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

[james n]

A couple from the weekend. A frosty morning at Petworth Park.

James

 

[james n]

Wow ! - now that's a view Duncan. Gorgeous !

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Cheers James
It was worth the effort getting up there.
For some reason the group set a blistering pace that I personally struggled with.
We got up Snowdon in the same time it took us to get down; that's mad

Nice set from you too!
That last one clearly indicates you have an orb free sensor as the original sensor really struggled with shots like that.

 

[souldeep]

Just checking in for two minutes - Pete I'll read your post in depth in the morning and thanks for taking the time to write back about pro focus!

Now Duncan .. ... goodbye x10 forum is was great knowing you but the ***** is a different league. The tears btw are becuase those images are so good they've made me emotional.

James

Err... I'm lost for words from the sheer quality of images from the past few days

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Just checking in for two minutes - Pete I'll read your post in depth in the morning and thanks for taking the time to write back about pro focus!

Now Duncan .. ... goodbye x10 forum is was great knowing you but the ***** is a different league. The tears btw are becuase those images are so good they've made me emotional.

James

Err... I'm lost for words from the sheer quality of images from the past few days

OI !
You ain't going nowhere sunshine!
Your travel pics are right up with the best of them.

If you recall, not long ago I was feeling my images weren't up to the standard you lot were posting and I needed to up my game.
I had a good weekend...

Where Lindsay D keeps amazing me is that her stuff is consistently superb. It doesn't seem to matter what she turns her hand to as it all brilliant. As far as I'm concerned she is the one in the different league and the rest of us will carry on doing what we can.

Let's get back out there and take some more piccies!

 

[AESamuel]

Very nice set Duncan. What I really like it there seems to be a lot of detail in the images. I seem to recall that you shoot RAW but what editing software do you use to process them? I had been using lightroom 4.1 and it never seemed to get that much detail from the images. Especially foliage looked a bit mushed. Are you using 4.2?

 

[Yv]

Just checking in for two minutes - Pete I'll read your post in depth in the morning and thanks for taking the time to write back about pro focus!

Now Duncan .. ... goodbye x10 forum is was great knowing you but the ***** is a different league. The tears btw are becuase those images are so good they've made me emotional.

James

Err... I'm lost for words from the sheer quality of images from the past few days

EHEM!! if you don't want a very short woman armed with a baseball bat hunting the city for you, then you better stop that right now!


Duncan, the Snowdon pictures are very good indeed and I guess carrying an X10 up there is somewhat easier than a bag load of canon stuff too, especially when you know you can trust it to capture what you want.

James, the two tree pictures with the sun I love. Less sure about the lake/bridge... I think its the mass of grass to the left that seems to grate a little for me. I understand having foreground interest in landscapes, but maybe that is a little too much, I think I would like to have seen more water [assuming there is more and you haven't just missed some horrible just off-stage right ]

Lindsay, liking what you are doing too, though gawd knows how you write those big long posts, my brain runs out of things to say. However, it did remind me to start adding some X10 pics to my hobby blog. Keep it up, very enjoyable

 

[Nod]

Yv, I wish I had spent more time playing with his toy (or have you appropriated it for good now?!) while you were down here, specifically, seeing how easily it fitted in assorted coat/fleece pockets! Almost too tempted now after seeing all these great shots and I think my local purveyor of fotoaparats might even stock Fuji refurbs from time to time... (Bad Nod - you don't need one! Yes, I know but it's a fairly mild manifestation of GAS for me!)

 

[Yv]

Yv, I wish I had spent more time playing with his toy (or have you appropriated it for good now?!) while you were down here, specifically, seeing how easily it fitted in assorted coat/fleece pockets! Almost too tempted now after seeing all these great shots and I think my local purveyor of fotoaparats might even stock Fuji refurbs from time to time... (Bad Nod - you don't need one! Yes, I know but it's a fairly mild manifestation of GAS for me!)

I thought I might buy him his own for christmas...

Seriously though, it does fit in all but the smallest pockets, and even slung round a neck is very discreet, even compared to your bigger Fuji, as it sits so flat.

