Random Blog

I've been neglecting my Fujifilm equipment of late as I've favoured my M43 systems, especially my Panasonic GM5 cameras and their extremely small lenses. However since I purchased the X-T10 as a backup camera for my X-T1 and being extremely impressed with the image quality I took my Fuji system for an extended weekend break. This is the first time I've actually only taken a Fuji system with me without a camera from another system.

 

I took the following equipment with me:
X-T1 with the 55-200 f3.5-4.8
X-T10 with the 18-55 f2.8-4.0
X100T

Since I don't have anything wider than 18mm anyway for the system, the "kit lens" was in the capacity of my all-round lens. How did things work out? Well the X-T10 was used most of the time with the X100T coming in second. The X-T1 with the 55-200 f3.5-4.8 didn't see much use, not because I don't like the combination it's just the 18-55 f2.8-4.0 was enough. There wasn't a need to get the 55-200 out.

 

This was a weekend away to get some inspiration and to get out the rut I'm in right now. I wrote a post about this not so long ago called Photographer's Block. Did it work? Absolutely! Going somewhere new seems to do the trick for me every time. More often than not the break is far too short, meaning I'll have to go back again at some point to the things I wanted to do but lack of time prevented it. Too many things to do with so little time.

 

X-T1 with the 55-200 f3.5-4.8
Why is it I feel the above combination is rather front heavy? I find it difficult to balance and get a steady view in the EVF. Every time I press the shutter I get the impression the images are going to be totally blurred, so I take a series of images just to make sure I get at least one sharp image. Is it just me or is there someone else out there with the same problem?

 

 Fuji X-T1 - Fujinon 55-200 f3.5-4.8 @200mm.

 

X100T
Nice small and light camera with an excellent f2 lens. However I have in the past, on more than one occasion,  have had problems with focus lock. By that I mean focus confirmation is green but when examining the image focus was not achieved. I.e. The wrong part of the image was in focus but the EVF showed another part being in focus at the time the image was taken. Had that a couple of times over the weekend too. Frustrating but I'm trying to live with it trying to find a workaround for it. No luck so far though. The only thing I can do take one shot, refocus and take another one. I don't do this all of the time, just when I have the feeling something wasn't quite right. When everything works as it should them the images produced by the X100T are pretty marvellous. Now that I've tried a couple of these fixed lens mirrorless cameras I must say that the images they produce are a step above the rest (the other one I have tried is the Sony RX1). But every camera has its quirks and the two just mentioned aren't without their flaws either. I think it's just the fixed lens can be optimised for the camera.

 

Fuji X100T

 

X-T10 with the 18-55 f2.8-4.0
All through my extended weekend I never had the feeling, not once, that the camera wasn't performing. Actually it was quite the opposite. I always go the feeling of "another image in the box". It just seems to perform no matter what you throw at it. What I haven't attempted with it yet is low light and long exposures. I have no reason to believe it won't perform those tasks either. Once you have confidence in your system you'll be able to make some better images (I hear some people laughing at this concept). My reasoning here is you won't be worrying about your equipment allowing you to concentrate on your photography.

Fuji X-T10 - Fujinon 18-55 f2.8-4.0

 

To sum up, all three cameras did perform and I wouldn't hesitate to take them out with me again. Especially the X-T10. Like I mentioned above, confidence in a system makes all the difference. If you have a camera you don't feel comfortable with, just get rid of it. Right now I'm contemplating getting a second X-T10. Won't help with those heavy lenses though.

As a final touch some of the images taken over my extended weekend break. A mix from the X-T10 and the X100T. As I said the X-T1 didn't see much use at all. Enjoy!