Maximum shutter speed limitation of the Fuji X30?

[DaveyA]

I learnt the hard way last week that because the X30 only has a leaf shutter, it will not exceed 1/000 at the most open aperture even though the conditions require it. As I was unaware of this limitation, I hugely overexposed all pictures taken on a sunny day at the beach, with the dial set to A priority at f2.8.

I was so exasperated with the result from this otherwise beautiful camera that I promptly exchanged it for the XT10, with its choice of mechanical or electronic shutter, with which I am happy.

However, this still perplexes me: if I set the shutter speed manually to say 1/2000 at f2.8, if that gives the correct exposure, the camera will now ignore the 1/0000 limit and function normally. By setting the shutter speed manually, is it the case that the shutter will commence it's travel before the aperture begins to open, so all is well, whereas with the dial set to A mode the reverse is true. In turn, does this mean that in the brightest conditions you are obliged to remember to use shutter priority, or a smaller aperture, or EC, or some combination ?

If this is so, then although I was sorry to say goodbye to the X30, I know that I wouldn't have been happy with the uncertainty of which mode to use on any given sunny day.

I am JPEG only by the way.

 

[Greybeard2023]

In turn, does this mean that in the brightest conditions you are obliged to remember to use shutter priority, or a smaller aperture, or EC, or some combination ?

The camera should warn you by showing the shutter speed in red if conditions are too bright.

 

[DaveyA]

Yes, but what do you do then? It's an extra step or two which gets in the way of taking the shot.

Also, as I tried to convey, I would still like to know whether the camera will function at higher speeds in shutter priority, and if so, how is that possible when it won't exceed 1/1000 in aperture priority?

 

[Bill Ferris]

I learnt the hard way last week that because the X30 only has a leaf shutter, it will not exceed 1/000 at the most open aperture even though the conditions require it. As I was unaware of this limitation, I hugely overexposed all pictures taken on a sunny day at the beach, with the dial set to A priority at f2.8.

That's an unfortunate oversight on your part. What ISO were you using? It's a clear, blue sky day here in Arizona. In aperture priority at f/2.8 and ISO 200, my X-T20 is making well-exposed, usable images of the very bright sunlit exterior of my house at 1/4000.

I was so exasperated with the result from this otherwise beautiful camera that I promptly exchanged it for the XT10, with its choice of mechanical or electronic shutter, with which I am happy.

The combination of mechanical and electronic shutter is a great option for photography in bright environments.

However, this still perplexes me: if I set the shutter speed manually to say 1/2000 at f2.8, if that gives the correct exposure, the camera will now ignore the 1/0000 limit and function normally. By setting the shutter speed manually, is it the case that the shutter will commence it's travel before the aperture begins to open, so all is well, whereas with the dial set to A mode the reverse is true. In turn, does this mean that in the brightest conditions you are obliged to remember to use shutter priority, or a smaller aperture, or EC, or some combination ?

You have options. In manual mode, you can choose whichever settings you wish and use the EVF display to confirm no blown highlights or crushed shadows.

In aperture priority, you can put the camera in mechanical plus electronic (m+e) shutter mode and the camera will choose whichever shutter speed is needed to make a good exposure.

In shutter priority, you can dial-in the shutter speed you wish and the camera will select a corresponding f-stop.

in any priority mode, if the camera is unable to choose the needed setting it will display that setting in a red font when you half-depress the shutter release. If you review the photo in the EVF or on the rear LCD, you can see the result of the settings that were used.

The photographer is always responsible for the photo being made. As you gain experience and familiarity with the functions of your camera, you'll know which exposure and shutter mode will yield results to your liking when shooting a range of subjects under a variety of conditions. Give yourself time, it'll come

If this is so, then although I was sorry to say goodbye to the X30, I know that I wouldn't have been happy with the uncertainty of which mode to use on any given sunny day.

If you do a lot of exterior photography of subjects or scenes in bright sunlight, a neutral density filter would probably be a useful accessory. It will give you a wider range of usable shutter speeds and extend the time your able to use the mechanical shutter.

Enjoy the X-T10.

 

[DaveyA]

Bill, thank you for your thoughtful reply, and it has left me wondering if I have sold my X30 too hastily - I thought it gave no manual/ electronic option in A priority?

Manual = mechanical

 

[Greybeard2023]

Bill, thank you for your thoughtful reply, and it has left me wondering if I have sold my X30 too hastily - I thought it gave no manual/ electronic option in A priority?

Manual = mechanical

I do not believe the X30 had an electronic shutter

 

[DJF55]

Yes, but what do you do then? It's an extra step or two which gets in the way of taking the shot.

Also, as I tried to convey, I would still like to know whether the camera will function at higher speeds in shutter priority, and if so, how is that possible when it won't exceed 1/1000 in aperture priority?

On my X30, that I meanwhile have sold, I had 2 JJC lens hoods into which I had mountef a ND2 and ND 4 filter, respectively. Worked well and it was easy to change, or remove the filter based on lighting situations

That way, I was able to keep the aperture between 2.0 and max 4.0.

 

[DaveyA]

Nevertheless I am still curious to know how it is that the X30 won't exceed 1/1000 in aperture priority mode, but will allow the mechanical shutter to expose at 1/4000 in shutter priority mode, all at widest aperture?

 

[DJF55]

Nevertheless I am still curious to know how it is that the X30 won't exceed 1/1000 in aperture priority mode, but will allow the mechanical shutter to expose at 1/4000 in shutter priority mode, all at widest aperture?

According tp the X30 manual,

"Shutter speed

Auto mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000* sec. , (All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec.

* 1/4000sec. at small aperture, 1/1000sec. at full aperture"

No indication of what you indicate regarding mechanical shutter in S mode in the manual.

 

[DaveyA]

Yes, in the shutter-priority AE section of the manual, there is no mention of the speed restriction at wide aperture.

If indeed there is no mechanical shutter on the X30 (incidentally something that I have never seen mentioned before now - or if it has been, I've missed it) then I am curious to know why the difference in minimum shutter speed between shutter and aperture priority at the widest aperture...

 

[Greybeard2023]

Yes, in the shutter-priority AE section of the manual, there is no mention of the speed restriction at wide aperture.

If indeed there is no mechanical shutter on the X30 (incidentally something that I have never seen mentioned before now - or if it has been, I've missed it) then I am curious to know why the difference in minimum shutter speed between shutter and aperture priority at the widest aperture...

there is a mechanical shutter - its the electronic shutter that is missing

 

[Bill Ferris]

Bill, thank you for your thoughtful reply, and it has left me wondering if I have sold my X30 too hastily - I thought it gave no manual/ electronic option in A priority?

Manual = mechanical

The X30 only has the mechanical leaf shutter, no electronic shutter option. The X-T10 (all X-T series bodies) has both mechanical and electrical shutter.

With a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed, the X30 should be able to deliver pleasing images at f/2.8 or slower in midday bright conditions. With an ND filter, slower shutter speeds could be used. Though, from what I've read, it can be difficult to find filters with threading that's compatible with the X30.

 

[DJF55]

Yes, in the shutter-priority AE section of the manual, there is no mention of the speed restriction at wide aperture.

What do you mean with wide aperture - a low f number like 2.0 or a high f number like 22?

If indeed there is no mechanical shutter on the X30 (incidentally something that I have never seen mentioned before now - or if it has been, I've missed it) then I am curious to know why the difference in minimum shutter speed between shutter and aperture priority at the widest aperture...

The X30 has a leaf shutter. I'd say that's a mechanical shutter. I can't answer your question re the difference you mmention. You may consult the internet.

 

[DaveyA]

I’m so sorry - in the post above, I said that the X30 did not have a mechanical shutter - I should have said ( of course) that it did not have an electronic one, and that I had not been aware of this until I inadvertently over exposed shots taken at the smallest f number - f2.

