Thursday, December 26, 2024

Switching from Sony to Fuji • PhotoTraces

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It’s been some time since I switched from Sony to Fuji. At this level, I’m prepared to present you my causes for the change and the way I evaluate Fujifilm vs Sony crop sensor cameras.

Fujifilm vs Sony. Switching from Sony to Fujifilm. Not What I Expected At All

First, I need to admit that Fujifilm was not what I anticipated. It truly turned out to be completely the other of my expectations. I bought eager about Fujifilm due to the necessity for a greater person expertise, however I stayed with it due to its picture high quality and stellar Fuji lenses.

Let me clarify.

Sony vs Fujifilm. Causes for Switching

As I thought of the change this time, I had just one model in thoughts: Fujifilm. Listed here are the principle causes:

1. Person Expertise

Whenever you mature as a photographer, you develop a novel images routine and habits. You realize precisely what you need to see in a digital camera that’s intently aligned together with your images workflow. With Sony, I felt that I couldn’t customise my picture tools how I wished. I hoped combining the streamlined Fuji menu system with the mechanical dials and customizable buttons would provide extra flexibility.

Once I determined to change to Fujifilm, I solely thought of the highest of the road XT2 mannequin, however I had problem discovering dependable critiques. Why? The rationale was due to Fuji’s distinctive method to firmware updates.

Since Fujifilm launched its XT2 mannequin in August 2016, it has launched three main firmware updates that reach the digital camera’s performance by including tons of–that’s proper, tons of–of latest and up to date options.

By the top of 2017, a lot of the preliminary XT2 critiques had been outdated as a result of it was a really totally different digital camera.

I discover Fuji’s method to be distinctive and refreshing, making them extra like a software program startup than a client electronics firm. It seems like a contemporary method to images when an organization listens to customers and makes enhancements to present cameras by way of software program updates.

I wished to be a part of that have.

Fujifilm vs Sony: example of the photo taken with Fujifilm XT2 camera
Shot with Fujifilm X-T2 and Fujinon 18-135mm

2. Curiosity

I do know loads of fellow photographers who shoot with Fujifilm and love the Fujifilm expertise. Generally, they reward Fuji a lot that it seems like they’re a part of a cult-like Scientology or CrossFit. I used to be curious to discover the cult-like expertise from the within.

I used to be additionally intrigued to discover the fully totally different design of Fuji cameras with their numerous mechanical dials and gazillions of customizable buttons.

Additionally, as a photographer and educator, I believed it might be good to study one other system so I can intelligently talk about it.

3. Want for the Final Journey Digicam

For a very long time, I wished the last word journey digital camera setup. I craved for a mix of a compact climate sealed digital camera and lens.

I used to be additionally in search of a contemporary twin reminiscence card performance that might give me a very redundant backup workflow from begin to end.

And eventually, I wished my journey digital camera to have a dependable and easy GPS tagging performance.

I couldn’t accomplish every part with Sony.

4. Neglect By Sony

Fujifilm vs Sony. The Change

Once I switched from Canon to Sony, probably the most vital change that impacted my images was the unimaginable dynamic vary of the Sony sensors. It modified the way in which I shoot and edit pictures.

It made me use HDR even much less. And, even when it was completely essential to make the most of HDR, I solely wanted three brackets. The time of taking 5 to seven bracketed photographs was over.

Since then, I all the time take note of the dynamic vary of any digital camera that I consider and make it probably the most essential paraments of my images.

The issue with Fuji is that it makes use of an X-Trans sensor, and it appears that evidently nobody can precisely measure its dynamic vary. This made it inconceivable for me to match the dynamic vary of the XT2 to my present Sony earlier than I made the change.

It frightened me a bit as a result of I didn’t need to sacrifice the dynamic vary in my new digital camera.

So, as a substitute of switching immediately, I made a decision to first check the Fuji. When an area fellow photographer was promoting his virtually new Fuji X-T2 physique, I knew it was the right alternative for me to match it to Sony.

I purchased the digital camera and complemented it with the Fujinon 18-135mm lens. Over the subsequent six weeks, I used each the Sony and Fuji techniques facet by facet.

Here’s what I found.

Fujifilm vs Sony: Switching from Sony to Fuji 1
Shot with Fujifilm X-T2 and Fujinon 18-135mm

The Positives of Switching from Sony to Fujifilm

Dynamic Vary

The dynamic vary of the Fuji XT2 sensor is unimaginable. I can not measure it exactly to provide the actual variety of stops it covers however, based mostly on my purely empirical expertise; it’s higher than the Sony a6000, a6300, and a6500. In six weeks, I’ve not used HDR, even when capturing instantly into the solar. The quantity of element I can recuperate in highlights and shadows is staggering.

