-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Fuji a good start for simplification of photography?
- Thread starter deednets
- Start date
I started photography in 1971 and have done lab work in the 70s, had a variety of cameras, started with a Zeiss Icon, then Pentax, the the F3 with 2 lenses only (that I thought was a fabulous time, but the world so it seems to be, just got bigger...).
So I have some ideas with regards to lenses etc.
I know that lighting and composition is more important than gear, but you need at least SOME gear to get to composing anything.
I thought that the Fuji system might be a good start for somebody new to photography because it is less messy than SONY (the SONY guys of course think it's easy enough...) and you have a clear set of standard but high quality primes and now even some fast(er) zooms.
And I only shoot RAW. Capture One Pro 8.
Deed
I take photos in a studio, models that want to be famous in the not-so-distant future. I enjoy that work immensely, the work is a break! And I take photos when I travel.
The X-T1 with any of the primes mounted feel "right", in particular the 23 and the 56 ...
And don't buy your argument that gear is not important for the final outcome. It seems fashionable to think that true musicians can play Bach on a $55.00 WALMART guitar.
In reality, great gear facilitates your trade.
Always does!
Deed
Yes it does and clearly shows people's preferences as to what they shoot.
My question was regarding say a new user who wanted to get a "solid" simple tool, whether Fuji would be a good starting point.
Deed
Sure but the Fuji lineup is kind of very "tidy" as the X-lenses that are on offer will actually fit, no E, FE, A or otherwise ... which might appeal to a newbie who is after some quality gear. Or the one coming from a different system.
Deed
T
Tim C.
Guest
I haven't read the entire thread, but I wanted to add that I have been thinking about simplifying my photography, especially the equipment. With an array of multiple lenses and camera bodies in my bag, it is easy for me to keep switching between different camera setups to the point where I am missing out on the photography process.
To answer the question in the original post, for the next month or two, my main camera body will be the Fuji X-T1 and two lenses will be 14mm and 35mm. I am going a step further by shooting in one film simulation (monochrome with a boost in highlights and shadows) and shooting in JPEG only. I feel that the more restrictive my choices are, the more I will be forced to use my thoughts during the image making process.
Good post, Deed.
That's not my argument, so whether you buy it or not is irrelevant.
You tell me, I don't really follow fashion. That kind of meme has nothing to do with my comment above, though.
Well, duh. That's a fine job at stating the obvious, but again it has nothing to do with what I said.
Looks like you missed the point of my reply, and looks like I overlooked the actual motive behind the question in your OP, which is all about social, isn't it. A request for community affirmation, kinda like virtual flee plucking from each others' fur. Which is fine, of course. Carry on.
The X-T1 is a nice camera, too. Have fun.
Last edited:
In contrast to you, I don't have this (worshiping??) problem.
He used to carry around 80-100kg of gear when he went on his "tours" and a variety of large to medium format cameras.
He started with a Brownie, like many people have, then went onto 4x5 view cameras and a Pocket Kodak, then he used Zeiss, plus 6.5x8.5 glass plate camera, then Hasselblads and Polaroid as well as what he described as "miniture" (also commonly referred to a Full Frame here...).
So indeed what would he say??
Deed
You went onto this "if he was a good photographer, he could take the photos with any camera"
I responded.
And have no time for social stuff, I am not after affirmation, it was a point to maybe be discussed. If this doesn't bother you, then don't.
Discuss that is.
Deed
JohnLL
Well-known member
Simplification is in the mind, and it's different for different folks.
Myself I got an XP1 about two years ago, with an 18-55 only. It's just about all I carry these days, except for a flash and spare batteries, and I take it just about everywhere. I also got an M to FX adapter, so I can use some legacy lenses I have, but this I very rarely do. So far, pretty simple.
However, I come from film (way back), DSLRs and assorted point and shoots. For interiors, which I still do occasionally, I use a Canon 5D2 and some wide glass. For sports I generally use it with a 70-300. For birds and wildlife I have a Sigma 150-500 and a 7D. I still use all these from time to time but only take them when I know I'm going to want them. Not so simple, but not so often.
I've been toying with the idea of something wider for the Fuji, such as the 10-24 or the 16/1.4, or perhaps something longer like the 55-200, but find it hard to convince myself. I can cover these areas with my remaining Canon / Sigma gear, and I rarely find I could do with having this sort of stuff with me when I'm just pottering.
Just my $0.02.
Myself I got an XP1 about two years ago, with an 18-55 only. It's just about all I carry these days, except for a flash and spare batteries, and I take it just about everywhere. I also got an M to FX adapter, so I can use some legacy lenses I have, but this I very rarely do. So far, pretty simple.
