Fujifilm and Full Frame

Discussions around the X-Pro2 being full frame are heating up fast. For a long time now, I’d been thinking that moving to full frame would be a mistake for Fujifilm, but something occurred to me today. Take a look at the current FUJINON lens roadmap. Now think about what’s missing. I’m not talking about niche or crazy exotic lenses, I’m talking real voids in the line up.

First, let’s look at primes:

We have the 14mm f/2.8, 18mm f/2, 23mm f/1.4, 27mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, 56mm f/1.2, 60mm f/2.4 Macro already out with a “high speed wide angle lens” on the way (my money is on 16mm at about f/1.4). Save for an 85–90mm portrait lens to cover off the 135mm equivalent, and maybe a 1:1 macro lens, I don’t see any major holes.

Second, let's look at zooms:

We have two “pro” f/2.8 zooms on the way covering 16-140mm, and an ultra-wide fixed-aperture 10-24mm zoom. Then there are variable aperture high-end consumer zooms covering 18-200mm, a weather sealed 18-135mm variable aperture zoom due out shortly, and affordable consumer zooms covering 16-230mm. Finally, there’s also a mysterious “Super Telephoto Zoom lens.” Let’s pretend it’s also a “pro” lens covering something like the equivalent of 200-400mm on 35mm. Again, we aren’t left with any major holes.

Now we’ll look at timing:

The X-Pro1 was announced in January of 2012. By the end of 2014, we’ll have all the lenses listed above. The pace is downright staggering, and it’s astounding how thoroughly Fujifilm have humiliated Nikon in terms of having a complete APS-C lens line up.

So what’s next?

Enter full frame:

Imagine a full frame X-Pro2 is announced on January of 2015 along with 3 lens, and is available in March of 2015. Sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it? Fujifilm have shown that they can crank out a very capable, complete camera system in about 2 years. What’s stopping them from doing it again?

These last two years have shown Fujifilm are in the mirrorless camera game to come out on top. Maybe I’m just tired from staying up too late getting my 60mm f/2.4 Macro vs. 56mm f/1.2 article done last night, but the more I think about it, the more I think a full frame X-Pro2 is a very real possibility, and maybe even the obvious next step.

Conclusion

Now, this is all just speculation. I am in no way suggesting that it’s something Fujifilm has to do or that we need a full frame camera in order to produce images that compete with the DSLRs, but if Fujifilm have their eye on cornering the mirrorless market, having a complete system in both APS-C and full frame formats does make some sense. Canon and Nikon have been operating in a similar fashion for quite some time now with their DSLRs.

There will always be folks who balk at the notion of using a smartphone as their primary cameras (I do), but the reality is “Consumer” cameras are dying fast. The high end is where the money will continue to be for some time yet, and if that high end can be served by Fujifilm, I won’t complain.

Fujifilm could simply continue to iterate on the system they’ve got, but recent history has shown that outside of Japan, mirrorless cameras aren’t gaining ground like anyone would expect. The addition of “full frame” with the other marketing bullet points will draw more eyeballs towards Fujifilm and the mirrorless market in general.

If you’re happy with APS-C, you’re already in really good shape for lens selection. There’s a lot to choose from, and there’s no chance Fujifilm will abandon the format anytime soon. If you’re waiting for a complete, compact, full frame system, it’s possible you’ll have it in a little over years after the X-Pro2 is released, provided it is in fact full frame. Fujifilm have already shown they can do it.

The X-T1 Light Leak

Since the X-T1 is out on the market, and because it’s the hot camera to get these days, the interwebs are sure to go over every detail, pick every nit, and find any manufacturing issues there might be. Sadly, there is one.

Videos and lots of images demonstrate a severe light leak when a flashlight is shone in the microphone jack, and/or the HDMI port. You might think, as I did, “why would anyone do that?”, however, it can be a real problem for those who enjoy long exposures in daylight, as I do. Now that I (finally) have an X-T1 of my very own, I’ve been able to test it out.

Sadly, my X-T1 is affected as seen below.

30 second exposure with the door closed

30 second exposure with the door open and next to a window

30 second exposure with a light shone directly at the problematic port

Only the HDMI port is problematic for me, but the fact that I’m seeing the light leak when the camera isn’t even outside makes the issue a little worse than I thought.

Given there are X-T1’s out there that do not exhibit this problem, there should be a fix. I have it on good authority that there is. Fujifilm are aware of the issue, they understand what has happened (seals around the ports under the door occasionally aren’t seated properly), and they know how to fix it. From what I understand, owners of an X-T1 that have this issue will be taken care of.

Some people are likening this to the D600’s sensor issue. Nonsense. This doesn’t come anywhere close to an issue that affects 100% of a huge percentage of owners’ photographs. While the issue with the X-T1 isn’t quite what I’d call an “edge case,” it is nowhere close to as large an issue as oil splattering on ones sensor, affecting every single exposure. There’s also a simple interim fix involving steady hands, and about 4¢ worth of tape.

It’s a real shame this has happened, but it gives Fujifilm an opportunity to demonstrate why they are a camera company that’s different from Nikon. I hope they are totally forthright about the issue, and own it as attempts to minimize things will only make people take pause when considering a Fujifilm camera. No matter what happens though, I don’t imagine we’ll be entering class-action lawsuit territory as Nikon has.

X-T1 vs. X-E1 for long exposure photography

One thing I love about where Fujifilm are with their cameras, and where I really hope they continue to take them,¹ is that almost their entire line of X Series cameras have the same 16 MP X-Trans sensor. All we have to do is choose the body that’s right for us. Want a super compact street shooter? Grab an X100S. Need to change lenses? The X-E2 is probably right for you. Shooting in poor weather or need continuous AF? X-T1. As you move up or down the line, there is no improvement or, more importantly, compromise in image quality. I love that. Even crazier, the same image quality reaches back to cameras that have already been replaced.

Case in point, I made the images in this post just this morning. Three are made with an X-E1, one with the new X-T1. If you can tell which is which without looking at EXIF data, you’re lying.

Being able to just grab the right camera and go, without any regard for the kind of image quality you’re going to get is awesome. This makes switching between bodies trivial as well.² You can have two bodies with different styles and capabilities, but the same image quality. Got your 35mm f/1.4 on your other body? No problem. Grab that body and shoot.³

Now, this doesn’t mean I wasn’t able to tell the difference between the two bodies while shooting. The X-T1 comes with features and niceties that can’t be had on the X-E1 (or X-E2 for that matter).

Here are just a few ways I noticed how the X-T1 is a little nicer to use for long exposure work:

1. The tilt screen: This is actually my first camera with a tilt screen. It is so nice to have my tripod almost at ground level with the screen tilted up and easily viewable. If you do a lot of low shooting, the tilt screen might be reason enough to go with an X-T1. No hyperbole. Your back will thank you.
2. The dials: When I have my shutter speed set to Time (“T”), being able to change the shutter speed with the dial is great and easier than multiple presses of the D-pad. I couldn’t imagine having to use the X-T1’s D-pad for that.
3. More dials: Switching from ”T” or ”B” directly to “A” without having to go all the way round the dial is nice too.
4. Dual screen mode: I said in my review that I like this mode more the more I use it and that hasn’t changed. I love focusing manually with this camera.

That’s just what I can remember consciously noting while I was out there today. I’m sure there are more, but one way the X-E1 still tops the X-T1 is the threaded hole in the shutter release. I really wish the X-T1 had one of these. We’d probably be hearing a lot less about the light leak issue if it did too.⁴

The most important take-away from this post is, no matter what Fujifilm camera you own, you have the potential to make as good images as anyone with any other Fujifilm camera.⁵ That’s really what it’s all about.

1. The obvious implication here is that if the X-Pro2 arrives with a better sensor as it’s rumoured to, Fujifilm should refresh the rest of the line as quickly as possible. There has to be serious economies to fab’ing the same sensor of every camera in their lineup. ↩
2. Strictly from an image quality perspective. There are odd inconsistencies between the bodies, but hopefully they will be brought more inline with one another with firmware updates. ↩
3. I also realize not everyone has the luxury of owning more than one body, but as more and more pro photogs switch over, this is an important thing to consider. ↩
4. Sadly, I am a recipient of an X-T1 that leaks. I’ll have more on that soon. ↩
5. I am intentionally avoiding the fact that a few MP one way or the other makes little discernible difference in final image quality. ↩

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Grips, ergonomics, and the E-M1

With the X-T1 hitting the streets,¹ a lot is being written about how it compares to the Olympus OM-D E-M1. I don’t own an E-M1, and I’ve done little more than try it out in the store, but I had an opportunity to directly compare the grips of the two cameras immediately after one another pretty extensively. Here are my findings.

My opinion on one-handed grip ergonomics in order of preference is:

1. Olympus OM-D E-M1
2. Fujifilm X-T1
3. Fujifilm X-T1 with Fujifilm hand grip

Yep, the E-M1 comes out on top for me in grip comfort. One thing worth noting, I don’t have large hands. I suspect that most people with hands about my size and smaller would prefer the E-M1 because the grip fills the palm nicely. I’ve heard from people with larger hands that the grip protrudes too much for them.

One option excluded from the list is the X-T1 with the Vertical grip. As noted in my review of the X-T1, I actually prefer the ergonomics of the vertical grip, so it would be tied for first place with the E-M1. The X-T1 with Fujifilm’s Arca Swiss compatible handgrip is awkward for me. It adds too much, but folks with larger hands will really appreciate it, as seen below. For them, the grips adds just enough for all fingers to wrap comfortably around the camera.

Yes, there is a hand grip under that meat hook

On a decidedly less cerebral note, there’s no question the the X-T1 feels better than the Olympus. The camera is just somehow nicer to hold. It feels more premium. I’m not quite sure what to make of this as both bodies have magnesium alloy frames. Perhaps Fujifilm’s external material simply has a better feel to it.

Things change a little when you start trying to access all the buttons within range of your right hand. The E-M1’s “Multi Function” and “Record” buttons are perhaps the worst offenders. When I hold the camera comfortably, I can’t access those buttons without using my left hand to steady the camera while adjusting my grip to access those buttons.

The X-T1 simply does not have this problem. In fact, the only Fujifilm camera I’ve used that does is the X-E2 which has an AF point selection button that’s a little tough to access with the camera held comfortably or without moving it from your eye.²

Ergonomically, it will come down to preference. It’s an extremely subjective issue, but I believe there are ways of doing things that are just wrong. Sony’s A7(r) is a good example. Gripping that camera naturally results in having to pull your index finger uncomfortably to get to the shutter release, no matter what size your hand is. This leaves you with discomfort in your finger, or adjusting your grip more vertically to get the shutter release in line with your finger, which results in lots of hand/grip shimmying.

The last comment I’ll make on the whole X-T1 vs. E-M1 debate (in this post) is the glaringly obvious, yet superficial issue of appearances. Can there be anyone on the planet who thinks the E-M1 is a good-looking camera? As much as our rational minds tell us function trumps form, the reality is, fashion matters. I don’t think Fujifilm would be where they are today if the X100 and X-Pro1 didn’t look as good as they do.³ We all want a camera that looks cool to a degree. For some it matters less than others, but for me, the E-M1 is ugly enough that I wouldn’t want to own it as my primary camera. The good thing is, Fujifilm’s function is now keeping pace with their outstanding tastes in form. People who want a DSLR inspired compact can finally have the best of both worlds.

1. Everywhere, but Canada it would seem. ↩
2. Here’s hoping the next firmware update for the X-E2 lets us configure all Fn buttons like the X-T1 does. Shame about the labels, but nothing a little Sharpie action can’t fix. ↩
3. Something they should keep in the very forefront of their minds as they conceive the X200 and X-Pro2. ↩

ISO Unlocker

This was sent my way earlier today.

It’s an interesting bit of kit if you don’t want to be fumbling with the ISO dial on your X-T1. I’ll probably fund it just because it’s cool, and I’d like to see more stuff like this for Fujifilm gear, but I don’t know how much I would use it. Fujifilm cameras have taught me to embrace things the camera can decide for me a little more. I was an ISO holdout for years—always feeling I needed to control it—while being strictly an Aperture Priority shooter. Now I find I’m either in Aperture Priority with everything else set to auto, or full manual. However, when shooting manually, it’s always during very precise, carefully considered shooting. I’m almost never so desperate to change my ISO that holding the button would be an irritant whereas having my ISO changed inadvertently would be.

To sum up, it’s great stuff like this is available, but I think Fujifilm got their dial locking as “right” as they possibly could have. Nikon, on the other hand...

“Should I buy an X-T1?”

The age old question. Brand spankin’ new camera comes out with a brand spankier new one rumoured to be on the way. Do you buy the new X-T1 hotness or wait for the next new hotness?

The answer to this sort of question ultimately comes down to what you can afford—no to mention your appetite for the constant torrent of upgrades, which we’ll mostly leave out from this post—but one thing I find slips the minds of a lot of photographers (and their Significant Others) is the real cost of any camera gear.

Your cost - What you sell it for = Actual cost

This brings me to a question I was asked on Twitter shortly after posting my review of the X-T1 that I imagine many Fuji fans are pondering as well:

If I have an X-Pro1, should I (buy the) X-T1 or hold for the X-Pro2?

For me, it’s an easy question to answer, but let’s talk it through for fun. The earliest of X-Pro successor rumours say end of 2014 for an announcement with a ship date in early 2015. That’s a full year away. A year of enjoying the very best Fujifilm has to offer before you decide if the X-Pro-Whatever is actually the camera you want. The X-T1 is a massive upgrade over the X-Pro1 and X-E1, even with the firmware updates Fuji keeps throwing at them.

