On the fence, stick with Fuji X system or something else?

Perry Way · Mar 3, 2023

I have always enjoyed my Fuji X100. What a nice camera for the trail. Brought it with me everywhere, but I outgrew the fixed lens of the X100 and bought into the Fuji X-mount line with the X-Pro 1 when it came out. I had a few lenses but I didn't like them. too big and heavy and not into 1:1 or telephoto. More of a wide angle shooter. So I sold all the glass except kept a pancake lens so at least I could shoot this camera and put it away quickly. But I haven't used it much, because of the size being larger and heavier weight than the X100.

But now I'm in a different place, I'm looking for a camera system that I can take with me on long hikes to give me superb optimal images, and looking at the X-Pro 3 upgrade, and reassessing the glass they offer.

My question is, can I depend on the X platform being constantly updated with better sensors and more glass options? I kind of perceive the APS-C sensor to be a debilitating component of this future use of my investment.

Anyone have any kind of construction feedback for me?

Would it be better to invest in a full frame system (Nikon) or stick with X mount and push it to the limit until I want more then pony up for GFX medium format?

Eric Rose · Mar 3, 2023

I feel you need to really nail down what you actually consider to be must haves in a system. The APS-C system is well represented by several manufacturers so sensor development will probably be continued. If all you are doing is looking at your images on a computer or phone you will not see any difference in a APS-C image and full frame. Unless you are making very large prints you will still not see any difference. If you bag is low light shooting then you might see a benefit to full frame.

It seems you are all over the map. You don't want big and heavy but you are considering FF and MF cameras. This also applies to the lenses.

For some perspective on how a professional commercial photographer ponders these issues give Kirk Tuck a read here https://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2023/02/after-i-posted-some-photos-from-iceland.html

Don't get caught up in youtube or DPR reviews, they all have something to sell. First figure out what the end product is you want to produce. Then work backwards from there. Just remember anything you buy today will be considered crap by the "effluencers" in 9 months.

Personally I have FF, MF and MFT cameras. For non professional work my go to is the Panasonic GH5. I've made prints from this camera plenty big enough to be features on our home walls.

runswithsizzers · Mar 3, 2023

Perry Way said:
I'm looking for a camera system that I can take with me on long hikes to give me superb optimal images

To me, that sounds a lot more like APS-C than full frame. What size prints are you making?

Perry Way said:
My question is, can I depend on the X platform being constantly updated with better sensors and more glass options? I kind of perceive the APS-C sensor to be a debilitating component of this future use of my investment.

I think so. Fuji seems to have an active development program - they offer upgrades and new models fairly often. Plus, they are more likely than most manufacturerers to offer updates to existing models via firmware updates.

Personally, I am very satisfied with my Fuji XT-1 and one or two lightweight Fuji lenses for long hikes. And when I am mostly shooting b&w negative film with my Pentax MX, my Fuji XE-2 with the 27mm pancake is small enough to take along in case I see a shot that demands color.

Perry Way · Mar 3, 2023

Eric Rose said:
I feel you need to really nail down what you actually consider to be must haves in a system.

Something better than X-Pro1 with its 16mp or whatever it is. Packable and light, and extensible. X100 can't offer extensible but definitely packable/light.

Eric Rose said:
The APS-C system is well represented by several manufacturers so sensor development will probably be continued.

This is essentially the answer I was trying to get.

Eric Rose said:
If all you are doing is looking at your images on a computer or phone you will not see any difference in a APS-C image and full frame. Unless you are making very large prints you will still not see any difference. If you bag is low light shooting then you might see a benefit to full frame.

I want the option of making very large prints. But not every day. Would like to make 16 x 20 image size output and more but 16x20 only would get me very close.

Eric Rose said:
It seems you are all over the map. You don't want big and heavy but you are considering FF and MF cameras. This also applies to the lenses.