That is one thing I didn’t count on.

Fujifilm vs Sony: Switching from Sony to Fuji 2
Shot with Fujifilm X-T2 and Fujinon 18-135mm

Picture High quality

Presently, I’ve two lenses: Fujinon 10-24 and Fujinon 18-135. The mixture of the Fuji XT2 and the 10-24 or 18-135 produces a lot cleaner and sharper photographs than the Sony a6000 or a65000 with a Sony 16-70 or Sony 10-18. The Fujifilm photographs are completely usable at 100% magnification. Unbelievable.

Fujinon Lenses

However, I need to think about Fujinon 18-135 lens. It’s not the preferred Fuji lens, however I picked it as a part of my final journey images setup. It’s climate sealed, and stabilized with a really helpful focal size. I knew upfront that I might go on an prolonged journey with solely that lens.

After utilizing Fujinon solely for two weeks, I noticed that just about all of the Fujinon 18-135 critiques I learn had been inaccurate and deceptive. Most of them concluded that it’s a first rate lens however you cannot count on a lot from an excellent zoom lens.

Fujinon XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Fujinon XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6

I don’t agree with these conclusions. I discover this lens to be excellent. The picture high quality is great and when capturing at f/8 – f/11 I hardly can inform the distinction between Fujinon 18-135 and all people’s favourite extremely broad Fujinon 10-24.

Fujifilm XF10-24mmF4 R OIS
Fujinon XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

The Fujinon 18-135mm has one of the best Optical Stabilization I’ve ever skilled. I managed to shoot at focal size 135mm utilizing shutter pace 1/10s and produce a wonderfully sharp picture. It’s exceptional.

Digital Viewfinder

The EVF is to die for. It’s HUGE and vibrant. It comprises an unlimited quantity of data, and you may customise it in any manner you need. It has already modified the way in which I take pictures.

I assigned the entrance perform button to set off the Histogram show in EVF. With the newest firmware replace, it shows a mixed histogram plus three extra variations for every colour channel. Now when I’m able to shoot, I press the AE-L button to lock the publicity; subsequent, I activate the histogram inside the EVF, and at last, I tweak the publicity by adjusting the publicity compensation utilizing Entrance Command Dial. And I all the time have 4 histograms in EVF to judge my changes.

Like it.

ISO Efficiency

One of many shortcomings of the Fuji XT2 is taken into account to be not a stellar excessive ISO efficiency. However, as soon as once more, I don’t completely agree with the conclusion. I suppose for those who evaluate XT2 ISO efficiency to a full body sensor digital camera just like the Sony 7r, it could be the case, however I discover the ISO efficiency is great for the APS-C digital camera. I used to be shocked that at ISO 12800, photographs are nonetheless usable with loads of particulars.

The mixture of fantastic ISO efficiency with improved and prolonged Auto ISO performance permits me to shoot in situations I might by no means contemplate capturing earlier than.

Fujifilm vs Sony: Switching from Sony to Fuji 3
Shot with Fujifilm X-T2 and Fujinon 18-135mm

The Negatives of Switching from Sony to Fujifilm

Ergonomics

The day I obtained the digital camera and the lens I went on a day-long journey to shoot winter landscapes.  After capturing for two hours, I noticed I had cramps in my fingers.

Sony a6000 is a small digital camera, but it surely has a beefy, not very deep, however fairly broad grip, and I might comfortably carry the digital camera utilizing my complete palm. However the Fuji XT2 is a much bigger and heavier digital camera with a tiny grip, and I all the time needed to squeeze it with my fingers placing pointless pressure on them.

After 5 minutes of Googling, I noticed the small grip was a standard situation for a lot of Fuji cameras. And naturally, I discovered the answer quick. I ordered the thumb grip, and it nearly mounted the issue.

Lensmate Thumb Grip for Fujifilm X-T2 (Also fits X-T1) - Black

Thumbs Grip for Fujifilm X-T2

I additionally purchased a cheap L-Bracket with a metallic grip.

XT2 Grip Vertical Shoot Hand Grip QR Quick Release L Plate Camera Bracket Holder Compatible with Fuji Fujifilm XT2 X T2 X-T2

Fujifilm XT2 Vertical Shoot Hand Grip

Now once I shoot handheld, I take advantage of a thumb grip solely, and when I’m on a tripod, I additionally connect the L-Bracket Grip.

However, I’m nonetheless not completely comfy. I hope, over time, I’ll get used to it.

I’m an enormous Again Button Focus person, and the AE-L and AF-L buttons are tiny, and it’s onerous to make use of them. I needed to assign Rear Command Dial to lock the deal with a press down. It’s not completely comfy.

Inconsistency with Customization

I just like the Fuji XT2 design and mechanical dials, however I anticipated to have the power to assign all mechanical dial functionalities to customizable perform buttons. That isn’t the case.

For instance, I can use Entrance Command Dial to regulate publicity compensation by setting the mechanical dial to the S choice, and I prefer it so much.

However, I cannot assign Drive choice to a customized perform button or perhaps a Fast menu. The one manner for me to alter from single mode capturing to bracketing, which I do so much, is to make use of a mechanical subdial underneath the ISO dial. I’ve to make use of my second hand to alter it.

The identical goes for the Metering choice; you need to use a mechanical dial and no perform button or Fast Menu choices.

When capturing in Aperture Precedence mode, the one method to change the aperture worth is to make use of a lens aperture ring. It is vitally comfy when capturing handheld, however when on a tripod, as soon as once more, it requires a second hand. There is no such thing as a method to change the aperture utilizing the Rear Command dial.

I hope that in future updates, Fujifilm offers us the power to assign any perform to any perform buttons or not less than to a Fast Menu. I might love to have the ability to customise the XT2 so I can change any settings with one hand and with out transferring the attention away from EVF

Customized Setting

I discover that probably the most helpful customized configurations on any digital camera model is the power to save lots of a gaggle of customized settings and recall them with one click on. I used it on Sony and Canon.

I used to be enthusiastic about Fujifilm customized settings as a result of I knew you could possibly save as much as 7 customized configurations, plus you could possibly give every configuration a novel title. And it’s simple to recall every saved configuration from Fast Menu.

However once I began to customise it I noticed the one following settings an obtainable for reminiscence recall:

Dynamic Vary, Movie Simulation, Grain Impact, White Steadiness, Shade Sharpness, Spotlight Tone, and Noise Discount.

That’s is true, all of them associated to JPEG capturing. And since I solely shoot RAW, all the Customized Setting module is totally ineffective to me.

I discover it to be probably the most shocking shortcomings of Fujifilm Xt2 performance.

Fujifilm vs Sony: Conclusion

As I discussed earlier than, the change from Sony to Fujifilm turned out to be not what I anticipated in any respect. I bought eager about Fujifilm due to the necessity for a greater person expertise and extra superior customization, however I stayed with it due to its picture high quality, dynamic vary, and stellar lenses.

I don’t complain and don’t have any regrets. I’ve already offered all my Sony gear and will certainly persist with Fujifilm for a yr not less than, however I think it is going to be longer.

And I’m having a blast studying the brand new digital camera system. Plus, Fujifilm retains us on the toes with the fixed firmware upgrades.

Additionally, it proved once more there is no such thing as a such factor as an ideal digital camera.

Fujifilm vs Sony: Switching from Sony to Fuji 4

Fujifilm vs Sony (2019 Replace)

It’s been nearly 18 months since I switched from Sony to the Fujifilm digital camera system. I made a decision to present you a fast replace. 

To begin with, I’ve grown even fonder of Fujifilm gear over time. I like its aesthetics, the standard of drugs, and the standard of photographs Fujifilm produces. Plus, I like Fujifilm’s photographer-centric method to enterprise. 

At this level, I’ve no plans to search for another. I’ll persist with Fujifilm. 

I nonetheless shoot with the Fujifilm X-t2. In 2018, I used to be very excited when Fujifilm introduced the X-t3, and I used to be desperate to improve. However once I checked the specs of the X-t3, I noticed there was nothing for me there. 

The Fujifilm X-T3 gives drastic enhancements in video specs and autofocus, neither of which I look after a lot. The options I cared about probably the most—picture high quality dynamic vary and low mild efficiency – didn’t change within the X-T3 mannequin.

I additionally hoped the X-T3 would introduce a much bigger battery to get rid of the necessity to carry a pile of spare batteries together with me. This didn’t occur. 

