I Wanted to Love This Camera - 9 Months w/the Fujifilm X-Pro3
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- 9 months with the Fujifilm X-Pro3.
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0:00 - the fujifilm x-pro3
0:27 - the viewfinder experience
3:27 - my struggles and solutions
5:11 - 50mm photography
7:10 - final thoughts
andre pel
andrepel
andre pel photography
the fujifilm x-pro3, xpro3 long term review, 9 months with the fujifilm xpro3, should i buy the xpro3, is the xpro3 worth it, thoughts on the xpro3, xpro3 vs x100v, xpro3 vs xt5, and more
#fujifilm #xpro3
It may not be for everyone, but for the right person its the perfect camera. To me it feels like the perfect camera because it balanced modern conveniences and purist photography. It is the ultimate hybrid camera, and in my opinion the perfect modern evolution of the rangefinder format.
Coming from film photography, this is the perfect camera to transition to digital world.
I love this camera and it will follow me to the grave
I mean, you can also take your hat off.
FUJIFILM seems pretty clear about the fact that they are replicating film. The X-Pro3, to me, looks like the best of both worlds. No distracting screen, OVF, but with the convenience of digital-no film costs, no development costs.
Everything you’re saying about shooting through the viewfinder, that’s just how things are with a film camera.
pretty much described the analog experience but it’s digital
Great recap of your experience with the xpro3 Andre. I really enjoy it even though my thoughts about the camera is opposite from yours. However, I totally agree that if you're a fast shooter, this camera is not really the right one for that. The way it is ... the xpro3 invites me to slow down with my photography, which is something I love so much. Surprisingly. I didn't know that I'm a slow shooter at heart until I shoot with the xpro3.
I like your videos and I agree with you most of the time but I honestly don't see the point. I mean I understand that the X-T3 is overall an easier camera to use but it won't help with your hat and I use my X100V and X-Pro3 exactly the same way and I see no reason why one would be slower than the other one.
Now I turn my screen off on all cameras I use so the hidden screen doesn't really make a difference, except I check my images in the excellent viewfinder on the X-Pro3 when I need too.
To me the main difference is that the X-Pro3 feels more substantial in my hands and I can switch lenses. The 23mm f2, 35mm f2 and 50mm f2 are usually all I use and need with my X-Pro3. Yes people might notice I'm taking pictures but they never feel threatened or intimated. The same happens with the X100V although they usually think it's a toy camera of some kind.
Overall I think maybe you ask yourself too many questions and make your life as a photographer more complicated than it is. See, street photography pretty much depends on your attitude. In some environments I might shoot from the hip but most of the time I use the viewfinder and never ever had any issues capturing images.
If you respect people, include them in something bigger, have a prepared answer in case they ask a question or talk to them if needed, there's no reason why the connection with them would be bad unless you get to meet with weirdos, in which case you need more prepared answers and a little experience on how to handle them.
At the end of the day it has to be fun and both the X100V and X-Pro3 simplify your photography experience, they don't make it more complicated. I get the same results with my X-T3 by the way but I feel more inspired and in the zone with my X-Pro3. If it feels too big or too obvious to you my advice would be: get back to X100V and forget about its limitations, it's a perfect camera.
Anyway thanks for your video and have fun!
I never understood why the X-Pro (an obvious photo centric design) never implemented the 3-way tilt screen of the X-T and X-H1. Those to me are the best photographer articulations ever designed for photography.
Maybe this camera was a solution in search of a problem. Thanks Andre!
What?! An actual review of a camera and not a list of spec sheet details! A review after months of use giving both positives AND negatives instead of a brand puff piece after two hours? I love this! Fantastic video! subscribed. Thank you.
The question is. What kind of photographer are you? Do you take photos or make photos? The furtive photographer stealing the moment, taking the photo is a sort of reportage but it denies your own existence in the scene. Passive. The active photographer, the one that gets into a scene, who’s own energy becomes part of the moment is making the photo. Both approaches affect the image. So you may want to ask who you are first before deciding on what tool fits your style.
YESSIR! 💯💯💯
not getting seen with your camera is legit the thing that I've spent the most time on... taking snaps from the hip in a millisecond and then put the camera back in the bag quickly, trying to find THE camera that will be the smallest or the one that looks like a film camera that way people will care alittle bit less... but all it brought me was more looks, and more interactions of which I wanted to avoid. When doing your thing "stealyhfully", then leaving like a thief... well let's say it doesn't give a great look IF you get noticed. Similarly, when using a retro looking camera I got a lot more people coming up to me to ask me if that was a film camera or not... only to get a little dissapointed and even sometimes asking to delete the photo I just took of them when they realize it was a digital one.