However, I come from film (way back), DSLRs and assorted point and shoots. For interiors, which I still do occasionally, I use a Canon 5D2 and some wide glass. For sports I generally use it with a 70-300. For birds and wildlife I have a Sigma 150-500 and a 7D. I still use all these from time to time but only take them when I know I'm going to want them. Not so simple, but not so often.
I've been toying with the idea of something wider for the Fuji, such as the 10-24 or the 16/1.4, or perhaps something longer like the 55-200, but find it hard to convince myself. I can cover these areas with my remaining Canon / Sigma gear, and I rarely find I could do with having this sort of stuff with me when I'm just pottering.
Just my $0.02.
That's not what I said. That's just what's written on your straw man. Below is what I actually said:
"I'm sure his photos look great, but the thing is, if he's any good, as he no doubt is, his photos would look great taken (made) with any brand gear."
For starters, that was just one sentence in a longer comment, and second, if you really don't see any difference between 'any gear' and 'any brand gear,' as it seems, this discussion is indeed futile. So let's pretend it never happened and move along.
Indeed you did, and it was quite enlightening. Thank you for removing any doubts.
M'kay.
Enjoy your simplified photography, whichever brand camera you're making it with. Cheers.
Torq
Well-known member
Simplification is hard … and Fuji was where I initially headed …
A year ago I had extensive investment into four ILC systems; Canon, Micro 4/3, Fuji XF and Leica; in addition to I used a handful of P&S models (including an X100T). An inauspicious legacy that is captured here in my gear list.
The Canon and Micro 4/3 systems weren’t getting any use once I got the Fuji and thus gave way last year to a deeper investment in Fuji XF and Leica.
A recent trip to Europe drove me to simplify further. I barely used the Fuji setup; in fact it often sat in the safe in the hotel room because I didn’t want to carry it all day and there was nothing I was going to need it for that couldn’t be handled with my Sony RX 100 M3.
Other than feeling a little limited by the focal length range, depth of field control possibilities, and it being a little fiddly to change settings for more challenging shots on the Sony it was pretty apparent that my approach to shooting pictures had changed.
So I kept the Leica system, as I used that most for photographic outings and my really creative shooting. And I kept the RX100 M3, as it’s still the best and most complete “take everywhere” option I know of (built-in EVF, flash, selfie-capable screen, fast, useful zoom range, fast enough lens for low-light use).
Then I added a D-Lux 109 for when I want a bit more control, subject isolation, and ease of use over the Sony, and a V-Lux 114 for when I want the biggest range I can get in a reasonably sized package (this would likely have been an RX10 M2 if the screen on that was fully articulated).
A year ago I had extensive investment into four ILC systems; Canon, Micro 4/3, Fuji XF and Leica; in addition to I used a handful of P&S models (including an X100T). An inauspicious legacy that is captured here in my gear list.
The Canon and Micro 4/3 systems weren’t getting any use once I got the Fuji and thus gave way last year to a deeper investment in Fuji XF and Leica.
A recent trip to Europe drove me to simplify further. I barely used the Fuji setup; in fact it often sat in the safe in the hotel room because I didn’t want to carry it all day and there was nothing I was going to need it for that couldn’t be handled with my Sony RX 100 M3.
Other than feeling a little limited by the focal length range, depth of field control possibilities, and it being a little fiddly to change settings for more challenging shots on the Sony it was pretty apparent that my approach to shooting pictures had changed.
So I kept the Leica system, as I used that most for photographic outings and my really creative shooting. And I kept the RX100 M3, as it’s still the best and most complete “take everywhere” option I know of (built-in EVF, flash, selfie-capable screen, fast, useful zoom range, fast enough lens for low-light use).
Then I added a D-Lux 109 for when I want a bit more control, subject isolation, and ease of use over the Sony, and a V-Lux 114 for when I want the biggest range I can get in a reasonably sized package (this would likely have been an RX10 M2 if the screen on that was fully articulated).
Skipper494
Forum Pro
If I had to pick one, out of all my cameras, for simplicity of operation, I'd take my Samsung EX2F, followed by my Nikon P7000, then Samsung NX200 with 39mm F2.
Skipper494
Forum Pro
That should be 30mm F2. Just got to get a new keyboard!
What do you need to photograph? What do you want to photograph? Or pose it as, what kind of photos do you need/want to make? Answer that then think about simplifying.
I practice serial simplicity. The great majority of my photos are with manual focus primes. (If I really need auto focus, I generally use my Zeiss Touit 32/1.8.)
I go out with one or two lenses. They are drawn from a bench of seven or eight in active use. It has been fun to buy a legacy prime, work with it, then retire a lens from the bench.
I practice serial simplicity. The great majority of my photos are with manual focus primes. (If I really need auto focus, I generally use my Zeiss Touit 32/1.8.)
I go out with one or two lenses. They are drawn from a bench of seven or eight in active use. It has been fun to buy a legacy prime, work with it, then retire a lens from the bench.
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum