First Impressions: The New Titanium Fujifilm X-Pro3

After almost 4 years, the new Fujifilm X-Pro3 has finally arrived. No it doesn't have a different processor or sensor from the X-T3, but the firmware is tweaked. No it doesn't have IBIS, but it does have a very unique and functional articulating LCD screen. No there isn't a brand new eye cup piece, but it has been re-designed and looks stronger than the previous version. The new X-Pro3 does have something that no other X Series or GFX Series camera has, which is titanium. Why use titanium over other metals like magnesium alloy? First of all, titanium is stronger yet lighter than stainless steel, and has really strong anti-corrosion properties. Second, it looks sexy on a camera. Some of the coolest (yet functional) film cameras of all time were made from titanium (Nikon F3T, Nikon 35ti, Minolta TC-1, Contax T, Contax G, etc.). I won't go into detail of my shooting experience since I've shot a YouTube video explaining how I like the overall function and feel of the camera. I can say that Fujifilm has created another camera that other photographers who already shoot with other manufacturers will lust over. As soon as you see the X-Pro3, you immediately want to pick it up and start shooting with it. Fujifilm understands the value of style, form and colour choice when it comes to their cameras. It's not just a functional tool, but it becomes part of your identity, much like an EDC item (watch, wallet, pocket knife, etc.). Check out the links below to my videos as well as my article on FujiLove Magazine. Thanks for visiting and see you around. Happy shooting!!

Review: Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F/2.8 R LM WR

This is my latest review of Fujifilm's new red label ultra-wide zoom lens the XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR. Will it replace my beloved XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS? Probably not, but this new ultra-wide is pretty amazing. Check out my written review of this lens over at FujiLove Magazine as well:
https://fujilove.com/how-wide-is-too-wide-the-new-xf8-16mmf2-8-r-lm-wr/

Yet Another Unboxing: Fujifilm GFX 50R

Warning: It's yet another unboxing video. Lately I've been getting a lot of hate for my unboxing videos, but I don't understand why. If you follow my YouTube channel and you don't like unboxing videos, just skip it. I'm sure there's some of you who don't shoot film cameras, so you skip my film camera review videos. The point of the unboxing is to show someone who wants to buy the camera what they get in the box, and also a bit of talking about what my thoughts are as a camera reviewer. I don't unbox random products that I know nothing about. I eventually review the camera, take pictures with it and create content. This is just stage one of my review process. So if you like unboxing videos, please enjoy. If you don't like unboxing videos, then please just skip. Wait for my upcoming review of the camera itself in a few weeks. Thanks for your support and happy shooting :-)

Fujifilm GFX 50R 1st Impressions

While Fujifilm Canada's Billy Luong and X-Photographer Patrick LaRoque were in Vancouver to showcase the new GFX 50R, I had a chance to borrow it for a week and test it out. This is my first impressions video. Image quality is the exact same as the GFX 50S, so really the testing is more about how the ergonomics work with my shooting style. Check out the video review and look for upcoming reviews once I get a copy of the production model. Thanks for visiting and happy shooting!

BHT

Unboxing: Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F/2.8 R LM WR

Hello my friends, it's time again for another unboxing video. I have a love-hate relationship with these types of videos. They are necessary but also not necessary. So if you hate unboxings, you can skip this one and wait for either my written review (most likely on FujiLove Magazine's website) or look for posts on my Instagram account. Although this is an unboxing, I do make sure I talk about my thoughts during the video, so it won't be a complete waste of your time if you did watch this. Also, it's the first unboxing video where you don't have to look at my face, so maybe this is a good thing for you.

As always, thanks for your support and wait for my videos. I have at least 30 videos still waiting to be produced. I'm really, really behind.

BHT

Annex Photo: Concept by Fujifilm

When I was in Toronto for the launch of the brand new Fujifilm X-T3, I decided to make a video featuring a unique concept store. Fujifilm collaborated with a local photoshop called The Annex and decided to make it a retail showcase for Instax and print products. The concept was based on Fujifilm's global Wonder Photo Shop, but the Canadian concept is considered a hybrid since Fujifilm collaborated with an existing business. If you love analogue photography, if you want to print your images, even if it comes from your smartphone, this is a fun place to hang out. I noticed a lot of the customers didn't just come in and pick up their photos and then leave. They spent time looking at their images, ordering more or different prints, or transforming their existing images into photo books or other physical print products. Hopefully Fujifilm will expand this concept to Vancouver, and perhaps other global cities.

Huge Unboxing: Fujifilm XF200mm F/2 R LM OIS WR

What on earth am I doing with such a huge lens? Well, Fujifilm asked me if I wanted one new-in-box (they know I love opening boxes), and I said yes. Please enjoy the video and let me know what you think I should do with it, now that I have it unboxed. In the past I use to own the Minolta 300mm f/2.8, and I only used it for shooting sports. I currently don't shoot sports, so what else is there to do with a monster lens like this? Please help me....

Fujifilm X-T3: First Impressions Video

Hello my fellow photographers and videographers. Long time no post. I've been busy on various projects, but I'm never too busy to review the latest and greatest from Fujifilm. I was invited to a media event in Toronto, and I flew out to test and play with the new Fujifilm X-T3. Is it a worthy update to the much loved X-T2? Can it compete with the X-H1 for video sans IBIS? Please watch my latest first impressions video. Thanks for watching guys and happy shooting!

BHT

Fujifilm X-T100: First Look

Fujifilm has finally made a camera that I've been asking for all along (well almost), an ILC camera with a front facing articulating screen. No I don't care about taking selfies or group shots, I care about shooting video. Not only can I vlog with ease (the tally light on the X-H1 is nice but the camera is a brick), but I can shoot my YouTube videos with ease. Here's what Fujifilm says about the new camera:

Retro styled, portable in size and built around a powerful 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the FUJIFILM X-T100 mirrorless digital camera is the ideal companion for creative everyday photography. Packed full of high spec features such as an advanced hybrid autofocus system that’s able to keep pace with even the most active subjects, a speedy 6fps continuous- shooting mode, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and intuitive swivelling touchscreen, it brings professional image making into everyone’s grasp. Boasting an ‘always on’ Bluetooth connection, 

the X-T100 connects seamlessly with your smart devices via an built-in Wi-Fi connection to instantly transfer your images . Also featuring 4K recording and the option to capture footage in HD at 100fps for super- slow-motion movies. 

First Impressions: Fujifilm X-E3

September 7th, 2017 6am GMT: The day has finally arrived to announce the release of the brand new X-E3. It's been almost 21 months since the release of the X-Pro2, so it's taken awhile for Fujifilm to upgrade the body, sensor and processor to the latest generation. I have a soft spot for the X-E series since the X-E1 was the very first Fujifilm camera I reviewed way back in 2012. Since then I've always hoped the X-E series would basically be a mini X-Pro2 without the complicated and expensive hybrid viewfinder. I knew Fujifilm would stick to their guns with the rangefinder form factor, so no articulating screen, no vertical control battery grip. The big question was about navigation. Would the engineers choose a joystick (found on the GFX, X-Pro2, X-T2, X100F) or a touch screen (found on the X70 and X-T20).  How about both? Yes, indeed Fujifilm decided to put both a joystick and a touch screen on the X-E3, much like the GFX 50S. There's a lot more to talk about so let's get started with the some of the key upgrades as well as the differences of the new X-E3 versus the X-E2S and its sibling camera the X-T20.

What is Vacation Photography to a Photographer?

Ricoh GR Limited Edition. High Contrast JPEG mode. 1/1600th sec f/2.8 @ ISO 800. Green Lake.

What is a vacation? For some it's a chance to get away from work and relax. For others it's the opportunity to do something exciting, something different from our daily routine. How about spending time with our family and friends? Yes, vacation can mean different things for different people. As an example, I would hate to be stuck on a cruise, but that's me. I have good friends that love cruises. Conversely, I know people who would never go to places like Hong Kong or Bangkok for vacation, but I love the energy of these big, crowded cities. And this leads to my problem. My idea of a vacation and my wife's idea of a vacation is not always the same. That in itself isn't the problem. The problem lies when I decide to take pictures. My wife knows I take pictures for work, so when I bring a camera on vacation, am I working or not? Are the pictures I take for an upcoming review, or is my primary motivation to take pictures to capture those moments that I can share with my wife and the rest of our extended family and friends?

