More on Fuji Black and White

Cádiz, Spain
Fuji XT-2, XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR, f/9, 1/640, 30mm

Vivid blue sky and bright white buildings create a perfect setting for black and white images. Processed in lightroom from RAW, I love the simplicity of images like this, Fuji files allow for pushing the blue almost to black in Post, giving me a super high contrast. 

I tried Acros presets but my standard process in Lightroom worked better here, very little ghosting at edges and deep contrast helped keep a nice clean image.

More images from Fuji here

Ross

Images In light

Cordoba Spain, travel photography with Fuji

The Mezquita

Fuji X-T2, XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR

f/4, 1/35 sec, iso 3200, 47mm

Córdoba, located in south central Spain, about 3 hours south of Madrid, once a Roman city, then a Moorish ruled caliphate and now a beautiful Spanish city. Full of surprises, wonderful architecture, delightful people and with today's ability to use Airbnb, an affordable destination spot on your way to Andalusia. We stayed in a penthouse suite in the old town not far from The Mezquita for $66 per night.

the Historic Center of Córdoba that was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.

1st century BC, Roman Bridge

Fuji X-T2, XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS

f/8, 3 sec, iso 200, 15mm

Built in the 1st century BC, the Roman bridge crosses Guadalquivir river, leading in to the Barrio de la Catedral. A short walk from the Cathedral, the Roman Bridge of Cordoba and its Calahorra tower, which was added by the 16th century.

The Mezquita

Fuji X-T2, XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR

f/5.6, 1/40 sec, iso 3200, 34mm

From Wikipedia:

"The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba(Spanish: Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba), also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spanish: Mezquita de Córdoba) and the Mezquita, whose ecclesiastical name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Spanish: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Córdoba dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and located in the Spanish region of Andalusia. The structure is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture."

In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers. Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, and the building was converted to a Roman Catholic church, culminating in the insertion of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the 16th century.

Fuji anounce Fuji X-E3, XF 80mm f/2.8 macro, firmware updates and GF 45mm f/2.8

 Fuji X-E3

New Canon Lenses

This is why Canon does so well, they produce top quality lenses that we drool over. the system is what its all about, its not just a camera, or a spec. I shoot Nikon, Canon and Fuji and I prefer Canon and Fuji glass, that's why I'm vested in those systems. Nikon is not far behind and Sony has a ways to go. Its about the system.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Specifications  $1599

• Lens construction: 10 groups 14 elements (1 aspherical lens)
• Coating: ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 85 cm
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.12 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ88.6 × 105.4 mm
• Weight: Approximately 950 g
• Image stabilization effect: about 4 steps
• Ring type USM

Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 7 groups 11 elements (2 UD lenses)
• Coating: SWC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 48.6 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 82 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ88.5 × 139.1 mm
• Weight: Approximately 1,110 g

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 9 groups 9 elements (UD lens 1 piece)
• Coating: ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Minimum focusing distance: 39 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ86.9 × 116.5 mm
• Weight: Approximately 915 g

Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Specifications $2199

• Lens construction: 9 groups 12 elements (2 UD lenses)
• Coating: SWC, ASC, fluorine coating
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
• Shortest shooting distance: 27.3 cm
• Maximum magnification: 0.5 times
• Filter diameter: 77 mm
• Maximum diameter × length: φ86.9 × 114.9 mm
• Weight: Approximately 945 g

Ross

Images In Light

Nikon D850

Nikon announce the D850

Key specs

• 46mp BSI sensor, no LP filter
• 7FPS, 9 FPS with grip
• Full-frame 4K 24/25/30p
• 8K time laps
• ISO 64-25,600, expandable to 32-108,400
• MSRP $3300

• High-Speed Capture: The D850 is capable of shooting up to 7 fps at full resolution, with full AF/AE or 9 fps at full resolution with the addition of an optional battery grip (MB-D18) and EN-EL18a/b battery (Buffer approximately 51 frames of 14-bit lossless RAW capture / 170 frames of 12-bit lossless).
• Wide ISO Range: The D850 offers a wide ISO range from 64-25,600 (Expandable down to ISO 32, up to 102,400).
• Flagship Focus System: The D850 uses the Nikon D5’s 153-point, Multi-Cam 20K AF system, which features 99 cross type sensors, 15 of which are sensitive to f/8.
• EXPEED 5: Behind every great sensor is a great image-processing engine. EXPEED 5 is Nikon’s most powerful engine yet, allowing for fast data readout and swift image processing, improved low light performance, high speed shooting, full-frame 4K UHD video capture and greater power efficiency for longer battery life.