I can understand how a reader would think that. I do have multiple concerns and wouldn't it be nice to address them all with one system? I think this is going to be impossible now. What I want demands two systems ultimately (just for digital, I have film also). Earlier before I posted this I was thinking of the day when I will want MF in digital. That is something I want to do yes, but it's not my agenda right now. Right now I want something packable I can take with me on hikes and compose the shots I feel more apt to take. And I thought if I dump the APS-C sensor size and go full frame I can do that with another camera system and still not be so heavy.

Eric Rose said:
For some perspective on how a professional commercial photographer ponders these issues give Kirk Tuck a read here https://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/2023/02/after-i-posted-some-photos-from-iceland.html

Thanks, will do that later today when I have a break from work stuff.

Eric Rose said:
For non professional work my go to is the Panasonic GH5. I've made prints from this camera plenty big enough to be features on our home walls.

Not familiar with that system. can you quantify "plenty big enough"? 16x20?

MattKing · Mar 3, 2023

My wife's little 16 MP micro 4/3 camera (Olympus OM-D) gives us gorgeous 12"x16" enlargements - 300 dpi - with jpegs straight out of the camera. That is with a kit lens.
16"x20" is easy too.
And of course you can do a fair bit more with RAW files and higher end lenses.
More megapixels makes sense for much more demanding usage and where you need to do lots of post-processing.
Full frame is great if you want to share lenses with film bodies - particularly if you like to use a lot of wide angle lenses.

Eric Rose · Mar 3, 2023

Not familiar with that system. can you quantify "plenty big enough"? 16x20?

Yes

Also check out the Leica CL digital camera. Has the L mount so you can adapt FF lens from Nikon etc to it. Awesome image quality and colour science.

Details - Leica CL | Leica Camera US

leica-camera.com

runswithsizzers · Mar 3, 2023

Perry Way said:
Something better than X-Pro1 with its 16mp or whatever it is.

Can you be a little more specific about "better"? Are you just wanting more pixels, or something else?

Perry Way · Mar 3, 2023

Eric Rose said:
Also check out the Leica CL digital camera.

Wow, the glass is ... pricey. Body not so much. I have never really fully understood the prices of Leica. Part of me thinks it's a marketing strategy to elevate the opinion of its quality? To me, Fujinon lenses are about the best you can get. Been very happy with every Fuji glass I ever owned, from the GA645w, the GW690, my X-100 and my X-Pro 1. The GW690 so sharp I had to scuff the top element just to make it look like other manufacturers. (that is a joke, for clarity)

Perry Way · Mar 3, 2023

runswithsizzers said:
Can you be a little more specific about "better"? Are you just wanting more pixels, or something else?

More pixels yes. The X-Pro 3 offers the same as other full size sensors at 24 megapixels. That sounds fine for right now, but ongoing investment in glass is my concern if the platform can't grow with the times.

Your response earlier gave me the feedback that it's safe to invest more in glass for this X platform. and consider upgrading to X-Pro 3 soon.

Perry Way · Mar 3, 2023

Thanks everyone. Gonna sleep on this tonight but at the moment I'm pretty focused on buying the Fuji XF 14mm f2.8 super wide angle with a circular polarizing filter. B&H has it on sale now in a kit with a UV filter for $599.95 and with that polarizer it will be $707.90 out the door, within my budget at the moment. It will be nice to have this lens on my section hike later this month on the CDT.

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 3, 2023

I've been a huge fan of the Fuji X series since the XT1. I had been shooting a Canon 5D Mk 1 and switched- everything about the Fuji was a game-changer for me, from the compact size and lighter weight to the quality of the sensor, the Fuji color science in their JPEG film emulations, to the fast yet compact glass for it. Long story short, I evolved from an XT1 to an XT2 and recently I made the jump to an XT5. The XT5 is a return to the roots camera, getting a little smaller rather than continuing to get bigger as they had done with the 3 and 4.

This was with the XT2:

I'm pretty sure it was shot with the 56 1.2.

Perry Way · Mar 3, 2023

TheFlyingCamera said:
I've been a huge fan of the Fuji X series since the XT1.

I'm pretty sure it was shot with the 56 1.2.

