Fujifilm X-Pro2
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There are massive Reviews out there about the Fujifilm X-Pro2, mostly very positive, but some aren’t. And on this blog I feature everything I find regarding Fuji: The Good, The Bad… and also some aspects of a review that I consider rather strange.

So let’s start

The Polish site optyczne (translation) tested the X-Pro2: Good news first: the Autofocus is faster and much more accurate :). But then they highlight 3 main critics to the X-Pro2:

1) RAW: X-Pro2 Dynamic Range worst than X-T10: I was shocked when I’ve read this, because until now everyone said that there is an improvement (some say big improvement, TheCameraStoreTV says a little improvement).

But then I saw that they used dcraw to decode X-Pro2 RAF files, which still has no X-Trans III support! I consider this a rather strange decision, I mean, using a software that still does not support the X-Trans III RAF files to judge the RAW quality…

More interesting are point 2) and 3):

2) Visible Phase Detection Pixels: I don’t know the exact exposure and test conditions, but optyczne shows visible phase detection pixels in the dark images. I’ve asked optyczne and it seems that this is nothing really new for cameras featuring phase detection pixels, since it’s common also to other brands, that use sensors with phase detection pixels.

For example the extremely popular Olympus E-M1 has this “issue” too (as also documented at optyczne).

If Optyczne is right, then I guess camera manufacutres might have made the following consideration: Outside of some very special lab tests, in real life, visible phase detection pixels will never be an issue… and actually even in lab tests it seems almost impossible to produce this effect (have you ever read anything about it on dpreview, imaging-resource, photozone & Co?). But what you will really notice in real life, is the faster AF… with every single shot you take. So let’s put those Phase Detection Pixels into the sensor.

And for what is worth, also in my thousands of shots with my X-T1 (and previously X-E2), from long exposures to the highest ISO, I could never see anything like that. I’ve also contacted my buddy Ale from 43rumors, who also never experienced anything like visible pixels on his Olympus cameras, too. I’m waiting for feedback from SonyAlphaRumors on the same thing.

Anyway, if the test is reliable (or the tested X-Pro2 not faulty), then I’m confident to say, that it’s an issue nobody of us will ever experience in 99,9% of our shots.

3) White Glow: Optyczne shows a white glow on images with a 3 minutes dark exposure. I did something I never do otherwise: I’ve contacted Fujfiilm regarding this (a very “cold” email exchange, I tell you). They say Optyczne tested 2 X-Pro2’s, which Optyczne was told by Fuji Poland to be final production models, but they actually were pre-production cameras. Anyway, they’ve read the review, tested it on several final production X-Pro2 (those that you’ll get in your hands soon), and could not duplicate the issue in any way.

Maybe the white glow might have been an issue with pre-production cameras (and real reason for the X-Pro2 delay?), but fact is that Fujifilm assured FujiRumors that this did not happen with production cameras… so there won’t be a “light-leak-alike” recall action.

So, that’s the story… now let’s go back to some more real-life reviews ;)

Fujifilm X-Pro2 Review at whatdigitalcamera :

Where the X-Pro1 stuttered for a fraction of a second on a few occasions before it acquired focus, the X-Pro2 showed no such signs of delay and locked on instantaneously. It was a similar story testing both in a low-light street scene. The X-Pro2 revealed no signs of difficulty focusing in the challenging environments I subjected it to.

Pushing the sensor to the extremes of its ISO range reveals users can shoot confidently between ISO 100-6,400 without fear of noise severely degrading image quality. Colour noise is extremely well-controlled and, although luminance noise makes its presence known at high sensitivities, the level of detail the sensor resolves up to ISO 25,600 is phenomenal.

The X-Pro2 manages to do just that and then some – it’s an absolutely stunning premium compact system camera that we can categorically say has earned its place as the flagship model in the X-Series.“

Full Review at digitalcameraworld:

“We liked
There really is plenty to like about the X-Pro. On the imaging side you benefit from a high-resolution sensor, sound metering and very good JPEGs straight out of the camera, while the addition of the focus lever and the consolidation of various other controls make for a more refined camera. Faster focusing is a bonus, as is the higher resolution viewfinder, and the ability to extensively customise the camera and develop a personal menu just makes it even better.

