Ode aan 11 jaar Fujifilm X100 series
Voor mij was het in 2013 dat ik mijn eerste FUJIFILM X100 camera kocht. Jarenlang was ik al verliefd op het retro design en ik kon er een enorm goede deel bij winkel krijgen. Nu 11 jaar later heb ik deze camera nog steeds en de FUJIFILM X100F is altijd wel een camera die mee gaat op zowel professionele opdrachten als prive, mede door zijn compactheid en lichte gewicht is het ook een ideale camera voor reisfotografie en allerdaagse fotografie met een kwaliteit die veel hoger licht dan je telefoon. Het is gewoon echt een professionele camera voor iedereen.
In de video van deze week geef ik mijn ode aan de FUJIFILM X100 series en vijf redenen waarom iedereen eigenijk een FUJIFILM X100 series camera zou moeten hebben!
Shooting U2 Without DSLR
I have been to the U2 concert in the Ziggo Dome last Tuesday. Since I had no accreditation I couldn't breng a DSLR or big camera, So I took my small and trusty Fuji X100. And I must say that little monster performed really well! I had a nice spot near the B-stage with only a 2 or 3 (large)people in front of my, So it was holding up the camera and hope for the best. And I must say it was almost a better spot then the spot that was for the press photographers.
I always work in manual mode during concerts. This because of the chancing light and the dark clothing. If I set it manual I know exactly how to set the exposure.
London Dance shoot with the XT-1
Recently I went to London for a business trip. I also did a photoshoot with two dancers. To keep my gear as light as possible I took the risk of only taking the Fuji X-T1 with the 35mm 1.4 and 65 1.2 lens, a Fuji X100 camera, a YoungNuo YN560II flash and Cactus v5 triggers.
The day of the shoot was the third day of my trip and unfortunately the charger of my X100 died, so I had only the X-T1 and the 35 1.4 and 56 1.2 lens left. For modifiers we bought a small Ezy-Box nock-off at the Calumet store in London.
Location Scouting
The second day of my trip we went location scouting. We found a couple of locations on a small walk from Convent Garden to the south bank. When we wanted to start shooting at the first location, the garden behind the church at Convent Garden, we got asked if we had a license and since we didn't knew, we got send away.
First Shots
The second location was a small alley near Trafalgar Square. It was a lovely ally for some portrait work and some warming up shots.
Trafalgar Square
If you are shooting in London you better show you are in London. So the second shooting location was on Trafalgar Square. This was a great location to shoot. The only big challenge was that I only had a 35mm (50m eqv) lens as widest angle. So to get everything in the shot like the high statue there was nothing left then getting really low, Like put your head on the pavement low.
Westminster Bridge
If there is one landmark screaming London, it is the Big Ben. So we went to Westminster bridge for the last photo's with the Big Ben on the background. It was pleasent to see how the Crowd reacted and just walked calmly past us.
The verdict about the X-T1
The Fuji X-T1 is a great camera. But not for things that move. 7 out of 10 shots the focus was wrong. This doesn't makes the Fuji X-T1 a bad camera, but for dance and action photography the X-T1 is not the camera. During the shoot I was wishing I brought my Nikon D800 or D610 with me. Although they are a lot heavier, the focus tracking is great.
For the portrait and street work the Fuji X-T1 one worked great. Currently I am in doubt about getting a wide angle 14 or 23 mm lens for the X-T1 for some more wide stuff or upgrading the X100 to a X100S or T. But they stay additional camera's for travel or when I need to go light. Also they are great for portrait and studio photography. But when the chips are down I rather go for the Nikons DSLR camera's.
Besides talking about camera's, trips to London are always fun. Also having the possibility to photograph two really nice ballerina's is always great! I had a great time and can't wait to go back again! Hopefully even later this year!
What's in the camera bag part 1: The Fuji Kit
Hi all, As you might know I currently photograph with a Nikon (D800 and D610) kit, a fuji kit and a Analog kit. In the Up coming weeks I am planning to give you a view in my bags! This week the first Bag is the Think Tank Retrospective 7 with my Fuji camera gear.
Think Tank Retrospective 7 Bag
I must start to say that I love Think Tank bags. I have three off them and use them everyday with out any problems. The way they are layed out is really showing they are not only made for photographers, but also by photographers!
The first thing I like about the bags are that these bags are spacious. I have tried other bags, but the way the Think Tank camera bags are layed out is genius. It is easy for on the go and to get the gear you need fast. Also they are low profile. The retrospective series is also really low profile. The Retrospective series really look like regular "Hey, there is no expensive gear here" messenger bags.
The front flap has also a silent mode. You can flip up the velcro so you can open it up without any sound. Handy during weddings! The only downside is that the flap is lose.
The bags also have a high level of comfort. You can walk around with them for a long time without your shoulder is getting sour.
Now what's in it?
Well it's my Fuji gear bag, so I have all my Fuji gear in it. This is really my everyday with me, reportage/low profile kit.
Fuji Camera:
- Fuji X100: My first Fuji camera, and I love it, especially the leaf shutters which is so silent and great with flash!
- Fuji X-Pro1: This is my workhorse Fuji camera. I really like the whole range finger/Leica style
- Fuji X-E1: This is my back up for the X-pro1 and I use it a lot for the behind the scenes video.
Fuji Lenses:
- Fujinon 35mm 1.4: This is my main lens for the X-pro1. It is a 50mm equiv, and great street en reportage lens
- Fujinon 56mm 1.2: Great lens for portraits!
- Fujinon 18-55mm 2.8-4: This lens I mainly use with the X-E2 for video.
Other:
- YoungNuo YN-560: Great inexpensive flash!
- Cactus V5 Triggers: For remote triggering of the flash
- 2 chargers: For charging the batteries on the road
- Back-up batteries
- Extra SD-Cards
- Business Cards
- Blower: For cleaning the sensor
- iPad Mini (not pictured)
- Back-up charger for my Phone
Well that's what is in it! Next time I will take you through my Think Tank Airport Airstream bag with my Nikon kit!