Fujifilm X-Pro3 Thoughts?

[Ted Striker]

I suspect that all the nay saying will have little effect on sales.

Ignoring the preferences of your customer base is often an excellent strategy to boosting sales. Not.

Nor do I understand how users are saying less capable than the XPro2.

Seriously? You can't see that taking away the back screen would affect users who actually used it? That's an impressive lack of imagination.

 

[Ted Striker]

I think that the only problem Fujifilm will have selling the X-Pro3 camera is keeping up with demand. That camera is going to be flying off the shelf!

Just like the X-H1.

 

[Archlich]

I'm not sure that will be the case... because the X-T30 for $899 has that too. It'll be a hard sell if they simply have the X-T30 specs in a X-Pro3.

The $699 (kit price), bottom-of-the-line X-A7 has this same processor package as well, just with standard 24MP bayer sensor, which had been more than enough for years. Same AF, same speed for less than half the price of the flagship X-T3...just imagine. Same for Canon and Sony's latest APS-C offerings. Very powerful entry level cameras are becoming the new norm.

I don't think Fuji will pour in extra sauce to further differentiate the X-Pro 3 spec-wise. Features has been what mainly differentiate the tiers in the current lineup.

 

[gavinlg]

You are free to not use buttons if that is your preference. Those who want to use them no longer have any option. You advocate for less choice for users? Fascinating.

Simplification of interface IS a choice. That's why leica's are svelte to use, and Sony's are crap. Some of the best cameras designs require you to interact with them in a specific way.

 

[jsrockit]

I chimp rarely… mostly when out shooting I use the rear screen for checking focus with the magnifier facility and check the histogram for highlight exposure, both things I find rather difficult to do through the EVF.

The idea that if I want to do the above with the X-Pro3 I will have to flip a screen every time, is for me definitely a negative.

The histogram should be available in the small lcd ...

 

[jsrockit]

The $699 (kit price), bottom-of-the-line X-A7 has this same processor package as well, just with standard 24MP bayer sensor, which had been more than enough for years. Same AF, same speed for less than half the price of the flagship X-T3...just imagine. Same for Canon and Sony's latest APS-C offerings. Very powerful entry level cameras are becoming the new norm.

I don't think Fuji will pour in extra sauce to further differentiate the X-Pro 3 spec-wise. Features has been what mainly differentiate the tiers in the current lineup.

Actually... historically, the X-Pro series gets the new sensor first. Also, I do not think the X-A7 has the same AF as the X-T3. The X-T30 does but historically the Bayer sensor cameras have dumbed down AF.

 

[Archlich]

Actually... historically, the X-Pro series gets the new sensor first.

I don't know. I assume Fuji had break from previous cycles (and adopted new strategy) with the rather hastily release of the X-T3.

Besieds that, I can't see how an even newer sensor could benefit the X-Pro's intended users (=still shooters) much. Performance has been stagnant for several years, there's little chance the next one could improve by a significant margin, other than the usual megapixel & video tweaks. And it'll come at an extra cost on top of the camera's already costly gimmicks.

Anyway, RFF could always use another "I don't need more megapixels" thread...

 

[ktmrider]

And I have to wonder how many XPro2 users are posting negative comments on the XPro3-less then 1%. I suspect most photographers are out shooting and not worrying about a camera who we have only seen in brochures. Again, no sure how it is less capable or why sales would be negative compared to XPro2.

Think some here need to get a life.

 

[Brian Atherton]

Just like the X-H1.

Interesting. Here's my experience:

Earlier this year I had an extended loan of the X-H1 with a view to purchase.

My main thought was its image stabilisation and how useful it might be, as now I’m finding sometimes that it isn’t so easy to keep a camera steady. Certainly I was impressed and it definitely worked a dream for me.

Also what immediately impressed me was the superb viewfinder: so bright and large. Second, the position of the release button on the integral grip: it fell to hand in the right place and is very comfortable.

Main negative is the lack of an exposure compensation dial because Fujifilm put a LCD panel where it should be.

In the end, reluctantly, I decided not to buy: despite the X-H1 being a nice size and the IBIS would have suited my needs admirably, it was just too heavy.

 

[Ted Striker]

Again, no sure how it is less capable or why sales would be negative compared to XPro2.

It's real simple. WIth the X Pro 2, after one takes a shot, one can pause and review it on the back screen, without any need to use one's hands. With the X Pro 3, that is impossible. You have to remove a hand, pull down the screen, review the image (and adjust it with FIVE less buttons) and then replace the screen, and replace your hand to the shooting position. You think that amount of tap dancing is the same as what is needed for the X Pro 2? Seriously?

Think some here need to get a life.

You should follow your own advice.

 

[jsrockit]

I don't know. I assume Fuji had break from previous cycles (and adopted new strategy) with the rather hastily release of the X-T3.

