If you are new to flash photography and thinking about giving the Fujifilm EF-X8 or EF-X500 a try on the Fujifilm X-T2 then this video might be a good place to start. In this video Billy from the Fuji Guys helps Maarten Heilbron, an inexperienced flash photographer, better understand how the Fujifilm E-FX8 and E-FX500 work. You can view the other videos about the EF-X500 from the Fujiguys here.
Fujifilm EF-X500 Flash B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
Fujilfilm X-T2 B&H Photo/Amazon/Adorama
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mirrorless-show-photofocus-podcast-december-28-2016
The Photofocus podcast interviewed Zack Arias the other day and he had a lot to say about why he stopped using DSLR’s and medium format photography, plus he gave a some perspective on the GFX. 2017 is going to be a great year for Fujifilm fans with the GFX 50S, X100F and Fujinon XF 50 F2 R WR all right around the corner. There should be lots of announcements this month so stay tuned.
Also if you are a fan of Damien Lovegrove he is hosting a workshop in Manhattan on March 1st, 2017. There are only 3 spots available so you will get a lot of 1:1 time with Mr. Lovegrove, which is an incredible opportunity. I wish I could justify the trip myself. You can get details and sign up here.
Leica
I am one of the lucky few to have grown up with Leica. It is weird to critically think about the irrational purchase of such an expensive camera as new digital models are released, but if you grew up with a Leica in your life it is very hard to let go of the brand. For some, Leica is a status symbol like a Ferrari or Rolex, only to be admired from afar, but it is my belief that this is the result of very misguided marketing. The only way a Leica is like a Ferrari is that most owners won’t learn to fully utilize them and the only Leica’s that can claim to be Rolex-like are older Leica’s like the M3 because, beyond the rangefinder and dials, modern M’s are not very mechanical.
So, how does the Fujifilm X-Pro2 fit? If you saw the pictures I published, you can clearly see how similar, almost identical, the cameras are in design. The Fujifilm has a lot more bells and whistles for a fraction of the price, and a photographer can choose to limit their use if they like to have a very Leica M-like shooting experience. They only feel ever so slightly different due to the materials used to build them.
Fuji
Beyond 35mm Fujifilm film I never paid much attention to Fujifilm as a company, until the original Fujifilm X-Pro1; which I quickly preordered along with the launch line-up of lenses, because it reminded me of my Leica M. It was an excellent, but flawed, camera at the time and it made me yearn for a better digital M.
I have written a bit about my hopes and dreams for the digital M on Leicarumors if you are interested, but today the M is somewhat unique. Leica never had any competition that succeeded, until the X-Pro1 came along. It was the first great rangefinder-style camera with great glass and a good modern sensor that provided a unique look, which is something people love about Leica.
Many loved the X-Pro1, but abandoned it for Fujifilm’s rapidly developing X camera line-up, which included a lot of great rangefinder-like cameras before the X-Pro2’s release. Yet, along the way, Fujifilm continued to support all of their cameras with firmware updates that drastically improved performance in some cases; even though many X-Pro1 owners never got to see the improvements, which Fujifilm is now notorious for. The X-Pro1 certainly attracted a lot of Leica fans like me, and built a loyal following for Fujifilm, but many lapsed fans wonder how the X-Pro2 compares to the M. Read More
A few days ago Petapixel exposed a misinformation article on brides.com titled “Essential Questions You Need to Ask Your Wedding Photographer” which recommended brides only hire photographers that use Canon or Nikon. Brides.com then updated their article shortly after petapixel brought it to photographers attention, which was then followed by an apology letter. Now a Sony photographer Jason Lanier is putting brides.com and Tiffani Matsuura on blast by pointing out more problems with the photographer and bridal magazine industry.
I think a true photographer can make any camera work for them, but it takes knowledge and experience. Watch a few episodes of cheap camera challenge if you think gear is key. The only way you should judge a photographer is by their portfolio.
Fujifilm did well in DPReview’s year end awards, but I think the Fujifilm X-T2 should have won it’s category. It’s good to see the Fujifilm X-A3 getting some appreciation even though it’s not widely available yet.
Best Accessory: Fujifilm Instax Share SP-2 (Amazon/B&H Photo/Adorama)
Best Entry-Level ILC: Fujifilm X-A3 (Amazon/B&H Photo/Adorama)
Best High-End ILC: Runner-up Fujilfilm X-T2 (Amazon/B&H Photo/Adorama)
Fujifilm launched a series of video’s to demonstrate the ruggedness and portability of the Fujifilm GFX 50S. It’s an interesting series that gives us a better look at professionals working with the system today along with some impressions from them. It ends with GFX see you early 2017, which is a message that Fujifilm is pushing strongly. Maybe we are very close to pre-orders and shipments with all the promotional material coming out. Read More
