It's Been A Year Now ...
Derek Smith • 4 January 2023
It has been just over a year now when I sold all my Olympus cameras, and lenses, and bought into the Fuji camera system with the purchase of a second-hand Fuji X-T3, and a second-hand lens the XF 35mm f/2 Fujinon, both delivered on Christmas Eve 2021. Adapting from the Olympus system has taken a while, getting used to the controls, and the colours has been a bit of a learning curve, but I am very pleased to have made the switch of camera systems.
Both of my Fuji cameras are X Mount APS-C mirrorless cameras, and the lenses are interchangeable between them. I like to think of my lenses as “tools” to achieve a particular result, each of my lenses has a focal length, or characteristic to capture a scene.
Fuji X-T3 – This is my principal camera, always feeling great in my hand, it is my workhorse, I have got used to the 26 MP APS-C X Trans sensor now, although it was quite a learning curve in the beginning. The analogue dials on the camera make for a great user experience, before turning the camera on I can set the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. The Manual, Single, or Continuous focus can also be selected via the front switch. As an example, during a recent photo shoot in a studio, equipped with studio flash soft boxes, I was able to set the ISO 160, aperture f/8, and 1/125 shutter before even switching the camera on. It was then a matter of adjusting the power on the flash units to obtain the correct exposure. The camera handles well, is water resistant, and dustproof. The features that I particularly wanted, that the Olympus didn’t have, was the focus point joystick, and the UHS II dual SD cards. Not especially worried about SD card failure, but it helps my image editing workflow to have the cards set to record .jpeg on one, and RAW on the other. The “D” pad on the rear of the camera, and the various buttons are all configurable.
Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 lens – This stabilised lens is nearly always mounted on my Fuji X-T3, it’s an extremely good camera / lens combination. With the lens having a versatile full frame equivalent of 24-120mm, and a constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range, the lens performs well, focuses close to a subject, and produces high quality images in all weathers.
Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4 – 5.6 lens – My telephoto zoom, stabilised, with an impressive performance, producing near macro close focus images. The lens compliments the 16-80mm zoom, making an ideal “twin lens” kit with the Fuji X-T3, coping with most scenarios including landscapes, and wildlife, the lens is also weather resistant and dust proof.
Fuji X-T20 – My “backup” camera, with a 24MP APS-C sensor, so much of an improvement ergonomically over the Sony A6300 I previously owned. Using this in combination with the Fuji X-T3 / XF 16-80mm zoom lens, and a prime lens mounted on the Fuji X-T20 to avoid lens changes. On recent outings this arrangement has served me well, using a wide-angle lens mounted on the X-T20, and the zoom lens on the X-T3. The Fuji X-T20 is also a great travel camera, being physically smaller, and lighter than the Fuji X-T3, with a useful “pop-up” flash. Because the Fuji X-T20 has only a single SD card slot, I usually take images in .jpeg format, with auto ISO selected as it lacks a dedicated ISO dial. All the buttons, and dials are configurable, so I have the AF-L button set to turn on the WiFi for image transfer, and the AEL button set to control the ISO, the “D” pad is configured the same as on the X-T3 camera for ease of switching between the cameras.
Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens – It may seem strange to have two 24 – 70mm full frame equivalent zoom lenses, but this is smaller, and lighter than the XF 16-80. This is the Fuji “kit” lens, but has far better resolution, and brighter aperture than most comparable “kit” lenses supplied by other camera manufacturers. The lens is stabilised and makes an excellent pairing with the Fuji X-T20.
Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 – In my opinion nothing beats a good prime lens, I enjoy my portraiture, and this lens is one of the best I’ve ever used. The lens is an unusual focal length, at about 75mm full frame equivalent, but I find this to be an ideal focal length especially for indoor, or studio shoots, I normally use this lens wide open at f/2 for natural light photoshoots. The lens is tiny, lightweight, and weatherproof.
Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 – Possibly my least used lens, nothing wrong with the lens, it’s a gem of a lens, tiny, lightweight, and weatherproof. Most of the photography experts recommend a “nifty fifty” 50mm focal length, and this 35mm is a full frame 50mm equivalent, and was the first Fuji lens I bought. I just don’t find that the 50mm focal length suits my photography, I had a 25mm (50mm equivalent) Olympus lens, but preferred either the Olympus pancake 17mm f/1.8 (34mm equivalent), or the Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens (90mm equivalent).
TT Artisans 27mm AF f/2.8 – My newest purchase, an "autofocus" third-party lens, I needed a small “pancake” lens to make the Fuji X-T20 a truly “pocketable” camera. I have been delighted with the size, and performance of this lens, it’s not the sharpest lens I own, but at just £160 brand new I have no complaints. The focal length is just right at a 40mm full frame equivalent, and I’ve been able to use this for street photography. For travel as part of a lightweight system, I will have the Fuji X-T20, the XF 18-55mm zoom, and this the TT Artisans 27mm lens. I used the Fuji X-T20, and the 27mm lens, shot wide open at f/2.8, at the Buffet & Quiz night, obtaining some interesting “impromptu” shots of members, the images were very pleasing, taken in only the room lighting, the auto ISO of 3200 still produced a quality image, and that for me is a real testament of the Fuji camera system.
Samyang 12mm AF f/2 – I deliberated between buying the Fuji 10-24mm zoom wide-angle lens, or a wide-angle prime lens. I had a manual version of this lens with my Sony APS-C camera and was impressed with the image quality, just never used it much. I’m well pleased with this lens, at an 18mm full frame equivalent focal length, I have extensively used this lens for landscape photography, and it has been a real boon for the church photography project.
So that is the summation of my Fuji camera system, I’m very pleased with the image quality, and usability of the cameras, and lenses. Routinely I would select a camera, and lens combination to suit the task. The Fuji X-T3 camera, 16-80mm, and 70-300mm lenses for wildlife. For landscapes the Fuji X-T3, the 16-80mm zoom, the Fuji X-T20 with the Samyang 12mm. Portraiture, must be the Fuji X-T3, the 50mm prime, the 16-80mm zoom, and the Fuji X-T20 with the 35mm prime lens, giving options to suit indoor room sizes, or outdoor locations.
The big advantage of any interchangeable lens camera of course, is being able to tailor the lenses needed to suit the intended genre of photography.
Louth Photographic Society