Fujinon 35mm f/1.4

Fujifilm Prime XF35mmF1.4 R
Fujinon 35mm f/1.4

In line with Fujifilm’s chief engineer, after they designed the Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens, they’d the choice to make it optically excellent or make it distinctive and distinctive. They selected the latter. It’s now one among my favourite lenses I’ve ever owned. Plus, it’s tiny and extremely mild. 

Fujifilm vs Sony: Switching from Sony to Fuji 6
The picture shot with Fujinon 35mm f/1.4

My working horse is the Fujinon 10-24mm f/4 wide-angle lens. I take advantage of it for many of my panorama pictures. Its solely weak spot is its lack of climate sealing. When I’m within the subject within the rain, I’ve to change to the Fujinon 18-135mm. This lens is weather-sealed and provides me a really helpful attain of 135mm (200m full-frame equal). 

That’s it for now. Let me know in case you have any questions within the feedback beneath. I’m pleased to reply any of your inquiries. 

Sony vs Fujifilm (Very Final Replace 2023)

Will probably be my final replace to Sony vs Fujifilm article.

It has been precisely 5 years since my authentic change from Sony to Fujifilm. And now, the change is formally over.

Let me clarify.

During the last 5 years, I took my Fujifilm XT2 on a few dozens of journeys all around the world. I captured with it many thrilling pictures I’m actually pleased with. It’s been a 100% optimistic expertise. 

I bought used to the digital camera, its controls, and the menu system. I custom-made XT2 to my liking and actually loved the expertise. And I really like Fuji lenses.

However not every part was excellent in paradise.

I used to be not loopy about Fujifilm’s course with the XT line of cameras.

As I discussed above, I did non improve to Fuji XT3 as a result of I couldn’t see in it something useful for my images. I didn’t need to pay for a brand new digital camera to improve the video specs as a result of I didn’t use XT2 for capturing movies. I’ve GoPro for video functions. I made a decision to attend till the XT4 launch.

However when Fuji launched XT4, I noticed that the brand new digital camera had grow to be larger and heavier. They needed to enhance the scale to accommodate a much bigger battery and IBIS. Plus, I despised the flip-out display screen. The Fuji XT line turned a hybrid digital camera line. And I used to be not loopy about it.

I made a decision to skip XT4 as soon as once more and persist with my previous and trusted XT2 for 2 extra years.

The plan was to attend for the subsequent iteration of the XT digital camera, and if Fuji wouldn’t change its course, to search for another elsewhere.

However Fujifilm bought scared to lose me as a buyer and got here up with the right journey digital camera the way in which I wished.

The corporate realized the XT line was initially designed as a photography-centric digital camera, not a hybrid. They returned to their roots and created a real successor to XT1 and XT2 fashions.

First, they lowered the digital camera’s measurement, which was my favourite change. XT5 is corresponding to the scale of XT2, even barely smaller. However, since they nonetheless needed to match a much bigger battery and IBIS, they made it just a little deeper.

Plus, over time, I modified how I have a look at IBIS. As an alternative of performance with restricted use for panorama images, I deal with it as a possible benefit. I made a decision to experiment with my capturing routine. I need to lower my tripod use and shoot extra handheld, counting on IBIS for stabilization. I plan to scale back the load I’ve to hold when touring. That’s the plan. Let’s see the way it goes.

The smaller type issue, return to the lean display screen, larger battery, new sensor and processor had been sufficient causes for the improve.

The one problem was to search out the XT5 within the retailer. Fuji introduced XT5 on November 15, however I solely managed to get it on the final day of the yr, December 31. I couldn’t get it from B&H, Adorama, and even Amazon. As an alternative, I discovered it in a small native retailer in Montreal. It was refreshing to purchase picture gear in individual once more and never on-line.

Initially, I used to be unsure what to anticipate from 40MP new sensor; I believed it was overkill for an APS-C digital camera. However it turned out to be a optimistic change. Once I switched from Sony to Fuji XT2, I used to be shocked that RTF information had been usable even at 100% magnification. With the brand new 40MP sensor, RAW information are sharp and filled with particulars even at 200% magnification. I prefer it so much. Now, I don’t need to return to 26MP previous sensor.

Plus, on the final second, I made a decision to get a equipment as a substitute of a digital camera physique solely. Now I’ve a model new lens, Fujinon 16-80mm f4, and I want to check it to see if I need to hold it.

In a few months, I’ll publish a Fujifilm X-T5 evaluation outlining my expertise with Fuji XT5.

It additionally implies that I’m sticking with Fujifilm for the foreseeable future.

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