The photography thread

stickyfiddle

@ThePrettyDamned ;

Well done on the Fuji love. My only question is whether the XT3 might be better since it’s roughly the same price new (since made in China, rather than Japan)? Obviously if buying used that’s not an option yet. Either way, I love them because they’re just the easiest cameras to *use*. There is other stuff around with better specs but once it’s in your hand (and the EVF in front of your eye) there’s nothing better imo. I couldn’t go back to a camera without live preview now.

Anyway, my beloved XT1 is finally showing signs of age - rubber bits coming loose and occasionally doesn’t power up properly, so I’ve started hankering for an upgrade to the 3. I’m in Japan till the end of the month and trying to resist going and looking at camera shops...! 

ThePrettyDamned

stickyfiddle said:

@ThePrettyDamned ;

Well done on the Fuji love. My only question is whether the XT3 might be better since it’s roughly the same price new (since made in China, rather than Japan)? Obviously if buying used that’s not an option yet. Either way, I love them because they’re just the easiest cameras to *use*. There is other stuff around with better specs but once it’s in your hand (and the EVF in front of your eye) there’s nothing better imo. I couldn’t go back to a camera without live preview now.

Anyway, my beloved XT1 is finally showing signs of age - rubber bits coming loose and occasionally doesn’t power up properly, so I’ve started hankering for an upgrade to the 3. I’m in Japan till the end of the month and trying to resist going and looking at camera shops...! 

None of the upgrades interest me and I'm going used on a trade-in, so xt2 it is. Yes, very easy to use - I come from manual film cameras so I feel much more at home  despite a fair bit of professional shooting on the 80s style that dominates the industry.

The xt3 may provide better focus tracking and acquisition but I felt the xt2 was fine and I never track fast moving things to be honest. 

dbphoto said:

I wouldn't bother with the battery grip, it rather spoils the feel and obviously increases the weight.

You should get around 300 shots per battery and as they are small and cheap just have a couple in your pocket.

Don't waste your money on genuine Fuji ones though, ExPro were my choice, and I think for less £40 you can get two batteries and a dual charger.

and FWIW, the 23mm 1.4 and 56mm 1.2 are good lenses, but the 35mm 1.4 was one of the best lenses I have ever owned so don't ignore it.

I like a grip when working for more comfortable portrait orientation. I don't mind a huge dslr for shooting events and such, but I don't like the bulk of a dslr for day to day fun. The D7200 isn't even that big, but it looks like a very serious camera and the deep grip wasn't great for my tiny hands. When I'm out with my ae-1p or ef, no one cares - that's what I want from the fuji. Plus, my god was it fun! 

Grumpyrocker

I've just bought a used X-T2. WEX had a sale with 10% off used Fuji gear so I got it for less than £600. Excellent camera. If I was a big video shooter I might have gone for the X-T3.

But as I already own an X-T20 I know this generation's AF is really good enough for sport and action already. I got the X-T2 because I have eye issues and the bigger EVF helps. Also my 50-140mm feels a bit of a beast on the little X-T20. 

Was going to trade the X-T20 but have decided to keep it. Fits in my jeans pocket with the 27mm lens on so is an ideal day out camera. Meanwhile the X-T2 is better suited to "more serious" photography, such as it is. 

I've never found battery life an issue with my Fuji gear. I've a load of cheap third party batteries and I often don't end up needing them anyway. But no trouble to put a couple in my bag.

ThePrettyDamned

Grumpyrocker said:

I've just bought a used X-T2. WEX had a sale with 10% off used Fuji gear so I got it for less than £600. Excellent camera. If I was a big video shooter I might have gone for the X-T3.

But as I already own an X-T20 I know this generation's AF is really good enough for sport and action already. I got the X-T2 because I have eye issues and the bigger EVF helps. Also my 50-140mm feels a bit of a beast on the little X-T20. 

Was going to trade the X-T20 but have decided to keep it. Fits in my jeans pocket with the 27mm lens on so is an ideal day out camera. Meanwhile the X-T2 is better suited to "more serious" photography, such as it is. 

I've never found battery life an issue with my Fuji gear. I've a load of cheap third party batteries and I often don't end up needing them anyway. But no trouble to put a couple in my bag.

I tried the xt20 but it the viewfinder eye relief was far too short. 

I really wanted an x100 but I can't use them either, nor the xe2 (which has good eye relief) as I'm left eye dominant and I really can't use my right eye!

Still,the xt2 is fab and I'm really excited to get it. I really need a portrait lens, and I might pick up the 55-200mm xf lens. It's variable aperture but I tested and it was sharp and fast focusing.

Grumpyrocker

ThePrettyDamned said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've just bought a used X-T2. WEX had a sale with 10% off used Fuji gear so I got it for less than £600. Excellent camera. If I was a big video shooter I might have gone for the X-T3.

But as I already own an X-T20 I know this generation's AF is really good enough for sport and action already. I got the X-T2 because I have eye issues and the bigger EVF helps. Also my 50-140mm feels a bit of a beast on the little X-T20. 

Was going to trade the X-T20 but have decided to keep it. Fits in my jeans pocket with the 27mm lens on so is an ideal day out camera. Meanwhile the X-T2 is better suited to "more serious" photography, such as it is. 

I've never found battery life an issue with my Fuji gear. I've a load of cheap third party batteries and I often don't end up needing them anyway. But no trouble to put a couple in my bag.

I tried the xt20 but it the viewfinder eye relief was far too short. 

I really wanted an x100 but I can't use them either, nor the xe2 (which has good eye relief) as I'm left eye dominant and I really can't use my right eye!

Still,the xt2 is fab and I'm really excited to get it. I really need a portrait lens, and I might pick up the 55-200mm xf lens. It's variable aperture but I tested and it was sharp and fast focusing.

Ah I expect the X-T20 would be tricky if left-eye dominant. I have something called Kerataconus. I can use the X-T20 EVF, but having previously owned an X-T1 I hankered after the X-T2 for that viewfinder. I'd gone X-T1 > X-T20 for the much better AF and video, the small size also appeals to me.

I've owned the 55-200mm and it's excellent. Only sold it (foolishly) when I got the 50-140mm. As long as you've enough light it works really well for portraits as it's pretty sharp wide open with a surprisingly good amount of bokeh at zoom distances. The 50-200mm is a great multi-use lens, as well as portraits it's served me well at airshows.

The Samyang 50mm f/1.2 is also a wonderful - and relatively inexpensive - portrait lens if you're comfortable with manual focus. 

ThePrettyDamned

Grumpyrocker said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

Grumpyrocker said:

I've just bought a used X-T2. WEX had a sale with 10% off used Fuji gear so I got it for less than £600. Excellent camera. If I was a big video shooter I might have gone for the X-T3.

But as I already own an X-T20 I know this generation's AF is really good enough for sport and action already. I got the X-T2 because I have eye issues and the bigger EVF helps. Also my 50-140mm feels a bit of a beast on the little X-T20. 

Was going to trade the X-T20 but have decided to keep it. Fits in my jeans pocket with the 27mm lens on so is an ideal day out camera. Meanwhile the X-T2 is better suited to "more serious" photography, such as it is. 

I've never found battery life an issue with my Fuji gear. I've a load of cheap third party batteries and I often don't end up needing them anyway. But no trouble to put a couple in my bag.

I tried the xt20 but it the viewfinder eye relief was far too short. 

I really wanted an x100 but I can't use them either, nor the xe2 (which has good eye relief) as I'm left eye dominant and I really can't use my right eye!

Still,the xt2 is fab and I'm really excited to get it. I really need a portrait lens, and I might pick up the 55-200mm xf lens. It's variable aperture but I tested and it was sharp and fast focusing.

Ah I expect the X-T20 would be tricky if left-eye dominant. I have something called Kerataconus. I can use the X-T20 EVF, but having previously owned an X-T1 I hankered after the X-T2 for that viewfinder. I'd gone X-T1 > X-T20 for the much better AF and video, the small size also appeals to me.

I've owned the 55-200mm and it's excellent. Only sold it (foolishly) when I got the 50-140mm. As long as you've enough light it works really well for portraits as it's pretty sharp wide open with a surprisingly good amount of bokeh at zoom distances. The 50-200mm is a great multi-use lens, as well as portraits it's served me well at airshows.

The Samyang 50mm f/1.2 is also a wonderful - and relatively inexpensive - portrait lens if you're comfortable with manual focus. 

I've got some old minolta rokkor and Canon fd manual glass to play with  

I know everyone loves mega bokeh  but honestly you can shoot a 200mm lens on micro 4/3 stopped down to f/8 and you'll still get subject separation - I would like the faster 50-140 but it's more than I can afford, and having the compression of a 300mm equivalent appeals a bit. It's not terribly slow either... 

Do you use a flash system? I'm going to sell my yongnuo kit (which I'm sad about as it's been fantastic) and probably look at the godox ecosystem, starting with the mini flash that also works as a transceiver.

Grumpyrocker

I rarely use flash. But when I do I use a manual Neewer TT560 that cost me just £27 from Amazon. I find photography lighting bewildering, but when I use the flash it only takes me a couple of minutes of test shots to get where I want to be. It's a big fairly powerful flash, but cheap because it doesn't have any TTL elements. I also have some Yongnuo wireless flash triggers (I think I bought the Nikon version) and these work really well on the Fuji. I often use them for things like Christmas morning when the kids are opening their presents but the light is low. I put the flash on the mantlepiece aimed at the ceiling, set up the right power, and and keep the trigger on my camera.

I've got some older Minolta lenses. Two zooms which are garbage but didn't cost much. Have a little 50mm f/1.7 but the Samyang has replaced that now. One thing to watch out with older lenses that were built for film is that the light path isn't perpendicular to the sensor. This didn't matter for film, but some sensors really like the light coming straight on. It's not so bad on Fuji, but M43 cameras have a really deep glass light stack and many old film lenses really suffer IQ wise, It's not a fault of the sensor, or the lens, just they were never designed to work together. 

ThePrettyDamned

Grumpyrocker said:

I rarely use flash. But when I do I use a manual Neewer TT560 that cost me just £27 from Amazon. I find photography lighting bewildering, but when I use the flash it only takes me a couple of minutes of test shots to get where I want to be. It's a big fairly powerful flash, but cheap because it doesn't have any TTL elements. I also have some Yongnuo wireless flash triggers (I think I bought the Nikon version) and these work really well on the Fuji. I often use them for things like Christmas morning when the kids are opening their presents but the light is low. I put the flash on the mantlepiece aimed at the ceiling, set up the right power, and and keep the trigger on my camera.

I've got some older Minolta lenses. Two zooms which are garbage but didn't cost much. Have a little 50mm f/1.7 but the Samyang has replaced that now. One thing to watch out with older lenses that were built for film is that the light path isn't perpendicular to the sensor. This didn't matter for film, but some sensors really like the light coming straight on. It's not so bad on Fuji, but M43 cameras have a really deep glass light stack and many old film lenses really suffer IQ wise, It's not a fault of the sensor, or the lens, just they were never designed to work together. 

I've heard of that issue, sounds interesting. I'm not expecting magic from the old lenses, I have a couple of very good adaptall lenses though (90mm 2.5 macro and the 35-210mm zoom, which is also oddly good), but mostly these will just be a bit of fun. Over time, I'd like the 56mm 1.2, 90mm f/2 and the 55-200 but they're all pretty high end glass and not cheap, so I'll be making do with cheap vintage glass for a while.

I don't mind though. If I work, I'll rent the kit I need  

I think I'll end up going the godox route for flash - I love flash, and use it more than is truly necessary even just for a pop of contrast. It's just a shame I'll need to start from scratch, but at least you can control across different lights (a d600, ad200, speedlights etc). 

Do you have any photos taken with the 50mm 1.7 minolta? Would be interesting to see what it's like.

Grumpyrocker

ThePrettyDamned said:

Do you have any photos taken with the 50mm 1.7 minolta? Would be interesting to see what it's like.

Not much. Got this rather boring shot taken with it back when I had a Sony NEX-6 - https://www.flickr.com/gp/cartmelveteran/7639ME

This is a recent one with the Samyang 50mm - https://flic.kr/p/26VBNKT

ThePrettyDamned

Grumpyrocker said:

ThePrettyDamned said:

Do you have any photos taken with the 50mm 1.7 minolta? Would be interesting to see what it's like.

Not much. Got this rather boring shot taken with it back when I had a Sony NEX-6 - https://www.flickr.com/gp/cartmelveteran/7639ME

This is a recent one with the Samyang 50mm - https://flic.kr/p/26VBNKT

Ahh the samyang. Do want. 

Bit strapped for cash, but I'll see if I can find a used copy at some point. Perhaps the sale of my flashes (hint nikon shooters, hit the misc classifieds!) will provide a bit of a boost towards it...

ThePrettyDamned

So I've recently downloaded the free version of capture one  It's very crippled and offers only raw processing and basic management, no localised edits etc.

Holy SHIT my photos are so much easier to process than in Lightroom. The catalogue is... Shite though, so much so I doubt there are many wedding photogs that would use it over Lightroom. 

I don't think the results are significantly better than Lightroom - I think it just has "easier" tools that make edits in a way that suits me better. In particular, I'm finding getting nice contrast, black and white points and colour tones much easier. Sharpening in Lightroom is easier I've found, but with the fuji lens (23mm 1.4) it really doesn't need any, it's furiously sharp wide open and by 5.6 it's so sharp I reduce the sharpness and add grain.

Anyway,point is - if you're a hobby photographer I'd recommend giving it a go. I don't think the results are significantly better than Lightroom but the workflow definitely works better for me. It has annoyances (cropping is kinda annoying!) but it's overall a better experience for me. 