I have been considering medium format of late, especially the Fuji GFX, but I think this is now a better option, I am looking forward to getting my hands on this and trying it out.

The addition of a focus toggle is especially nice, I don't understand why it took Nikon so long to implement this, my Canon cameras have had it for years. I am also hoping for a better live view implementation.

This kind of sounds like the ultimate camera, lets see how it performs in the real world.

DPreview here

DPreview first impressions here

Imaging Resource here

Fstoppers here

The Phoblographer here

PetaPixel here 

Pre order here at B and H

Ross

Images In Light

High Key Landscape, Mono Lake

Its not often I come across a landscape scene that works as a high key shot, this one seemed to fit the bill for me. Mono lake Tufa, shortly after sunrise.

 5D Mk IV, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, Lee Big stopper 10 stop ND filter,
 f/16, 50mm, 1.6 sec, ISO 100, +2 EV.


 5D Mk IV, EF 16-35 f/4 L IS, Lee Little stopper 6 stop ND filter,
 f/11, 16mm, 10 sec, ISO 100.

Same location, that evening

Part of the fun of being a photographer is experimenting and enjoying my time on locations like this.

We had a great three day shoot in the Eastern Sierra and I have a lot of images to go through. Hope to post some more soon.

Ross 

Images In Light

Photography from Angels 30

Over the Siskiyous
 5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II, f/7.1, 70mm, 1/400 sec.

 The Views from an airplane can be quite spectacular, if you have a fairly clear window, photography from 30,000 ft can be a lot of fun and good images can be acquired, if the right technique is used.

 Use fast shutter speeds and get your lens right up against the glass. Think about that composition and horizon before pulling the trigger.

737 winglet at sunset
Fuji XT-2, f/1.4, 1/50 sec ISO 250, 56mm

787-9 over NE Canada

5D Mk III, EF 16-35 f/4 L IS, f/11, 30mm, 1/60 sec.

737 winglet and Mt Rainier
Fuji XT-2, f/11, 1/240 sec ISO 250, 56mm

Ross

Images In Light

Archived Images

Finding an old image in the archives that was overlooked is always nice, I frequently review my archive to see whats available and I often find an image I like. This is a good reason to not delete every image you don't like when you download to your external drive.

I often read of people saying to delete images you don't like. Disk space is cheap, you can get 3 or 4 terabytes of disk space for $100 these days, so better to just hang on to those images and review them later.

The above image I took in Nov of 2015, but I somehow missed this image in black and white, today I really like it. So hang on to those old images, you never know what gems you might have hidden in the archive.

Ross

Images In Light

Canon 6D Mk II announced

 

The Canon 6D Mk II

• 26.2 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
• Optical Viewfinder with a 45-point All Cross-type AF System¹
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Phase-detection & Full HD 60p
• DIGIC 7 Image Processor, ISO 100-40000
• Vari-angle Touch Screen, 3.0-inch LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi®², NFC³, Bluetooth®⁴ and GPS technology
• High-speed Continuous Shooting at up to 6.5 fps
• Dust- & Water-resistant

The long awaited 6D replacement arrives with many improvements, including the vari-angle touch screen display and all new 26mp sensor. Looks to be a very nice upgrade from the original, if it had an AF joy stick I would highly recommend it, if you can live with out that and 4K video, run out and get it, if your getting the kit, be sure to get the kit with the EF 24-105 f4 II.

First look at DPReview here

The same but different here 

Canon Video here

The Phoblographer here 

Fstoppers here

Buy it:
Body only at B and H here
Body and 24-104 f/4 II at B and H here

Ross

Images In Light

Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM and 12-24mm F4 G

 

Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM

 

Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G

Sony launches two new lenses, missing from their line up of pro level lenses. Giving Sony users parity with Nikon and Canon at the wide end of the spectrum.