First Impressions: Fujifilm GF 23mm F/4 R LM WR Lens

Fujifilm GFX 50S w/GF 23mm f/4. 1/125th sec f/4 @ ISO 3200. Classic Chrom. TJ Schneider of The Shop Vancouver

Back in the film days I was never a fan of the 18mm ultra wide angle focal length. I didn't trust it. The major manufactures would make 21mm prime lenses, or 21-35mm zooms; but rarely would they go to 18mm. The only brands who would go that wide was 3rd party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, etc. I don't think there's anything wrong with the focal length, it's just the number seemed too.... even? Yes both 18 and 21 is divisible by 3 (sorry, I'm nerding out a bit), but the 21mm focal length just felt... better. The Fujifilm XF14mm, the WCL-X70 (for the X-70), the Ricoh GR-21,  Leica 21mm F/1.4 Summilux Asph, these are all 21mm equivalent (or actual) field-of-view lenses. I trust this focal length. But 18mm ultra wide? The APS-C equivalent is a 12mm, a focal length that Fujifilm does not make, but Samyang/Rokinon does... see the pattern? So when Fujifilm announced the GF 23mm f/4 lens instead of a GF 27mm f/4 (yes I did the math), I was a bit surprised. Would I dare test this unusual (for a major manufacturer) focal length prime lens for the GFX system? If so, would I enjoy shooting with it? Because of my experience shooting with the XF10-24mm zoom lens, I can safely say I am indeed reviewing and enjoying this crazy (good) prime lens for the GFX system.

Leica M10 vs Fujifilm X-T2 vs GFX 50S for High ISO Performance

The Leica M10 is very special. It's also very expensive. Of all the cameras I review, I get the most criticism from both fans and critics. The one thing we can't argue over is the final image quality. It is what it is. Although I rarely do back-to-back comparisons between various cameras, I was curious about the new sensor in the M10. I knew the new 24MP sensor in the Leica M10 has better higher ISO sensitivity, but how much better? It's definitely better than the older M240, but how about against the latest Fujifilm sensors, both the APS-C and the medium format sensor? I decided to shoot an impromptu portrait session with Marcello at Push Pull Café in Vancouver. Here is a quick indoor natural light comparison between the Leica M10, Fujifilm X-T2 and the GFX 50S at ISO 3200. Can you tell which sensor is which?

The New Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 Hybrid Instant Camera

The Fujifilm Instax film cameras and film has been the shinning star of the film world for the past decade. As Polaroid declined in popularity and profitability, Fujifilm transformed their instant film business from passport and ID pictures to family and friends. The cameras were simple to use, cute to look at, and fun to share. One weakness of these cameras was that it was easy to mess up a picture, a costly mistake (about $1 USD per image at least). The compromise was the Instax printer. It could print directly from a Fujifilm camera, or using an app, directly from your smartphone. Another complaint was that the cute and fun Instax Mini prints were too small, and wouldn't print the square Instagram images properly without cropping the sides of the image. How would Fuji solve this problem? A new film format and a new hybrid camera system would be necessary.

Believe in Film: The Leica M-A with 35mm Summilux in Hong Kong

Cinestill 800T

Film photography. Is it dead? Not dead. Dormant? No, it's actually growing. Will it ever be what it was? Probably not. Digital photography is here to stay, but so is film photography. There will always be a niche market for any sub-section of any hobby, but film photography wasn't a hobby. It was the primary way we captured images for over 100 years, so film isn't disappearing any time soon. One reason is because of the hardware. How many film cameras exist today? In the hundreds of millions for sure. Lenses, the same. Since the 1930s, film cameras and lenses were produced for the mass market, as well as for the technical and professional markets. Many of these cameras were built like tanks, meant to last for generations. Yes, film photography and film cameras are here to stay... for a while still. It will never be a mainstream product, but it's more mainstream than people think. Many think of iconic European manufacturers of high quality film cameras who have either disappeared or moved on to making digital products exclusively. There is one major exception. Yes, Leica Camera AG of Wetzler Germany.

Fujifilm X100F, X-T20, XF 50mm f/2 WR, X-Pro2 Graphite Edition

Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Graphite Edition, X100F, X-Pro2, X-T2 with booster grip, X-T20, XF 50mm f/2 WR

Fujifilm has started 2017 with a splash. Look at all these new goodies in store for all you Fujifilm fans. Which ones were you anticipating the most? The X100F? The XF 50mm f/2 WR? Sorry, I'm on the list to test the GFX but I still don't have my review copy yet. Fujifilm could have decided to release all these new items at CES 2017... but they didn't. It seems like for the past few years they've ignored CES and saved the best for their own press release. Let's look at what's new, what's old, and what's up.