Besieds that, I can't see how an even newer sensor could benefit the X-Pro's intended users (=still shooters) much. Performance has been stagnant for several years, there's little chance the next one could improve by a significant margin, other than the usual megapixel & video tweaks. And it'll come at an extra cost on top of the camera's already costly gimmicks.

Anyway, RFF could always use another "I don't need more megapixels" thread...

The X-T3 is Fuji’s mainstream camera. It is released a lot more frequently. It sells well. It had the newest tech at that time... true. But it’s been a year or more and like I said a low end camera has those specs.

A new sensor is just one of those things that happen with cameras. They progress. It is possible there isn’t any other sensor they can use. However, historically speaking... the x-pro is generally the first to get new tech when it is released. The first with the 16mp and the first with the 24mp sensor. More MPs don’t cost more. It just happens as technology marches on.

 

[Out to Lunch]

I don't know why but I have this nagging suspicion that 'Ted Striker' doesn't like the X-Pro 3...

 

[Archlich]

The X-T3 is Fuji’s mainstream camera. It is released a lot more frequently. It sells well. It had the newest tech at that time... true. But it’s been a year or more and like I said a low end camera has those specs.

A new sensor is just one of those things that happen with cameras. They progress. It is possible there isn’t any other sensor they can use. However, historically speaking... the x-pro is generally the first to get new tech when it is released. The first with the 16mp and the first with the 24mp sensor. More MPs don’t cost more. It just happens as technology marches on.

We'll know next month...

Personally i won't hold my breath for it. Less hope, less disappointment...

 

[froyd]

This has devolved into a chimping vs no chimping thread. Good thing Fuji will soon have models to address the needs of both camps.

 

[Ted Striker]

This has devolved into a chimping vs no chimping thread. Good thing Fuji will soon have models to address the needs of both camps.

You do know that one can turn off the rear display on an X Pro 2 don't you? That camera met both needs.



The X Pro 3 does not.

 

[Gary E]

I understand everything about this camera except the need for titanium. It's just going make it more expensive than it needs to be. The only thing I wanted the X-Pro2 to improve upon was to have better eye relief and a larger VF. Oh and release with a lower price like the X-T3 did versus the X-T2.

My guess is someone on the Marketing team was a fan of the Leica M-D Type 262 or just wanted to move this into an even more niche market than it already is.

 

[willie_901]

New sims.

...

Why did it take this long to replicate features the RD1 had from the start?

...

If you read other forums where comments about the X-Pro 3 are mostly ridicules, you will see how come it took so long.

This is a niche product. Niches are the last market large companies pursue because it is more profitable to address larger market segments first.

 

[Out to Lunch]

For those who haven't seen it yet, Fuji's design rationale for the X-Pro3 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cvNBULS3tM The clip starts at 31 min.

 

[willie_901]

But will the 3 be able to take better pics than the 2?

Does it have a better sensor?
Does it have better af?
Does it have better film modes?
Does it have a better VF?

...

1. The sensor will be incrementally better. The X-T3 has similar dynamic range at ISO 80 as the X-T2 has a ISO 200. The X-T3 has superior ISO invariance (lower read noise). The X-T3 has less internal sensor heating. The low light sensitivity for the X-T2 and X-T3 are essentially identical.
2. No details about the AF yet. Every one of the 4 newer X-Series cameras I bought since 2012 had better AF and fly-by-wire MF than the previous model. This doesn't mean the X-Pro 3 will have better AF than the X-Pro 2. But it probably will since the X-T3 has better AF than the X-T2.
3. There is a new Classic Negative film simulation. This simulates FUJICOLOR Superia ISO 100 film rendering. Is it better? I don't know.
4. Both the EVF AND OVF are significantly upgraded.

As far as I'm concerned the X-Pro cameras are all about using the OVF to compose while seeing what's outside the image-frame border estimates. This is the only compelling reason to own a X-Pro camera.

Having owned a X-Pro 1 and as a current X-Pro 2 owner, I am certain the X-Pro 3 will produce significantly superior technical image quality and and user experience compared to the X-Pro 1. I suspect the difference between the X-Pro 2 and X-Pro 3 will be less significant. I think it really depends on the EVF/OVF improvements and on how one prefers to focus. I don't use all of the AF capabilities of the X-Pro 2 (although I found they performed very well when I tried them). I prefer to use focus and recompose as I did with film RF cameras. But many could make good use of the more effective AF used in the X-T3.

 

[arseniii]

Other than the color part, it looks like the E-ink display on top of the GFX-50S which can be left always ON, even with the camera powered off. It consumes no power.

Whichever type of display it is, I think it could definitely be turned off...

If you remove the battery it would not drain the power :bang: