OK, so I’ve been using the Fujifilm X-pro1 for about a month now, and it has by-far exceeded all my expectations as a mirror less camera.
This camera is amazing – from the image quality all the way to the retro design and ergonomics. Did I mention that the image quality is freakin’ amazing?!
So, I first got the X-pro1 about a month ago (end of October). It took me a little bit to get used to it, and learn its ins and outs. I’ve been shooting on a Canon 5D3 for over a year now, and a Sony NEX-7 as a backup. This transition took some getting used to.
I decided to go with a very basic kit: the X-pro1 with the 35mm 1.4 lens. I chose this lens as it’s about a 50mm with the crop factor, and the reviews were incredible about it being tack sharp and fast. It is.
The first time I took this camera out was actually on a paid job for a portrait session. I was shooting outdoors with my Canon 5D3 with available light, and decided to put this one to use and see what all the hoopla was about that Zack Arias, David Hobby, and others raved about. Again, outperformed my expectations.
Here’s a few shots from that session with notes:
This was literally the very first photo I took on this job. I was hoping that I wouldn’t blow focus, which I think the eyes may have been a tad bit soft. I was still learning this camera. Either way, this is beautiful image quality.
Later on in the shoot, I was getting more comfortable with the X-pro1. I was now learning its limitations and strengths, and was able to quickly adapt.
The X-pro1 really has beautiful image quality. The contrast and overall tone is beautiful. I often find that when I convert photos to B&W I have to spend a bit of time to get it right. I hardly spent any time with this photo.
So yeah…talk about a win on my first paid job with this camera…
I’ve been shooting studio portraits/head shots a lot lately, and one of the things that I definitely wanted to try, was to use the X-pro1 in a studio environment with strobes. Zack Arias raves about throwing a Pocketwizard on this thing, and making some beautiful photos.
I updated all of my Pocketwizards…the MiniTT1 and my TT5s to make sure that channel 2 was set to “trigger” so it would work. I then corralled my 3 year old daughter to be my willing (sorta) victim, er, model.
I set up my home studio with my Alienbees B1600 strobes, Westcott 28″ soft box, and Canon 580EXii’s…and a lot of patience. Here’s what I got:
Lighting setup: main light = Alienbees B1600 in a Wescott 28″ soft box with grid flying right over me and slightly left. Rim light = Canon 580EXii with a Honl grid. Shot at ISO 200, f8, 1/125
Now she’s just being ridiculous…
Lighting setup: main light = Alienbees B1600 in a Wescott 28″ soft box with grid flying right over me and slightly left. Rim light = Canon 580EXii with a Honl grid. Shot at ISO 200, f8, 1/125
As you can see, these images are tack sharp and beautiful. There was very minimal post production on these. The Fuji performed like a beast.
If you are on the fence about Fujifilm products, well, you need to get over it and buy one. This is hands down the best, I mean the BEST camera I’ve ever owned. I’m excited for the new firmware update to come out in the next few weeks.
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