I was kindly lent a XPro 3 by Fujifilm [through Hire a Camera] for two days during the current lockdown due to Coronavirus, I thought I’d cover a camera system I’ve wanted for sometime. This piece is more about my thoughts on a rather divisive camera opposed to a specs sheet.
The big talking about this is the screen, and that it’s hidden. This is a huge problem for many owners of the XPro 2, as you will see comments on FujiRumours & Youtube going off about this design.
When I first tried the XPro-3 at Fujifilm SQ in Tokyo, I liked the concept of this design and getting my hands on it again and handling it, I really wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
When I did eventually get outside on my daily walk to test the camera. I actually didn’t find the lack [hidden] LCD a problem at all. I kinda enjoyed it. Sitting at my desk the day before, flipping the screen back and forth, seeing how it would be used in an everyday scenario, my thoughts were ‘this is going to be so cumbersome to use’.
But actually using it for an hour, I don’t have any qualms about the hidden screen.
I guess I shoot this system how I’d shoot my X100T, mostly using the EVF for 90% of the operation. When shooting with my X100T I often view images and menu through the EVF as I feel you get a better screen through the EVF in bright sunlight, no glare etc... Even on my GFX, If I wish to show someone a photo, I’d suggest they look through the EVF opposed to the rare LCD.
I like the idea of having a waist level LCD, granted many cameras can do this, but to have a simple one pull down motion. This is great for shooting from the hip and on the sly, which is great for street photography.
I feel like people are missing the point of this camera, it’s niche, yeah I get that. But this camera is seen as a more ‘purer’ form of shooting and enjoying the ‘experience’, opposed to constantly looking at their images after each shot.
The fact you get Youtube reviewers, saying ‘this camera isn’t for VLlogging’, they’re missing the point. The Xpro line as always been seen to cater towards street photography. Not every camera is brought for ‘selfies’ and ‘VLogging’.
Sub Menu & Film Simulations
With the new hidden display, we have have a small sub menu that can display two different looks. A screen that is very similar to those on on the XH-1 & GFX 50S. I find these displays really handy for shooting and having it on the back of the camera is very helpful.
The alternative is to have the film simulations, ISO & white balance shown in a form that is reminiscent of the cardboard tab you’d take from a box of film and slide into the rear of the camera to display what film stock and speed you’re using.
I love this feature, some say it’s a gimmick and maybe it is, but it’s nice to have the option of two different screens. I found myself leaving it on the film stock, it’s cute. I think If i were to be shooting on a job, I’d likely change it to the more informative display. But it’s nice to have a bit of colour on what is a very stealthy [black] camera.
Fujfilm film simulations above, easy to change without having the view via the LCD screen.
Classic Negative is the new Film Simulation released on this camera. It’s also available on the XT3, but only on the RAF file in Capture One, I’m sure a firmware will address this soon.
I really love the look of Classic Negative. I would always use Classic Chrome when I shoot, but Classic Negative will now be the default look for shooting personal/everyday photographs. I always thought that CC [Classic Chrome] gave the most filmic look to the films, desaturated, blue tinge to the image, but this Classic Negative really does look like how I remember Superia Film [What it’s trying to mimic].
Left if Classic Negative, right is Classic Chrome. Same settings applied just different LCC profile.
I like both looks, but the CN gives more of blue flatter/matte image, you can see the shadows have ben pulled slightly in the shadows.
EVF/OVF
I’m going to mostly talk about the OVF, personally I use this function on the X100T about 5% [or less of the time], maybe very low light with flash, just for fun, that’s it. It’s lovely to look through and is a very cool bit of technology, especially with the lay over of information [like an old rangefinder].
But for me it’s just not very practical for my shooting style, I’m very particular with how accurate things are in frame. I had a lot of issues with my Mamiya 7, especially with portraits. I could never shoot a portrait that I thought was well composed, due to the rangefinder aspect of the camera. The same applies for the OVF on all Fujifilm cameras.
It’s been well documented that the design of the EVF/OVF is one of the more expensive aspect of the camera. Camera markets are falling and cameras are becoming a tough sell to the average consumer. Granted the already niche XPro lines has become even more niche with the implementation of this hidden screen, so you’d think any means of cutting costs would make sense. Part of me feels they should bin off this whole interchangeable EVF/OVF, go down the more XE3/GFXR route, this will bring down costs too.
This camera is fundamentally for the streets, 24-35mm is where this body will thrive, especially when using the OVF. There are plenty of videos featuring reviewers using much longer focal lengths and then slagging it off. I get their concern, but the whole idea behind this camera is not for shooting 70-200mm lenses, especially with the OVF.