The Streets of Hong Kong with the Fujifilm X-T2 and Zooms

XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS

I've written many articles about my struggle choosing between the Fujifilm X-T2 and X-Pro2 as my travel camera on FujiLove magazine. I love both cameras, and before three major trips, I really had to think about which camera to take. I love the X-Pro2 for it's sleek styling, the optical viewfinder, and slightly more compact size and weight. I love the X-T2 for everything else. Power, speed, dials, ergonomics, accessories (vertical control grip), video features, etc. In the end, I always chose the X-T2 because of it's video capabilities. The ability to shoot consistent video with 3 batteries, a standard 3.5mm microphone input, start-stop using the shutter button, 4K, video audio monitoring (via the grip). It was a no-brainer for a photographer-YouTuber. As I've said before, my heart (and eyes) say X-Pro2, but my logical brain tells me the X-T2.

The FujiFilm X-T2 PRO? My 1st Impressions

What's in a name? Everything. Toyota knew they had to create the Lexus brand to compete with Mercedes and BMW. Honda created Acura, Nissan created Infinity. In Japan they didn't change the name, but for the export market the name was everything. It's no different with cameras. Slap the name 'Pro' or designate the number '1' (Canon EOS 1 has always been the flagship AF model, the Canon F1 was the flagship pre-AF model) and everyone expects it to be the best. Since the release of the original Fujifilm X-Pro1, the consumer has always looked to the hybrid viewfinder mirrorless body as the embodiment of Fuji's top technology and features. The problem occurred when the X-T1 was released 2 years later with a completely different form factor with better performance and features. The X-T1 became the unofficial flagship, but that's a problem. You can't have conflicting nomenclature within a product line-up. It's confusing. When the X-Pro2 was announced in January 2016, it was very clear that the X-Pro series was back on top. New sensor, new processor, top functions and features. Yes the new X-Pro2 deserved the PRO designation. Now comes the new Fujifilm X-T2... same problem as before? Yup. Although the X-Pro2 and X-T2 share the exact same sensor and processor, again the X-T2 trumps the X-Pro2 on many features and functions. The difference isn't as bad as the previous battle between the X-Pro1 and X-T1, but the differences are great enough to question the naming of the new X-T2. I have absolutely no issues with either the X-Pro2 or the new X-T2. Both are great cameras and this will be the year for Fujifilm. Not only will they have the film and Leica crowd scrambling to buy the X-Pro2 (and upcoming X200), but now they've targeted Canon and Nikon's DSLR market with the X-T2. I'm just wondering, shouldn't they have named it the X-T2 PRO? Let's find out:

Fujifilm X-Pro 2. Film Profiles in LR and PS

Applying Fujifilm Film Simulations within Adobe Lightroom

I posted an article recently for FujiLove on-line magazine about applying film profiles within the In Camera RAW Converter for the Fujifilm X-Pro 2. This is a great feature if you want to quickly shoot, process, transfer via wifi to your smart device and post to social media. I know many photographers who love this capability. However, if you have more time and want to really explore the film simulation profiles of the X-Pro 2 and other Fujifilm X series cameras, you can do so within Lightroom and Photoshop. Here's how:

First Impresions: Fujifilm X-Pro 2

The day has finally arrived, the announcement of the new Fujifilm X-Pro 2. I remember it was almost a year ago when I was talking with the Fuji Guys in Vancouver and we were discussing the upcoming flagship camera. Greg told me that they wanted to get the camera right the first time so they were in no hurry to rush its release. I totally get it. Most brands' flagship model rarely gets updated annually, and in some industries (like cars) they typically lose money on the flagship model. Fujifilm could not allow the X-Pro 2 to become insignificant within 1 year of release. It would have been easy for
Fujifilm to release the X-Pro 2 last year with parts-bin features from existing X series cameras. If all they did was throw in the existing hybrid EVF/OVF from the X100T, the upgraded firmware from the X-T1/X-T10, and throw in weather-sealing, the X-Pro 2 would have been released on time. This would have been a disappointment for many. The flagship should wow people. There should be significant upgrades to the body, sensor and processor. Has Fujifilm done it? Have they produced a camera worthy of being the flagship that will lead the rest of the X branded cameras? From my review of the pre-production X-Pro 2, the answer is a clear YES!