Fuji X-T3 w/ 16-55mm f/2.8 - some observations after the 1st week

Just a few personal thoughts and observations regarding my new X-T3 w/ the 16-55mm f/2.8 lens. I received it a week ago, have had still not that much time to play around and really use it, but some topics are already quite obvious for me even after such a short time.

Ergonomics of the combo

This combo is definitely somewhat bigger and heavier than my X100T, but not in any way I would call “too big”, “too heavy” or “uncomfortable” at all. Coming long time ago from a D300 w/ 17-55mm f/2.8 it feels familiar while still smaller and ligther, at least based on my pure subjective feelings.

Yes, this combo can make you think about an additional grip to “improve” ergonomics, but a potential solution will simply depend on each persons needs and preferences. Personally I will most likely start to try out the lensmate thumb rest, which I also use on my X100T, as a first step to see how much it already will improve the ergonomics. Maybe I will then try out the metal hand grip, even it doesn´t really “harmonize” with my preference for l-brackets, as there would then always be some extra hassle to switch from handheld shooting to tripod shooting. The battery grip simply appears “too big” for my taste, at least at this moment, considering my style of shooting and my needs.

Noise

Maybe it´s because I am used since quite some time just to my X100T, but I (think to) see definitely more noise in the images from the X-T3, even already at low ISO levels around ISO 1000. But this is nothing that seriously concerns me at this moment, as there are definitely aspects I first have to figure out.

Maybe it´s the normal difference between a 16MP and a 26MP camera. Maybe it´s something regarding image editing software, as I see different results from the same image looking at it in LR or C1. Definitely it is also related to pay even more attention to correct shooting techniques, means expose the images correctly, keep ISO down whenever possible and so on.

Bokeh

Yes, bokeh may be overrated, and in my preferred style of shooting it also doesn´t play that much of a role. But while the lens is giving really a lot of flexibility regarding focal lengths I was still a little surprised about the “fuzzy” bokeh it produces when shooting portraits, especially at the long end.

Again, no major problem for me, as my main interest is more in landscape photography than portraits, but for the occasions I will (have to) shoot portraits I will most likely get me some other additional lens(es), where there are the 23mm f/1.4 and the 56mm f/1.2 a the top of my wish list.

Learning curve

This combo definitely requires some learning curve, at least for me. Coming from the X100T it helps to understand already a lot of settings and functions, but there is also so much more, so much different that it will take me a while to understand and master all the possibilities to get the best possible result out of this combo.

The possibilities regarding settings and configurations can be just overwhelming and may for some time even “distract” from the real basics. As an example, AF functions are way improved over what I am used to with my X100T, but they are also quite different to what I was used to with my Nikon cameras. So it will take some learning as well as some trial and error to figure out that important feature.

Having no OIS / IBIS is for me no deal breaker at all, otherwise I would have gone for a different solution, but it also needs (again) some attention regarding shooting techniques to really get out the best from this combo. What I have seen already in the last days: If you get everything right this combo will produce stunning images, but it is definitely no automatism.

What I am missing

It may sound curious, but coming from Nikon I always really loved the in-depth reviews and handbooks for Nikon cameras and lenses from Thom Hogan. At least I could learn a lot from there, as it went far beyond every pure manual, really explained functions and their interactions, and I found all the information “in one place” without the need to look around and search.

Yes, you also can find a lot of information about the functions of the Fuji cameras, but it´s really a little like a puzzle to get the things together. And the manual is not really helpful, at least from my point of view, for example to really understand the interactions within all the AF functions and possibilities.

What I really like

The look, the feel, the handling, the possibility to customize this camera… plain and simple! It´s just fun to use it, to take images… and it can take really great images!

Herbert