac11 said:
I’m not a video guy but if IBIS is near the top of your wish list what about an X-T4? They can be picked up used for half the price of the 5.

Yes and interestingly after posting this earlier I read some reviews and some are claiming it's actually better for video than the X-T5!?

My question would be in practice is the IBIS as good as the iPhone 12 Pro Max because the iPhone is frankly incredible. Just watch even the first 20 seconds of the below clip I made of the Himalayas completely handheld with my not the steadiest pair of hands! I only wish I'd shot that on something that isn't a mobile phone sensor and don't want to make the same mistake before my next trip to Japan.

Barks · 14 Jan 2023 at 10:49

Also I wonder if the X-T4/5 can do HDR video and it wouldn't be a faff to import into Final Cut Pro. Need to do some more research.

LiE · 14 Jan 2023 at 10:53

From what I've seen even with IBIS it's not smartphone level of smooth.

iPhone would be fine for video in bright conditions but starts to fall apart with less light.

ojrules · 14 Jan 2023 at 11:35

Barks said:
Also I wonder if the X-T4/5 can do HDR video and it wouldn't be a faff to import into Final Cut Pro. Need to do some more research.

I believe XT4+ ( possibly XT3 +) will have the required specs. I don’t deal with video day-to-day so I get a bit lost with Log, colour spaces, and HDR - but this blog explains better than I can Linky . I believe XT3+ can record in 10 bit and log , which I think combined would make something HDR.

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2023 at 12:59

Got a X100.

philstanbridge · 14 Jan 2023 at 13:24

Nice! /\

Digressing, I didn't even think about lighting. I will probably need an external source.

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2023 at 10:16

I know I am over a decade old to the party but the X100 (and it’s iterations) are blowing my mind.

F/2.0, 35mm (eqv), leaf mechanical shutter (near silent), so no banding, built in 3 stop ND filter, the later ones can do Eye-AF, charges via USB, optical and EVF, can use it like my Sony A7R3...

And it’s the size of a couple packets of cigarettes.

All those years of travelling with a DSLR with a 35mm prime, no need! The only thing I lose out on is 1 stop vs a 1.4 lens. I always knew this on paper, but not until I have one in my hand i realise just how small it is and how much it can do.

LiE · 16 Jan 2023 at 11:17

How's AF?

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2023 at 11:26

LiE said:
How's AF?

The X100?

Slow. or Terrible. Tempted to shoot manual with peaking lol

I am essentially treating it like an old school film camera, single shot. Take anymore than 1 shot you can see the buffer writing to the card and i have cards 3x the speed of it's spec!

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2023 at 11:45

@LiE

I know you want a proper camera, but don't want a proper camera...I can see the X100v (when it is more reasonably priced used), would be the perfect family time camera. Using the eye-AF to shoot people, it has a flip screen. When you are done it actually fits in pockets, even jeans (if you don't have any lens hood on.

It has a tiny flash, useless for professional stuff, but fine for small in door thing for home.

I think it would be a perfect camera and it has the depth to take professional looking images.

LiE · 16 Jan 2023 at 11:46

I had an X100V briefly that I took on holiday and it did a very good job. I may look at one again in the future. Shame they are so pricey.