HISTORY
I started using digital cameras in 2009, with the full frame Nikon D700 which, it seemed to me (and I was to be proved right), would deliver similar image quality to my Nikon F6 film camera. Since then, most of my photography has been with full frame Nikons (I added a D800 later), and they have been – and they continue to be – simply excellent cameras. And the incredible creative potential of digital photography hit me just as I was looking for increased photographic creativity, and I have never looked back. I know that film photography still has many adherents and that it may even be becoming fashionable in some quarters, but the simple fact is that, for me, reverting to film is unthinkable. I shot film for around 50 years, and used wet darkrooms too on occasion, but that was in the past. For me all of that is over now.
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In 2016, having read good reviews in Amateur Photographer, magazine (which, as always, I warmly recommend to you), I started using a Compact System Camera (CSC), the mirrorless Fujifilm X-T1, which was certainly not up to the standards of the Nikons, but which was distinctly smaller, and very capable and handy. I’m currently posting a series of images called Going To Work, which pictures people and scenes during Bristol’s morning rush hour. This series is a direct result on the X-T1’s small size, portability and capabilities – walking around the city for hours on end would be rather arduous with the far bulkier Nikons, and increasingly so for someone of my advancing years, but the X-T1 and one or two lenses are relatively compact and very portable indeed – in the way that my Olympus OM-1 and OM-2 film cameras and Zuiko lenses were all those decades ago.
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And so to the X-T1’s successor, the X-T2. It arrived to rave reviews, and I splashed out one about a year ago. As digital cameras go these days, its already ageing a bit, and for all I know an X-T3 is already on the launch pad. And so, after a year’s use alongside the Nikons, a few last, overall thoughts on the X-T2. All of the images here have been taken with this camera, and most (if not all) of them with the excellent Fujinon 55-200 zoom lens: as usual click onto them to enlarge them in separate windows – clicking onto the enlarged images may enlarge them yet again.
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THE X-T2: THE POSITIVES
OK, well, let’s just take 10 things I really like about this camera. I’m not covering all aspects of the camera here, just things that are important to me:
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Small size and easy portability; excellent build quality
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Simply gorgeous images with vibrant colour rendition, and with eminently useful Film Simulations both in-camera and in Lightroom; I always shoot Raw
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The camera body is covered in dials and buttons that remove most of the need for delving into the menus; there are numerous customisation options, and favourite items can be grouped under a My Menu setting
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A very handy 24MP APS-C sensor – enough to give plenty of detail and scope for cropping; but not sufficient MP to cause handling problems or to clog up hard drives
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An extremely useful Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), packed with information, that in all but a few scenarios leaves the Nikons’ optical viewfinders standing
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Accurate light metering: 4 modes
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Good high ISO performance, which partners well with effective lens-based image stabilisation – I never worry about low light photography, and never carry a tripod
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Good autofocus performance that covers most situations
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Dual memory card slots: there’s no worry about available space
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An ingenious tilting screen – which I have to admit to not using much.
So, do I have any regrets about the buying the camera? None at all.
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THE X-T2: THE NEGATIVES
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The X-T2 can eat batteries, especially when in its Boost (= high performance) mode. I gather that this is currently an issue with mirrorless cameras. So I always carry one or two spare batteries with me – no problem. I have started always using the X-T2 in Boost mode
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The autofocus is good, but in extreme situations – poor light; frenetic movement – its not quite up with the Nikons, and I suppose that I didn’t really expect it to be
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The positioning of AE-L and AF-L buttons is certainly not as good as the truly superb positioning of the AE-L/AF-L and AF-ON buttons on the D700 and D800, where these two buttons fall so very readily beneath my right thumb when my forefinger is in the shutter release
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As with the autofocus, the Electronic Viewfinder is not as good as the Nikons’ optical viewfinders in situations with frenetic movement eg birds taking flight and in flight.
[…] To continue reading this article containing many tips for beginning photographers, please click here: Talking images 35 – the Fujifilm X-T2: final thoughts […]
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In a manner of speaking sans a lot of post editing I’m inclined to believe film
has a more personal nature to it – no quick deletes, when the shutter clicks
best if you were on your game.
It’s a digital world now and no complaints on my end, a digital world proving
to be a quantum leap forward for photography.
Fuji has made some fine cameras, the X-T2 another example.
You have a fine portfolio I appreciate.
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Thank you for your thoughts, my friend. I agree, film is more personal because it can be manipulated less post capture, and I’m thinking of a post that mentions that. But, personally – and I can only speak for myself – I’m willing to forego what might be called an artisanal connection with photography via film, I am simply concerned with the product, the final image, irrespective of the way(s) in which it has been created. I’m glad you like my images – thank you! Adrian 🙂
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A fine New Year/Old Year summary, Adrian, and it does bring up a question. I’m not familiar with DxO; I checked the link but want to ask what you’re using it for most, and why you wouldn’t use LR and/or Color/Silver efex instead for that particular function. Sharpening? Exposure?
Finally, I love your New Year wishes for kindness to those less fortunate – I can’t really think of a better, simpler way to put it.
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New Year wishes, yes. As I get older – 68 soon! – and also since I’ve retired, I think more and more about the things I see around me – especially in view of Imagined Realities and Imagined Hierarchies – and I see so much unfairness and inequality. I know I’m (relatively) privileged, and I know so many are not. It really makes me think.
As for DxO, I haven’t got it at all, but it is high on the list of what I MIGHT choose > IF >> Gloria In Excelsis Deo, to go, with chips!!! So I haven’t got DxO yet, but I am keeping a very, very close eye on what unfolds. A 🙂
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We are just about the same age – I knew it! Having more time to yourself does allow us to think more about, well about more important things, right?