Awesome lens, I had it, shot it like twice. I don't do portraiture. Landscapes and wide angle is my preference. But yes, this photo does appear to be derived from Fuji glass! Everything I shoot is like this as well. Very sharp even in the areas where the colors are similar and other cameras might clip the detail a bit, Fuji maintains the image quality in almost every lighting situation possible.

Paul Howell · Mar 3, 2023

The other option for full frame is Sony A7, full frame very good color, light enough for hiking. For cropped, out of the box, Sigma SD Quattro with Favon sensor.

Leolab · Mar 6, 2023

I suspect that the APS-C future sensor upgrades will continue, as mentioned above, many companies have APS-C offerings. It looks like you have XPro1 now, there are 4 newer sensors to choose from in Fujiland (24MP, 26MP, 40MP and the stacked sensor in XH2s) vs the XPro1, so sensor tech has moved rapidly in Fuji offerings.

As far as glass, Fuji has now opened the mount to third parties (Viltrox Sigma Voigtlander Samyang and Tamron). Some great glass is available from those vendors with more to come.

The Fuji 14mm is an exceptional lens IQ-wise, the new 13mm 1.4 Viltrox gives it a run for its money though and is roughly half the price and is two stops faster if that matters to you.

Perry Way · Mar 6, 2023

Leolab said:
I suspect that the APS-C future sensor upgrades will continue, as mentioned above, many companies have APS-C offerings. It looks like you have XPro1 now, there are 4 newer sensors to choose from in Fujiland (24MP, 26MP, 40MP and the stacked sensor in XH2s) vs the XPro1, so sensor tech has moved rapidly in Fuji offerings.

As far as glass, Fuji has now opened the mount to third parties (Viltrox Sigma Voigtlander Samyang and Tamron). Some great glass is available from those vendors with more to come.

The Fuji 14mm is an exceptional lens IQ-wise, the new 13mm 1.4 Viltrox gives it a run for its money though and is roughly half the price and is two stops faster if that matters to you.

Thanks I will look more in depth on that lens however it's not half price currently because B&H has a sale on a kit makes the XF 14mm $599.

After some consideration and also considering yesterday's hike, I am really considering at this moment updating my X100. I have used that camera most often since I bought it over 10 years ago. For backpacking it's small, but not wide enough. It's about a 35mm on a 35mm camera. It's got a built in macro lens capability, not like to a few inches but reasonable for quick macros like flowers (see below). Very compact. More compact than my XPro-1 with a pancake lens. The newest version of the X100 (X100V) has over double the MP's, and has additional supplemental lenses that you add on top, and reviews are they look fantastic. With those lenses you can make a little more wide and a little bit of tele. The lenses bayonet on top of the fixed lens just like the lens hood does, so it's not a screw mount. It's not a fully comprehensive system like XPro or other X lineup, but for bringing while backpacking, this camera is real fine for that and with that extra wider lens I could add that when needed. But without the extra lens it's very portable and can be stowed away in my fanny pack.

Will I upgrade my XPro to the latest version? I think so. Continue investing in glass? I think so. But for the moment I think it makes sense to upgrade my X100 first because truly it's more functional for me.

runswithsizzers · Mar 6, 2023

Perry Way said:
More pixels yes. The X-Pro 3 offers the same as other full size sensors at 24 megapixels. That sounds fine for right now, but ongoing investment in glass is my concern if the platform can't grow with the times.

If it's pixels you want, the newish Fuji XT-5 has a lot of them! (40MP)

Sean · Mar 6, 2023

I have the XT-3 and it feels like anything over that would be overkill for my needs. I have some recent pics taken with it in my photrio gallery.

It's pretty beefy and I put a smallrig cage on it for extra grip and strap compatibility. The 16-55 is like having a full set of primes it's so good. So all in all works well in a small pack and doesn't break my back too much.

MurrayMinchin · Mar 6, 2023

I have an X-T2 and am happy with it, especially in manual mode with external dials for ISO, shutter speed, and aperture rings on the lenses.

