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Posts Tagged ‘XPro’

The Fujifilm X-Pro 3: Marvellous or Mistake?

29 Sep

The post The Fujifilm X-Pro 3: Marvellous or Mistake? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.

Image: A marvelous innovation or a stupid mistake? Whatever your opinion, the new Fuji X-Pro 3 defin...

A marvelous innovation or a stupid mistake? Whatever your opinion, the new Fuji X-Pro 3 definitely has people talking.

Cameras are pretty similar these days. We all want the same things. Better dynamic range, better high ISO performance, and better autofocus. 

Really, if you look at the majority of cameras out there at the moment, there are few things that set them apart. That was until Fuji dropped the X-Pro 3. 

They did what with the screen?

In an incredibly bold move (or stupid, depending on which blogs you read), Fuji has done away with the standard rear LCD screen of the camera. They’ve replaced it with a much smaller screen.

It simply displays the key exposure information, or in a nod to the film cameras of days gone by, an image of the film simulation you are using.

The rear screen is not entirely gone though (although they apparently considered it). Instead, it is hidden from view and accessed via flipping it down from the rear of the camera.

Fuji claim this is to stop photographers spending time “chimping” and spending more time with the viewfinder to their eye instead, concentrating on making images.

Pure photography

Fuji launched the camera at the recent Fuji Summit where the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 was announced with a theory of Pure Photography.

The 3 elements of pure photography are:

Carry and access

You need to carry the camera and access the subject. This stated the camera has to be small, light and discreet. They state the camera should be an extension of your eye. This is then followed by talking about the durability of cameras.

Find and frame

You need to find the subject and frame it to get the best composition. Fuji stated that the viewfinder is the most important part of finding your composition.

Shoot to express

This is simply pressing the shutter and capturing the photograph. You don’t need to check a rear screen or distract yourself, you simply need to press the shutter. 

This concept is definitely summed up in the Fujifilm X-Pro 3. Personally, the idea of removing distraction is appealing, and I’m sure I’m not alone. However, whether this camera has mass-market appeal remains to be seen. Fuji’s X-Pro line (including the x-Pro 1 and X-Pro 2) has always been a favorite of street photographers, and this is how Fujifilm are marketing the camera and the pure photography concept. They are marketing to those who want discretion and to focus purely on making the image.

I can imagine many wedding photographers loving this camera too. Not only for the discretion it offers when shooting, but for the fact that you will be thankful for the lack of a screen every time a tipsy relative asks, “give us a look.” It may even suit travel photographers.

OK, they killed the screen, but what else?

The Fujifilm X-Pro 3 had a couple of other things that are worth mentioning – starting with the choice of materials.

The use of titanium is something that Fuji has surprised many with. Titanium is more durable and lighter than the alloys seen in most modern cameras. Titanium is also notoriously hard material to work with, so we should applaud Fuji by the use of this in the X-Pro 3.

This means that the XPro 3 should stand up to the beating a working professional will give it.

Not only is it made of titanium, but it gives you three color options. You can get the X-Pro 3 in black, DURA black and DURA silver. DURA is a special type of coating that is ten times stronger than stainless steel in terms of scratch resistance.

It feels like Fuji built this camera for war zones.

Image: Available in 3 different finishes, two of which are designed to make the titanium body even m...

Available in 3 different finishes, two of which are designed to make the titanium body even more resistant to wear and tear.

The X-Pro 3 has Fuji’s hybrid viewfinder system. Fuji has upgraded this for the new model. It is set to be clearer, with a wider field of view and less distortion than previous models. The electronic viewfinder is also upgraded (as you would expect) to offer a higher frame rate, higher contrast, and a wider color space – finally, a set of specs that fit into the traditional camera upgrade.

The lack of a screen is something that differentiates the X-Pro 3 in Fuji’s camera lineup. In fact, this differentiates them from the camera market as a whole right now. Fuji has aimed this camera at a specific type of photographer. It remains to be seen whether there are enough of their market to allow this camera success.

If you want to watch the whole of the XSummit announcement, you can view it below. If you’re just interested in the X-Pro 3, skip to about 1:10 or so.

What are your thoughts on the Fujifilm X-Pro 3? Is it something that you are intrigued by? Or, did Fuji just make one hell of a mistake? Let me know in the comments below.

fujifilm-x-pro-3

The post The Fujifilm X-Pro 3: Marvellous or Mistake? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.


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Godox XPro TTL Flash Trigger Review with Phil Steele [video]

03 Feb

The post Godox XPro TTL Flash Trigger Review with Phil Steele appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.

In this video, photography educator Phil Steele reviews the Godox XPro TTL Flash Trigger. While reviewing the Godox unit, he also makes a comparison to other flash triggers he uses; the Yongnuo YN622 and the Phottix Odin. The unit is available for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, and Pentax.

So, if you are looking to do more flash photography, you should watch this handy review. You may be surprised at the features this unit packs, especially the cross-brand compatibility. Find out more in the video.

 

You may also find the following articles helpful:

How to Trigger an Off-Camera Flash with the Pop-up Flash

8 On-Camera Flash Tips: How To Get Better Lighting From Your On-Camera Flash

Bounce Flash Secrets – Bouncing Your Way to Better Photography

DIY Lighting Hacks for Digital Photographers

How to Understand the Difference Between TTL Versus Manual Flash Modes

How to Make Beautiful Portraits Using Flash and High-Speed Sync

 

If you want to learn more from Phil, check out some of his video courses covering topics like event photography, Lightroom, headshots and more on steeletraining.com.

The post Godox XPro TTL Flash Trigger Review with Phil Steele appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.


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Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

06 Jun

Shopping for a tripod may be one of the most complicated endeavors a photographer can take on. Lights, lenses and other accessories are pretty easy. Most things on the market in these instances are relatively similar and the differences can be negligible. With tripods, that is not the case.

There are so many options at every price point on the market that it’s hard to choose. In my case, I went through various models at the cheaper and middle-grade ends of the market with varying results. At first, the cheaper models were fine. All that I used them for was tabletop work, where if I didn’t knock it by accident, there was little chance of movement.

But as I started to get outside more for landscape photography, the downfalls of using a cheap tripod became apparent immediately. Upgrading to middle-grade models did little to solve the problem. Still fine in a studio environment, they always underperformed on location.

Finding the Right Tripod

Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

This all changed when I visited the Manfrotto stall at a trade show in the UK. At first, I thought it was going to be another case of being overwhelmed by choice with no apparent differences in the various models. That was more or less exactly what happened. That is until I spotted the Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head. Within two minutes of fiddling about with it, I knew that it was exactly what I had wanted for the past few years.

With a tripod head chosen, I just needed to find a set of legs. Going through the selection of tripod legs, none of them felt right. They were all either too heavy, too short, or the controls were too awkward. Just as I was about to give up, I spotted the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod. It was perfect. Lightweight, a maximum height just above my eye level, sturdy carbon fiber construction and easy, but firm controls added up to everything I had given up on finding.

The Legs

The Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fibre Tripod has a few relevant features.

Carbon Fiber Construction

This is pretty self-explanatory, but the carbon fiber build on this tripod is excellent. Despite being quite lightweight at 4.6 pounds (2kg), it’s still tough as nails.

I once gave up on a landscape location after 15 minutes because of gale force winds. When I got home, I realized the frames were all sharp with no signs of camera movement.

This thing is sturdy. Any of the other half dozen tripods I’ve used in the past decade or so probably would have snapped in half on that occasion. (An exaggeration of course, but it doesn’t feel like one.)

landscape scene - Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

I gave up on this location after 15 minutes because of really strong winds. When I got home, I realized the tripod held its own and there was no sign of camera shake despite the weather.

Here’s a little bonus:

All of my previous tripods have been aluminum. As it’s difficult to operate tripods with thick gloves on cold winter days, they were quick to become painful when used or carried for any amount of time. One of the first things I noticed about this tripod is that the legs never got truly cold, even in the worst weather.

At first, I thought I was making this up and it was psychosomatic, but when you have poor circulation as I do, these things are really noticeable. A bit of research showed that heat conduction with carbon fiber is vastly lower than it is with aluminum. If you have poor circulation and carrying cold metal in the winter is painful to you, even with gloves, try carbon fiber. It may give you a bit of relief that you weren’t expecting.

Controls

All of the clasps, knobs, and levels on the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod work beyond well. All of the knobs can be tightened with small movements and loosened just as easily. Gone are the days where I would have to spend ages tightening down a knob with all my strength only for it to still not be tight enough. In this case, Manfrotto’s engineers have outdone themselves. Twist and go.

The clasps that hold the legs in place are strong, but they’re designed so they are easy to use, even while wearing thick gloves. At first, it seemed like getting the clasps open was a bit tough. But once you get used to the amount of pressure you have to apply to get them to open and close, you begin to appreciate how much force is keeping the legs in position.

Just don’t close your fingers in them. That would hurt a lot.

leg clasps on the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

The clasps on the legs are strong and require a bit of effort to open and close, but they do their job really well.

Height

Without the head, the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod has a maximum height of 66.9” (170cm). This stat alone could have caused me to not give this tripod a second glance had it been any shorter. There have been too many occasions, when on location, that I couldn’t get the shot because I couldn’t get the tripod positioned over a normal size barrier like a fence or railing.

It was frustrating, which is why height was a major consideration in choosing my next tripod. The problem is, every single tripod I looked at that had a similar height and the taller ones were significantly more expensive. This tripod, however, sits at exactly the height I was after and was just inside the budget I was willing to spend.

Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head - tripod height

Fully extended, the Manfrotto 055 comes to (just about) my eye level, making it the perfect height for me.

Spirit Level

tripod spirit level - Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

The body of the Manfrotto 055 features a spirit level that moves independently from the rest of the tripod and the head. You can put it in any position around the center column. Although the XPRO ball head features two spirit levels already, this third one makes sure that you have visual access to a level at all times.

Size

Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

When folded up, the Manfrotto 055 is small and easy to carry around.