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Absolutely right!!! 🙂
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this is so fantastic!! all the photos are awesome and thanks for review of XT-2.
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Sonali, thank you very much! A 🙂
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Glorious images, Adrian! I read your post with great interest since I switched from my beloved Nikon D800 to an X-T2 last spring. I agree with everything you’ve said in your post. It’s a fantastic camera — still learning some of the tricks with settings– but I am thrilled with its performance and its back-saving light weight. I just added the 35mm F/2 and have the 18-55mm. I am also on the same page with LRClassic and Nik. 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful 2018!
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Jane, thank you for your good words – and very happy to hear that we’re at one on the X-T2, and software too! I’m not abandoning my Nikons, but they are getting used less, mostly in specific situations. Happy New Year to you too! Adrian 🙂
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I kept my D800 and lenses, too. This past weekend, I brought both and guess which one I used the most? 😉
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I think I know! 😉 😉 😉
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You have such an extraordinary eye for seeing unique perspective and light. Thank you for the review and creative photos. I’ve been thinking it’s probably time that I retire my Nikon D90 and upgrade. I haven’t been doing much photography the last few years. Seeing your photos definitely give me the desire to get back in touch with my creative brain. For 2018, my goal is to shoot and blog more. Happy New Year, Adrian!
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Happy New Year to you, my friend! Creative sounds good – and if I’ve been a catalyst, I’m happy! A 🙂
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What a post, Adrian! First I want to tell you that the images you’ve collected here are wonderful. The graveyard and the telephone stand out for me. Oh, but then there are those two cars . . . and the Going to Work photos. I give up picking favorites. Now about your cameras: I’m taking your raves about your mirrorless cameras to heart. I keep thinking about buying one, but am still using a Nikon D600. For a while I carried, simultaneously, a D70 and a D250, the D70 with the kit lens (18-70mm if I remember right), and the D250 with a long lens that doubled as a macro (70-180mm). It was really nice to have all those options all the time, but two cameras became heavier over the years, if you know what I mean. I occasionally sell photographs at the printed size of 20 by 24 inches, sometimes even bigger. One of the reasons I hesitate to go mirrorless is that I don’t think their images will print successfully that large. Perhaps my procrastination will serve me in the end, and I will make the leap when I can print in larger format.
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Thank you so much for your good words, Linda. Oh, I know how heavy Nikon gear can be, even tho when walking I only take body and the (wonderful!) 70-300. But I never print my images, except in 12 inch square photobooks – where if they’re grainy I don’t mind. And that also leaves me quite free to ramp up the ISO if necessary, which is another great freedom. So I’m quite free of printing considerations. However I would say that X-T2 picture quality is excellent – maybe a way forward for you is to see whether you can borrow or hire an X-T2 + lens for a few says (or get copies of another user’s files) and have a look at the quality for yourself. I’m by no means abandoning my Nikons, I’m using the two systems in tandem, but the Nikons are getting less use these days – and mostly in specific situations. A 🙂
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Linda, another idea has popped into my tiny mind! If its not too big for an email, what about if I send you a (one or more I guess!) full quality jpeg from the X-T2, so you can look at it first hand? I shoot only in Raw, then process in LR to get a tiff, then convert to full quality jpeg, and then to mid quality jpeg for my blog, so I have plenty of full quality jpegs “lying around”! What do you think? A
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So many interesting photos. Lots of variety in subject matter. Still love the cemetery, but the swan shot. Ahhhhh❤️
Looking forward to what 2018 has to bring.
Happy New Year, bud.
🎉XXX ATP XXX🎉
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Happy New Year to you too, bud – I hope 2018 goes well for you all! Thank for your good words about my images – encouragement spurs me on! ATP xxxXXXXX!!!!
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Excellent wrap up of the X-T2, good and bad. You are certainly taking advantage of the good, Adrian! I’m looking forward to your work in 2018.
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Ellen, thank you very much, that’s very encouraging. I hope my images will continue to get to you. Adrian 🙂
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Interesting post and wonderful selection of photographs!
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Belinda, thank you very much! Adrian 🙂
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Excellent post excellent comments. The XT-2 is fast replacing my love for Nikon. Using Apple products. I left Nik for Skylum/MacPhun. Some of which works on windows. All the best in the New Year.
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Victor, thank you very much, very glad this hits the spot! And very glad to hear we’re agreed on the X-T2! I’m using Lightroom, but whether that’s for the long term I don’t know. But I rather think Silver Efex Pro is (very) long term. All good New Year wishes to you too. Adrian 🙂
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Best wishes, my friend and what a great post full of the stuff people want to know. Super shots too.
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Paula, thank you very much – the post just sort of grew and grew and I just let it have its head! One day, maybe, we shall meet again, and I’ll bring the X-T2 along. A xxx
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As you know, I’m not ‘into’ the equipment and technical side of photography, but all I know is that I enjoy visiting your blog and being delighted, surprised, and inspired by your work.
Keep on keeping on Mr L. Let’s hope 2018 is a kinder and more tolerant one 🙂
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Well, one (see the effect you’ve had on me! … and then there’s balletic …and parasol …) … one can’t get a better comment than that, that’s really encouraging, and I’m really grateful to you for it, my friend! And now, even one is driven to admit that one feels that one has imbibed too much Belgian beer for one Yule, and so a few more mellowers this afternoon, and then a few days’ cold turkey – but dahlink! >>> just how seasonal can one get!!!!! 😀
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