Nikon Shooter About to try Fuji

FreemanB · Jan 30, 2017

I am about get a FF X100S in a couple days. Never really planned to own a Fuji, but a friend of mine traded it for one of my lenses. I've seen photos submitted to Flickr from this camera, and I am impressed. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What should I look forward to taking advantage of with this new (to me) camera? Any special accessory that will make the user experience more enjoyable? In the Nikon world, Thom Hogan is highly regarded as someone who can help you get the most out of your Nikon - Is there a similar author/reviewer for Fuji?

Any insight will be appreciated - thanks!

pepeta · Jan 30, 2017

I am in the same boat with you...from fujirumors.com I got to read some of Rico's article and he seems to be on top of his game. You could start with him...he also has a very detailed published books / e-books on all fuji cameras. I have realised Fuji cameras are very straight forward in operation and all you need to start with is a basic picture taking skills combined with their free Fuji Raw converter and you are set on a right foot...you can get to see loads of x-photographers on their website

FreemanB · Jan 30, 2017

Thanks Pepeta!

Kaso · Jan 30, 2017

Start with fujilove.com .

(Among my multi-brand tools, there are a D810, an X100 and an X-Pro2.)

pepeta · Jan 30, 2017

FreeLB said:
Thanks Pepeta!

FreemanB · Jan 30, 2017

Thanks guys - checking out links now. fujilove.com is nicely organized - I like it.

Duri · Jan 30, 2017

There is a lot to enjoy on this camera. It was my bridge camera from Fujifilm S5 Pro (actually Nikon D200 body with sensor and firmware from Fuji) to FujiFilm X system. I used that camera for over one year and then I bought X-T1. Looking at photos I'm considering to buy it again. It's really fun to use, great output, I had it always with me.

I bought ebook about X100s from Kevin Mullins (Fujifilm X100S: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Kevin Mullins). It helps to understand camera better, so I recommend to buy one.

As for accessories, I used handgrip (self made) which let me use this camera with one hand - it was important for me to take quick photos while walking with my kids and holding their hands, or while riding on a bicycle. I never used lens hood, nor any lens protection - but I had filter adapter always on - it served as some sort of lens protection. Besides that I had one polarizing filter always with me.

And consider spare battery, as you will run out of it quickly, especially in the learning phase when you will play with menus, review images ets.

Duri

markam04 · Jan 30, 2017

Kaso said:
Start with fujilove.com .

(Among my multi-brand tools, there are a D810, an X100 and an X-Pro2.)

There was a link on this site to a very good article re sharpening in Lightroom. http://petebridgwood.com/wp/2014/10/x-trans-sharpening/ I read previously on the forum about using the detail slider at max and keeping the amount slider relatively low. Anyway, there are details about settings that are well worth trying out if you have Lightroom.

For the record, my settings are;

Amount 30

Radius 1.3

Detail 80-100

Masking 0

If there is noise from high ISO I'll use the Luminance slider, sparingly.

I have a 32" monitor which has greatly helped me ascertain which settings work best (for me). I'm still experimenting with Iridient, but with the LR Sharpening settings I'm using, I'm not (as yet) seeing much benefit, although I would like to!

Kaso · Jan 30, 2017

Duri said:
consider spare battery

+1

OP: Always have (at least) one extra fully-charged battery with you while "in the field".

bs1946 · Jan 30, 2017

Unlike most of their competitors, Fuji issues firmware updates, not only to fix problems, but to add enhancements to the existing firmware. I don't know if there were any updates for the X100S because I have an X100T but you can go to the Fuji website that supports Columbia and check.

While you're there, download a digital copy of the X100S user's guide. If you are an experienced photographer, it's all you will need and you should read it because Fuji camera controls are way different that what you are used to with Nikon. Besides the Kevin Mullins book, there is also "Mastering the Fujifilm X100T and X100S" by Peter Fauland. Both are available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions. The Mullins book is probably a better choice if you have an X100S

As for getting stuff; at least one spare NP-95 battery as the X100 series is a battery hog. Also consider the hood/adapter kit but get a third party one because the Fuji one is ridiculously priced. Fuji sells the adapter alone if you are like me and don't use hoods but even Fuji's adapter alone is more expensive than the third party hood/adapter kits.

The adapter serves two purposes; it is required to attach the hood and it allows you to use 49mm filters with the X100 series. Without the adapter, you cannot attach a filter to the lens. Like I said, I don't use the hood but, I keep a 49mm UV filter on for protection and also use a CPL. The X100S has a built-in 3-stop ND filter, but you could add an additional ND filter on bright days or for landscape shooting.

MarcosV · Jan 30, 2017

FreeLB said:
I am about get a FF X100S in a couple days. Never really planned to own a Fuji, but a friend of mine traded it for one of my lenses. I've seen photos submitted to Flickr from this camera, and I am impressed. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What should I look forward to taking advantage of with this new (to me) camera? Any special accessory that will make the user experience more enjoyable? In the Nikon world, Thom Hogan is highly regarded as someone who can help you get the most out of your Nikon - Is there a similar author/reviewer for Fuji?

Any insight will be appreciated - thanks!

Buy plenty of batteries. I go through three batteries in a day. I buy 3rd party batteries from Amazon. Brands like Watson, STK, and Wasabi work great for me. These batteries are so thin, I stick two of them in a battery holder like the Think Tank Photo CF/SD Battery Case.

If holding the camera becomes a problem, buy a thumb grip (it's more like a thumb rest) that attaches to the hot shoe.

Another popular option is a lens hood/filter adapter.