This is a huge boost to the E-mount line up,  Sony looks to be pushing hard to round out their lens line up and show they are for real and around to stay, the cost of developing this type of lens is not cheap.

Next up? Super Tele, 400 f2.8. This seems logical given it is a huge hole for pro level sports photographers. They also need a 200mm f/2 a 300mm f2.8 and a 500mm f4.  Sony has become a major player now and I can't help but wonder what Nikon and Canon are up to.

Can Canon hold their lead? can Nikon catch up? It will be interesting to watch this play out.

Buy the 16-35 f2.8 GM from B & H here Buy the 12-24 f4 G from B & H here

Full 16-35 specs at DPReview here

Full 12-24 specs at DPReview here Sony site here

Ross

Images In Light

 

Sony α9 camera announced 24mp and 20 FPS

Key Specs:

• 24.2 mp Exmor stacked sensor
• 20 FPS continuous shooting
• 4K 30p Video
• ISO 100 - 51200
• New battery model NP-FZ100
• Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with approximately 3,686k dots
• 693 focal plane phase detection AF points
• AF joy stick (so it wont take all day to find those points) 
• 5-axis image stabilization
• $4500

Wow, is all I can say to those specs and the first look at this amazing piece of camera tech. This will hurt Nikon even more, now that Sony has already overtaken them in sales. Look for the Canikon to play catch up to Sony.

It looks like Sony has got a real winner here, this is a dream spec of a camera, The lenses are coming, they still have a ways to go in the Pro telephoto end, but they are gaining ground quick. This is meant for pro's that shoot sporting events. Birders will probably drool, but its not for my type of shooting.

See the rest of the specs here

See DPReviews first look here 

A sports camera with no lenses here 

Camera Labs here

Luminous Landscape here 

Ross

Images In Light

Fuji X-T2 as a Travel Camera

Fuji X-T2, XF 23mm f/1.4 R
5.3 sec at f/5.6, 6 stop Lee ND filter

Fuji X-T2, XF 23mm f/1.4 R
1/180 sec at f/11

Using the Fuji X-T2 as a travel camera has been a great choice for me, I usually pack it along with three lenses in to my small Granite Gear, Taku 24 pack, two lenses in Lowepro soft lens cases and one mounted on the X-T2. It is a nice light weight kit, that I can take to the beach with extra gear or hiking and it will not overwhelm me with gear, I also pack a light weight tripod and a few Lee filters.

My 5D Mk IV is still my main camera for professional style shooting, but I am done packing it around on vacation, just to much weight. The Fuji does not supply the full frame image quality of my 5D, but it sure gets close. At the end of the day, like my recent Maui trip, I sure do appreciate  the light kit and the XF 23mm f1.4 lens pretty much stays mounted for most of the time.

The other part of the equation in travel photography is packing your gear in to places to eat or drink. Having a small pack like this allows me to not leave any gear in the car and not look like a Sherpa when walking in to a place to eat after a day at the beach or on the trail. I can comfortably keep an eye on a small pack and people are less likely to trip over my bag.

Ross

Images In Light

Fuji X-T2 out of camera jpg's

X-T2, Fujinon XF 23 f1.4, f/6.4, 1/2400 sec, ISO 200 

X-T2, Fujinon XF 23 f1.4, f/8, 1/500 sec, ISO 200

X-T2, Fujinon XF 23 f1.4, f/8, 1/480 sec, ISO 200

X-T2, Fujinon XF 23 f1.4, f/8, 1/900 sec, ISO 200

Ahhhh, Fuji out of camera jpgs, the one thing all camera manufacturers try to get right and for the most part fail. Fuji is nailing this part of the equation. Some slight adjustments where made to adjust shadow and highlight, to the jpg only. For some reason my camera settings had changed and I was not shooting RAW, this is where Fuji fails, the menus are not to bad, but some times things are not as they should be.

Ross

Images In Light

Fuji X-T2, Color? or black and white?

Fuji X-T2, XF 23 f/1.4 R, 1/850 sec, f/8

Fuji X-T2, XF 23 f/1.4 R, 1/850 sec, f/8

Sometimes its just hard to decide with an image, was this meant to be black and white or color? The color image was adjusted manually in Lightroom and the  black and white was adjusted manually in Lightroom, with ACROS+G on top of it. I like both renditions, Fuji colors are great, however, I think I still prefer the black and white though.

