Xpro2 review: "a singular device"

Been using Xpro2 daily for the last two weeks, and I am officially amazed. I know 2 weeks down the road is a bit too early for a "review", but really wanted to share my enthusiam. If anything goes wrong later on, I'll come back to this review and update....

It is fast, agile, well designed, dependable and fun. It is one of those rare cameras that does not "get in the way".

I never connected with the XT1 or X100t that way, nor with my lovely Df, and even less with the disappointing M8 and M9 a few years ago. Those two first weeks (honeymoon, I know) bring me right back to the engagement I still feel with my old M6. It is in fact the first digital camera that sings that way for me...

In operation, time to boot is now close to immediate. The dials and other controls are just perfect for me: accessible, fast to use, intuitive. The hybrid viewfinder is wonderful, and the OVF bit is useable up to 90mm field of view (135mm equiv). In OVF mode, parallax is pretty well managed, once you understand why those lines and the AF patch need to move around. In fact much better than the M system. And a nudge on front lever brings you immediately to a very good EVF, if you want finer control and previews.

Autofocus is very reliable, fast and effective. Not D500 fast, but fast.

The menus are intuitive enough, though I'd like be able to save more parameters into profiles for quick access. Meanwhile Q menu does a good job for frequently changed settings.

I use Apple Photos for cataloging purposes. The Mac engine does not yet recognise Xpro2 raw files. That unfortunately means you cannot even "send" them to Iridient from Photos through Extensions. You have to manage raw sperately, from a Finder folder.

So I have been using JPEG OOC. And one step further, I have been using film simulation bracketing, saving 3 versions of each picture. That has been a true revelation as I cannot imagine generating better files from the computer than those natively coming out of this camera. The downside is that there is no raw safety net that way, and I need to pay more attention to exposure and white balance while I shoot...

OOC jpegs are crisp, without any artifacts (well except maybe a bit of smudging on Velvia simulation when camera sliders are on "0"). The 24 MP definition is more than enough for me. The Acros simulation is really nice, and so are the others (again maybe default Velvia a bit overboard - can be tweaked in camera).

The raw files seem to play well with Iridient for now, and I look forward to Apple Photos compatibility to go back to my safer "RAW+fine" workflow. But again I have not missed a single jpeg photo up to now...

What else? Balance with prime lenses is very good, even with 90mm, but probably not designed for the longer zooms. Finish is impeccable and WR is reassuring.

What could have been better? Maybe a tilting screen? That is justa bout all I can think of. A better flash system would be nice.

The overall experience kind of kills the fun with previous generation xtrans though. Looking forward to whatever will replace the X100t....

Voilà.

You didn't mention one of my favourite features of the new camera and that is the joystick. Being able to move the AF point around the screen and return it to the centre with ease is a game changer for me.

Yikes! My common-sense resistance is now starting to crumble... the idea that it's that much more fun than everything that has gone before, that's a very strong statement.

Pixel boy wrote:

Thanks for sharing, nice early comprehensive review.

Would you ever consider this to double up with the 150-400 as a BIF bit of kit ?

Thanks

Pixel Boy

I am sure some users will feel comfortable with the combination of Xpro2 with such zooms, but I would not. The XT1 design, with grip, is more suitable. So, perhaps, something for the XT2 when it comes. For that matter, I would not mind a slightly larger XT2, with XPro2 performance, but with a better integrated grip, precisely for those big lenses....

Keith Williamson wrote:

You didn't mention one of my favourite features of the new camera and that is the joystick. Being able to move the AF point around the screen and return it to the centre with ease is a game changer for me.

True. Have not really used that yet, as I tend to use central spot and recompose. But I know I should not do that if I want critical focus with fast lenses wide open. I need to learn to use that joystick.

Thank you for sharing. You obviously like rangefinder style of cameras judging for your choices of X100 and Leica M8 and M9 before. However I see XT1 in your signature. Can you talk specifically about differences between XT1 and XPRO2, including AF difference in various lighting conditions etc. XPRO2 costs $800 more than XT1 which is not a pocket change. I have an always running 3 year old who never stops running and always on the move, and even if he sits for 1/3 of a second his head and hands are moving in all directions, he would not sit there for a portrait, so I need a super fast and reliable AF.

Also did Face Recognition function improved on XPRO2 over XT1? Did Fuji finally joined the group of mirrorless manufacturers (Sony, Olympus) that allow face recognition and phase detect/continuous AF? or is it like XT1, you either have face detect and contrast AF, or phase detect + continuous AF, one or the other? I am very interested in what advancements Fuji has done in this regard since 2013's release of XT1.  Sony has allowed face detection tracking plus phase detect in continuous AF for a while now, with 2014's A6000 being a prime example.

Absolutic wrote:

Can you talk specifically about differences between XT1 and XPRO2, including AF difference in various lighting conditions etc. .... I have an always running 3 year old who never stops running and always on the move, ...., so I need a super fast and reliable AF.

AF of Xpro2 is faster and seems more reliable than XT1. But it is not magical. I tried the D500 a couple weeks ago and THAT was super fast. And reliable. If AF speed was my main requirement, I'd still look at DSLR in general, and D500 in particular.

For the rest, Xpro2 is substantially nimbler and more agile than XT1 in all areas of the picture taking process. XT1 remains very nice, but one step behind. Unless you have a strong preference for that "SLR" form factor, would definitely advise you give a try to Xpro2.

Also did Face Recognition function improved on XPRO2 over XT1?

Never used that feature in XT1. Had it turned on by error with Xpro2 last weekend, and got flustered seeing the AF patch lighting up all over the screen, except where I was aiming. I was on single central spot AF, which is probably the wrong setting for effective face detection, and unaware it was on. Need to spend more time with it on Xpro2 before commiting judgement.

Thank you for that informative and insightful review.  It something I'll consider carefully.

One question: would you be confident in using the Xpro2 for professional work at (rock) concerts?  And more importantly, in your opinion, would it perform well in this environment?

Thanks in advance! 

misterodd wrote:

One question: would you be confident in using the Xpro2 for professional work at (rock) concerts? And more importantly, in your opinion, would it perform well in this environment?

I am sure it would work very well for that application, and I would use without hesitation for paid work for available light stage photography (with a few extra batteries and a backup body of course). The Fuji lens choices cover all bases for that as well. Electronic shutter option allows absolutely silent operation when required. Depending on closeness to stage and focal length, OVF could be nice to use to predict players movements from outside the frame and optimise for "decisive moment".

JacquesBalthazar wrote:

misterodd wrote:

One question: would you be confident in using the Xpro2 for professional work at (rock) concerts? And more importantly, in your opinion, would it perform well in this environment?

I am sure it would work very well for that application, and I would use without hesitation for paid work for available light stage photography (with a few extra batteries and a backup body of course). The Fuji lens choices cover all bases for that as well. Electronic shutter option allows absolutely silent operation when required. Depending on closeness to stage and focal length, OVF could be nice to use to predict players movements from outside the frame and optimise for "decisive moment".

I really appreciate your opinion on this.  It gives me some confidence to know that if I decide to go this route that the Xpro2 will deliver.  Thanks again for the help!