Of course, there are two ends of the spectrum in how you approach upgrade cycles with a bunch of variances in the middle:

1. Upgrade early and often: You’ll always have the latest and greatest, which is nice, and the best¹ your chosen camera platform(s) has to offer.
2. Stick with what you know: Upgrade only when you absolutely have to. Your camera will be an extension of your hand and eye, and you will attain omnipresent supergalactic oneness with your photography.

Both are valid. I’m ever trying to find the right balance between the two. I think there’s a special case to be made for at least two Fuji bodies:

1. The X-Pro1: It has been out an awfully long time, and was their first interchangeable offering. A great deal has changed since it came on the scene and Fujifilm cameras have improved significantly. Conventional wisdom is to skip a generation when upgrading, but I doubt many people who owned Nikon D1’s passed on the D2 line of cameras. Thus, I wouldn’t blame anyone for taking an X-T1 steppingstone along their path to the X-Pro2.
2. The X100: It, and the X100S share a lot of functionality. Selling an X100 to fund the purchase of an X100S will not leave you fumbling with controls as you struggle with a learning curve. You’ll just have faster focus and better overall image quality. Not to mention a black version for the same price.

The one upgrade I think some people could have passed on is the X-E1 to X-E2. I imagine those who waited for the X-T1 are feeling pretty good about their decision right now, and they still have a very capable camera that will produce the same image quality² as the new(er) X-E2. As a matter of fact, all my tripod-based photography is still done with an X-E1 because I haven’t wanted to pay the exorbitant shipping costs to get a Really Right Stuff L-plate. You see? Balance.

Back to the question at hand

Should you buy the X-T1? If you have an X-Pro1 or X-E1, my answer is, if you can afford it, yes. No question. It’s a massive upgrade over what you have and the glowing reviews are well earned.

If you have an X-E2, that all depends on whether or not you need a weather sealed body. If you don’t, the X-E2 will continue to suit your needs very well. Even better pretty soon it would seem. Focus is quicker on the X-T1, but it’s pretty darn swift on the X-E2 as well.

Whether you have an X-E2 or X-T1, if you think the X-Pro2 is what you’re really going to want, sell your current body when it comes out and buy it. Surely the couple hundred dollars you might lose on the sale is worth a year of use. Think of it as an extended rental. The bottom line is, it’s tough to make a bad decision with Fujifilm’s latest body lineup. They’re all going to produce great images. Your choice comes down to performance. And remember:

Your cost - What you sell it for = Actual cost

1. Save for launch bugs and lemons like the D600. But those are the minority and largely avoidable with how thoroughly reviewed Fujifilm’s gear is before it’s been released. ↩
2. Particularly those who shoot RAW. JPEG shooters will miss out on the Lens Modulation Optimizer benefits of the X-E2, but in my experience, it hasn’t been anywhere close to a deal breaker. I’m still holding out hope that Fujifilm will open these up to Adobe along with their Film Simulations. ↩

Buy a FUJIFILM X-T1

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Buy a FUJIFILM X-T1 with 18-55mm lens

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X-E2, firmware updates, and full frame Fuji

This just happened.

Fantastic reporting from DPReview, and well worth the time to read it. Here are a few stand-out items for me:

...we will release new firmware for the X-E2 soon which will improve the refresh rate of the EVF bringing it to the same level as the X-T1 and also add an interval shooting function.

I’m still kind of stunned. I’ll have more to say about this, but it brings a comment I made on Twitter further into light:

@Itisole Certainly seems that way. Both cameras us EXR Processor II. I would be interested to know what holds the #XE2 back in performance.

— Fuji vs. Fuji (@FujivsFuji) February 10, 2014

Clearly the answer to my question as it relates to EVF performance is “nothin’.” If a firmware update can bring this sort of functionality to the X-E2, I can’t help but wonder if the same is possible with the X100S, as it too sports the EXR Processor II. It’s entirely possible the actual EVF hardware is the limited factor though, rather than the processor.

There was some internal debate about the X100 update, and some people within Fujifilm didn’t think we should upgrade a discontinued model but we decided to do it anyway.

Whoever doesn’t think these updates should happen should kindly be asked to leave the building. As of this moment, Fujifilm’s USP (unique selling proposition for the non-marketing nerds) is their ongoing, unmatched support for their cameras. Some would argue it’s their retro styling, but that hasn’t been the case for years now, and can be very easily copied. Others would say it’s the X-Trans. Well, other cameras are ditching the OLP filter, and great images can can be made with non-X-Trans sensors.

