Photography News Issue 29

Camera test 39

Photography News Issue 29 absolutephoto.com

Performance: AF tracking The Fujifilm X-Pro2 doesn’t purport to be an action camera but it still has the potential to shoot at 8fps with continuous focus tracking. In normal shooting the X-Pro2 has the option of 273 focus points (below left) with 169, the central 13x13 grid, being phase-detection – about 40% of the image area is now covered by phase -detection AF points. There’s the option of using 77 AF points (below right) and then the central 49 are phase-detection and in continuous high shooting the focus area is restricted to this central area. In Zone AF, there is a choice of three zone sizes so choose the one that best suits the subject and position it in the area of the frame where you plan to place the subject. This sequence of a train coming into a station was shot at 8fps and in AF-C mode shows what it can do even in the challenge of low lighting. The lens used was an 18-55mm f/2.8-4 at 55mmwith an ISO of 6400 enabling a shutter speed of 1/250sec at f/4.

Performance: Filmand Advancedmodes Given its experience there is no questioning of Fujifilm’s credentials when it comes to film emulation modes and the latest arrival is ACROS black & white mode. I was a big fan of Acros 100 film and, obviously subject to processing and printing, enjoyed its slightly contrasty nature and the ability to give deep blacks and sparkling highlights. The X-Pro2’s ACROS mode does a good job of mimicking that effect and adds a bit of contrast to dull day or interior shooting. The example shown here (top), taken with the 55-200mm f/4-5.6 lens, is straight out of camera. The X-Pro2 also has a selection of in-camera advanced picture modes including Toy Camera and Miniature (above) which was used for a shot of Tokyo’s Shinjuku station.

Verdict

Features Capable sensor, lovely viewfinder Performance Impressive image quality and capable high ISO showing Handling Generally sound, excellent focus lever, some minor irritations Value formoney You get plenty of value for your cash Overall The X-Pro2 is a highly capable camera and lovely to use Pros Image quality, exposure consistency, high ISO performance, AF joystick, two card slots Cons Dioptre control needs a lock, fixedmonitor, no selective lock feature 23/25 24/25 22/25 22/25 91/100

I like the Fujifilm X-Pro2. I like it a great deal. Fujifilm has also made significant in-roads compared with the X-Pro1 when it comes to handling. The focus joystick is excellent, so too is the hybrid viewfinder and there is plenty of customisable potential. Autofocusing and exposure systems performed very well, especially the latter which was very impressive. Its handling is not perfect by any means and in that I include the easily movable dioptre control and the film speed dial that is retro for retro’s sake but has no practical benefit that I can see. I’ve also grown used to using an adjustable monitor and here it’s fixed. But there’s more in the plus column, notably image quality, at medium and high ISO speeds, is impressive. I have been happily making A2 prints from the existing 16-megapixel X-Trans II sensors and having more resolution can only help. I did print from X-Pro2 JPEGs and Raws (converted in Lightroom) and was delighted with the detail-packed results. Its £1349 body price is competitive given the on-board features and the high level of image quality and I can see many X-Pro1 users upgrading. Moreover, the X-Pro2 also has the credentials to entice those wanting a CSC system that can truly deliver full-frame quality. The X-Pro2 is certainly a great way to celebrate five years of Fujifilm’s X-system. I wonder what it’ll launch for its tenth anniversary.