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.

 

[DaveyA]

Eric. I think I have been rather dense over this, and of course the camera will select the appropriate aperture in S mode.

Having grasped this finally. I still think that the mythical successor to the X30 would surely need the electronic shutter to remove the complications that get in the way without it - and what a camera that would be!

Thank you.

 

[Paulmorgan]

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.

There is an adapter, at least there was for my x10.

 

[Erik Baumgartner]

Eric. I think I have been rather dense over this, and of course the camera will select the appropriate aperture in S mode.

Having grasped this finally. I still think that the mythical successor to the X30 would surely need the electronic shutter to remove the complications that get in the way without it - and what a camera that would be!

Thank you.

A leaf shutter allows for a significantly more compact lens design which is primary why, I think, they are used in these little cameras. The addition of an electronic shutter in later cameras which automatically takes over when faster shutter speeds are required eliminates many of the leaf shutter’s shortcomings while maintaining its advantages - compact lens design, very high flash sync speeds, typically very smooth and quiet operation.

 

[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.

As it turns out, the leaf shutter design limits the X30's maximum f-stop (widest lens aperture) at shutter speeds faster than 1/1000-second. This makes an optional ND filter a useful investment if keeping the lens wide open is one's preferred look.

 

[DaveyA]

Now I've got it - thank you!