What can’t be easily copied or manufactured is the tough decision and time to invest in updates like these. This isn’t what brought me to Fujifilm, but it’s a huge part of why they are my platform of choice. Yes their optics are great, their colour rendition is (arguably and subjectively) unmatched, but waking up this morning to find a “free” update like this coming my way is what gets me really excited. Not just for me, but for all Fuji shooters.

Our research shows that the attachment rate for a high-end camera like the X-Pro 1 is around 3.8, whereas cameras like the X-A1 it’s more like 1.2. With low-end cameras people often just stick with the kit lens.

This is interesting and no real surprise. It lends further credence to my views on Fujifilm cornering the premium compact market. The differences between Japanese and Western owners is also of interest. It seems as though we—through Fujifilm North America/UK—have a strong voice in the usability changes Fujifilm continue to make. The partnership vs. dictatorship that is all too common with Japanese brands is really great to see.

We also need to refresh our lens lineup.

And:

At the moment we’re focusing on the APS-C format but in the longer term, after we’ve completed our lens lineup… I can’t deny the possibility.

Wait, what? “Refresh”? There’s a lot of mixed messaging going on here as he mentions the need for Fujifilm to slow down and make their line-up less confusing in the preceding sentence. I’m very intrigued to know what this entails. It certainly sounds as though full-frame is in the pipeline, if not already behind a reinfirnced, key-card-access-only steel door in Japan.

The last thing I’ll note is, if you want an X-T1, it sounds like you better get your preorder in posthaste. Demand is twice what Fujifilm were anticipating. Now would also be a good time to get into a new X-E2 with its currently discounted price.

Buy a FUJIFILM X-T1

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Buy a FUJIFILM X-E2 (Black)

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Buy a FUJIFILM X-T1 with 18-55mm lens

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Buy a FUJIFILM X-E2 (Silver)

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Rebates

I’m not sure the last round of rebates from Fujifilm had ended before this new wave of even heftier discounts began. These are fantastic deals, and great for just about everyone except for those who recently purchased and can’t get a price adjustment.

I’m left wondering if rebates like these promote the premium image the company is aspiring to, and in many respects have been achieving. The word “rebate” can be enough to squash that image alone, but that’s a problem with the industry at large.

Things need to sell of course. This time of year is sure to be one of, if not the worst for camera sales. I often wait to list camera gear for sale until May when the weather gets nicer and most people start thinking about taking pictures again. Even though the gear is technically older, it will still fetch substantially more interest and thus, a higher price with more people in the market to buy.

Getting a strong foothold in the market is also really important, and crucial that it be done quickly in this era of smartphones. I don’t have access to any sales figures, but I’d be curious to know if these discounts ultimately result in significantly more sales, and with them a better bottom-line. Or, would a consistently higher price, fewer sales, and the perception that Fujifilm truly believe their products are worth the MSRP be better overall? It would certainly help people’s confidence in buying, knowing they aren’t going to be burned by a massive price-drop a month or 2 after spending hundreds of dollars on a new lens. It would also result in fewer people waiting for the inevitable deal. Imagine you just bought a 14mm f/2.8 at Christmas for the MSRP and now it’s a full $200 less expensive. I know I’d be frustrated.

Fujifilm are well on their way in establishing themselves as the camera-maker who invests in making sure their customer’s experience actually improves months and even years after they’ve purchased a camera with regular firmware updates that offer previously unheard of levels of functionality. They’re also on the right track in trying to corner the premium compact market. The iPhone is without question eating the point-and-shoot market’s lunch, but for more people then Apple’s Phil Schiller might think, iPhones are a long way from replacing proper cameras for a lot of people. The steady development of Fujifilm’s Camera app will further reinforce this, and once they’ve made it easy enough on their entire line of cameras (something they should focus on), there’s no doubt we’ll start seeing Eggs Benedict photos on Instragram that were shot with Fujifilm cameras. Can’t wait.

If things were left to me, I would think that getting the body sold has to be the most important first step. I’d look at offering heavy discounts on older bodies (as they are with the X-E1) touting the message that they’re even better now than the day they were released. Kits or body + lens combos could see the occasional discount as they do today. FUJINON lenses, which are know to be of outstanding quality, would be set at a price and left there.

If market penetration is paramount, drop all the prices a little. Then, Fujifilm’s reputation for taking care of their customers long after purchase will continue to speak for itself, photographers will continue to love them for it and write a plethora of blog posts and tweets about how awesome a company they are. It’s conceivable that “word of mouth” that strong would drive continued sales more than fire-sale rebates would in the long run.