Changing to X-Pro 2 or XT1/2

Ballyman

Ballyman

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,026
Name
Aindreas
Edit My Images
Yes
Has anyone changed over to these cameras from DSLR's. I met a wedding photographer friend recently who had gotten an X-Pro 2 ( he uses canon) and he is still undecided. He is really trying to love it but failing for the moment. My back is banjaxed so the reduced weight of the Fuji's could be a godsend.

I see that the XT2 is due for release soon so that might be something to look forward to. What do you think? Any recommendations from anyone? Obviously low light focussing and high ISO usage would be very important as a wedding photographer and it seems that these cameras perform OK.
 
I recently shot a friends wedding with a pair of XT1s and no real problems even in a fairly poor light church.
Not surprising but my sharper shots tended to be with the OIS zoom that I used over my primes.
That's mainly down to me though as my nerves are shot !
 
Check out Kevin Mullins site f16.click, he is a serious wedding guy who is also a Fuji expert shooter.
 
I shot my first few weddings with Fuji gear but ultimately returned to Nikon because of the mix of things I like shooting (Motorsport, aviation etc). The Fuji gear was fine for those things, but still a way off something like a D750.

I used X-T1s and had no major complaints, AF was absolutely fine and the 23mm 1.4 / 56mm 1.2 combo was a joy. Battery life indicator was terrifying (the moment it drops one bar you have about 20 shots to change it before it dies!)

I do miss a lot about them (size, weight, EVF, full AF through the tilting LCD), but using a D750 is definitely a step up overall.
 
Ballyman said:
My back is banjaxed so the reduced weight of the Fuji's could be a godsend.
Click to expand...

Based on my own experience and that of a colleague, there is another way of looking at this. Before making such a change, find out why your back is banjaxed.

That involves a consultation with an expert, perhaps an experienced physiotherapist, to which you wear the shoes you normally shoot in and take whatever gear you normally schlep round weddings. The mechanics of your undoubtedly fine body can then be examined and suggestions made as to how matters can be improved. You might well be surprised.

Shooting weddings gave me a back problem and a left shoulder problem. The cure involved transferring weight from my right shoulder to my hips, different shoes, and an Aeron chair. The gear stayed the same.
 
I have a herniated l4/l5 disk in my lower back from years of stupidity so the ship has sailed unfortunately as far as simple fixes go. I get physio and swim regularly but am still crippled after a wedding. Light is the way to go I think.
 
Ballyman said:
Has anyone changed over to these cameras from DSLR's. I met a wedding photographer friend recently who had gotten an X-Pro 2 ( he uses canon) and he is still undecided. He is really trying to love it but failing for the moment. My back is banjaxed so the reduced weight of the Fuji's could be a godsend.
Click to expand...


I shot a couple of weddings with the XT-1 last year. Its does work well but not as well as my D750s do. The main advantage was as you say weight. The big thing for me was the camera ran out of ability before I did. Something which never happens with a DSLR. Specifically I felt

I was missing shots because of focus issues
The dynamic ranges was probably two or three generations back (in the real world)
The ISOs claimed never seemed as clean as an DSLR
I wish they'd sort a decent flash system out

But it was an XT-1 and not an XT-2.

In good light and easy conditions I'd take one all day every day. In tricky conditions however its a different story

An XT-1 in easy conditions

16057-1470211827-22a2ef1d010c11eb740d949b711d7386.jpg
 
The last wedding I did I took along the XT1 to try it out. Like Hugh though I only used it in less challenging conditions. Everything else got covered with a Canon 6D.

Hopefully the release of the XT2 and the forth coming EF-X500 speedlight with High Speed Sync will help alleviate some of the issues encountered with focus issues, dynamic range and lack of decent flash system
 
boyfalldown said:
I
The dynamic ranges was probably two or three generations back (in the real world)
Click to expand...

You mean, equivalent to a current Canon system? :) Nikon DR is superb.

Fuji seem to be running away with the mirrorless stuff. Be interesting to see what Canon come up with.
 
Used an XT1 for a few weddings, but recently shot a couple with the D750 and I'd take the D750 everyday.
 
I've shot BITS of weddings with an X-Pro 2. By bits, I mean in church when the electronic shutter means I'm not upsetting the vicar. And I've also shot a bit with the camera for pleasure. In short I love the camera and when crazy season quietens down I hope to get out and use it for some serious street photography. My thoughts:-

  • Dynamic range nowhere near as good as my Nikons. As Hugh says a bit like going back in time.
  • Depth of field not as shallow as full frame cameras.
  • ISO - good
  • Focus - good but not as good as my Nikons
  • Lenses - excellent and more consistent in terms of performance and colour
I can see myself using the Fuji system only to shoot a wedding. Like anything, knowing your kit lets you know what shots will work and what shots will fail. If your fundamental photography skills are good then it works brilliantly. If you're part of the new school who likes to pull back shadows by 5 stops, you'll be in trouble.