For fun, I bought this old Minox table top tripod on eBay. It comes with a shutter cable release:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minox-Tripod-with-case-/192090101789?hash=item2cb976581d:g:GJwAAOSwzaJX4xL3

There's plenty of bloggers that have raved about the X100s (e.g., Zack Arias, David Hobby) when it first came out.

More of interest would be post processing. Latest versions of Lightroom are better than the earlier versions. Lightroom is good enough for most of what I want to do.

If you got a Mac, you should be using Iridient Developer. There's an Iridient X-Transformer in beta for Windows. Capture One's RAW converter is also really good.

If you like eBooks, Thomas Fitzgerald sells a few guides for working with Capture One and Lightroom. He also shares some Lightroom presets.

As others have mentioned, FujiLove is a great online magazine. Well worth the subscription process for access to older issues. You can download issues in PDF format or read them online or via a smartphone app.

Stuart001 · Jan 31, 2017

FreeLB said:
I am about get a FF X100S in a couple days. Never really planned to own a Fuji, but a friend of mine traded it for one of my lenses. I've seen photos submitted to Flickr from this camera, and I am impressed. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What should I look forward to taking advantage of with this new (to me) camera? Any special accessory that will make the user experience more enjoyable? In the Nikon world, Thom Hogan is highly regarded as someone who can help you get the most out of your Nikon - Is there a similar author/reviewer for Fuji?

Any insight will be appreciated - thanks!

Thermidor · Jan 31, 2017

I think most people have covered the really important aspects, but here's some minor stuff to consider:

1. There's a wide and tele converter available if you feel like using your X100S at 28mm or 50mm equivalent. For most people, it's not necessary, but it does add some flexibility for your X100S without taking up much more space.

2. Try shooting RAW+JPEG. I came from Nikon as well, and most of the time, the out of camera JPEG already looks great that I tweak that directly, and only work with the RAW files when absolutely necessary. Set your noise reduction and sharpening to the minimum level (-2) as they can cause weird results with skin tones.

3. Even though the JPEG output is fantastic, you'd want to keep the RAW file because the different film emulations can significantly change the way your shot turns out, and all the colour and tonal details for each emulation are stored within the raw file itself, which you can use the in-camera RAW converter to generate a different emulation from the one your originally shot..

Other than that, have fun!

hifimacianer · Jan 31, 2017

I recommend NOT to use these outdated settings for LR! LR changed a lot since this article.

Kaso · Jan 31, 2017

Stuart001 said:
I've bee a Nikon shooter for years, and bought an X-Pro 2 just before Christmas with a 23mm f2 and 16-55. I bought it only really as a travel camera, as I'm tired of lugging what feels like 100 kilograms of gear with me when I go overseas. I haven't used my D800 since.

The Fuji is such a fun camera to use. A lot of Fuji reviewers have said it, but the cameras just make you want to go out and shoot.

As other have said, the best thing you can do is to get at least one more battery.

The thing that you will find most difficult when shooting with the Fuji is wiping the smile off your face!

Do you smile enough to sell off (give away) your Nikon gear?

What is it about Nikon cameras and lenses that does not motivate you to go out and shoot with a big smile on your face?

Totally honest questions.

FreemanB · Jan 31, 2017

These are very useful tips and great advice that you all are sharing. Thank you! I can see myself out shooting more street photos with this silent, inconspicuous tool. I think some really fun times are ahead.

Kaso · Jan 31, 2017

FreeLB said:
These are very useful tips and great advice that you all are sharing. Thank you! I can see myself out shooting more street photos with this silent, inconspicuous tool. I think some really fun times are ahead.

With that said, what does the "best of 2016" D500 do for you? What makes the D500 unsuitable for streets and unable to bring really fun times?

Totally honest questions.

pepeta · Jan 31, 2017

Kaso said:
FreeLB said:

These are very useful tips and great advice that you all are sharing. Thank you! I can see myself out shooting more street photos with this silent, inconspicuous tool. I think some really fun times are ahead.

Click to expand...

With that said, what does the "best of 2016" D500 do for you? What makes the D500 unsuitable for streets and unable to bring really fun times?

Totally honest questions.

Be easy on OP....dont redicule or patronise him for experimenting outside his usual gear setup. Respect his individualism instead of questioning the rational behind his venture to reach out to X100 series camera....Avoid rigid mentality and live on to the next excitement.

FreemanB · Jan 31, 2017

Kaso said:
FreeLB said:

These are very useful tips and great advice that you all are sharing. Thank you! I can see myself out shooting more street photos with this silent, inconspicuous tool. I think some really fun times are ahead.

Click to expand...

With that said, what does the "best of 2016" D500 do for you? What makes the D500 unsuitable for streets and unable to bring really fun times?

Totally honest questions.

I'm not the socially gifted person - I don't like to be intrusive, so it's mostly me. Shot photos at a club last weekend. It was the first time I felt comfortable moving through a crowd, asking people to move so that I could get the shots I wanted. I felt more comfortable asking patrons if it's okay for me to take their picture. That's an area for me to keep developing. There is something to be said for the confidence you have in your gear to do different things. So for street, this may the ideal camera for me.

The D500 is an amazing camera, I don't have any complaints about it. I use it for events, real estate, nature, wildlife (still growing there). I love how it feels in my hand. I have great confidence that I can shoot anything I care to with it.

markam04 · Jan 31, 2017

hifimacianer said:
I recommend NOT to use these outdated settings for LR! LR changed a lot since this article.

My bad, forgot to mention I'm using LR5. Is the current version actually better at X-trans?

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