It arrived in the post today...

[urban_alchemist]

My brand new (no, I really mean brand-new: still in its cellophane packed box) FujiFilm TX-2 arrived in the mail today.

So I promptly loaded a roll of Ilford HP-5+, and took a stroll. First impressions? The camera is built like a tank. Definitely comparable to my Leica Ms in construction quality, although the width is quite unusual and strange to handle. The controls are excellent and feel ike they're engineered to survive a nuclear winter, although the viewfinder LED does obstruct vision slightly. The 45mm lense handles nicely, but the focusing patch is a bit on the small and dull side coming from my M7/MPs.

So, the downside? Well, the major one is the speed. F4 is simply not usable even at 400ASA inside. 1/15 of a second is pretty much a normal speed, and I'm not convinced the shutter is vibration-free enough to be able to hand-hold it at that speed. I'd be interested to see if it's possible to shoot with Velvia 50, or even Velvia 100F in imperfect light...

So, as top of my list now is a tripod, what do all of you use? Anyone know a small collapsible pocket tripod that can deal with the TX-2's not insubstantial weight...

 

[Kent]

Wow, quite a purchase! Congratulations!

 

[urban_alchemist]

Wow, quite a purchase! Congratulations!

😀 Cheers - I'm quite chuffed myself!

 

[Parkes Owen]

So, the downside? Well, the major one is the speed. F4 is simply not usable even at 400ASA inside. 1/15 of a second is pretty much a normal speed, and I'm not convinced the shutter is vibration-free enough to be able to hand-hold it at that speed. I'd be interested to see if it's possible to shoot with Velvia 50, or even Velvia 100F in imperfect light...

So, as top of my list now is a tripod, what do all of you use? Anyone know a small collapsible pocket tripod that can deal with the TX-2's not insubstantial weight...[/QUOTE]

congrats on the new camera, once you get used to it you will love it.
I use velvia 50 and 100 handheld 90% of the time in low light (sunrise ect) and have got some very sharp shots at 1/8 sec(coal wharf pic in my gallery is 1/8 hand held), and find 1/15 no prob at all. When I do use a tripod, it`s a crappy velbon which I hate, and have being eyeing off a manfrotto 190b pro, as it looks small and light, but if anyone knows of a better, smaller option I`d also like to know, cheers.

 

[urban_alchemist]

I totally forgot about this thread - thanks Parkes Owen for dragging it from the dead!

At first, I didn't really 'get' the camera. The slow lense, immense size (relative to an M) and small focusing patch really had me more frustrated than happy. Slowly though, about five in and I've really started to love this camera - so much so that it is usually packed instinctively for trips with my MP.

I don't use E6 as the light fall-off is too pronounced and the centre filter a pain; but the main reason is that it cannot cope with the dynamic range that so many shots require using such a huge negative...

Anyway, here are a few pics from the last few rolls... all Fuji Pro400H - such a wonderfully versatile film...

Enjoy...

 

[peter_n]

Where were you able to get a FujiFilm TX-2 new? That sounds like a great buy! As for tripods, I would get either a used or new Gitzo then you'll never need to buy another. They recently revamped their whole line and the older ones can be had for good prices, for example see this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330274327927

I bought a used Gitzo G-1228 a couple of years ago and it has been brilliant. Overkill for Leica but I now also have a 617 panoramic and it is perfect for that. Sell the Gitzo ballhead (not so good) and get a Markins Q3 head. Expensive but well worth it:

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q3.php

The Markins ballheads use the Arca/Swiss QR system and you will need plates for your Leicas and the TX-2.

 

[urban_alchemist]

I bought it from a shop in Hong Kong - they still had a few unsold for what wasn't exactly a steal. Thought about getting a second-hand one instead, but relented finally. With such a unique camera as the TX-2/XpanII, I wanted that warm gooey 'first unboxing' feeling, especially as I expect it to go through a lifetime of hard work...

 

[Tuolumne]

Get an "L" plate from Really Right Stuff. their medium size ball head, and one of their Gitzo tripods. It's the best over-all setup and you won't regret it.

/T

 

[didjiman]

The whole point of the XPan is the portability. If you are going to use a tripod most of the time, you may as well crop from a 6x7 camera...

 

[Parkes Owen]

The whole point of the XPan is the portability. If you are going to use a tripod most of the time, you may as well crop from a 6x7 camera...

I agree, it`s a great camera to throw over your shoulder and just go for a walk, the only problem can be getting your horizons perfectly level if you are doing coastal/ beach scenes ect. The main reason I would use a tripod would be for motion blur in water, otherwise it`s hand held all the time!

 

[urban_alchemist]

I agree, it`s a great camera to throw over your shoulder and just go for a walk, the only problem can be getting your horizons perfectly level if you are doing coastal/ beach scenes ect. The main reason I would use a tripod would be for motion blur in water, otherwise it`s hand held all the time!

I'm finding that too... you just need to load it with fast film. I find Fuji Pro 400H to be my usual go-to film, but I'm planning on loading up with Neopan 1600 once this roll's done...

 

[Parkes Owen]

I'm finding that too... you just need to load it with fast film. I find Fuji Pro 400H to be my usual go-to film, but I'm planning on loading up with Neopan 1600 once this roll's done...

I`ve put a couple of rolls of neopan1600 in the xpan , and since then is now my favourite b&w film, and even shot it in bright sunlight with a 4x ND filter ( I know thats an odd thing to do! ) and loved the results. I think it`s time to get some more off *bay!😀

 

[raykoala]

what a beautiful camera. I just got my Xpan II kit too. Love it very much.
And just one question: is the center filter necessary or not?

thanks

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Ray. Congratulations on your purchase! Did you get yours from HK too?

 

[urban_alchemist]

what a beautiful camera. I just got my Xpan II kit too. Love it very much.
And just one question: is the center filter necessary or not?

thanks

Congrats on your camera and enjoy it in good health!

Please, if you can, post some photos up in this thread - sure we'd love to see them...

The use of the centre-filter depends on two things:

1. The aperture - light fall-off at the edges is pronounced (1-2stops) if wider than f8.0. If you can always stop-down to f8.0, no need for the centre filter no matter what film you're using...

2. What type of film you are using. C-41 and black-and-white tend to soak up the fall-off without too many problems. You may notice a slight vignetting, but I personally like it. For chromes, however, that's a different story. I tried to use Velvia 50 without a centre filter, and that horrid blueness crept out from the centre to the edges...

Anyway, another new shot for you just for the hell of it 🙂