If you do wish to shoot longer focal lengths, EVF is the way forward [full stop].
XPro 3 vs Leica M10D
The XPro line as always been compared to Leica. If you can’t afford a Lecia, by a Fujifilm XPRO/X100.
In 2018 Leica released a 24MP Full Frame Rangefinder camera with no EVF or a screen, I don’t remember users going as mental as they are over the XPro 3… Oh, did I mention it’s £6000…
That’s all I’m going to say on that.
Analogue Photography?
As I said in my first hands on with this camera last year,
…everyone seems to love film, Fujifilm give you a more analogue way of shooting, and people lose their heads over it.
I stand by this comment. Film has had a resurgence in recent years, and even with its ever increasing price, people still seem to shoot it.
That feeling of taking shots and not ‘chimping’, going home and loading into Capture One, seeing what you got. I did this a lot when shooting football [Granted I shot that on the XT3, but that method of shooting applies directly to the XPro3] , it’s so fast paced I have to rely on my judgement, and when I did import the images, that feeling of analogue nostalgia kicked it.
And that feeling of accomplishment and joy of imagery is a feeling that’s very enjoyable, ok that sounds odd, it’s hard to word, but those who have shot film will understand this.
Video
This isn’t a video camera, this isn’t a VLog camera for Youtube, so things like a HDMI port has been removed, as is the headphone jack, but a USB C adapter can be used.
Saying that I like the quality of the video out of this camera, it’s gorgeous. The XT-3 is still a better camera for video, but I’d never shoot paid video work on the XPro-3, no one would, it’s just not functional. If I wanted to capture a bit of quick video, this camera would be more than capable, so it’s a nice feature to have, in what is a camera focused on stills.
DCI 17:9 30p 100Mps Film Simulation Standard [Handheld]
Battery
Fujifilm recently released a larger battery in the XT4, and I imagine this will be implemented in every future iteration of Fujifilm camera, but maybe not. As it’s physically a larger battery, the form factory of future [compact] cameras would change.
They decided to go from the existing battery that people have been urging them to update for sometime. I think the battery life of this camera is fine, between 370-440 shots. If you use it hows it’s intended to be used, not using the LCD, You should be fine shooting on one battery.
These batteries are so small & cheap, and if you’ve invested in Fujifilm cameras prior to this release, you’ll have loads lying around.
The camera is also able to charge via USB C, which is handy, as you can charge off of a power bank on the go.
Tethering
You can tether to Capture One with this camera and this is where I feel the hidden screen works. If you’re shooting to Capture One, you’d never look at the back of your camera, all camera setting would be set by yourself or your digi.
I could imagine shooting this system on a lifestyle shoot or studio setting. Even un-tethered, you’re not going to be checking the back of your screen every 3 frames to see if you’ve got the shot.
Overall
I already started writing my conclusion on this camera before I got out there and shoot on it. I’ll go as far to say I felt that ‘it’s form over function’. But after using it, I don’t feel that statement holds true anymore. I really feel people need to try this camera for a weekend, then you know if it’s for you or not.
It’s very easy to be off put by the idea of a hidden screen and in some applications I can see it could be cumbersome to use. But you really just have to borrow it for a few days and use it, I think people would change their mind on the whole hidden LCD .
Pros
USB C Charging
Colour Neg Simulation
Decent 4k Video
Rare view finder with film simulation, I love it!
Titanium Finish
11 FPS is great in such a system
Cons
The lack of rear facing screen, this is a huge deal breaker for many.
OVF feels unusable with longer focal length lenses.
ISO dial, clunky
It’s a really beautiful camera and I’ve longed for an XPro-2, and wish I got one at the time, but will I buy an XPro-3?
My initial thoughts were a flat out ‘No!'.
But after using it for the weekend I’m more sold on it. If I could only have one X series camera [with interchangeable lens], it would be the XPro-3, as the handling of the camera suits my style and I find it much more enjoyable to shoot than my XT-3, even though the XT-3 is a better camera in terms of features.
My X100T is showing its age [both technology and physically] and with the recent release of the X100V, I feel that the X100 is a better system for me. If I were to by an XPro-3 I can’t imagine I’d ever take off the 23mm lens, so it makes more sense to follow up with an X100V once the world is back to normal.
Thanks for reading, bit of a mishmash of things. Thanks to Fujifilm UK & Hire a Camera. Be safe out there.