Good Morning All Last week at the club members had 15 minutes to show what they had done over the summer. It was a very interesting evening with eight members taking part. There were many locations on show and as usual some excellent photography. There is a full report on our blog. This week, Wednesday 16th September, we will be showing the N&EMPF exhibition, this is part one showing all the PDI's that were accepted. This is the highest standard of photography we as individuals take part in as a club. Members sent around 50 entries but only 3 were accepted. If you are inspired to enter the 2027 Exhibition after seeing the show, I send the clubs entries and I can give you more information. Closing date is the end of September. The Maximum size for N&EMPF is 1600 x 1200 3MB sRGB Harry is still taking entries for the monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry did ask about what can be accepted, and we couldn't really say as long as it's an object in the Air. The best way is to look up the definition of an object first. Harry is also accepting entries for the Local and Open competition in October. Robin is going to judge the Open competition, does anyone fancy judging the "Straight from the camera" category? Regards Graham

The Louth Photographic Society has returned after the summer break. It was an incredible return, with members providing us with some stunning images from over the summer break. A full, and varied smorgasbord of well executed photos, many of us visited Whitby, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and further north images from Staithes, and Sandbanks. Tony showed us his long exposure minimalist calming coastal scenes, from the Lincolnshire coast, and Whitby.. Chris brought us some beautiful photos taken of local churches, many of which many of us have never seen. Now I’ve never really seen the attraction of an expensive Leica camera, but when Mark showed his photos from his visit to the German Leica factory in Wetzlar, I now understand, camera bodies, and lenses milled from solid blocks of aluminium, hand polished, hand finished lens glass, and textured leather applied to the camera body, not a robot in sight, just craftsmen, and women making a superb photographic instrument. Sue brought us “pink” ladies driving tractors to raise money for cancer research. Last but definitely not least Richard showed his monochrome, and infrared images of trees, his compositions, and photographic eye bring these tree studies to life, we appreciate them even if some judges don’t understand. Many thanks to all of those members who contributed.

Good Morning All We spent last week on the Isle of Wight visiting many of the attractions. This week, Wednesday 9th September, we are back at the club with 15-minute PDI shows of what you did during the summer break, I have Derek Smith, Tony Gaskins, Harry Kerman, Chris Birchmore and Richard Hildred on the list, if I have missed you off, please let me know. I should be there but could be late as away playing golf. Harry is taking entries for the September PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry will miss the October local competition but will sort the entries out for us, The competition categories will be "Local-Not Edited" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so could do with two volunteers to judge. The local competition is a .jpeg photograph taken and straight from the camera, no cropping, or post processing etc, like the old days taken no more than 25 miles from St James church. Regards Graham

On Bank Holiday Monday I visited the Props, and Pistons Event at the East Kirkby Aviation centre. The event was well attended, with a good selection of various vehicles on display. The Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” was on display and did a couple of taxiing runs, so great to hear the Rolls Royce Merlin engines roar into life, also taxiing was the DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft, the “wooden wonder”. The first flypast was from the Hawker Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire, I didn’t manage to capture any acceptable photos of these iconic aircraft, as they were too small and fast for me. Later in the afternoon the second flypast aircraft was the American Martin B26 Marauder, as this was larger, and slower I did manage to take some photos as it flew overhead. The weather was kind, and I had a very enjoyable day out.

Good Morning All I was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham

NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.

When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.

I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.

I joined the NELPS outing at Chambers Farm Woods on Wednesday. The NELPS visit to Chamber Farm wood and butterfly garden was well attended, with several members from NELPS, Grimsby, Dunholme and Louth, kind thanks to all that came, although it was very hot the butterfly garden, being rather full and slightly unkept did not let us down with butterflies, two less common were seen, a Comma butterfly and a humming bird moth, with loads of very lively common blue butterflies. Most of the insects in the butterfly garden were highly active, and by the time an insect was spotted, it was off!! I managed to just about get an image of the Comma butterfly, and nobody stood a chance with the humming bird moth, it was too fast. The dragonfly was more accommodating remaining fairly still posing for us. The next NELPS outing will be to the Peoples Park in Grimsby on Wednesday 19th, I'm busy on that day, but I will be attending the meeting at the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum on Wednesday 26th. Many thanks to NELPS for organising these outings, it was a thoroughly pleasurable morning.





