The Official Fuji X10/X20/X30/XF1/XQ1 Thread

[souldeep]

Well I'm not sure how the weather is doing this Sunday near you - but it’s been wet, grey and miserable around London today so here's a few shots of the New Forest from last weekend to bring some autumn warmth into the room!

Pano's first...

There are wild ponies in the above shot - but with the width restrictions on this forum it's always hard to fully appreciate the pano's

 

[souldeep]

Some Landscape orientated shots. My main aim was to capture shadows and autumn light/colour.

 

[souldeep]

Some Portrait orientated shots.

 

[souldeep]

And finally some wild animals from the forest. Times like this I wished I had a longer zoom lens though.. especially for wild deer or bird life.

 

[Piscator Pete]

Souldeep - what smashing shots!

I know what you mean about wanting a longer focus lens for the wildlife. A zoom of 4X is generally not nearly enough, but you've done very well to get this close to what look like fallow deer. The roe deer in the fields around here have got much bolder in recent years, but still don't allow me close enough to get any useable image.

I took a photo late afternoon today with a definite "cast" in it!

This end-of-season trout fly fisher has left it so late that Duncan's Mendip Hills behind are dusted with snow. Have trout fished myself in a blizzard before now, but I thought the 'white stuff' down here in the 'soft South' was confined to those raw, early season days in spring.


Photo with a cast by wylyeangler, on Flickr

Pete

 

[robenroute]

Very pleasing shot, Pete. Nice composition.

 

[robenroute]

And Martyn/Souldeep, cracking shots. One can see the PP seep through, but it pleases the eye. It's almost like the old-fashioned tube amplifiers: they distorted the music, but the result was a very velvety and pleasing sound that most people really liked.

 

[allanm]

Heres a late Haloween shot, just for fun. A ghoulish pigeon......



We've had rain now for the last 30 years( or it just seems like that.) Seems like everytime I get the X10 out, the heavens open....

Allan

 

[andy1868]

i haven't shared any for afew weeks so one i was happy with, even if it does hurt my eyes


Autumn Glory by andyroberts1868, on Flickr

 

[james n]

Souldeep - great shots. Love the colours. I think you've captured Autumn very nicely there.

James

 

[james n]

And ditto Andy

 

[Ed Sutton]

 

[urdygurdy]

Daz

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

I took a photo late afternoon today with a definite "cast" in it!

This end-of-season trout fly fisher has left it so late that Duncan's Mendip Hills behind are dusted with snow. Have trout fished myself in a blizzard before now, but I thought the 'white stuff' down here in the 'soft South' was confined to those raw, early season days in spring.

Pete - That's a lovely shot!
Tis indeed the gentle Mendip hills where I call home

Being picky though...
Once you spot the white halo around the fishing rod, it's kinda hard to ignore.
Need to have a closer look at your post processing as you probably need to be more gentle with the sliders.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Well I'm not sure how the weather is doing this Sunday near you - but it’s been wet, grey and miserable around London today so here's a few shots of the New Forest from last weekend to bring some autumn warmth into the room!

WOW!
You certainly managed that!!!!!!!!!

There are a number of shots in that lot that really do it for me.
Great captures - thanks for sharing!

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

A few random posts from me, all taken this weekend.

First post - I'm not kidding

 

[james n]

I regretted selling my x100, but I love my X10 so thanks to Amazon...

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

A few from our village firework display.
Apparently it is the last free display in Somerset.
Organised by the Friendly Society for no motive other than letting people have a good time

Now that's what I call a Guy!
Stuffed full of fireworks and let off before the main display.
Steve built the Guy and he's right proud of the result.

Pro-Low-Light mode of the natural amphitheatre ready for the public to arrive. Bonfire and fireworks are just out of shot to the right.

The bonfire in action

There was a monumentally big storm overnight and this is the aftermath which we had to work in to tidy up the event.
That's my car in the mud, it was used to house the sound gear and had to be towed off with a seriously big tractor. Much to my relief there was no damage!

I've no photos of the fireworks as I was manning the sound desk and the commentator was keeping me very busy.
One year a photographer will come to this event and do it justice!

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Last night's storm was Snow Joke
This is Somerset and only the beginning of November; it's very unusual to get snow this early never mind have it lie deep enough to close the nearby A37 up the hill from Shepton Mallet!

View from my door.

The Drunken Wall - one of my favourite local landscape features.

The Hurdles on Priddy village green.

Amazing crisp clear air gave the light a special quality.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Last post in this set

One of my local pubs.
It's the details that make this shot...
Absence of pumps because the beer is straight out the barrels; the tops of two barrels are just visible where they have been tipped up to help pouring.
Pewter mugs above the bar; all in regular use.
Unpretentious - it's a proper pub!
Prices - hand written (and the cheapest in this area)

It's a popular pub with people who like this sort of thing.
But it's too hard core for most people.
I'm not naming it as you really need to know what you are heading into before going there.

 

[Yv]

Last post in this set

One of my local pubs.
It's the details that make this shot...
Absence of pumps because the beer is straight out the barrels; the tops of two barrels are just visible where they have been tipped up to help pouring.
Pewter mugs above the bar; all in regular use.
Unpretentious - it's a proper pub!
Prices - hand written (and the cheapest in this area)

It's a popular pub with people who like this sort of thing.
But it's too hard core for most people.
I'm not naming it as you really need to know what you are heading into before going there.

Please tell me they dont sell alcopops [or anything else that requires refridgeration, wine is for cellars] and spirits are straight from the bottle?

 

[crusher]

Keith - I'm starting to notice you have a unique style to your shots. I could be wrong but I seem to remember these are not the first I've seen from you that have sunsets with the rest of the subject in silhouette. I've not really tried that effect as I go for dynamic range instead but I will try and remember to work with silhouette when I next see a sunset (rare here in ol' blighty).

Not so sure I actually have a "style" - but I do like silhouettes. I'm looking forward to seeing some sunset (or sunrise) shots from you. If they're as consistently good as the rest of your stuff, they'll be superb

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Please tell me they dont sell alcopops [or anything else that requires refridgeration, wine is for cellars] and spirits are straight from the bottle?

He does have a small fridge with a wine box in it.
I've only seen wine served once and he left the box on the counter to warm up for their second glass. I suspect that was done deliberately.

There are lots of house rules - hence my discouraging casual visitors.
For example...
- No children without asking before bringing them in (they will be told to use the back room)
- I almost got chucked out because I moved a chair between tables.
- One order not two; if you order food separately you won't get served until absolutely everyone else has been served.
- the landlord hates mobile phones with passion. If a phone goes off and he doesn't know you, then he will take your phone off you and drop it in your drink as a hint that you are no longer welcome. If he knows you or you are part of a group and therefore should know better, then your phone gets nailed to a board.
- if you complain about your beer then the landlord will offer to have a look, then proceed to knock back the whole glass in one draft and announce there was nothing wrong with it. I've seen it happen and it left the customer speechless. He gets very few complaints about the beer
- there's a legend that he has a six pack of lager "in case that Dutch Bird comes back"; sadly it is only a legend as he does serve lager, but it could easily be true.
- He didn't have a pub sign until recently; allegedly it is a requirement of his licence to have one - the best part of this story is definitely true - he commissioned the pub sign as an enlargement of the wallpaper which lines the corridor to the ladies toilets.

I could add more, but you get the idea

It's a wonderful pub.
But it's his pub and he runs it by his rules.

 

[Yv]

It all sounds eminently sensible, but then, I am a bit old fashioned in what constitutes a good pub :|

 

[souldeep]

Hey Pete - very graceful shot! I can't see the white halo Duncan mentioned - but then he may be snow blinded

Hey Daz - great to hear from you - its been a while. Like the shots - makes me want a JD! Can I ask where they were shot?

Allan - is that really a smear where a pigeon has smashed into a window? Kind of disturbing

 

[souldeep]

A few random posts from me, all taken this weekend.

First post - I'm not kidding

Duncan that is simply brilliant. It actually reminds me of one of henri cartier bresson's famous compositions from a bull ring.

Love the wall shot with the snow as well.

 

[allanm]

.......

Allan - is that really a smear where a pigeon has smashed into a window? Kind of disturbing

Yes, we get this quite a lot. We have a lot of collared doves in the garden for some reason.

Duncan lovely set of snow shots, all we have had so far in the SE is rain

Allan

 

[souldeep]

There are lots of house rules - hence my discouraging casual visitors.
For example...
- No children without asking before bringing them in (they will be told to use the back room)
- I almost got chucked out because I moved a chair between tables.
- One order not two; if you order food separately you won't get served until absolutely everyone else has been served.
- the landlord hates mobile phones with passion. If a phone goes off and he doesn't know you, then he will take your phone off you and drop it in your drink as a hint that you are no longer welcome. If he knows you or you are part of a group and therefore should know better, then your phone gets nailed to a board.
- if you complain about your beer then the landlord will offer to have a look, then proceed to knock back the whole glass in one draft and announce there was nothing wrong with it. I've seen it happen and it left the customer speechless. He gets very few complaints about the beer
- there's a legend that he has a six pack of lager "in case that Dutch Bird comes back"; sadly it is only a legend as he does serve lager, but it could easily be true.
- He didn't have a pub sign until recently; allegedly it is a requirement of his licence to have one - the best part of this story is definitely true - he commissioned the pub sign as an enlargement of the wallpaper which lines the corridor to the ladies toilets.

It's a wonderful pub.
But it's his pub and he runs it by his rules.

Wow - this is a great example of British customer service I also think mobiles bleeping off all the time is bad manners BUT. I'm not a violent man, but if some fella came grabbed my mobile (which lets be honest cost similar prices to our beloved X10's) and dropped it in my drink I may just launch out my seat and :bang:

It would be good to know the name of that pub so I can avoid it if I happen to be gasping for a drink in the Mendip hills

BTW - your example of the Pro-light shot is really good. Looks almost noise free. Equiv hand-held shot would be at least 1200 ISO and full of noise in the black.

 

[souldeep]

I know what you mean about wanting a longer focus lens for the wildlife. A zoom of 4X is generally not nearly enough, but you've done very well to get this close to what look like fallow deer. The roe deer in the fields around here have got much bolder in recent years, but still don't allow me close enough to get any useable image.

I don't know what type of deer they are - but let me tell you I felt like a stalker to get anywhere near them. I approached from downwind and still they heard me from far far away and ran. Guess I need to find same tame deer if I'm going to grab some decent shots

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Souldeep, Allan - Thanks!

Souldeep - You need not worry about stumbling into this pub unawares, the exterior is sufficiently discouraging that there is no way people passing on the road would be tempted to pop in for a swift drink. Most people don't even realise it is a pub unless they spot the sign and even then you would have to question whether it is still open for business

Pro Low Light - yup I took the first attempt with RAW.
The X10 chose ISO 3200, f2, 1/4s
It was properly dark...
The noise is OK for web use, but it isn't sharp as I got camera shake.
The Pro Low Light shot is noise free and plenty sharp enough.
I reckon I could produce a decent A4 print from it.
I took three shots (to be safe), and all of them are equally good.

 

[Piscator Pete]

Wow - this is a great example of British customer service I also think mobiles bleeping off all the time is bad manners BUT. I'm not a violent man, but if some fella came grabbed my mobile (which lets be honest cost similar prices to our beloved X10's) and dropped it in my drink I may just launch out my seat and :bang:

It would be good to know the name of that pub so I can avoid it if I happen to be gasping for a drink in the Mendip hills

Don't worry about a name, Souldeep: if Duncan is referring to the pub I think he might be, you London chaps wouldn't give it a second look!

Thanks for your comment on Duncan's "halo", but now he points it out, it's there loud and clear. I think I've got to the bottom of it though, and will post a response to Duncan separately as soon as I can upload a couple of relevant images which might give more minor insights into the X10.

Pete

 

[souldeep]

Yes, we get this quite a lot.

Wow - kamikaze pigeons! I think they must be trying to tell you something Allan. You forgotten to put out food for them this year?

 

[souldeep]

Don't worry about a name, Souldeep: if Duncan is referring to the pub I think he might be, you London chaps wouldn't give it a second look!

Oh dear - I'm not sure that reputation is a good thing

Regarding the halo - I really can't see it but then looking at my PP work it's hardly surprising I miss subtle halo's spotted by Duncan's trained eye

 

[Piscator Pete]

I don't know what type of deer they are - but let me tell you I felt like a stalker to get anywhere near them. I approached from downwind and still they heard me from far far away and ran. Guess I need to find same tame deer if I'm going to grab some decent shots

You still did extremely well, given the limitations of the X10! Around here, even skulking around the hedgerows in the camouflage clothing I use for fishing isn't enough.

The NT estate at Dyrham Park near Bath is home to fallow deer which are used to visitors. You could easily approach those to within X10 range I think - I'll give it a go when next there.

Pete

 

[Yv]

You still did extremely well, given the limitations of the X10! Around here, even skulking around the hedgerows in the camouflage clothing I use for fishing isn't enough.

The NT estate at Dyrham Park near Bath is home to fallow deer which are used to visitors. You could easily approach those to within X10 range I think - I'll give it a go when next there.

Pete

We have a Dyrham Park here in Nth London too, but I suspect any deer have been driven well away given its a very high end golf club, never felt so safe parking my car with boot full of equipment in the car park with 2 security guards and a plethora of CCTV cameras guarding what probably totalled more than a million pounds worth or two of automotive bling!

