I haven’t done much photography lately. I haven’t got bored with it, but I do feel like I need a break from it. We’re busy converting out garage at the moment. We’re going from a grotty damp cobweb filled space full of rubbish to a nice room for watching movies and relaxing in. We also have our granddaughter most Friday nights and all day Saturday. So, time for hobbies is rare.
I did get out on Sunday for an hour and had a nice walk on my local moors. I took my GFX100rf, and it’s not the right camera for nature and landscapes. I have become over reliant on IBIS, especially as I hate tripods. I have really struggled with that camera lately. I just don’t know where it fits into my photography. I’m generally not a fan of fixed lens cameras, other than my X100vi – and that does everything the GFX does, has stabilisation and is much smaller. I don’t need 100MP images. Maybe I’ll let it go and book a holiday with the proceeds.
Fuerteventura is a windy, sandy island and this was my third (and definitely final) time there. It was a lazy week by a pool and some much needed down time. So, I only took a GriiiX with me and didn’t plan to use it much. We were very lazy and only left the hotel once.
Two images. That’s it. Next year we go to Germany and Italy. Much more photogenic.
You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. – Douglas Adams
Ever since I was little I’ve been amazed by ‘outer space’. I used to watch old black and white sci-fi films with my Dad on BBC2 on Thursday nights, then Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, anything sci-fi. I used to dream about going into space and wonder what (and who) is out there.
The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951.
Obviously, I’m never going to get there – so, the best I can do is bring out there, down here.
Astro photography is a very expensive and technical branch of photography. One I thought I didn’t have the money or patience for. Also, I thought I was restricted by light pollution and thought I’d have to drive into the middle of nowhere and sit all night freezing on a hill side. I was wrong.
The Andromeda Galaxy, (M31), 2.5 million light years from here.
I took the above image of Andromeda from my back garden with no prior knowledge and a £300 smart telescope. The Seestar S30 is a telescope and camera in one. It runs through an app, uses GPS, stars and a built in compass to determine its location and stacks the images of your target.
The Pac-Man Nebula, NGC281 9200 light years away.
I’m absolutely blown away that I can sit in the garden on a night and get these images without very little effort from me.
The Pelican Nebula, IC5070, 1800 light years from earth
Obviously, it’s a weather dependent thing and clear skies at night seem rare now I’m looking for them. But, I wish I’d done this sooner. I look forward to sitting out under the stars, cup of tea, hob nobs, the telescope capturing amazing images while I watch shooting stars and satellites fly over head. it’s genuinely good for the mind and soul. I have even considered selling the majority of my camera gear and investing in a more serious set up. But, I have a lot to learn before doing that.
I had an appointment in Sheffield a few weeks ago with a chance to take some photos in-between being dropped off and walking to my appointment. I took my X100Vi with me, and whilst I didn’t get chance to take a lot of photos I am particularly happy with this one.
My only regret for this image is that I didn’t get lower, but time was against me.
It made me think about how much has changed in my life time. An old phone box left unused and abused, while we all walk around with a global wealth of information and a multitude of communication possibilities tucked into our in our pockets. I don’t think we’re any better for it.
Not much of an update. Haven’t done a great deal of anything lately, not even photography. We passed the Humber Bridge the other day though, so that was a good chance to photograph something different.
I used my GFX100RF. Still loving it, and can’t believe I get to use a camera this good as an amateur. These two were my favourite photos. I was in a bit of a rush as we’d realised we hadn’t locked the car and my phone was on the passenger seat. I’d like to go back with more time and take a wider lens so I’d have to use a different body, and maybe even (gasp) a tripod!
Here are the images I didn’t like as much.
Yep. They’re all pretty much the same, straight out of camera in different film recipes.
I am not a camera reviewer. I don’t know the science behind sensors or colour processing. I also don’t care about stuff like that. But, if you want a review from a normal person, please read on.
I have wanted a medium format camera for quite a while. I’ve also admired the wide images taken on an X-Pan. Both have been out of reach financially. Also, I’ve moved away from landscape photography over the last few years, and a big heavy medium format camera and lens wouldn’t really fit in with the type of images I capture these days. Then Fujifilm introduced the GFX100RF. A medium format, X100 styled, fixed lens (relatively) compact camera, and I started to think again.
The GFX100Rf without any accessories attached
When I first saw the GFX100RF my first thoughts were of it being an X100VI with a bigger sensor, and that even if it were within my reach I probably wouldn’t buy it. It doesn’t have IBIS. F4 as the minimum aperture, for almost £5k?
Then, I was given the chance to test one out for a couple of weeks. As luck would have it, it arrived just before we went away to Anglesey, and my opinion completely changed.
Let’s start with the looks, because it’s important. I firmly believe that if the user doesn’t like the look of a camera then they’re less inclined to use it. Similarly, if the camera isn’t fun to use – it’ll gather dust.
