Fujifilm X Pro 1 Initial Thoughts
Fujifilm X Pro 1
Over the next week or so I will be giving the new Fujifilm X Pro1 a full system workout. The results of this test will hopefully be published in the June 2012 issue of Professional Photographer magazine so keep an eye out for that. I will primarily be looking at it from a documentary wedding photographer point of view of course but today I got to use the Fujifilm X Pro 1 for the very first time.
Fujifilm X Pro 1 High Res JPG Samples (direct from camera – unprocessed)
The above images have been processed for my blog.
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Great stuff Kevin. I share your view that the JPEGs straight out of camera are nothing short of superb. The Fuji colours are gorgeous and the black and whites look very good without any additional processing. I’m still getting to grips with the camera and I think coming from the X100 does make that an easier transition. It is a different experience to an SLR but once those differences are learned, understood and accounted for, it is capable of stunning results.
I’m looking forward to reading more about what you think of the X-Pro1. I’ll be posting more of my thoughts after it gets a more thorough use over the next couple of weekends.
Thanks Andy – the JPGs are brilliant. Look forward to seeing how you get on with it too – especially as a Leica shooter. Be interesting to see the comparisons.
Wow!
Now I really want one.
Between you and Andy I think i’m going to have to raid the piggy bank!
thanks fella’s
These are great. I have been working with the X-Pro1 for a few weeks now and presented at Focus on Imaging. I am hooked.
I saw your pictures David – absolutely stunning (and that’s nothing to do with the camera).
Thanks for this Kevin, I’m looking forward to reading more about your experiences so I can compare with what Andy has already told me about his experiences. I’m looking forward to using an x100 this weekend as a guest at a wedding (for a change). As Andy says I’m sure that’s just a stepping stone!
Enjoy the X100. Make sure you have 1.2 firmwmare update Howard – makes a big difference.
Really looking forward to seeing what you can do with the X-Pro 1. The colours in the test shots you’ve already posted look fab and to be honest I’d expect nothing less. Having just got an x100 myself I can only imagine how good this camera must be. With the latest firmware I haven’t really noticed any AF issues with the x100 and would expect/hope that Fuji have nailed it in the X-Pro 1.
Okay, before I go to far with my thoughts please accept this may sound like I’m a grumpy fucker (can I say that? – please delete if inappropriate) which couldn’t possibly be the case on such a fine sunny day as today, but……..
I’m no pixel peeper/gear geek (as I’d rather have a good photo than care about the kit it was taken with), but as far as I can see my thoughts are:
1) is OOF. Possibly due to moving subject on the slide.
2) Okay. Straight fwd shot, central subject, should focus well.
3) Looks like the focus is off (on what I’d like In focus – the foremost blossom)
4) Didn’t look at the file
5) Massive back focus issue. Now this can be camera or technique, but this is a classic example of why some cameras are better than others. If I have a system I want it to be able to nail that shot – and at f2 if need be.
6) Didn’t look at the file.
Getting excited about these files SOOC. Why? They look as average as anything I’ve seen outa a 20D, 5D or 5D2 (sorry nothing else to compare). Maybe this is the point, they’re good for a compact? I dunno!? But all files will get reworked anyhow, so why would that be a benefit to a pro photographer. High ISO – yeah, that’s important. Or maybe for JPG shooters, but that’ll be about 1% of the pro world nowadays? Is this being reviewed for pro users or hobbyists? (I genuinely don’t know so please correct me if I’ve miss interpreted that).
I love the idea of these light systems to offer a better solution to wedding photographers back ache, and also give a discreet look at a wedding, but if the camera cant’t focus then it’s not up to the job right? (Note: not focussing is no different to a Canon 5D 1&2 tbh, but hey, that’s why they brought out the mk3 right?
Anyhow, long waffle (as always when I get started). I’d like to hear good things and hopefully the Pro Tog mag report will give some more detail on this. I’d personally want to know about the handling of this camera and making on the fly adjustments that you would do as a pro snapper. I’m sure it’ll print an adequate 10×14 @ISO 1000, but can it work in the field?
Thanks Matt – The thing for me that is of most appeal is the quality of images out of something so small. If I can replace one DSLR with something like this then it will have fulfilled its promise for me. The X100 comes close, and I’m hoping the X Pro 1 will come even closer.
I won’t know of course until I’ve used it further. It may well be that its close – but not close enough, but my initial thoughts are very promising.
The image quality, especially the JPGs are second to none in my opinion. For me, they are better than anything out of my pro DSLR range and to have an effective APS-C sensor in something I can simply stick in my pocket is the big attraction.
I’ve not tested it at all in low light yet, but working on the assumption that I was extremeley impressed with X100 in low light (see this post for more details on the X100 Low ISO capability: http://www.kevinmullinsphotography.co.uk/for-photographers/fujifilm-x100-high-iso-examples.html) I’m optimistic this little camera will perform as well at 6400 ISO also.