I suppose that part of the reason I wanted to draw attention to this is that I hadn’t seen it mentioned in several otherwise very positive reviews of this brilliant camera; and I was hoping to understand just why 1/1000 was the upper limit in A mode, while the shutter is clearly capable of higher speeds in S mode.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

Yes, in the shutter-priority AE section of the manual, there is no mention of the speed restriction at wide aperture.

If indeed there is no mechanical shutter on the X30 (incidentally something that I have never seen mentioned before now - or if it has been, I've missed it) then I am curious to know why the difference in minimum shutter speed between shutter and aperture priority at the widest aperture...

The X30 does have a mechanical shutter - a leaf shutter. With most leaf shutters, including in the X100 cameras, the maximum shutter speed is lower at wider apertures. My X100V is good to 1/4000” stopped down, but only 1/2000” wide open - which makes sense as the leaf shutter needs to open and close over a greater area with a larger aperture. The manual might not go into that much detail, but I’d be very surprised if 1/4000” is available at all apertures.

Test it yourself, the SS indication will turn red when it is maxed out and can’t achieve the metered exposure. Go find a very bright scene and see where the SS maxes out at different apertures. If you shoot when the indication is red, there will be overexposure, even if the exposure preview looks OK. Without an electronic shutter, you may need an ND filter to shoot at wide apertures in very bright light.

Edit:

Yeah, SS is limited to 1/1000” wide open. From the manual..

 

[Bill Ferris]

Nevertheless I am still curious to know how it is that the X30 won't exceed 1/1000 in aperture priority mode, but will allow the mechanical shutter to expose at 1/4000 in shutter priority mode, all at widest aperture?

According tp the X30 manual,

"Shutter speed

Auto mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/4000* sec. , (All other modes) 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec.

* 1/4000sec. at small aperture, 1/1000sec. at full aperture"

No indication of what you indicate regarding mechanical shutter in S mode in the manual.

Thanks for digging up that additional detail from the manual. I did not see the 1/1000-second limit with at the wide open f-stop when going through the online manual, yesterday.

 

[DaveyA]

This is very helpful, but it still doesn’t answer the question- - why in A mode can you not exceed 1/1000 at F2, but it seems that you can in S mode if you so choose?

If I am right in this, i sense that the answer is in the sequence in which the shutter starts its travel in each mode.

Perhaps I should give up wondering and go back to taking photos with the delightful XT10.

Thank you anyway for your thoughts.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

This is very helpful, but it still doesn’t answer the question- - why in A mode can you not exceed 1/1000 at F2, but it seems that you can in S mode if you so choose?

Because in S mode, the camera will choose a smaller aperture which can accommodate a higher shutter speed.

If I am right in this, i sense that the answer is in the sequence in which the shutter starts its travel in each mode.

Perhaps I should give up wondering and go back to taking photos with the delightful XT10.

Thank you anyway for your thoughts.

 

[DJF55]

This is very helpful, but it still doesn’t answer the question- - why in A mode can you not exceed 1/1000 at F2, but it seems that you can in S mode if you so choose?

Because in S mode, the camera will choose a smaller aperture which can accommodate a higher shutter speed.

Which is not desirable for best image quality. Henve my aproach with tje ND filters!

If I am right in this, i sense that the answer is in the sequence in which the shutter starts its travel in each mode.

Perhaps I should give up wondering and go back to taking photos with the delightful XT10.

Thank you anyway for your thoughts.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

This is very helpful, but it still doesn’t answer the question- - why in A mode can you not exceed 1/1000 at F2, but it seems that you can in S mode if you so choose?

Because in S mode, the camera will choose a smaller aperture which can accommodate a higher shutter speed.

Which is not desirable for best image quality. Henve my aproach with tje ND filters!

Depends what you're going for, I don't think you’re going to get great subject isolation out of an X30 no matter what you do, and you're likely going to get better image quality stopped down a bit. That said, in many decades of shooting, I don't think I've ever used shutter priority. I always want to control the aperture myself.

If I am right in this, i sense that the answer is in the sequence in which the shutter starts its travel in each mode.

Perhaps I should give up wondering and go back to taking photos with the delightful XT10.

Thank you anyway for your thoughts.