Its nice that it does both well, dynamic range plays a big roll in this, but I believe the Fuji X-Trans array helps with the rendition and how fine detail is rendered, some people don't like it. I think it adds a uniqueness that can't quit be had with other sensors. It does have its drawbacks, one appears to be GrGb mismatch, that causes some unusual noise. Fuji's software overcomes this noise issue, but with Lightroom it requires a little finesse, do not over sharpen! and use caution with noise reduction. For the most part it will not affect your images if you know what your looking for.

Ross

Images In Light

Shooting Black and White with the Fuji X-T2

Fuji X-T2, XF 23 f/1.4 R, 1/850 sec, f/8

Fuji X-T2, XF 23 f/1.4 R, 1/550 sec, f/6.4

This camera begs to be shot black and white, just put it in the ACROS film simulation mode and look through the view finder. Yes its not as simple as that, but it helps to look through a view finder and see the world in black and white. It also helps to see those image previews that way too.

When in ACROS mode though, you see that high contrast black and white image before taking the shot, to me it simplifies the seeing in black and white, which is not always as easy as it sounds.

I tend to shoot a lot more black and white with my X-T2 than I do with my 5D Mk IV, a lot has to do with the ability to see the image in the view finder. The way Fuji images are rendered in black and white is another attraction to shooting that way.

Fuji X-T2, XF 23 f/1.4 R, 1/550 sec, f/8

Fuji X-T2, XF 56 f/1.2 R, 1/280 sec, f/2.5

Ross 

Images In Light

Fuji Medium Format GFX 50S Launch

Today Fuji officially launch the GFX 50 S medium format mirrorless.

My dream camera? Perhaps, this one I will rent with the GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR lens as soon as it is available. This is what I consider a landscape photographers dream camera. With all the technology from Fuji's X-cameras going in to a larger sensor like this, I can only imagine how nice the images will be on a large monitor or large format printer.

Fuji announce the X100F, X-T20, XF 50 f/2 R WR

 Another big day for Fuji, with multiple announcements, including the X100F. It gets all the expected updates, including the focus toggle lever and the 24 mp sensor from the XPro 2 and XT-2 cameras. This is a very nice second camera, small and light weight, great for street and casual shooting. This will be a great upgrade for all current X100, X100S and X100T users and anyone looking for great image quality in a small package.

The Fuji X100F

 

 

Fuji X-T2 and the XF 23mm f/1.4 R

Fuji X-T2, XF 23mm f/1.4 R, f/7.1, 1/500 sec, ISO 400

Fuji X-T2 - Fuji filters in Lightroom

Art at the Allen Institute, Lk Union, Seattle, Wa.

Fuji X-T2, XF 35 f/1.4, 1/10 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200, ACROS +R

Fuji Landscapes

Salish Dreams
Fuji X-T2, XF 56 f/1.2, 1/210 sec, f/2.2, ISO 200, hand held.

I got the Fuji X-T2 as a 2nd camera for events and travel, but I'm keen to try it out on my favorite subject, landscapes. In the past I have used Fuji x-cameras for landscapes, but there has never been enough resolution. Now with 24mp, I should have plenty.  

The Black and White images I get from Fuji cameras are especially nice, and I'm looking forward to doing a lot of landscapes in this style. The X-T2 also gives me the ability to shoot low to the ground with the tilting LCD. The combination of this with the high quality Fujinon lenses, great Black and White files and the 24mp sensor should produce some fantastic images.

Another plus for the Fuji system is its auto ISO settings, I don't fear bumping my ISO up, its nice to not worry about ISO. While on a tripod, I'll still shoot at ISO 200, but I have no problem shooting Black and White landscapes at ISO 800.

Fuji X-T2, XF 56 f/1.2, 1/680 sec, f/2.5, ISO 200, hand held.

Of course I do love Fuji colors too : )

Ross

Images In Light

The Fuji X System

 XT-2 XF 56 f/1.2, 1/280, f/1.2 ISO 200, Acros