Switching to a Sony 7aR IV…sorta

This is not an “I hate Fuji” post so if you’re looking for that move on. I love my Fuji, but I think I’ve outgrown its limits.

I’ve been a Fuji fan for about 5 years. Started with an X-T2 (loved it until…) then got an X-H1 (love it and still do) then got an X-T3…and hated it. I’m offloading the T2 and T3, and tons of prime glass, and getting a Sony a7r IV. This is not a grumpy “taking my football and going home” thing at all. If I did not still love my Fuji stuff, I wouldn’t bother posting here. I would also not be keeping my X-H1 and 3 pricey red badge zooms. I will also get the new X-H2 eventually. Just not the minute it hits the street.

Why? Several reasons.

I’m tired of fighting with the the x-series autofocus. It just sux. I shoot high school and college water polo. Outside. My keeper rate is 50 to 75% depending on lighting. Fuji af needs more light than I can usually find. I’m talking to other water polo parents shooting Canon and Sony and they’re killing it. I also shoot BIF but not a lot. Fuji isn’t good there either.

I also have a few adapted lenses, and Fuji manual focus is horrible. My X-T3 can’t find infinity on an adapted lens if there is anything less than a bright black/white contrast. (Yes, it is set to “shoot without lens,” and peaking on high.)

I also love what I’m seeing in the Zeiss Loxia lenses (manual focus, made for the Sony e-mount) and don’t think the Zeiss Touit for Fuji has as much personality.

I would also like to play in the larger format sandbox, but can’t afford the Fuji GX plunge. Sony gets me into a full frame 60 mp format for a lot less $.

Anyhow, I am keeping my X-H1 because I LOVE that camera. I am keeping my 16-55 f/2.8, 50-140 and 100-400, with my 1.4x adapter. I will likely get the X-H2 when it comes out and the price comes down a bit. But I am selling about 10 Fuji primes, my X-T2 and X-T3.

BTW, I had a sensor issue with my X-T2. Minute marching ants on every image. Usually only visible in very light parts of images, skies, etc.. I sent it in. The Fuji techs admitted that this had been a known problem with the X-T1, but they hadn’t seen it in the T2. They supposedly replaced the sensor. Problem never went away.

I also have really big hands, and the X-T’s just got lost, especially when paired with the three big red badge lenses. I need more bulk.

I will miss some of the Fuji feel, but with today’s technology, ergonomics are irrelevant if the image quality doesn’t compensate for it. I will not miss the much lauded jpg output because I shoot raw and don’t use the Fuji sims that so many love so much. I really could not care less about that feature.

For me, the HUGE Fuji attraction has always been the camera. The retro feel. The dials. The shui. I LOVE that about Fuji. It feels like the best of yesterday but shoots like tomorrow.

Unfortunately Just not as good tomorrow as a Sony is today.

Anyone else share any of these thoughts? I will always love my Fuji’s, but I’m curious about other brands.