abjurina

I've shot two portrait sessions now in RAW+JPEG as an experiment to decide on whether or not the JPEG files are as good as people say. Since getting into photography professionally about 6 years ago, I have NEVER shot a portrait session with anything other than RAW. I wanted complete control over my output and the colors, sharpening, etc. You all know what I mean, if you shoot RAW. However, since I've switched to the Fuji X System, I've been noticing that my post-processing has changed in a way in which I would find myself trying to mimic the look I was getting in my viewfinder much more often than I did with Nikon or Canon. I loved the look of the JPEG files, but I didn't want to give up the flexibility of RAW...until now. The following two scenarios will explain what I mean: Scenario 1: Harsh, mid-day light with much potential to lose detail in the highlights and contrasty shadows in an outdoor sunny portrait shoot. I shot RAW+JPEG and to my surprise, even the few times where I did need to pull back the highlights a bit in post, the JPEG's were very forgiving. I have to believe that the Fuji JPEG files are the most forgiving I've ever worked with in this kind of lighting. They were amazing! I threw the RAW files out and ended up adding a slight vignette and color-temperature adjustment. Then I just gave them to the clients. Here's an example of how those shots came out (Note, there may be one or two files that were shot with Canon, as my wife shot with me, but most of the pics are from my XT1): http://jurinaphotography.com/blog.cfm?postID=179&hershey-portrait-photographer-i-leah-and-cam-anniversary-shoot Scenario 2: Mostly indoor low-light situations with high ISO ranges (above 2000) and back-lit scenes. This was a family and infant shoot. I shot RAW+JPEG just because I didn't know what the files were going to give me with shooting at high ISO ranges. Again, I was completely surprised at the ability of the JPEG files to hold detail and colors. I had no need for noise reduction to be applied at all. Here are some examples for this shoot (again, keep in mind that some shots may be Canon): http://jurinaphotography.com/blog.cfm?postID=180&hershey-infant-portrait-photographer-baby-b In all, I'm so happy with the JPEG files that I've cut my post-processing time to more than half. While I'm not yet ready to go completely JPEG with my professional work (I like the insurance of the RAW), I now know that I can confidently expect great results with the JPEG and almost no need to use the RAW files unless for emergencies.

Meh. As much as I appreciate the advice, I'm not in love with the idea of spending money to go back in time with technology just to "experience the feeling" of film. I liken that kind of thing to telling people that they need to go try aol dial-up internet so that they can experience the sound of a modem connecting and slow down their internet experience so that their clicks will be more thought out. I get plenty of satisfaction with planning and carefully shooting with digital. My point in all of this is that I am wondering if any other photographers out there love Fuji and have no affinity to film. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Okay, this isn't really a rant, but I think that there have to be SOME photographers out there who will agree with me. First, a little history: I've never shot film. Never. Now, that doesn't count point-and-shoot stuff, but I've never developed film, or ever taken a fancy at SLR film cameras or have any history with film. Here is why I say this: I don't have any nostalgia or affinity to whether or not fuji cameras seem like film cameras. I don't care. All I know is that I like the cameras. I don't have a long, drawn-out story about how I used to shoot old Hasselblads or Leica's back in the day, and how the look and feel of the fuji quality reminds me of film because, well, it doesn't. I don't have any good memories of film. I was never given a film camera by my dad when I was 5, and I don't have great memories of smelling developer or whatever those chemicals are. I personally can't even tell the difference (on a computer screen, at least) between images shot with film and images shot with digital. Call me crazy, but I just like Fuji cameras. I just like the dials and controls better than nikon or canon DSLR's and I just like the quality of color and how well the files hold detail in the highlights and shadows. I just feel like every great photographer who is shooting Fuji these days has this really romantic story about how they used to shoot film and how it led them to Fuji cameras. You know what led me to Fuji X cameras? Nothing. I just like them. Sadly, not an amazing story, but hey, it's true.

For the record, I'm still learning how to post images on this forum. Sorry for the dead link.

@Marc G. I don't know if I would necessarily say that flash destroys the whole mood. Sure, it CAN destroy the mood, depending on the venue and activity, but in many cases, that's another decision we experienced photographers have to make. I could have certainly avoided flash in almost all of my reception photos, but for some venues with poor lighting or character, an off-camera flash can actually ADD to the mood. Again, I believe that flash at weddings should be carefully considered. As far as ceremonies go, I've yet to even see a photographer use flash at one, let alone using it myself. I can't imagine many officiants are very fond of that.

How are we all using flashes at venues? I don't use flash at all for ceremonies, but at receptions, I am finding great success using off-camera manual flash. I either set flashes on stands and point them towards the dance floor for a look such as this: OR I set the flashes on stands and raise them towards the ceilings (especially vaulted ones) and bounce them for a look like this: I have not found that on-camera manual bounce has given me good results with the Fujis. Plus, I don't like the weight of such a large flash added onto my camera. The Yongnuos are almost the same size as the camera! Anybody else?

Here is a brief blog post explaining my switch to Fuji from Canon and why. http://abjurina.tumblr.com/post/119527883594/shooting-weddings-with-just-my-fuji-x-gear

That settles it. I'll be getting these for the next wedding! Thanks for the info. My back thanks you too!

I've been looking into the spider holsters for myself. Right now I use a sling strap and just hold the other camera. I have a bad back, so I'm trying to keep as much weight off of the shoulders as I can (another one of the reason on why I went to fuji). Have you found any issues with the holsters over using a strap?

