Considering X-T2 -- but have concerns

[BJ76]

I am new in this forum, however I use dpreview for years now.

I own a X-T1 and am completely satisfied (ok, autofocus could be better) when using my prime lenses even when looking at X-T2 with sharp eyes...

I used to have a Nikon and am really happy of all that load-relief and all those added features like wifi etc in order to quickly have those photographs on my screens at home.

Furthermore I am really impressed of Fujifilms update policy, which is best in Camera business I think.

(Nevertheless first thing appealing to me was the lacking of illuminated buttons at the back when using the cam in a dark surrounding... Even when having adopted to the cam's buttons this would make these neet x-series cams for me even more usable especially when thinking of all those photos taken from dusk till dawn, when you often play with adjustments etc. ...)

Regarding videos:

In certain situations my smartphone cam really is excellent for me. In others it is not. For family videos it surely is, for videos where you try to have avantage of excellent optics, you only seem to have the option of decadent big gimbals in order to take advantage of 4k without using post processing softwarealgorithms to stabilize vids afterwards...

Besides video functionality is not essential for me on my fujifilm, 4k would have been a real reason to safe extra money for x-t2. However, I am wondering why such a neet cam like the x-t2 has got no optical stabilization (not to mention all those youtube vids of Ted Vieira on that topics.). Especially 4k vids are the ones where you see every shaking of your hands... . That would not really matter if there would be a satisfying solution for stabilizing dslm with size factor of fuji x-t2. However there is not a single solution that would not turnx-t2 into a pro looking cam resp. a photographer wearing a pro looking bag ... Furthermore all those soulutions lack that back screen is blocked by one gimbal axis...

On Kickstarter have been several projects for smartphone cam gimbals but not for dslm sized ones. There are great functionalities like autotracking etc. . When thinking of making great videos there indeed is not a must have incam stabilzation, but thinking of all those great handheld gimbal functionalities, I think big companies must be careful not to "miss the train", as there is a huge advantage in video quality with those gimbals especially when combining ist with auto tracking etc.

People want to make there own great looking vids and they do, but just smartphone cams or dji MFT? It is quite sad to see this field overtaken by all those newbies and not by big companies like Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, ...

If I was thinking of buying an x-t2 or 3 or whatever - at least for me- there has to be a solution for that.

 

[Cliff Fujii]

I am new in this forum, however I use dpreview for years now.

I own a X-T1 and am completely satisfied (ok, autofocus could be better) when using my prime lenses even when looking at X-T2 with sharp eyes...

I used to have a Nikon and am really happy of all that load-relief and all those added features like wifi etc in order to quickly have those photographs on my screens at home.

Furthermore I am really impressed of Fujifilms update policy, which is best in Camera business I think.

(Nevertheless first thing appealing to me was the lacking of illuminated buttons at the back when using the cam in a dark surrounding... Even when having adopted to the cam's buttons this would make these neet x-series cams for me even more usable especially when thinking of all those photos taken from dusk till dawn, when you often play with adjustments etc. ...)

You want illuminated buttons on a camera that has a CIPA rating of 350?

Regarding videos:

In certain situations my smartphone cam really is excellent for me. In others it is not. For family videos it surely is, for videos where you try to have avantage of excellent optics, you only seem to have the option of decadent big gimbals in order to take advantage of 4k without using post processing softwarealgorithms to stabilize vids afterwards...

Besides video functionality is not essential for me on my fujifilm, 4k would have been a real reason to safe extra money for x-t2. However, I am wondering why such a neet cam like the x-t2 has got no optical stabilization (not to mention all those youtube vids of Ted Vieira on that topics.). Especially 4k vids are the ones where you see every shaking of your hands... . That would not really matter if there would be a satisfying solution for stabilizing dslm with size factor of fuji x-t2. However there is not a single solution that would not turnx-t2 into a pro looking cam resp. a photographer wearing a pro looking bag ... Furthermore all those soulutions lack that back screen is blocked by one gimbal axis...

Fuji answered this question before. The X-series bodies don't have the room inside for an IBIS mechanism. For something short, Fuji might be able to put in IBIS but for lenses over 100mm I don't think so (the longer lenses need more sensor movement to accomplish anti-shake functions. Besides, the longer lenses have OIS and that's where it's really needed. As for the shorter focus lenses, honing the skills in taking the image would be warranted.

On Kickstarter have been several projects for smartphone cam gimbals but not for dslm sized ones. There are great functionalities like autotracking etc. . When thinking of making great videos there indeed is not a must have incam stabilzation, but thinking of all those great handheld gimbal functionalities, I think big companies must be careful not to "miss the train", as there is a huge advantage in video quality with those gimbals especially when combining ist with auto tracking etc.

Do what the film industry has been doing for many years, get a SteadyCam.

People want to make there own great looking vids and they do, but just smartphone cams or dji MFT? It is quite sad to see this field overtaken by all those newbies and not by big companies like Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, ...

If I was thinking of buying an x-t2 or 3 or whatever - at least for me- there has to be a solution for that.

I think you need to look at Sony. The new A6500 has IBIS.

--
Cliff

 

[fft2000]

On Kickstarter have been several projects for smartphone cam gimbals but not for dslm sized ones.

Hmmmm... Came across this fancy looking gadget

 

[BJ76]

Hi fft200,

that seems to be a great invention,

I thought of gyroscope stabilzation solutions but it always ended up in bulky solutions.

I indeed like the form factor of fujifilm's "friendly" looking classic cameras instead of dslr monsters.

This gadget seems to be a combination og gyroscopic and accelerometric sensors.

Would be great if there would be an option for including it into camera software or as a plugin for classic video software.

(It should also be an ideal system to integrate it into a vertical handgrip too...! This I would call an innovative approach to video stabilization without making cameras unneccessarily big and energy vasting...!!)

I will have a look indeed at this french gadget when available. Thank you very much for this great hint, (also those big manufacturers should thank you for giving them a perfect product idea...).

Best regards,

BJ

 

[EOS Paul]

(Nevertheless first thing appealing to me was the lacking of illuminated buttons at the back when using the cam in a dark surrounding... Even when having adopted to the cam's buttons this would make these neet x-series cams for me even more usable especially when thinking of all those photos taken from dusk till dawn, when you often play with adjustments etc. ...)

You have AE-Lock, AF-Lock, Q, Dustbin, Playback, Menu and Display

There are not that many to remember. You don't need to remember the joy stick or the 4 buttons around the menu.

I could work them with my eyes closed.

I think reading what was on the buttons might be more of a problem then remembering the location for many people.

 

[Acrill]

Its great that the T2 can shoot 4k video, and there are some people who make use of this, but I wouldn't purchase one specifically for video work.

Instead, I would purchase some of the more recent Panasonic cameras with 4k video and image stabilization.

 

[SirSeth]

Its great that the T2 can shoot 4k video, and there are some people who make use of this, but I wouldn't purchase one specifically for video work.

Instead, I would purchase some of the more recent Panasonic cameras with 4k video and image stabilization.

I agree with Acrill. If looking for good stabilized 4K for casual to serious video the E-M1ii would deliver in spades. The IQ would be close to the XT-1 imo (with slight pros and cons of course). Weather sealing and quality small lenses, spectacular IBIS.

Nothing wrong with the XT-2 though and the IQ would be a notch better than the E-M1ii or GH5, but no stabilization in 4K is a pain unless you want to invest in gimbal/crane/rails or a stabilization rig that would cost you as much as an E-M1ii second system anyhow.

These days if you can go dual system for specific needs, there are plenty of very good options. I'd say the E-M1ii is as close to a jack of all trades when it comes to video/stills as one can get. It has the processing power and frame speed plus the excellent stabilization. Personally I own Sony FF mirrorless and Olympus and they complement nicely. Will likely be picking up an FZ300 and XT-1 in the future for another set of complements. There are so many good options.

Cheers, Seth

 

[fft2000]

Its great that the T2 can shoot 4k video, and there are some people who make use of this, but I wouldn't purchase one specifically for video work.

Instead, I would purchase some of the more recent Panasonic cameras with 4k video and image stabilization.

I agree with Acrill. If looking for good stabilized 4K for casual to serious video the E-M1ii would deliver in spades. The IQ would be close to the XT-1 imo (with slight pros and cons of course). Weather sealing and quality small lenses, spectacular IBIS.

Nothing wrong with the XT-2 though and the IQ would be a notch better than the E-M1ii or GH5, but no stabilization in 4K is a pain unless you want to invest in gimbal/crane/rails or a stabilization rig that would cost you as much as an E-M1ii second system anyhow.

These days if you can go dual system for specific needs, there are plenty of very good options. I'd say the E-M1ii is as close to a jack of all trades when it comes to video/stills as one can get. It has the processing power and frame speed plus the excellent stabilization. Personally I own Sony FF mirrorless and Olympus and they complement nicely. Will likely be picking up an FZ300 and XT-1 in the future for another set of complements. There are so many good options.

Cheers, Seth

The only issue with the E-M1.II seems to be the really bad AF during video. So bad that some reviewers say its quite unusable. Can't say if it is true (and if X-T2 is so much better) because I own neither of those cameras. Best would be to simply test it out...

The Panasonic G80/85 on the other hand gets really great reviews concerning the video-AF. (I don't have that camera... )

 

[BJ76]

I agree that each camera system has its own advantage.

So fujifilm has aps-c in nearly MFTs form factor and esp. it has got excellent optics!

I surley do not want to invest in another brand's optics. Even when video capability seems to be in second place for me right now esp. thinking of private vids and the quality of smartphone vids, I would surely appreciate of testing fujifilms optics on vids I would like to make for example for a blog etc. Those videos live from motion (but not from vibrations) and crative technique/optics. Limitations of those vids made with smartphone surely are optics, which counterwise would be great if taken by a cam like x-t2. On the other hand smartphone vids allow quite good quality without spending hours behind pc screen in order to postprocess vids. And meanwhile there are great gimbals for them, also special mics connected for example to a dji gimbal handpiece allow great sound quality without disturbing gimbal functionality. The results are so good that i am each time impressed (a friend of mine does such things...)

Special gimbals or stabilizations for X-T2 create battery problems or display or sound incompatibilities or make systems as tall as a bavarian waitress on the Oktoberfest.

I think fujifilm and others would do extremely well when considering further image stabilization products. resp. further compatibilities as their system's advantage will be diminished by huge creativity in new hard-/software based functionalities created by many little companies (looking at several apps like Procamera, filmborn or at certain gimbal solutions like dji or for example on a product like SteadXP) for products relying on this kind of input.

Customers do surely accept certain limitations of the special brand's concept and big players seem to adopt quite slow, which is not too bad, but when thinking of Fujifilm - I love the body, the size, the optics, the image quality and would always take the cam for my photos taken on the street in the fields and of my family - they will miss the video train as 4k on the X-t2 surley is a a nice addon, but i get angry when thinking of having to buy DJI optics or other adapters for having all those great video options like olympus or sony while best optics just lying around and fujifilm just being too lazy to cooperate with little but intelligent companies...

And illuminated buttons - by the way - perhaps would just be a great feature and silent wish for a simple guy like me which does not use the cam daily in order to handle the cams complex functionalities in the dark...

This is just an opinion and it is easy to write this but I really see fujifilm missing the "video train", which could be not relevant but at least is sad for fujifilm based creativity in video affairs...

 

[stevezissou]

I am looking to upgrade my Olympus OM-D E-M5. My needs for a much better AF has grown beyond the camera's abilities (no video, all pix's). I want to go to a larger sensor as well, APS-C instead of FF to keep the size of the camera smaller than most FF's. I do like the size of my E-M5.

I have been reviewing the X-T2, the Sony A77ii, Sony A6500. The Sony's have the IBIS, the Fuji does not. Does the IBIS only play a part in video shooting? Or, is is also engaged when taking stills?

Thanks,