 

[souldeep]

Woah - the last thing I need is a deadly Duncan and a yelling Yv rounding me up on Londinium’s streets! Think I’d better stay put

You know looking at great photography – and there has been some great photography on this forum especially the past few days – is aspirational but sometimes it’s also overwhelming. I really am not joking when I say that Duncan’s images could win the nature category of the wildlife photographer of the year awards. Then Pete with that bridge – who had the eye of a renaissance master to see that shot – the composition is so perfect. Then we have Lindsay who as Duncan comments – is consistently amazing with her photography and her unique style shines through her work. Then Yv has blown me away with some shots she showed me the other day. James’s misty woods are to die for then there’s Allan, Dave, Chris and all the others that have posted such good shots of late. I don’t know – I’m not sure if others feel like that sometimes but seeing such great work can be briefly de-motivational. I had the same with the wildlife awards the other day – work was of such a high calibre that it just makes you think what’s the point. On the good side I get this type of feeling briefly and once you get back out there shooting the lust for it all returns. Anyway sorry for my random emotive post – just wondering if others ever feel that way and if so, what you do to re-motivate yourself

 

[souldeep]

A couple of weeks ago you posted photos relevant to the quoted message, and I meant at the time to agree that the ProFocus facility seems to be an unnecessary step too far. I think Duncan was initially impressed last year, but has reservations now I should think. I found it difficult to make it work with any degree of consistency, but remembered the old trick, used by my uncle and mentor, of using long focus lenses for portrait work with 35 mm cameras. Of course, one of the tricks is to use the zoom lens on the X10. At the same time, I tried "Portrait Enhancer" out on my daughter, only backing off the red a bit in PP to suit what I was trying to achieve:

Hey Pete – I don’t want to quote that post on this page as I’m already borderline spammer on here but in short in basically gave three different examples of getting Bokeh effect using the X10. The first was using the ProFocus function that I feel I cannot rely on. The second was using the Macro function with the long end of the zoom lens and the third was using the zoom lens set at a wide aperture. I think it’s the latter you are describing to me now but the bit that I believe is additional to this is your mention of something called ‘portrait enhancer’. Is this a software package or a function inside a software package?

BTW - you really caught your daughters eyes well. Very beautiful and perfect focus

Everyone ought to have an 'Uncle Jack'!

I agree – my childhood would have been richer with one of those!

Copy of b, Reid, Pan F, 13.5 cm, 1957 by wylyeangler, on Flickr

Anyone we know

 

[Lindsay D]

Woah - the last thing I need is a deadly Duncan and a yelling Yv rounding me up on Londinium’s streets! Think I’d better stay put

You know looking at great photography – and there has been some great photography on this forum especially the past few days – is aspirational but sometimes it’s also overwhelming. I really am not joking when I say that Duncan’s images could win the nature category of the wildlife photographer of the year awards. Then Pete with that bridge – who had the eye of a renaissance master to see that shot – the composition is so perfect. Then we have Lindsay who as Duncan comments – is consistently amazing with her photography and her unique style shines through her work. Then Yv has blown me away with some shots she showed me the other day. James’s misty woods are to die for then there’s Allan, Dave, Chris and all the others that have posted such good shots of late. I don’t know – I’m not sure if others feel like that sometimes but seeing such great work can be briefly de-motivational. I had the same with the wildlife awards the other day – work was of such a high calibre that it just makes you think what’s the point. On the good side I get this type of feeling briefly and once you get back out there shooting the lust for it all returns. Anyway sorry for my random emotive post – just wondering if others ever feel that way and if so, what you do to re-motivate yourself

Right. What's going on? What's this about leaving - you can't be serious? I won't be the only one chasing you with a big stick if that's the case ....

I have to agree that there are some awesome photographers in this thread, photographers who have inspired and wowed me in equal measure, and who have spurred me on to do better. What you're saying is normal, you wouldn't be human if you didn't look at some of those images and wonder how you could match them - I feel that way all the time. In fact if we didn't feel demotivated then we wouldn't feel motivated either. I hope that makes some sort of sense. I can remember wanting to jack it all in, feeling that I would never produce photographs which I would consider acceptable, but we all go through that. As you said, the thing is to keep on going, nothing helps you improve more than practice, and as time goes on the expectation of failure lessens. If three years ago someone had told me where I would be today (and I don't consider myself to be particularly great) then I would've laughed. I don't think I have much natural creative talent, but I am persistent, and that can be your greatest attribute.

Please don't leave.

L x

 

[Rhodese]

Mornin all,
Duncan, pictures two and four in the first set and two and five in the second are! Well what can I say, great, just great? The running water is refreshing, (excuse the pun), it looks like what it is, not an arty impression. I struggle getting upstairs these days, so to be able to get to those giddy heights is an achievement in its self. Again lovely pictures of a dramatic location, you is da man.

 

[souldeep]

Lindsay thank you and that’s very sweet. Sorry but I wasn't actually intending on leaving (the value of this forum and the generous contributors is too great), or fishing for love, but rather was just a way to express the extremity of how amazing the shots have been!

Thanks for your honest reflections - I feel awful to say it but it’s nice to know others do have those feelings on occasions. Yes your explanation makes sense. The yin and the yang - we require opposites to feel. If we had just one value to gauge against – we couldn’t gauge against it – in fact we would be unaware of it at it would be a constant.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I don’t know – I’m not sure if others feel like that sometimes but seeing such great work can be briefly de-motivational.

Absolutely.

I'm always wary of posting in this thread owing to the high standards set by others.

As ever Duncan's latest offerings shine, and it's pleasing to see Lindsay posting again - even if the pair of them do make me wonder why I bother!

 

[james n]

Folks - thanks for your kind comments

@ Yvonne - yes i agree it's not an interesting picture - there isn't a focal point or really a lot of interest in the scene and I could have made a lot more of it if i'd have changed my viewpoint. I like your street pictures with Souldeep. You've found some great shots amongst ordinary daily life, something i wish i had an eye for.

@ Souldeep - I really like your photos and your contributions. I must say i've really enjoyed reading this long thread, not only for the technical content but just see results from peoples various photo excursions. Whilst i'm enjoying trying to improve my picture taking, i get just as much pleasure in looking at other peoples photos as i do in taking them. The other thing to add is how useful this thread has been - i've never contributed to a photography forum before as most of them delve too much into the technical detail of the equipment rather than the results. This is a friendly, interesting place, full of helpful advice.

@ Duncan - always interesting posts and lovely photos. You helped me a lot to find the sweet spot in my X10 settings.

@ Lindsay - I came across your site and blog through googling X10 a few weeks back and its become essential lunchtime reading as i go through the various posts. Great shots and a very enjoyable read and it was shameful the abuse you got from the review of the X10 - some people really do have too much time on their hands)

@ Everyone else - keep up the good work. The X10 is a marvelous tool (battery life aside !) and i'm really enjoying seeing all your results.

Here's my final two from Sunday.

James

 

[Lindsay D]

.... I wasn't actually intending on leaving.

Phew!

I thought for a moment you were going to take time out, which clearly we won't allow you to do!

 

[Lindsay D]

Gorgeous shots James, love the second one especially, it has a wonderful delicacy to it.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Many thanks for the kind comments
The weather definitely worked in my favour, all I did was wander through the scenery with a group of walkers.
As Pete mentioned earlier, this style of picture taking is reactive and largely instinctive.
I was carrying the X10 in a convenient waist pouch or in the hand and when I saw something I simply lifted the camera and went click.
The exposure compensation dial got some abuse to make sure the highlights were OK, but they were all on P mode (except for a load at the start of the day taken on S because I forgot to check the settings).

Here's my final two from Sunday.

James - I love the second shot.
Here's an alternative spin on that image for you to think about.
Some people will prefer the original, but working out why one is preferred to another is a really revealing.
I prefer my crop of you image, but that may just be me

Image by James N, posted to illustrate an alternative crop.

James - currently your status indicates you are happy with people posting edits of your images. But since you are a new member you may not realise you have this set! If you would prefer me to take down this cropped version please just say so - ta!

 

[souldeep]

Gorgeous shots James, love the second one especially, it has a wonderful delicacy to it.

I couldn't have summarised it better. It's actually that delicacy that I've been contemplating of late and trying to figure out how I can achieve it. I have a penchant for pastels in whatever form. The impressionists have always floated my boat and a Monet pastel sunset strikes some very deep emotional cords within me I can't quite understand.

An example of something I have been working out a project towards to achieve;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magdawasiczek/8042642889/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magdawasiczek/5798905909/in/photostream

…and the picture that drew me to investigate this photographer http://www.flickr.com/photos/magdawasiczek/8175907436/in/photostream

Anyway I see similar delicacy in Lindsay’s work and the image posts over the past few days seem to mostly have some form of this coincidentally – Duncan’s latest contributions also display a pastel edge. This is why I’ve been so flummoxed by the photo’s posted!

Duncan – I’m sorry to disagree for this first time but I prefer James’s non-cropped version. I know your crop improves the composition (e.g. removes the bush thats half cut off on the far right) which improves the balance but I can't help feeling that the colours on the far right really add to this image

 

[souldeep]

how do you delete a post you made by mistake?

 

[Lindsay D]

Souldeep, the way to get the "airiness" that I personally favour is to make sure you can find the right light on location, and for me that is almost always going to be low backlighting. That's pretty much it, and in postproduction I'm careful not to block any shadows. And as you know I don't really do any sharpening.

I've got an XE1 and zoom coming tomorrow - that will be interesting, going from my lovely OVFs to an EVF. Hmm.

 

[Nod]

I thought I might buy him his own for christmas...

But only if you can 1/2" his CC?

Seriously though, it does fit in all but the smallest pockets, and even slung round a neck is very discreet, even compared to your bigger Fuji, as it sits so flat.

Me? Discrete? If I want to do discrete, I use my mini Leica-like!

how do you delete a post you made by mistake?

What people normally do is hit the Edit button (which I see you've found) and delete everything then leave either a full stop or a brief "Post Deleted by [insert name here]" or maybe a "Whoops!".

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Duncan – I’m sorry to disagree for this first time but I prefer James’s non-cropped version. I know your crop improves the composition (e.g. removes the bush thats half cut off on the far right) which improves the balance but I can't help feeling that the colours on the far right really add to this image

LOL - I knew this would happen
For me, the bit I like is the distant mists, and that part of the image is strengthened by my crop.

Often the image is not just about being well composed; to be engaging it needs to also tell a story.
Thinking of Yv's kitchen image, there's a LONG story that can be read into that image.
Cropping changes the story being told, and many images can be utterly changed with just a light crop.

The classic example of stories in an image is one I got from a book back when I was learning.
You are walking through a dark conifer wood and spot a clearing with a mossy boulder on top of which is a single golden leaf.
The obvious shot is the golden leaf on the mossy boulder.
But what attracted this subject is the context - dark dense woodland with a jewel in the clearing.
Both shots work; but the stronger image is the one that attracted you enough to stop and take the photograph.
The trick is realising that is what happened.

What I like doing while I'm out and about is when I see something to take it straight away.
These are the impulsive shots.
If I have time, I have a think about what attracted me in the image and what is the story I'm trying to convey through the image.
Then I'll recompose to try and refine the composition and strengthen the story being told by the image.
Sometimes the original impulsive image is the best, sometimes it is the one I've thought about.
If you have time, always take both!

 

[souldeep]

Duncan - thats very well explained. Great analogy.

 

[souldeep]

Thanks NOD. Guess I'll leave that post as is then.

 

[Piscator Pete]

Hey Pete – I don’t want to quote that post on this page as I’m already borderline spammer on here but in short in basically gave three different examples of getting Bokeh effect using the X10. The first was using the ProFocus function that I feel I cannot rely on. The second was using the Macro function with the long end of the zoom lens and the third was using the zoom lens set at a wide aperture. I think it’s the latter you are describing to me now but the bit that I believe is additional to this is your mention of something called ‘portrait enhancer’. Is this a software package or a function inside a software package?

BTW - you really caught your daughters eyes well. Very beautiful and perfect focus



I agree – my childhood would have been richer with one of those!



Anyone we know

Hello Souldeep, Martyn, I don't think anyone here could accuse you of being a "spammer" - rather a generous purveyor of useful information, ideas, and gorgeous images!

I haven't tried the Macro approach to Bokeh yet - your supporting image requires that I should - but my reason for posting was to concur not only with your doubts about the ProFocus function, but also with your reminder to us that the traditional way to that effect with small format cameras (now small sensors) where DOF control is limited, is via long focus lenses and wide apertures. Hence the additional, but ancient, example taken by my uncle - a technique he wasn't much in favour of!

Of the few photos I've posted, it's those shots of my younger daughter that really please me - the very kind comments you and others have made about the other more casual stuff have really taken me aback.

Now, I don't necessarily have you down as a 'ladies' man' Martyn, but a young chap with an X10 ought to have selected SP on the Mode dial, and scrolled to Portrait Enhancer. The effect on the female face is startling - a little too 'rosy' for my taste, but easily dealt with in PP: with a bit of zoom and big stop, it should be a powerful addition to your undoubted male charm!!

Pete

 

[souldeep]

Hello Souldeep, Martyn, I don't think anyone here could accuse you of being a "spammer" - rather a generous purveyor of useful information, ideas, and gorgeous images!

Well thank you kindly Pete

I haven't tried the Macro approach to Bokeh yet - your supporting image requires that I should - but my reason for posting was to concur not only with your doubts about the ProFocus function, but also with your reminder to us that the traditional way to that effect with small format cameras (now small sensors) where DOF control is limited, is via long focus lenses and wide apertures. Hence the additional, but ancient, example taken by my uncle - a technique he wasn't much in favour of!

I understand now - thanks for clarification. Firstly lets clear up the ladies man bit. I have the hair style of a highland sheep and sharpness of lowland one - so can't say the ladies are knocking down my door but it's me so hey

Only time I tried an SP mode was earlier this year with a sunset I posted from Dorset. I will explore the Portrait Enhancer as I'm sure your recommendations means it well worth an explore. It may of course have been selected without my knowledge back in the days I dabbled with EXR mode.

Of the few photos I've posted, it's those shots of my younger daughter that really please me - the very kind comments you and others have made about the other more casual stuff have really taken me aback.

Well it sure helps when you have an ascetically pleasing subject to try this portrait technique out on

Regarding your casual stuff - I can't get that bridge shot out of my mind. It's not just me saying they are great shots - but that one is playing on my mind - I keep thinking about it and I can't quite figure why it has me hooked to this extent. Strange.

 

[james n]

Thanks again guys. Very kind of you to take the time to comment.

Duncan - I like that crop it just balances the image and I notice I don't get distracted by the branches in the foreground. It looks obvious now I look at it.

Lindsay - looking forward to reading about your exploits with the XE-1 especially how you find the EVF. If Fuji stay true to their lens support, then this looks to be a great machine.

James

 

[AlfyB]

Wow, so much going on here. James, I love the first shot you posted of the frosty morning, three pages ago.

For the shot that Duncan edited, I personal prefer that version and it was interesting explanation why it was done. I had just thought there was a bit to much empty space in the sky. That's all getting a bit picky though, it's a great shot either way.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

For the shot that Duncan edited, I personal prefer that version and it was interesting explanation why it was done. I had just thought there was a bit to much empty space in the sky. That's all getting a bit picky though, it's a great shot either way.

Indeed it is
My favorite landscape shots capture fleeting moments of mist and light; this image ticks all the boxes.

Just a thought...
It's not something I've done before, but I'd be happy to occasionally post an X10 image I'm happy with, talk about the story behind the image (why I was there), what attracted me to take it - and here's the different bit - also show the variation shots I took at the same time as I refined my thoughts, plus show the effects of my post processing.
Any takers?

 

[urdygurdy]

 

[souldeep]

Any takers?

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

...funfair ride piccy...

Wow - that's dramatic
Also - I'm intrigued by how you can see the lights through the seat bit.
It's got to be a fairly slow shutter with the seat bit rotating, but the rest of it looks pin sharp.
However, whatever - it adds a lovely dash of mystery into the image.
Cracking shot - well seen and well taken

Souldeep - noted...
I'll have a think

 

[james n]

+1 on that one

 

[AlfyB]

Duncan - count me in

Darren, that's superb

 

[robenroute]

Just a thought...
It's not something I've done before, but I'd be happy to occasionally post an X10 image I'm happy with, talk about the story behind the image (why I was there), what attracted me to take it - and here's the different bit - also show the variation shots I took at the same time as I refined my thoughts, plus show the effects of my post processing.
Any takers?

Jolly good thought, I'd say!

 

[souldeep]

Wow - that's dramatic
Also - I'm intrigued by how you can see the lights through the seat bit.
It's got to be a fairly slow shutter with the seat bit rotating, but the rest of it looks pin sharp.
However, whatever - it adds a lovely dash of mystery into the image.
Cracking shot - well seen and well taken

Because the "seat bit" is spinning faster than the merry-go-round is rotating The seat has a big gap in the middle so creates the effect.

Nice one for the shot Darren - I'm really into neon experimenting at the moment.

 

[souldeep]

James - can I ask where that beautiful lake is?

 

[DayDreamer]

Any takers?

AS long as you don't start charging us for doing ut - 100% yes