The parkland I posted pictures of a few pages back also has deer - I know this, I have seen the footprints and the droppings....sadly, in 8 years I have never actually seen so much as a vanishing arse through the trees, even on the odd occasion I have visited without the rabbit worriers. :bonk:

 

[nog]

"sadly, in 8 years I have never actually seen so much as a vanishing arse through the trees, even on the odd occasion I have visited without the rabbit worriers"

 

[Piscator Pete]

Pete - That's a lovely shot!
Tis indeed the gentle Mendip hills where I call home

Being picky though...
Once you spot the white halo around the fishing rod, it's kinda hard to ignore.
Need to have a closer look at your post processing as you probably need to be more gentle with the sliders.

I'm glad you pointed it out, Duncan - be as "picky" as you like: my male vanities lie elsewhere! But, for example, if you were to criticize my fly-casting...

On this thread, I feel I represent the "ordinary bloke", not in the same league as the rest of you in terms of ability or enthusiasm, but willing to post his mediocre attempts actually to attract criticism and learn.

The "halo" you refer to might be enhanced, but certainly not created, by my PP. Below is the JPEG straight out of the camera which I worked on for the posted image; t'other is the RAW photo as churned out as "default" by SilkyPix. Since the latter is free from any halo, I have to conclude it was created by the subsequent camera process, and pretty obvious why so, I think: acting on a tip elsewhere, I had set the 'in camera' sharpness to +2 or "hard", suspecting that the clever boys at Fuji wouldn't overdo things to the point of being visible.

I was wrong: the moral? - don't always trust the JPEG if you overcook the settings:


DSCF9834 jpeg out of camera by wylyeangler, on Flickr


DSCF9834.jpg default by wylyeangler, on Flickr

Having looked at the above images via Flickr, for some reason the difference is not so pronounced as they appear selected straight from the folder on my computer.


Thanks for the wonderful shots of Priddy - it would appear that we both have a love of the place; in my case, almost addiction! For the last 15 - 20 years, perhaps as often as 2 or 3 times a month, I've walked along Nine Barrows Lane, up to the tumuli, and back to village via the Waldegrave Pool which people call "Priddy Pool" (but isn't!). Could it be that you were the guy I encountered some years ago on the track between the pool and the caving hut, trying I think, to photograph birds, which my arrival didn't help? This very pleasant chap, who told me he was a professional (and judging by the gear, looked it), amongst other things discussed with me the nightjars which each of us had discovered in the area.

If so, small world.

Pete

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Thanks for the wonderful shots of Priddy - it would appear that we both have a love of the place; in my case, almost addiction! For the last 15 - 20 years, perhaps as often as 2 or 3 times a month, I've walked along Nine Barrows Lane, up to the tumuli, and back to village via the Waldegrave Pool which people call "Priddy Pool" (but isn't!). Could it be that you were the guy I encountered on the track some years ago, between the pool and the caving hut, trying I think, to photograph birds, which my arrival didn't help? This very pleasant chap, who told me he was a professional (and judging by the gear, looked it), amongst other things discussed with me the nightjars which each of us had discovered in the area.

If so, small world.

Pete

Definitely wasn't me!
I'd never describe myself professional and I don't shoot birds!
However, I do have quite a few shots of 'that' tree near the pool.

My favourite local walk is from Charterhouse to Cheddar and back.
Here's a recent set of images, all taken with the X10.
http://www.wild-landscapes.co.uk/Blog/2012-10-13-Cheddar-Walk/26054766_53wJdW

Looks like you got your halo figured out.
Yup - hard is way too much for most subjects.
I've seen it recommended to turn in camera sharpness down a notch as it is more post processing friendly; your results support that suggestion.

 

[Piscator Pete]

Definitely wasn't me!
My favourite local walk is from Charterhouse to Cheddar and back.
Here's a recent set of images, all taken with the X10.
http://www.wild-landscapes.co.uk/Blog/2012-10-13-Cheddar-Walk/26054766_53wJdW

Thanks Duncan - lovely evocative scenes of country I know well.

I usually start from Velvet Bottom, to join your walk, which I suppose takes you through Long Wood (you pass a couple of swallets on the way don't you?), to meet at Black Rock. Years ago, it was a handy place to take the kids, but now, especially with its dry-stone walls and rocky outcrops, I've tried to find adders around Black Rock. I've walked Mendip sporadically most of my life, and don't clump about announcing my arrival either, but have never seen an adder there despite their prevalence - others encounter them on their first visit! I should like to photograph my first with the X10!

I see you investigate the sheer drops on the gorge as I do - marching, like an army, on my stomach; although a recent post shows you have had a recent rush of blood!

I sometimes find my way back to Black Rock from Cheddar (often after stoking up on fish and chips) by walking up the 'other' side of the gorge to make a circular trip of it, but t'ain't so easy is it? Perhaps I should leave out the chips.

Pete

 

[souldeep]

Pete... I have a penchant for looking for snakes. Here's an adder from last year, but before I got my X10. Was a fuji compact though - the F30.