We disliked
Not all the physical controls have been changed for the better and the grip, exposure compensation dial and rear command dial can be troublesome. Even on the Standard performance setting battery life is fairly unimpressive, and while it’s possible to achieve more shots than stated, you’ll likely to need another battery if shooting over the course of a day. The lack of an articulating or tilting LCD screen is also a shame.“

MUST READ: X-Pert Corner X-Pro2 First Look / X-Pro2 with Samyang 12mm F2 NCS and XF18mm F2 at f16.click / Fujifilm X-pro2 newborn photos (back lit images) at williamchua / Facade at olafphotoblog / Heritage Day In Port Moody at olafphotoblog

Acros film simulation with the Fuji X-Pro2 at prophotonut

Admiringlight posted the Full XF100-400 Review. It seems to be a really astonishing lens, and especially the OIS is incredible, since they say that “I even managed to get a small handful of shots, such as the quick grab below, at an astounding 1/5s handheld: over 7 stops slower than I can normally handhold a lens of this length. It’s simply astounding.”

Sharpness, Bokeh, AF speed and accuracy… it’s all there and they consider it a “seriously impressive optic […] extremely sharp zoom with great bokeh and very few lens aberrations”

Maybe those Photographer, who were able to snap a Rally and a Champions League Soccer game with the XF100-400 were telling the truth, when they said this lens is a great performer. So please don’t blame me for the good reviews… I just report what others say.

Here are the Pros and Cons

Pros

• Well constructed lens with good damping on the focus ring
• Sealed against dust and moisture
• Relatively lightweight compared to similar lenses
• Phenomenal optical image stabilizer
• Generally quick and quiet autofocus with great accuracy
• Excellent image sharpness throughout the focal range
• Very pleasing bokeh
• Good contrast and color
• Good flare control
• Low vignetting

Cons

• Lens body flexes a bit in the tripod collar, making precise framing on a tripod more difficult
• Zoom ring is a bit too stiff
• Some minor chromatic aberration

Fujifilm X-Pro2
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Recently TheCameraStoreTV said in their X-Pro2 review, that Fuji’s new flagship is just not really better than the X-T1 in terms AF-speed (more in terms of AF-handling – Joystick/More AF-Points)

Once again they proof not to be afraid to say what they think… and that’s great we have guys like them out there.

And yet, what TheCameraStoreTV said, doesn’t quite fit with what we could read so far on the web. I’m not saying somebody is wrong. I just notice that there is an inconsistency regarding the AF-speed comments of reviewers so far. So I’ll still wait before making any final conclusions.

In the meantime, here is some new feedback:

AUTOFOCUS

We have already seen, how lab tests of lesnumerique (extremely popular French site) show that in Low Light the AF of the X-Pro2 beats any other mirroless camera. And focus-numerique says it also outperforms some DSLRs! Also Cruz.ae says: “the Fuji X-T1 post firmware 4.0 is already quite fast and reliable, but the X-Pro2 takes it to another level, specially in low ligh“.

And what about AF-C? macleancomms tested it at a Rally in the forest: low light, bad weather and fast cars… can the X-Pro2 deal with it (with 90mm, 50-140 and 100-400)? Here some excerpts:

“I used the 50-140mm f2.8 and with the camera set manually to 1/500 @ f2.8 ISO1600 I took a set of images as the first car came towards me in along the forest track. The X-Pro2 followed the car perfectly, producing a set of eight images all perfectly sharp.

I decided to switch to the XF100-400mm and set the X-Pro2 to 1/250s @ f4.7 ISO2000 with the focal length at 125mm. The results were pretty impressive considering the very poor lighting conditions, the camera only losing the lock on one of the nine shots taken in the sequence.

The X-Pro2 produced some great images in some very challenging light and weather conditions. I ran the X-T1 alongside the X-Pro2 and I have to report that the AF on the X-Pro2 did a better job of following the cars.“

Another one who tested the AF of the X-Pro2 with the XF100-400 is Simone Raso (youtube). He’s one of those photographer that you always see standing on the border of the soccer fields.

This time he took his X-Pro2 and XF100-400 to the game Real Madrid Vs. Rome. Will the X-Pro2 be able to track and focus on the fast and unpredictable movements of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo?

Apparently yes, since Simone Raso says at the end that “at this point, it doesn’t make sense anymore to lug around 10 kg of gear… and I say this without any fear that somebody can contraddict me. You’ll see all the pictures, and judge by yourself.” He worked often at high ISO since he never used a shutter speed slower than 1/500 and the XF100-400 is F5.6 at the long end, “but the X-Pro2 allows me to shoot at ISO 6400, since the files look good… no problems.”

Simone Raso’s video is in Italian and can be seen here on youtube (enjoy the live google translation tool).

Honestly, I can’t think of the X-Pro2 (or any mirrorless camera) being ready to replace a High End DSLR for sports… but apparently there are some guys out there, who are already using it for such a purpose.

Fujifilm X-Pro2
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10 Reasons Why the Fujifilm X-Pro2 Surprised me… and Why the ACROS Film Simulation will (sadly) never go to X-T1 (& Co)