Photography News Issue 35

Photography News | Issue 35 | absolutephoto.com

Preview

Hands on

FujifilmX-T2 The launch of the X-T2 gives Fujifilm a two-pronged line-up at the top of its CSC collection. We got the chance to check out its credentials at a classic car festival

Specs

Price £1399 body only, £1649 with XF18- 55mm lens, VPB-XT2 £299.99 Sensor

24.3 megapixels Sensor format

23.6×15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS III, 6000x4000pixels ISO range Native 200-12,800, expanded 100-51,200 Shutter range Mechanical shutter 30secs to 1/8000sec. Electronic shutter 30secs to 1/32,000sec. Bulb up to 60mins. Flash sync 1/250sec Drivemodes 8fps mechanical shutter (11fps with optional VPB-XT2 grip), 14fps with electronic shutter Metering system 256-zone metering with multi, spot, average and centre-weighted Exposuremodes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5EV in 0.3EV steps, AEB available Monitor 3in, 1,040,000 dots Focusing Intelligent hybrid AF – TTL phase and TTL contrast AF Focus points Option of single, 91 and 325 points. Wide-tracking AF (up to 18 areas), Zone AF (3x3, 5x5, 7x7 selectable from 91 areas on a 13x7 grid) Video 4K, full HD Connectivity Wi-Fi, USB 3.0, HDMI, microphone Storagemedia Two SD slots Dimensions (wxhxd) 132.5x91.8x49.2mm Weight 507g (body with battery and card) Contact fujifilm.eu/uk

Words by Will Cheung

The launch of the Fujifilm X-T2 was no surprise to anyone who read the (very accurate) rumours on the internet. I’m happy to admit that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one so it was a great pleasure to get to spend a few hours with an X-T2 at Le Mans Classic. Please note that the sample I used was pre-production and the images shown here or the comments made about handling might not apply when the camera reaches the shops in September. The X-T2’s design is fundamentally similar to the X-T1 with its DSLR, central viewfinder styling but there have been several significant and worthwhile tweaks. Both the shutter speed and ISO dials now have single-push locks so you have the option of locking them or rotating normally. I am always twiddling with ISO and the X-T2’s dial is taller and larger than

the X-T1’s. The locking mechanism makes the process of speed changing so easy and positive yet a push of the central button locks it in place. I liked this simple change. The shutter release has gained a screw-in cable release option while the exposure compensation dial is still easy to move unintentionally. Having a C setting does mean that you can set that and it is less likely you will engage exposure compensation by mistake. The rear monitor is still tiltable but there is the added option of folding it out sideways that has been achieved without adding any bulk to the monitor so it still sits flush to the body. While this is slightly fiddly to use and you certainly can’t use it with gloved hands it means low-level, upright format shooting is made much easier. How the tilt/ swivel mechanism withstands frequent use only time will tell.

The addition of an AF lever or joystick is a godsend. It means moving the AF zone around is so much easier. On the X-T1 I have to adjust my grip on the camera to move theAF zone about and that can mean missing the crucial moment. With the X-T2’s AF lever it means only moving the thumb so it speeds the process up noticeably and feels much more intuitive. Having this lever also frees up the four-way control pad to engage other features. A big, big change is the X-T2’s AF system and using it alongside the X-T1 reveals the benefits of the newer model to be significant. The X-T2 is much faster, has more focus points and the algorithm has been improved to cope with low-contrast or finely detailed subjects. During this preview I did find the AF more responsive as a whole and it coped with a wide variety of subjects. To be honest, the sun was shining brightly

With the X-T2’s AF lever it means only moving the thumb so it speeds up the process noticeably

and feels much more intuitive

Images The X-T2, compared with its predecessor, the X-T1, has enjoyed a few design tweaks that include the addition of a focus lever and one-touch dial locks