Side note, I've set up my fuji jpegs now and for the first time ever I'm shooting raw+jpegs. Acros and red filter is my go to, but I have a bunch of colour ones that, honestly  usually just need a tweak to the tone curve before it's done. The only catch is making sure I have the right jpeg setting for the scene, but that's why I also shoot raw.-just in case.

The xt2 is more fun than I've had for a while! 

stickyfiddle

I still love my XT1, but it’s getting a little tired now. Will grab an XT3 eventually, I think, but mostly use it for travel and no trips planned atm so no hurry. 

Processing-wise I’m still using Lightroom Mobile for the most part, with detailed edits on laptop when really needed, but that’s only usually 1 in 50 photos or so. I’m keen to see if the new iPad photoshop stuff runs on my old model Pro. That would be amazing. 


I really should share some of my Japan stuff...

stickyfiddle

Also, Reddit is taking about PhotoPea for processing - free and fully in-browser. 

I havent tried it yet, but could be a good solution for anyone not wanting to pay for processing software.

TTBZ

ThePrettyDamned said:

I also had another play with a Panasonic gx80 - holy CRAP that thing is amazing! Fast autofocus, sharp photos, lovely looking grain and tiny - best street camera? Cheap as hell used... 

Pretty sure I'm gonna pick one of these up soon after xmas. They go for stupid cheap 2nd hand now with a few lenses. Was going to get a G85 but I'd rather have the smaller form factor of the GX. 

Grumpyrocker

The GX80 is great. Used to own one. The only downside is the field-sequential EVF and the lack of some video modes compared to G85 (but you can hack them in). 

dbphoto

I was a big fan of CaptureOne @ThePrettyDamned ;; starting with v3 well over 10 years ago, up to v8.3 'Pro' when I hung up my cameras a couple of years ago.   Many photographers tried to persuade me that Lightroom was better but I have never once tried it.

I never bothered with catalogues etc as I never needed them.  Even during my busiest years with 50+ weddings, over 300 portraits and a few dozen corporate jobs just having a logical folder system on my PC worked for me.

The main thing I always found with it was to have your keyboard shortcuts and workspace sorted to suit how you like to work, and having dual screens was always a must.

I have just opened it up on my PC for the first time in at least 3 years and this is how my default workspace looks:

Grumpyrocker

I still use Capture One too. I've got a license for v10 which covers my X-T20. I got C1 years ago in a sale and have only upgraded when offered a good sale upgrade price. Hence I'm not on the latest version.

However there is now a free version for Fuji owners that offers the latest software, albeit cut down a little. 

ThePrettyDamned

Grumpyrocker said:

I still use Capture One too. I've got a license for v10 which covers my X-T20. I got C1 years ago in a sale and have only upgraded when offered a good sale upgrade price. Hence I'm not on the latest version.

However there is now a free version for Fuji owners that offers the latest software, albeit cut down a little. 

That's what I use - I'm waiting for them to release the film profiles, which they're working on with fuji  Hopefully they'll do a good job of getting the colours right - classic chrome, pro neg hi and velvia all look absolutely fantastic and although you can achieve those colours yourself it's easier to start close. Velvia in particular is really tricky I've found - it's hard to get that saturation without losing tonality and clipping. 

Also, if they nail acros and the way it works with grain from raw... I'll be very happy. Not holding my breath though - Adobe didn't do it so it might be a secret recipe fuji is holding on to. 

Once the film sims are out as raw demosaic I'll buy if it gets me relatively close to the jpegs, 100 percent. Even if not I might - I really enjoy using it, it is so much faster than Lightroom to evaluate images too. 

flying_pie

Amazing photos in this thread.

I used to shoot mostly whole out riding my bike - mixture of landscapes and action shots. Maybe I should get back to it. Here are a few old ones

https://flic.kr/p/2gkqBP

https://flic.kr/p/3jRvQy

https://flic.kr/p/72MPag

https://flic.kr/p/4w2Zku

https://flic.kr/p/8PCuWY

They were ask with a Nikon D200 whereas this was taken in the summer with my phone

https://flic.kr/p/295BoS2

boogieman

flying_pie said:

Amazing photos in this thread.

I used to shoot mostly whole out riding my bike - mixture of landscapes and action shots. Maybe I should get back to it. Here are a few old ones

https://flic.kr/p/2gkqBP

https://flic.kr/p/3jRvQy

https://flic.kr/p/72MPag

https://flic.kr/p/4w2Zku

https://flic.kr/p/8PCuWY

They were ask with a Nikon D200 whereas this was taken in the summer with my phone

https://flic.kr/p/295BoS2

Those bike and board shots are excellent.