I’m coming at this from a wedding photographer point of view so I’m not looking to make poster size prints. I would be very comfortable printing (and have done so) A3+ size images shot at 3200ISO from the X100 so all things being equal this should be a better system all round for me.
The JPGs were all shot with the standard FujiFilm Astia film emulation in camera which may account for some of the issues you have picked up. No sharpening or PP has been done on those JPGs.
The X100 did suffer from some back focus issues in the earlier firmware releases but this seems to have been resolved (or perhaps I’m just used to it more). I will be giving the camera a thorough test from the point of view of a wedding photographer and I’m hopeful it will lead to good things……..but the proof will be in the testing of course.
Been seriously considering the X-Pro 1 for a while, it looks like the real deal. Since having a play at Focus I really need to give one of these a proper test.
Great post Kevin, I think you may have just cost me a few quid.
P
I’ve been looking forward to seeing what the X-Pro1 can do, for a few reasons. Mainly to try o justify the cost, which it appears you’ve just done. Better crck open the piggy bank now. These look really great.
Kevin – interesting post, I have been looking forward to this camera, the image quality combined with its weight and size will partly justify the cost. The thing I wonder the most is if the AF will cope with a bride and groom walking fast down a dark church aisle? What I have heard so far is that it probably will not, which is such a shame, otherwise Fuji would of come much closers to producing the holy grail of cameras.
PS Please cut your grass!!
My wife’s dad is coming around on the weekend Sacha – that will sort the grass
I very much doubt it will be suitable for low light church recessionals – but then neither, really, was the 5DII. I see this camera (for me at least) as my perfect documentary camera throughout the day – just picking off those moments that perhaps couldn’t have been done easily with the big DSLRs. We’ll soon find out if its up to the job.
I so very much want to love the Fuji X-pro1 as much as I love my X100, but at the moment I have a love/hate relationship with this camera. I have been using my X100 for wedding photography for a year now and love how small and quiet the camera is. I was very excited about the X-pro1, I love the size of the camera, I love the look of the images, I love the Fuji colour, I love the accurate white balance (way better than Canon), I love how it makes me feel when I use the camera. But….
I hate the chattering noise the aperture makes almost constantly as it opens and closes when you move about with the camera (especially with the 35mm F1.4). This aperture chattering is louder than the shutter on the X100. The X100 also does the same thing with the aperture, but you can hardly hear it. The noise isn’t so much of a problem for street photographers as the ambient noise will always drown it out, however shooting bridal preps in a quiet room or the quiet parts of a wedding ceremony you and everyone around you) will hear it.
The autofocus on the X-pro1 is better than the X100 in good light, but in low light (and low contrast) I actually find the X100 (with latest firmware) is quicker! Hopefully this is something that will be improved by Fuji with a firmware upgrade.
Please please please Fuji, fix the loud chattering aperture.
I agree about the chattering Simon. Its noticeable on both the 18mm and 35mm. I’m not sure if that’s something that could be fixed with firmware or not. My fix (so far) is to simply hold the lens against my body – it stops it track-focusing…. it is annoying though.
For what its worth, the Canon 70-200 also exhibits this behaviour to a certain extent but I’m surprised to see it in a prime lens. Fingers crossed it can be adapted.
Great shots—nice to see someone using the 18mm, since it seems the 35mm is getting most of the limelight.
The 18mm will be my favourite lens I think Matt. Brings it up to around 23mm on the crop.
Hi Kevin,
I’m glad you have the Xpro-1 in your hands because I can trust your judgement on this little gem completely. I’m considering selling my Canon 5d11 and my primes and replacing them with the Fuji. I, like you, love my X100 and this might just be the partner it needs in my camera bag. The issues I predict for my style of shooting are all sharpness based. My current favourite lens on my Canon is the f/2.8 100mm L IS macro and this nearly equates to the Fuji 60mm macro but the IS is missing on the Fuji
I can shoot the 100 down to 1/15th and sometimes do but I’m not sure how steady I’ll be with the Fuji 60mm. I find my Canon 50mm f/1.2 hopeless at achieving accurate focus even at f/4 it just rarely gets the focus position spot on and it’s not always back focussing either. Lately I’ve resorted to using my 50mm f/1.8 and it focuses more accurately. I also love it’s compact lightweight form just like the Fuji glass. So I’ll either be selling my Canon gear and buying the full Fuji kit or I’ll be buying a 5D mk111. I’m really looking forward to reading your full review in due course.
Cheers, Damien.
A bit late to the convo but “Great shots—nice to see someone using the 18mm, since it seems the 35mm is getting most of the limelight.”
Totally agree, the 18mm has become a strong fave of mine in recent times
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