From the front, it looks like an X100 on steroids. But, there’s no optical viewfinder or flash, so it looks a bit odd. Obviously, concessions would have to be made to make a medium format camera this small so it’s understandable that they’re missing. What the GFX does have that the X100 doesn’t is a digital tele converter dial on the front. This allows you to crop in (at the loss of pixels) in camera. It also has a very different front command dial, which is a taller than usual option, and I struggled to get used to it for a few days. From the top, it’s identical to the X100. Shutter speed and ISO dial, and exposure comp dial. But, there’s also a glimpse of my favourite feature on this camera, the aspect ration dial (more on that later).
The back is a completely new lay out. The (very good) viewfinder. This is digital only, unlike the X100 optical and digital options. Add to that a great screen with the same articulation as the X series cameras. There’s a new style control stick. There’s a second command dial as usual. It’s a bit chunkier so it matches the rest of the camera. I’ve read comments from a lot of people about the new stick, and it’s not very popular. I don’t mind it. It does what it’s supposed to. The focus mode control has been placed on the back. Then there are the usual Fujifilm buttons, AEL, Menu/Ok, Display/Back, Play, Drive/Delete and a very small Quick Menu Button.
Lastly, there previously mentioned Aspect Ratio dial. When I read about this I thought it was a gimmick. Do we really need a dial to change aspect ratio in camera? Why not just do that in post? Then, when I started using it – I got it.
Dog walkers on the beach, Rhosneigr. Looking back.
Using this dial changes the way to approach a subject. It allows you to compose in different ways. It gets you thinking. Yes, you can do all that in editing, but this lets you see it there and then. Having that ability will change the way you view an image. For me, it adds to the Fujifilm ethos of doing as much as possible in camera. Set your film sim, set your aspect ratio, job done. Having the dial where it is lets you flick through the options whilst looking through the viewfinder. I even got experimental in York and tried portrait 17:6. Not with any great success, but it was fun trying.
17:6, Coppergate, York.
Queueing for Betty, York.
The camera also does as good as you’d expect in the more ‘normal’ aspect ratio too. And, I can’t say I missed IBIS. It didn’t occur to me that it wasn’t a feature.
As I said at the start, I’m not a tech head or pixel peeper. I don’t care about that stuff, and given my limited vision it wouldn’t make any difference if I did. I have happily made photographs in jpeg, straight out of camera with this camera and done only very minor editing when needed. So, do I like this camera. Yes, very much. It’s nice to use, a decent size (for medium format), not too heavy. It feels nice in the hand and wasn’t obtrusive when walking around. Anyone familiar with Fujifilm cameras would be able to pick this up and make photos with it.
Now to the obvious question – is it better than the X100VI? This is undoubtedly the question most people have asked. And, it’s a reasonable thing to ask, especially given the price difference.
David and Goliath?
If money was no object I would struggle to choose. The GFX is technically superior in some ways, and I had a lot of fun using it. I absolutely love the quality of the images it produces. Medium format really does make a difference. But, I feel it may be wasted on me as I don’t print my work. I mostly publish my images online, so an X100Vi is still a bit of overkill.
Looks wise, the X100Vi has it
The X100 can go anywhere. And, well just look at it – it’s beautiful.
I think the best way I can sum this up is this. If you already have an X100 then you’re not missing out on the GFX100Rf. If you don’t have either, and can spend the extra, then the GFX is a wonderful camera that will serve you well for a very long time.
I can’t believe I haven’t written anything here since April. It’s been a roller coaster couple of months with the arrival of our new granddaughter, Nellie. A complicated delivery, and prolonged hospital stay for mum and daughter and time flew by.
So, to photography. Last week I picked up the new Fujifilm X-Half. After a few days here on Anglesey I’ve gathered some thoughts. I don’t have the technical knowledge to write reviews, so if you want a qualified review, head over to DP Review. This is just my experience as an amateur.
I should start this by saying I knew this wasn’t comparable to my X100 cameras, or my Ricoh GR3s’. I knew this would be more a of a family snaps style camera.
Why did I buy this camera? I like the idea of a film like work flow. The film mode should make it so you choose a film sim and set the number of exposures you want to take. Then the camera locks the user out of changing any settings other than aperture (the camera has aperture priority, or auto modes). Once you’ve taken the full roll of film, you ‘develop’ your exposures in the app.
So far, I’ve tried three times to use this experience, twice it’s failed and gone back into normal shooting mode. The one time it worked, I found the ‘developing’ process an unnecessary gimmick. It takes a while, and serves no purpose. If you could change the look of the final image during processing, then that would be fun. It would be educational tool on how film development works.
How does it work as a camera? It’s ok. But, just, ok. The most frustrating thing is the lag. There’s a seriously annoying lag from pressing the shutter to the ‘click’ of the image being captured. This needs addressing in an update. My wife took several photos and she couldn’t tell if the camera had worked.