And whereas I could and may well shoot a whole wedding with a Fuji, I know I'd get better results from my Nikons. And that's why I don't.

At the moment :)
 
I have been looking at reviews of pre-production model XT-2's and they are almost unanimous in their praise for it and it seems to be a better camera than the X-Pro 2. I do video also and the fact that the new XT-2 will also have 4K video plus the ability to capture ina log format is very exciting. If the thing was full frame like the A7S then it would be insane. I'm really trying to talk myself out of buying one but I dont think I will succeed :(

I think I will rent one when they are released and use it at a wedding and see how it goes. If it comes anywhere near the usability of the 5DMkiii then i have a feeling it will be bye bye canon!!
 
It does seem like the XT2 is going to be great but then its just the X-Pro 2 in a different body style, IQ between the two is exactly the same however the extra AF points and 4K video will be a boon to some who wouldn't have bought the X-Pro 2. That and the tilty screen and thats basically it.

The IQ from the X-Pro 2 is brilliant, I honestly don't see that its really any different to the D750 and for landscapes in direct comparison it runs the D800 I used to have close, I will acknowledge that there isn't as much latitude in Lightroom as there is with the Nikons.

I'm a landscape shooter mainly (and it excels at that too) but I did shoot a few bits at a family wedding in July and I was very impressed with it, AF was fine in low light, high ISO was fine and I'm sure those extra AF points on the XT2 will only improve it, the Fuji lenses are in the most part outstanding.
 
chrism_scotland said:
It does seem like the XT2 is going to be great but then its just the X-Pro 2 in a different body style, IQ between the two is exactly the same however the extra AF points and 4K video will be a boon to some who wouldn't have bought the X-Pro 2. That and the tilty screen and thats basically it.

The IQ from the X-Pro 2 is brilliant, I honestly don't see that its really any different to the D750 and for landscapes in direct comparison it runs the D800 I used to have close, I will acknowledge that there isn't as much latitude in Lightroom as there is with the Nikons.

I'm a landscape shooter mainly (and it excels at that too) but I did shoot a few bits at a family wedding in July and I was very impressed with it, AF was fine in low light, high ISO was fine and I'm sure those extra AF points on the XT2 will only improve it, the Fuji lenses are in the most part outstanding.
Click to expand...

You can't push it as far in PP.
 
Anyone able to compare the X-Pro 2 to the 5D Mkiii? Mainly in relation to high iso noise and DR in lightroom??
 
I don't shoot Canon but I've edited thousands of 5D Mk III files. I'd say they are very similar in terms of DR. The Canon is probably slightly better at high noise. Nikon beats them both in these regards.
 
Ballyman said:
I have a herniated l4/l5 disk in my lower back from years of stupidity so the ship has sailed unfortunately as far as simple fixes go. I get physio and swim regularly but am still crippled after a wedding. Light is the way to go I think.
Click to expand...

So it would seem. Good luck with the back.
 
Ballyman said:
I have a herniated l4/l5 disk in my lower back from years of stupidity so the ship has sailed unfortunately as far as simple fixes go. I get physio and swim regularly but am still crippled after a wedding. Light is the way to go I think.
Click to expand...

Just a thought.... Perhaps a cranial osteopath could help with this? The term is a bit misleading as they treat all sorts of stuff - not just the cranium - and don't crunch. Well, mine doesn't. I find it amazing and helpful. I know you have damage from what you said in your post above but it might help manage the pain. The asymmetry of that type of bag ie shoulder is also not good for the bod. Anyway, it seemed the right thing to mention this ..wish I had known about it before I had knee surgery. The other thing that we both find brilliant is yoga.
 
I ran a 6D and X-T1 alongside for a year or so. The X-T1 has loads more dynamic range than the Canon, so the X-T2 should be better still. I can push the Fuji files loads compared with the Canon, and highlights don't blow anywhere near as easily.

That said, overall IQ was better from the Canon. Pixel level sharpness was superior and high ISO performance about 2 stops better. The X-T2 improves in this regard, and has the ability to switch off noise reduction in raw files at higher ISO settings, making for a sharper image.

So, the 6D is better for sharpness and high ISO, Fuji for DR. But...I've barely shot with the Canon since getting the Fooj as it's so much lighter as a kit, and all the Fuji lenses are amazing wide open, negating the high ISO performance hit somewhat. My beloved 6D sold on Monday.
 
This all sounds great, thanks for everyones input! Cant wait to get my hands on the XT-2 now to see how it performs.
 
The best thing about a dual Fuji wedding setup is the options for carrying them. I had my X-T1/23mm 1.4 just on a DSPTCH wrist strap as it got used 60-70% of the time, then the X-T1/56mm 1.2 on a DSPTCH adjustable sling over my shoulder.

Whenever I used the 56mm I would just let go of the X-T1/23 and let it hang off my wrist. So much easier than my now Nikon D750 kit!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top