New to Fujifilm system - user or camera/lens error?!

[LeSweez]

Hi all,

I've just purchased a used X-T3 plus the 23mm 1.4 lens.

I'd done a fair bit of research and was expecting good things, however the images are coming out really poor with my first few test shots. The focus is really soft or missing, and there seems to be blur despite shooting very steadily and at fast shutter speeds.

I also use a Nikon D7200 so have included a shot with that for comparison. I kept the settings as similar as possible, though the Nikon lens is a 35mm.

Any suggestions on what might be going wrong please? Or could the camera / lens be faulty?

Thanks!

X-T3 image: 

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Nikon image: 

 

 

[Olaf W.]

Welcome to our forum. Can you give us some more details about your settings and how you are transferring your photos?

[LeSweez]

1 hour ago, Olaf W. said:

Welcome to our forum. Can you give us some more details about your settings and how you are transferring your photos?

Hi, thanks - the Fujifilm image was f/1.8, 1/680 secs, ISO 320 and the Nikon image was very similar, but f/2 and 1/640 secs.

I transferred the photos via SD card straight to Mac, and they were both 5-6 mb.

Let me know if any other details would be handy.

Thanks

[Greybeard]

I can't figure out if its motion blur or out of focus - having looked at your settings I might suggest you use a larger focus point (or maybe zone or wide tracking) - you are using the smallest focus point on the plant and perhaps it had difficulty finding something with enough contrast to focus on.

Are you having the same problem with outside images - in plenty of light?

[LeSweez]

43 minutes ago, Greybeard said:

I can't figure out if its motion blur or out of focus - having looked at your settings I might suggest you use a larger focus point (or maybe zone or wide tracking) - you are using the smallest focus point on the plant and perhaps it had difficulty finding something with enough contrast to focus on.

Are you having the same problem with outside images - in plenty of light?

Thanks your reply - I should have added that I have tried a number of different focus types and point sizes, all with the same result. The example image I posted was one with which I tried the smallest focus point, though the others were the same too.

It does look like motion blur, particularly with the other out of focus objects in the image, however surely not at 1/680? I was also intentionally holding the camera very steadily to avoid any shake. I'm getting similar results in higher light scenes too.

Unfortunately I only have the one lens to try with, but it looks to me like it could be more of a lens issue?

[jerryy]

Can you can put the cameras on a tripod and take similar shots again? This should reduce any camera shake.

Also, does your local camera store rent lenses?

The exif data say these were taken pretty close to the same time, but the view in the window shows whomever is doing the landscaping moves really, really quickly.😀

Edited May 7 by jerryy

[Olaf W.]

15 hours ago, LeSweez said:

5-6 mb

That’s pretty small. Are you sure you’re using the best resolution settings?

[Greybeard]

1 hour ago, Olaf W. said:

That’s pretty small. Are you sure you’re using the best resolution settings?

Olaf - thats a good point - the original image on Flickr appears to be the preview from a RAF file (13 MP jpeg/Normal quality) rather than an original full size jpeg in FINE quality - still shouldn't be as blurry as this example

[LeSweez]

Hi, thanks for your comments/thoughts so far!

I've done a couple more test shots this morning with the cameras sat on a table to keep them steady, in order to rule out motion blur.

It doesn't seem to be anything to do with the exported files as both the RAW and Jpeg look the same - as does the preview on the camera's LCD.

Fujifilm image: 

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Nikon image: 

 

[Gotham]

To me, the biggest difference isn't the sharpness. The shots from your Nikon seem to be brighter and warmer, with more contrast and far more vibrance or saturation. Settings appear to be very different. Do these have the same white balance?  Also, if you do another comparison shot, it might be better to move the Fuji with the 23mm closer to the main subject so that the subject you're focusing on is the same size in both shots. Hope you get it figured out.