So I just... simply completely stopped trying to not be seen... matter of fact I did the exact opposite : now my street camera of choice... well that's a Nikon D700. A 1kg body only beast, full frame 12MP DSLR from 2008 that has probably the loudest shutter of all the cameras I own. I generally pair it with a lens that has some girth like my 50mm f/1.8G or 85mm f/1.8G... not exactly a big lens, but far from a small pancake lens. I tried it for fun, just to see the reactions... but this time it turns out that people were... much more wecoming. They don't come to see you to ask you to delete your pictures. Most of the people coming to see you actually think that you're a profesional photographer and they mind a lot less (apparently). In the end, for street work, I have been using my D700 for like 4/5 months with that purpose now, and I've had far less issues than when I was using my X-T2 or my LX5 or my X100S. Carry around some of your work as a little book to further amplify the "pro look", explain the project that you're working on (even if at that exact moment... you weren't working on it or on one at all) and people will just... leave you alone.
Your mileage may vary depending on where you live, but here the divide was very clear : smaller camera, less "serious" : oh that's another amateur that's going to publish my face on instagram
Serious large camera body : oh that's a pro that is making some documentary book, that's actually cool.
That's how it was like for me. Sometimes what we think is best is the complete opposite to what we actually need. I think Samuel Streetlife made a video about this as well, where he explains he gets bothered a lot less when he's photograhing street stuff with in big and loud Nikon D850. I find this interesting actually ! I recently got a D2X, I might try to push the thing a bit to see if I get bothered even less if I have a giant integrated grip camera with me lol
I quickly transitioned to Manual Focus lenses with my X-Pro 3 and (for Street Photography) I used the Zone focusing method and I ‘Shoot from the Hip’ or the sternum to be more precise.
I set focus at about 2m and aperture at f5.6 ( for outside and daylight) and cradle the camera in the palm of my hand (in portrait orientation) and press the shutter release with my thumb. My accuracy is better if I am stationary but I always try to avoid giving the impression that I am taking a photo 🤷
Love my X-pro 2 especially since I had it converted to shot black and white Infrared so many of my last videos feature this awesome camera. I virtually always shoot viewfinder very rarely screen only probably a throw back to starting our pre digital days. The xpro 3 looks damn good to me the screen would suit me
I sold mine. I had the XPro3 last year for 6 months and really enjoyed the experience. But being a Nikon shooter, when the Zf was released I found that it gave me a similar shooting experience with the addition of full frame, IBIS and better autofocus.
Great video. I have shot X-Pro's since 2012 and would struggle to shoot with anything else! I am long sighted so without scrabbling around for my reading glasses, a screen is no use to me on the fly. I have got so used to using the viewfinder (EVF only btw) that it's second nature. I do understand your frustrations though - I'm just too settled into the X-Pro3 to change now!
I owned the pro2 and liked it a lot, but the viewfinder broke so I gave it away.
The next camera was the XT4, after two returns to Fuji repair and the slow auto/ inaccurate auto focus problems, I sold it.
I was ready to give up and waited on the XT5. It’s giving me mixed results, but I prefer it over the pro2 for the AF speed, especially in street photography.
The pro3 never appealed to me with the back screen, as I like to make quick adjustments and adding more steps to getting to the back screen made that impossible!
I think the pro3 is fine for very slow photography, but not for street!
If they do make a pro4, I hope they make it only for photography and not for video. I like the idea of a larger format pro4 with 100 megapixels, this would be great for nature and scenic images. 🖖
I only used the LCD for waist-level shots and menu navigation. Sold my XP3 because the LCD cable failed, which is a common issue and something which I didn’t want to deal with time and again in future. Decided to continue using my decade old XT1 instead, which is still on its original (more flexible) LCD screen. The XP3 presented no logical physical advantage over the other models in the end, and would’ve been fine if they just used the screen design on the XT1/2/3. I will likely never buy another Fujifilm product ever again.
Love your work.
I think between the weird screen and general sluggishness compared to most other modern mirrorless cameras at the ~$2k price point, it can seem like an odd choice for anyone. I've had mine for about 2 years now and like you, just have to lean into the camera instead of fighting it. The camera has brought me countless comments, questions, and conversations from people on the street, which has been super enjoyable.
I do miss some features of my older xt-30 like having a screen for at-a-glance shooting, but honestly not having it makes me work a little harder and feel like I'm not being so lazy when shooting. When something works out I really feel like "Yeah I did that!". Maybe it's me justifying the purchase two years later, but hey, whatever!
I bought the XP3 when it came out, kept it for less than a month and sold it. Shot my XP2 instead and pocketed the $1800. For a flagship camera, Fuji sure did put a lot of deterrents for us to make images with it, not to mention the durability issues they never addressed. Gave up on Fuji altogether because of quality issues.
I am just a hobbyist so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but i think the niche of "purposely introducing limitations" on your workhorse camera to kind of force you to shoot differently or find areas of improvement to your process is very popular. The x-pro3 was built with tons of limitations. No ibis, rather impractical size and weight, of course the stylistic choice of the screen, having to rely on the viewfinder more than on other bodies or systems, etc. This leads me to believe that this camera is maybe not intended to be used as a workhorse, and is instead intended to inspire. The limitations serve not only to force me to change my process but also tie me into it directly. Because of all of its limitations, I feel much more involved in every shot that I take with it, which speaks volumes when it comes to the satisfaction and connection that i feel towards every picture I take with it. I say the same about manual focus photography using adapted lenses, since your ability to run and gun is significantly hindered, you can focus way more on composition, framing, etc. The xpro3 was released in the same generation as the xt4, which funny enough was WAY more of a PROfessional camera with its heavy hitting feature set. At the end of the day the xpro3 does demand alot out of you, and youre going to have to work harder to achieve similar results to an XT user, but I dont see that as a bad thing because every time I pick this camera up it inspires me to be better and grow. I do shoot with other cameras as well and again, I do see this as more of an expensive hobby than a job so my perception of it is probably way different, thats just how I see it.
Seems like Ricoh gr3 would better suite your approach to photography. Personally, I have XT-30 ii and almost never use the screen. I also use manual focusing. I just love looking at the world through viewfinder, it is like being in another dimension.
I feel LCD's take away the "camera" experience, I disable the LCD screen and use the viewfinder. With the viewfinder I don't waste my time in the menu system or look at pictures I already took. I wish I could spend 10K on the upcoming Leica M11-D which has no rear LCD screen but I have no need for a new camera.
Andre I must say I haven't heard 'Hats' as a negative for the xpro3. But it had me smiling all the way through your video. Love your stuff keep it coming. I think they will skip xpro4 name and bring out a 5
Interesting video and takes on this camera. I’ve had one for about 1 year now and I’ve come to the conclusion that is a bit of a frustrating experience. I’ve moved to Fujifilm initially with their X-T3 and I loved the experience on that one, from there I’ve tried a variety of Fujifilm cameras that I’ve bought and sold in the last 3 years, XPro 2, X100F and X100V, XPro 3. Ultimately I’ve bought an X-T5 primarily because I enjoyed the film simulations of the latest sensors that aren’t available on my X-T3. Why I’ve said frustrating experience with the X-Pro3, basically because of the screen, I find myself shooting a lot using the view finder, but I also occasionally like to try other compositions where an articulated screen comes in very handy. The X-Pro 3 screen reduces my ability to take low angle photos simply because it has an awkward position. Also managing the in camera menu is a slow process.
I hope whenever they’ll decide to come up with a new camera in the line, they’ll stick either the X100V or the X-T5 screen. So far I’m happy with my X-T5, I wish it had the X-Pro 2 body with the new features on it.
I've heard that the build quality of the X-T4 and 5 don't feel as "premium" as the X-T3. Having owned both the 3 and 5, would you say that it's true?
@@ji-ming the X-T2 is the last X-T series that was produced in Japan. My X-T3 feels about right and to be fair, my X-T5 feels as good as the 3 with better dials in my opinion. Also, comparing the dials on my X-Pro 3 made in Japan and the X-T5, I much prefer the dials from the latter, as they’re way smoother.
@@CapaCern Sweet! I'm just glad Fujifilm isn't cutting cost or anything like that in favour their other flagship cameras like the X-H2S
I just feel it’s too expensive for what it is… the next one tho…. 😂
You are, indeed, right. This camera is not for everyone; It’s a camera for real photographers.
What’s a “real” photographer?
This is why I got the X-E4 as my daily carry. With the Voïgtlander Ultron 27mm f/2 almost glued on to it this is my best experience next to my Leica Q3
Love mine still, good thing the resale value is still up there for you lol
I use a PEN-F & NEVER open the screen.
I never use my fujis' screen you don't need an xpro3 to shoot like this I close the back up on my xt4 and shoot with the evf it even doubles as an ovf rangefinder if you use the sports finder plus the xt4 was cheaper than the xpro3 has ibis a full set of control buttons better autonomy and and and
I have an X-T5 and a soon to be sold X100F.
The X-T5 is fast and superb, however just the other day I purchased an X-Pro 3 to add to my lineup.
The reason for the XP3 purchase was to have what I believe will be a more connected experience in terms of photography fundamentals, which will slow me down a little.
Having said that, once I become more familiar with it I’m sure that my process will speed up, because if I fully apply myself then using the viewfinder shouldn’t present any issues, and therefore I don’t necessarily believe that the XP3 is automatically a slower process.
The XPro 4 should have a fully articulated flip screen like the Nikon Zf.
Oh no please. That is useful for video but not for a photo first camera like xpro lineup
@@rodri_gop I am using the Zf as a purely photo camera. For 95% of my photos, the fully articulating flip screen allows me to close the LCD and rely on the viewfinder only. When I need to shoot from the hip or above the head, I flip open the screen.
Flip screens are bad for shott from the hip. The camera double the size when is open and the screens is not align with the lens. This is the reason I hate using my xh2s in the street and use it mainly for video.