I used to have the 100-400, 8-16, and 18-55 lenses and my Fujifilm backpack weighed the same as my other pack holding a wooden Wista 4x5 with two Schneider lenses and all the other odds & ends found in a LF camera pack.

Now have the 16-80 and the 70-300 (with 1.4TC) and my Fujifilm pack is much lighter with pretty much the same range lens-wise.

Happy with the quality of prints (Epson P600 via Capture One) but the original reason I got this set up was for digitally enlarged negatives enroute to alt process prints.

Perry Way · Mar 6, 2023

runswithsizzers said:
If it's pixels you want, the newish Fuji XT-5 has a lot of them! (40MP)

I missed that. When researching I instantly went to the latest XPro thinking of course that's their flagship camera in the X series, it would absolutely be the most updated. But nope!

Do you or anyone else know when the other camera bodies will receive the same sensor upgrade?

Perry Way · Mar 10, 2023

Okay guys, I just bought the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 lens after watching extensive reviews. The only other lens in the Fuji line that covers this focal length is a zoom and the Viltrox is sharper and brighter. Many photographers give thumbs up. It's less expensive than Fuji XF prime lenses especially on eBay from a camera store, free shipping and about $75 cheaper. I'll provide some feedback on the lens after I receive it and shoot it.

Perry Way · Mar 10, 2023

Oh, one other comment about Fuji. There are zero X100F or X100V in stock, orders unfulfilled til July according to B&H. Same thing for X-Pro3. Rumors about X-Pro4 with the larger MP size. I think I'll wait for that and just get more glass for my X-Pro1 right now and shoot that until the X-Pro4 comes out. I don't want the X-T5, doesn't interest me really. So either way if I upgrade either the X100 or X-Pro line I'll be waiting at least until July for the possibility of more being available. Fuji is just really backordered. (or.. rumors go they are readying for X-Pro4 and just delayed in getting released)

repairmycamera · Sep 29, 2024

Hi,

It sounds like you’ve had quite the journey with your Fuji cameras! The X100 is indeed a fantastic compact option for trails, and it makes sense that you'd seek something with more versatility for your photography needs.Regarding your question about the X-mount system: Fuji has a solid track record of supporting their X platform with regular updates and new lens releases. While the APS-C sensor does present some limitations compared to full-frame systems, many photographers find that the image quality from Fuji’s APS-C sensors, particularly the newer ones, is excellent and can compete with full-frame in many scenarios, especially for landscapes and wide-angle shots.

Do you happen to know how to reassemble the top unit of the GH5, particularly the mode dial? I’ve purchased some 1.5mm bearings, but I’m unsure how many are supposed to be placed under the dial. Additionally, I’m confused about where the springs should go. After reassembling everything, the dial just spins freely without engaging, and even the middle screw turns without any resistance when I tighten it. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Sirius Glass · Sep 29, 2024

Why limit yourself to Fuji cameras. There are great cameras made by Nikon and Canon that will meet and exceed your present and future needs. No Hasselblad cameras were damaged or destroyed in the making of this post.

Sirius Glass · Sep 29, 2024

repairmycamera said:
Hi,

It sounds like you’ve had quite the journey with your Fuji cameras! The X100 is indeed a fantastic compact option for trails, and it makes sense that you'd seek something with more versatility for your photography needs.Regarding your question about the X-mount system: Fuji has a solid track record of supporting their X platform with regular updates and new lens releases. While the APS-C sensor does present some limitations compared to full-frame systems, many photographers find that the image quality from Fuji’s APS-C sensors, particularly the newer ones, is excellent and can compete with full-frame in many scenarios, especially for landscapes and wide-angle shots.

Do you happen to know how to reassemble the top unit of the GH5, particularly the mode dial? I’ve purchased some 1.5mm bearings, but I’m unsure how many are supposed to be placed under the dial. Additionally, I’m confused about where the springs should go. After reassembling everything, the dial just spins freely without engaging, and even the middle screw turns without any resistance when I tighten it. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to Photrio!

repairmycamera · Sep 29, 2024

Sirius Glass said:
Welcome to Photrio!

thank you

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