Fujifilm X-T2

Does Fuijfilm’s latest X-series camera tick all the boxes for a professional photographer?

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Fujifilm’s cameras initially attracted me when I needed a small, lightweight camera with RAW capability and quality optics for an ambitious cycle tour I was embarking on. I chose a little Fujifilm X-10. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a love affair, and that, five years later, the Fujifilm X-series would become my major system for professional assignments.

Seduced by the quality of Fujinon XF glass, and three X-bodies later, the relationship has blossomed. But love isn’t blind—as a commercial photographer I need the right tools for the job at hand. Over the last year, I’ve often said the Fujifilm X-series has become my equivalent of a 35mm system in the days of film, and my ultra-high-resolution DSLR is my poor-man’s medium format. There are some key practical decisions in making those choices. Image quality is always first, followed by hardware useability, file flexibility (such as good dynamic range), focusing performance and file security.

The X-T1 ticked many of those boxes, but it had features missing when it came to using it professionally. The X-T2 is a different story. The increase to 24 million pixels gives more flexibility to my clients in terms of what the images can be used for. The focusing joystick gives me quick access to a broader area of focus points (the old D-Pad selector on the X-T1 used to drive me crazy). The dual card slots give me file security for shoots that incur heavy production expenses and can’t be repeated. Bigger dials and new push-button locks are easier to use, and prevent me from accidentally moving the secondary switches underneath them. Finally, I’m now able to tether the X-T2 to a computer so that art directors can easily keep an eye on what I’m shooting.

Moreover, the X-T2’s revamped focusing system lives up to the hype. On a recent shoot of top-dressing planes, the camera’s ability to track the plane at more than 200 kilometres per hour—and get every frame sharp, at 11 frames per second—was impressive.

On top of all that, there’s the added bonus of 4K video. I haven’t taken up shooting video on my DSLR, but the big, bright electronic viewfinder of the X-T2 makes it easy. A flick of the drive switch and off I go. (Granted, I do still need to add a microphone and headphones to the mix for decent quality sound.)

What would I change? What still annoys me? Very, very little. Although I would love to see Fujifilm achieve the enormous dynamic range of my DSLR, I don’t think I’ve ever had so little to complain about—the X-T2 is proving to be my ideal photographic partner.

See more at: fujifilm.co.nz