The Fuji X Files

In my last few posts I've been preparing for my 'one lens, one camera' reduction to my photography kit. And finally, after only a few days, the wait is over. My 'new' Fujinon XF23mm f2 R WR arrived - all packaged up in its original box - safe and sound. The image on the left is of the actual lens, purchased off of an NZ Fujifilm Facebook group member (thanks Clint). I think it looks beautiful in all-silver to match my silver and black X-E2, although previously I would probably have been an all-black kinda guy. Having only ever used the XC lenses thus far on my Fujifilm cameras, I was immediately struck by the extra attention to detail on the 23mm f2, as well as the extra heft. Even though the XC16-50mm actually weighs a little more than the 23mm f2 (15 grams more to be exact), the prime ends up feeling a little heavier (or should that be more solid), because of its metal construction. Morning walk, Cobden. Fujifilm X-E2 with Fujinon XF23mm. f5.6 @ 1/750th, ISO 200

In my last post I outlined my move to a one camera, one lens setup with the Fujifilm X-E2 and Fujinon 23mm f2 prime. It hasn't arrived as yet (any day now), but in preparation for when it does, I thought I would go out in the weekend and shoot around my local beach area using just the 23mm setting on my XC16-50mm zoom lens. Cobden Beach Walk . Fujifilm X-E2 with XC16-50mm @ 23mm (35mm fov equivalent) I've said before that I'm not really a prime lens kinda guy - preferring the versatility of a zoom lens over the possible limitations of a fixed lens perspective. And yet, over the years - and seemingly as I get older - I've come to realise that the 'bring everything so you don't miss anyhting' attitude is something of a flawed (and expensive) premise. No matter how much you try, it's simply not possible to cover all your bases so that you're always ready for 'the' shot. And yet people will still try to achieve exactly that. I should know, since

It's been almost two weeks since my last post - a post where I outlined my likely 'upgrade' path of my X-E2 to the more SLR-styled X-T20. A lot can happen in two weeks - and indeed a lot has happened. More than enough to make me want to change my mind about my last post. Let me explain... Old School House, Okarito. Fujifilm X-E2 with XC16-50mm First, I should say that I don't disagree with anything I wrote in my last post here . I believe every word of it. If I was to 'upgrade' my X-E2 body, I would choose the X-T20 (considering present budget constraints). But I also said in my last post that I am not unhappy with my current X-E2, and that any upgrade was more for firmware/software reasons than any megapixel or performance update. Having established that, if I kept everything exactly as it was and simply swapped out the X-E2 for an X-T20, would I really notice a difference in my images? Seriously? After some fairly serious self-reflection and a very timely yo

Swans and Cygnets. Fujifilm X-E2 with Fujinon XC50-230mm. f/7 @ 1/2000th I absolutely love using my Fujifilm X-E2. Just like I loved using the X-E1 before it. I'm surprised by how much I enjoy the rangefinder-style ergonomics, especially with the lightweight XC lenses, even though I come from a predominantly SLR camera-style background. That being said, I do prefer to use the X-E2 with an additional grip attached. As well as the thumb rest that attaches to the hotshoe. With these in place, handling is about right for such a small camera. Without them attached, it's just too small - even though I have average sized hands. Since it has a range-finder style body, the evf is off to the left of the camera - instead of in the middle as with SLR style bodies. You would think that this would be a positive - just raise the camera up to your right eye to shoot and the whole left side of your face is free. No nose-smudging of the lcd screen. Unfortunately, I'm left-eye dominant, and

Spring is in the air in New Zealand (as I write this), and the days are getting longer, brighter, and warmer. Sunday is our day of rest - not exactly a Sabbath day where nothing happens - but close enough. This Sunday we had invited some friends for lunch, but they had to cancel at the last minute. Since the day was beautiful and sunny, lunch was already prepared the day before, and we were now at a loss, my wife suggested we go somewhere and take a picnic lunch. Great idea, honey - and I know just the place. Waiuta. Boiler House, Waiuta. Fujifilm X-E2. f/8 @ 1/680th, ISO 400. Ektachrome E100SW recipe Waiuta is now a Ghost Town, but was once a thriving Gold Mining Town for 45 years (from 1906 to 1951). If you love to photograph derelict old houses (like I do) then it's a photographers dream. I've visited a couple of times, but the last time was about 12 years ago, so I was long overdue for a return visit. One of the main buildings that is still somewhat in-tact (due to some p

Now that I have gone through my seven custom film simulation recipes on my Fujifilm X-E2 (see previous blog posts), the final stage of the process is to do a comparison. This will help me decide which custom recipe I want to use, depending on the subject and feeling I'm after in my photo.  I think I have a pretty good idea anyway, but seeing them all together will help me confirm my suspicions. The first time I did this, I discovered that all my recipes were far too similar, and I decided to start over again from scratch. Hopefully this time will be different? Black and White film simulation comparison for landscapes. Fuji Acros v Ilford HP5 Since I mostly shoot landscapes, I thought I'd start there with my comparisons. The image itself isn't anything spectacular, and it's taken at the wrong time of the day - noon on a bright day. But this is also a fairly good test since the dynamic range is at the extremes of what the sensor can handle. The compressed images for the w