The rear screen is very poor in any shade of daylight. You can’t see it at all. Which, isn’t an issue if you use the optical viewfinder to compose, but in film mode you can’t see how many exposures you have left, or if it has moved to the next frame (when it works).
The images aren’t great. I expected the same or slightly better quality than my iPhone 16. My expectations were too high. My iPhone is infinitely better. There’s no RAW, but I knew that before I bought it. Fuji’s jpegs are generally brilliant, so I didn’t mind. Maybe it’s the one inch sensor? Sony did a decent job on one inch sensors though.
A lot of this wouldn’t really be an issue IF this camera didn’t cost £699. If I’m honest, this acts and feels like a toy camera. It should be called ‘my First Fuji’.
If I was asked to name a price to buy this, I’d say £100 a most. Do I feel a bit ripped off? Absolutely.
Out of curiosity I looked at what I could have bought for £699.
That’s just three of a much bigger selection. I had to stop looking because the more I looked, the more I felt like I’d wasted my money.
If you’re looking for a small, fun camera then look at a second hand Lumix GM1. You can get one with a decent lens for less than this.
Can the issues in the X-Half be fixed? Maybe an update can fix the lag and the film mode failures. Maybe it could improve the final images. The screen will always be rubbish.
I’m tempted to sell if before the world realises how bad this camera is. Fuji, I expected a lot more from you.
Update; I ended up selling this camera to MPB, at quite a hefty loss. Lesson learned? Probably not.
2nd Update. I changed my mind and kept it. Maybe I didn’t give it enough of a chance.
April has been an absolute cracker of a month weather wise, and yesterday was no exception. With some free time on my hands I decided to take a bike ride and took along one of my Ricoh GRIII (the none X HDF version).
Yes, I have two GRIIIs, what’s the problem?
I didn’t have a destination in mind, or any kind of photography goal. The only thing I wanted to do was have a steady bike ride, and if I saw something worth photographing at least I was prepared. 30 minutes after leaving the house I found myself in Doncaster City Centre (I’ll never get used to Doncaster being a City).
Doncaster has a bad reputation, and in some cases it’s warranted. It has the same issues a lot of town centres in the UK have since the internet killed shopping as a past time. But, there is a new Civic Centre, which is all new and shiny and worth a visit.
It doesn’t seem to fit the rest of Doncaster, and maybe that’s a good thing. The buildings are shiny and glossy and people seem to find it a nice place to sit and enjoy the sun.
As it was the middle of a very sunny day Decided to shoot with the B&W Negative +Red Filter from Ritchie’s Ricoh Recipes. You can find it here; https://ricohrecipes.com/the-bw-collection/ I love the almost negative look it gives, especially with the blue sky. It’s almost black. The sun creates a lovely contrast and it works really well in bright light. I left the HDF filter on to add a bit of glow.
This is my favourite image from the day. I love the tree. It looks like it’s reaching for the woman, and she adds a sense of scale.
Here’s the rest of the images from the day.
I was recently asked why most of my images were in black and white. I struggle to see details because of my sight loss, but I can see contrast. Black and white helps me see my subjects.
I enjoyed my trip into town. I’ve never thought of it as a photographic destination. Maybe I’ll go back and see what else it has to offer.
I don’t normally write opinion pieces. However, this last week something has got on my nerves so much that I need to vent about it.
This week, Fujifilm had the temerity to tease a new camera coming out next month.
How dare they? Nobody asked them for this!! What are they doing?! This isn’t exactly the camera that user @iamthemaincharacter wanted them to release!
This has been the reaction to just about every recent camera release that I’ve paid attention to. Some people seem to be of the opinion that a camera should be a bespoke item made to their exact specifications, and if it isn’t then it’s rubbish. I really don’t understand this attitude. If a company releases something that doesn’t suit me then I just ignore it. That release hasn’t suddenly rendered the gear I already have unusable, so I carry on with what I have. I think it’s symptomatic of people being more interested in having the latest thing than photography.
A lot of the people getting angry about this seem to forget that some cameras are made for casual and new users. They don’t want to spend a fortune on a new hobby. So, when I saw a guy upset that this wasn’t a new XPro model my eyes rolled back so much that they’re still spinning.
Go out, use the gear you have because you obviously wanted it when you bought it, take photographs.
My aim this year has been to take more photographs, and while I have actually done that I haven’t taken anything worth sharing. What I have found that is worth sharing is a Youtube video from Thomas Heaton.
I’m a big fan of Thomas and I’ve followed him for years. But, this is my favourite video of his to date. As someone that is visually impaired I have had my battles with sticking with photography, but a few years on I have found a way that works for me. Gary (the star of the video) has a similar method where he looks for contrast, which is what I also do. It’s why I’ve made the move to black and white, because I see the shapes and the contrast more than the colour and the details.
Shaun Madill Photography 