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This month marks the first anniversary of my relationship with the Fujifilm X-Pro2 mirrorless camera.
On the whole, it has been a happy affair.
Fuji’s frequent firmware updates, to both cameras and lenses, have been part of its success story — listening to photographers and responding with new and improved functions.
Accordingly, Fuji has just released the latest firmware update (3.0), adding such functions as:
- Copyright information in EXIF data,
- Voice memo function.
- “Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display” option in the View Mode allowing you to shoot through the viewfinder and check images on the LCD, just like a DSLR.
- Extended ISO 125 and 160 selectable.
- Shooting RAW in bracketing and advanced filters
Also improving functions, such as:
- Faster “Face Detection AF”
- Extended AE bracketing from 3 frames +/-2EV to up to 9 frames +/-3EV.
- Programmable long exposure of up to 15 minutes
- Improved in-focus indication in the AF-C mode
Full list of firmware changes here.
Prior to my visit to England, last September, I acquired two zoom lenses to add to the 23mm 1.4 prime I bought with the camera: the XF10-24mmF4 R OIS and XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR. Both are superb lenses. The 23mm (equivalent to 35mm on full frame sensor) is one of the finest lenses I’ve ever owned.
However, I was disappointed to discover on my return, examining photos from the 10-24, that there was a rather large area of softness in the top right corner, especially in images made at the longer end of the lens’s zoom range — caused by a misaligned element, I’m guessing.
Fuji made everything right under warrantee, but I was without the lens for nearly a month.
The ergonomics of the camera are not perfect — a larger finger grip would have been nice. An add-on is available from Fuji, but I use the Really Right Stuff L-plate for tripod mounting. This issue doesn’t interfere with my attention to the job at hand: making photographs.
Battery life is not outstanding, particularly if shooting video or using stabilized lenses, like the two zooms mentioned above. I now carry 3 batteries, which see me through a long day of shooting.
I must also mention this aggravation, which has occurred a few times: advanced filter mode, starting with “Toy Camera,” is easily triggered via the Drive button, as described here.
Fuji, who needs this? Maybe a suggestion for a future firmware update will add a way to disable this menu.
Aside from these minor complaints, the love affair endures. When user error is absent and lens elements aligned both the X-Pro2 and Fujinon glass produce great results.
Unlike many Fuji “converts” who have gone on to ditch their DSLRs, I’m not ready to sell my Nikon gear, as explained in a recent post. But the X-Pro 2 kit, carried in the Billingham Hadley Pro bag, has lightened my load immensely and encourages me to visit street or park more often, which is a very good thing indeed!
All in all, the X-Pro 2 has exceeded my expectations.
I won’t repeat my initial impressions. I’ll leave the gallery below to illustrate some of the results from the last year.
