Fujifilm company’s products on the market cameras stand out. The reasons are not only in a unique location with its own array of color filters X-Trans. Fujifilm launches digital “rangefinder” camera with a unique hybrid viewfinder, and the price tags on its equipment (including opportunities and results) look very attractive from the competition Fujifilm X-Pro2.
Today Fujifilm’s top-end products – distinguished by its index in the title X models – can be divided into three categories. The first is a compact camera with replaceable optics and APS-C-matrix. The second series of T, this mirrorless camera with the design “a-la-SLR.” The third – “long-range” with interchangeable lenses, X-Pro.
Since the release of X-Pro1 has passed a lot of time (even by the standards of top models), so update waiting for the owners of the first version, and those wishing to join. It should be noted: expectations were met. Fujifilm X-Pro2 – an obvious candidate for the title of the best mirrorless camera in the price range up to $ 2,000.
DESIGN AND ERGONOMICS FUJIFILM X-PRO2
Body dimensions and weight compared with the X-Pro1 remained almost unchanged (+ 80 was not counted), but the layout of the controls significantly revised.
Firstly, on the top panel rendered sensitivity adjustment, is now setting the shutter speed was tricky drive bezel, which can be raised to change the ISO setting. The scale is calibrated in the third stage of the exposure. To use it is not very convenient because the numbers are too small and are under glass, but given the camera’s features is not a problem: in many cases, a range of settings and minimum exposure to auto mode is enough. And there may be three sets.
Second, all of the buttons on the rear panel focused on the right, so that theoretically enough to control the camera with just one hand.
Thirdly, on the rear panel, there was a full eight-way joystick with recognition pressing to directly select AF points. In playback mode, it turns the frames or simplifies navigation through the enlarged fragment of the picture. There is a possibility of fixing a software to prevent unintentional operations. Has joystick allowed to “liberate” the five-way button and assign them via the menu other useful features?
Another important, but inconspicuous detail – the body, the basis of which is now made of magnesium alloy, protected from frost, dust, and humidity – all the compartments are sealed with rubber gaskets. If one considers that in the line of Fujinon Lenses are many protected optics, X-Pro2 is a great all-weather instrument.
Drive to enter the exposure compensation was given a new value, it is marked with the letter C. The front wheel parameter changes can now set the exposure compensation up to plus or minus five degrees in increments of one-third. The scale at the same time displayed on the screen or in the viewfinder.
FUNCTIONALITY FUJIFILM X-PRO2
As expected, the main innovations in the machine inside. Fujifilm X-Pro2 is based on the new Matrix X-Trans CMOS III processor and the new X Processor Pro.
Matrix continues to APS-C format, but it digitizes a 24-megapixel image, compared with the previous version gives a 50% increase, and accordingly greater printing capacity in the large format.
Increased the number of AF points, they are now 273 (21h13, including 169 – phase) in selection mode by a joystick on the rear panel. When switching to modes of tracking zones and used 77 points (including 49 – phase, possibly in the following firmware versions all or most of them will be involved).
Phase sensors cover about 40% of the frame area and are arranged in a square 13×13. “Digital wedges» (Digital Split Image) began to appear in color, which makes them really useful tool for accurate focus confirmation.
AF system works really fast and tenacious. Focusing on speed contrast analysis method has doubled. Yes, it’s not a sports-reportage camera, but in other cases, it satisfies the needs of photographers.
The processor has received Pro console, new algorithms and provides fast and reliable data processing. Speed burst to shoot up to eight frames per second with autofocus tracking, even using the RAW format, and the buffer can hold up to 33 frames.
Mechanical Shutter speeds up to one eight-thousandths of a second. If one considers that in the line of a lot of high-aperture lenses, innovation is very important, because electronic shutter with its 1/32000 good, but only as long as there are no moving objects in the frame.
Synchronization with external flash (for this are the classic hot shoe on top of the chassis and cable connector on the left) is possible at speeds up to one second.
Hybrid Viewfinder – Fujifilm’s unique design – is now even better. The fully electronic mode has enabled the panel with 2,360,000 picture elements, and frame rate on it is 85 per second. This parameter, as well as AF speed, depends on the energy settings. Maximum performance is achieved when choosing a high-performance option, it is necessary to pay for the battery discharge acceleration.