Antony, do you keep a wide on one body and a portrait (like the 56 1.2) on the other mostly? My setup is generally with the 18-55 (on my X-E2) and the 56 1.2 on my X-T1. I use the longer zoom for ceremony, like you. The 35 1.4 comes out depending on the lighting and the look I'm after.

Wow, Antony. You've got quite the load of gear. I feel like I'm a little under-prepared, haha! Either way, beautiful pictures! You do wonderful work! Here's my site, since we're sharing: http://www.jurinaphotography.com/blog.cfm ...all shoots have been done with fuji gear since the first of the year...although my wife still shoots Canon...for now, hahaha!

Okay, everyone. If you are a wedding photographer or have shot weddings using your Fuji gear, let's share some thoughts, tips and gear preferences! I'd love to see how other X-Photographers are working weddings with Fuji Gear. Here's my gear: Fuji X-T1 Fuji X-E2 Fuji 35mm 1.4 Fuji 56mm 1.2 Fuji 18-55 2.8-4 R IOS Fuji 55-200 3.5-4.8 R IOS Yongnuo 565EX (x2) flashes (for bounce, in manual mode) Yongnuo 560 III (x2) flashes for off-camera setups Yongnuo 560 tx -manual flash trigger for off-camera setups I'll share further info on how I use my gear if anyone cares to know. But let's start here!

Perhaps also called "shutter mash". I find that setting AF to "focus" is the most effective way. The camera will just take a blurry photo if set to "release" if you do the aforementioned technique.

If I understand the "focus mash" technique, it's that you point your focus point at your subject and, instead of waiting for a focus confirmation with the half-press, you simply push the full way and the camera get's the shot. It's a little unnerving as a technique, but as Antony said, it does work when autofocus get's stubborn.

Just an update, but I shot a wedding last night again with my X-E2 and X-T1 and they both performed wonderfully. I still can't quite put my finger on the joy that I feel each time that shutter clicks on the X-E2, but it just feels so right.

I consider the DSLR's to be king in the autofocus department right now, but we will see what the version 4.0 can do to help. I've shot a couple of weddings with the X-T1 and 56 1.2 and have not really had any issues. In fact, the last wedding I did, I had thought that the fuji had totally failed to get some recessional and processional shots and when I got them on my computer, they turned out perfect.

After much deliberation, watching/reading pre-reviews, and even having my X-E2 on Amazon for the afternoon, I've decided that the X-T10 is not different enough to warrant a total abandonment of it. Perhaps there will be an improvement over autofocus in the future, but either way, it's a nice camera that gets me the identical image quality of my fuji X-T1. Additionally, with a good manual focus lens, you can get some pretty decent action shots without a problem: http://abjurina.tumblr.com/post/105967813309/manual-focusing-yes-please

@citral, thanks for the compliment. The answer to your question about adjusting my settings to suit the autofocus is simple: I like using shallow DOF in sports to help separate the main action from the other athletes or distractions. If I have to improve autofocus by compromising my settings to get what I want, then the autofocus system is not ready for prime-time. At least not for action. I say this because I never had to do this on Canon and Nikon gear. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Fuji makes a bad camera. I LOVE the X-E2, but it's not a great sports camera with it's current autofocus system. The X-T1 on the other hand (and probably the X-T10) handles action much more responsibly. This is my point. I'm hoping that fuji gives the X-E2 the autofocus a boost. I'm also not "angry" about it. I like to say I'm hopeful.

The other day I decided to cave in and put some sugru on my X-T1 buttons on the back. While letting it dry for 24 hours, and not wanting to go without a fuji camera for that long (yes, it's that bad), I pulled out my trusty X-E2, which is my backup for portrait and wedding work. While I didn't do any specific portrait or wedding work with it that day, I did have some opportunities to take some pictures at the school where I work of students in the midst of a fun activity. I've not used the X-E2 since I've gotten my X-T1 in April and I had forgotten how much I loved the sound of the X-E2's shutter over the sound of the X-T1. Something about it. However, I had also forgotten how much the X-E2 STINKS with capturing action shots. It just could not keep up with anything. This is in broad daylight and sunny conditions with 1/4000 second shutter speeds and apertures of 2.8 and smaller! The autofocus is just not there. In fact, I wouldn't hesitate to say that I've gotten better manual focus action shots with a 3rd party lens on the X-E2 (See this post: http://abjurina.tumblr.com/post/105967813309/manual-focusing-yes-please about that). I'm really crossing my fingers about improved autofocus with this next update or it might be "goodbye X-E2, hello X-T10". Man, I love the sound of that shutter though!

If I may add to the conversation: I have shot entire weddings with the 56mm (non APD) for any shot of less than 3 individuals and all candids at a reception. I never felt the need to want "more bokeh" out of those shots. They were just right. I've also been able to shoot 250 shots of a senior portrait session wide-open at 1.2 without ever feeling like it wasn't close enough, etc. In my opinion, if you are a portrait photographer, the 56mm feels perfect in terms of giving your subject enough space to be comfortable without being too distant from them. Not that 90mm would be too distant, but unless you have the space, 135mm equivalent length is pretty tight for portraits of anything other than headshots.

Totally stoked that this might be even remotely true. My first camera was the X-E2, and then recently the X-T1. For wedding work, I use both simultaneously. However, AF on the X-T1 (while still lacking until the v4 firmware) is much better than the X-E2. I still love the X-E2, and would hate to see it abandoned after I just acquired it. It is not remotely as old as some are saying. If you look at the lifecycle of other cameras (other than Sony, who seems to be launching new cameras every 6 months), Fuji cameras are all pretty young in their lifecycle by comparison.