In the optical mode frame dynamically displays the borders of a future frame based on the lens focal length and focus point. At the same time, the photographer sees substantially more than will fit in the picture.
In combined mode in the lower right corner, there is a square with an electronic image of the area around the point of focusing, which makes it comfortable to focus manually and control electronics work.
The switched-mode lever on the front panel, there is one of the Button Assignment menu functionality.
Using the optical viewfinder is convenient as long as the focal length is less than the equivalent of 50 mm (ie. E. Up to 35 mm), then the frame size becomes too small, and parallax when you change the point of focus further exacerbates the situation.
The X-Pro2 couple of slots for memory cards can be inserted into the first super speed UHS-II. There are three scenarios for use: consistent filling, a copy of the second card for maximum reliability and separation: the RAW on one card, JPEG – the second for convenience.
LCD screen on the rear panel of a three-inch, it more high-resolution panel is used – 1,620,000 pixel density and growth provides a clearer picture. The best performance is only at the top cameras Nikon. The screen is not touch-sensitive, for this class of camera, today is negative, especially as applied Fujifilm X70 touchscreen display. It is not a direct indication of the focus point, just watching the footage with zoom and flipping gestures is much nicer.
From the standpoint of convenience settings Fujifilm X-Pro2 also advances precursors. In addition to 16 slots in the Q-menu called up by pressing a button on the rear panel, there was also determined by photographer menu of 16 items, which allows you to reprogram the camera quickly. The menu system is generally processed, the parameters are grouped by tabs and get to the desired item can be in fewer steps.
X-Pro2 is powered by a 7-volt battery NP-W126. This means that inside the chamber from the charging USB technically impossible. In view of the small – on the professional standards – the number of frames (300) on a single battery charge is strongly recommended to purchase spare power sources.
THE QUALITY OF STAFF FUJIFILM X-PRO2
Bundle Matrix X-Trans CMOS III and processor X Pro gives great results. The ability to shoot in RAW format available at last for the entire sensitivity range, ie, to ISO 51200. Test Shots for independent scrutiny download via this link.
Colors in the JPEG – a subject of legitimate pride Fujifilm. The X-Pro2 has another mode of imitation of classic films, this time – a black and white ACROS. It provides the deeper black tones, gives a better contrast, and texture in the middle of the tonal range looks advantageous. Unfortunately, imitation ACROS does not add firmware upgrade for previous cameras, Fujifilm’s website says so explicitly, as a reason for calling the inability to obtain as the quality result on matrices of previous generations.
For fans of grainy photos added to the simulation mode with two options – a moderate and strong, the effect is applied to the JPEG-versions, both during shooting and intracameral at “manifestation» RAW-files.
RAW stores enough information to recover details in shadows and allows for a post-processing step to selectively push-making simulation process into four stages.
If the X-Trans CMOS II to ISO 6400 has been suspended workers, the third version raises the threshold for one or even two steps. ISO 25600 is suitable for on-screen viewing, even without a significant decrease in the pictures.
Another merit of the new processor – lossless compressed RAW-files. If you disable this option, the size will increase from 20-30 to 50 MB.
X-PRO2: THE UNIQUE HYBRID VIEWFINDER; GREAT PICTURE IN A WIDE ISO RANGE; CONVENIENT OPERATION; MANY USEFUL FUNCTIONS.
CONS FUJIFILM X-PRO2: FEATURES OF THE DESIGN; THE SPEED OF THE AUTOFOCUS IS NOT THE BEST, EVEN WITH FAST LENSES; NO CHARGE VIA USB; FEW SHOTS ON A SINGLE CHARGE.
CONCLUSION OF THE NEW FUJIFILM X-PRO2
Fujifilm X-Pro2 rightfully occupies the position of a new line of Fujifilm’s flagship devices. This is the only affordable digital rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses on the market, well-made and a lot of fun on the shooting process. It can not be directly compared with the same competitors on price since this device was designed primarily for those who want to get just a digital rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses. Accordingly, only a few models of Leica (M) are indeed its competitors, although since 2009 the German manufacturer employs full-frame sensors.
Source: nsmartphone