Despite being just shy of six feet when fully extended, when it’s compacted the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod folds up quite small. With the head detached, it fits neatly into the small carry-on suitcase that I fly with. On location, I can slip one of the legs through the straps on the side of my camera bag and it only sticks out a few extra inches.

Tripod Design

detail of tripod leg - Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

It may be a weird thing to say about a tripod, but this one sure is pretty.

As an aside, it’s worth mentioning the design aesthetics of both the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fibre Tripod and the XPRO Ball Head. Considering that we’re talking about a tripod, they both look really good.

The carbon fiber legs feature a pleasing pattern and the whole thing has a generous dose of metallic red that looks good to the eye. Now, aesthetic design is the last thing that you should ever consider when choosing a tripod, but as it exists here, it’s worth a mention.

Perhaps it’s a symptom of that fabled Italian design, or perhaps it just reflects the price point. Either way, don’t buy a tripod because it looks good, but this one does all the same.

The Ball Head

In short, the Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head is a dream. As mentioned, it’s exactly what I have always wanted in a tripod head.

tripod ball head - Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

If you don’t know what a ball head is, imagine an old trackball mouse (if you can). The tripod plate is mounted on the ball which in turn moves freely in its mount until you clamp it down. This allows you to move the camera freely to any position within the head’s range of movement, and clamp it into position with the twist of a knob or two.

Ball heads are ridiculously convenient and easy to use.

Dedicated landscape photographers whom may balk at the thought of jaunty angles may choose other options, such as pan and tilt heads, but I shoot landscapes for fun when I can. The versatility and ease of use of a ball head in the studio or for a portrait session make it ideal for multiple disciplined photographers.

Ball Head Controls

ball head controls - Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

Both knobs that hold the ball in place (yes, there are two) are strong and tighten with short, effortless movements.

Like the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod, the controls of the XPRO Ball Head are very well designed and easy to use. Movements of the knobs that hold the head in your desired position are slight, yet they hold fast without any slippage.

On top of that, there are two knobs to hold the ball in place, creating a layer of redundancy when it really counts. The same applies to the other mechanisms and controls. They all work perfectly and in the time I’ve been using the tripod, nothing has slipped yet.

Spirit Levels

levels on the tripod ball head - Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head

The Manfrotto XPRO Ball head features two spirit levels in perpendicular orientations that make it easy to ensure that your shots are level.

Price

You may be thinking that I’m waxing a bit too lyrical about the virtues of this tripod and head. I promise, it really is that good, but there is a significant downside. All that greatness comes at a cost.

At $ 379 for the legs and $ 139.95 for the head, this is not a cheap piece of equipment. If you’re using it a lot, that price is fine, but if you’re looking for a tripod for the occasional landscape foray, this tripod is probably not for you. Likewise, if you’re only using it in a studio for static subjects, you can easily get away with a less expensive model.

Conclusion

As you can gather from the write-up, this tripod works very well when in use. It’s sturdy, with easy controls that work quickly and fluidly. It’s lightweight and does what it says on the box.

If you’re looking for a quality tripod and head combo that’s a workhorse, do consider the Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and the XPRO Ball Head combo. It does exactly the job it’s meant to with finesse. Yes, it’s an expensive bit of kit, but the price point reflects the quality.

A good tripod is a great investment, one you will not have to repeat if you choose wisely.

The post Review: Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fiber Tripod and XPRO Ball Head appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Manfrotto introduces six new monopods for XPRO range

13 Feb
From the top down, Prime, Over and Land monopods from Manfrotto

Tripod and accessory manufacturer Manfrotto has announced a total of six new monopods that it has added to the XPRO range, including models in carbon fiber as well as aluminum. The models cover three families of monopods: Prime for the heaviest equipment, Over for those who need height but for lighter kit, and Land for traveling.

The Prime models come in three variants, one of which has four sections and is made of carbon fiber. The other two are aluminum, and one of those features a pop-out three-leg support system that is concealed within the lower leg section. The Prime models can support up to 10kg / 22lbs and offer a maximum height of 168cm / 66.14in.

The Over series can support up to 7kg / 15.43lbs, and offer heights of up to 176cm / 69.29in, while there is only one Land monopod – a 5-section model which packs down to 41.5cm / 16.3in and weighs only 0.7kg / 1.5lbs. It can hold 6kg / 13.23lbs and can open to 141cm  / 55.51in.

Each of the models offers dual 1/4in and 3/8in threads and Manfrotto’s new Quick Power Lock leg clamps, as well as D-shaped tubing to help prevent rotation.

For more information visit the Manfrotto websiite.

Model Material Leg Sections  Price
 Prime Aluminum 3 £54.95
 Prime with legs Aluminum 3 £99.95
 Prime Carbon Fiber 4 £149.95
 Over Aluminum 4 £69.95
 Over Carbon Fiber 5 £169.95
 Land Aluminum 5 £69.95

US pricing is not yet available.

MANFROTTO PRESENTS: NEW XPRO MONOPODS

Manfrotto, world leader in the photography, imaging equipment and accessories industry, announces a new photo monopods range: the New XPRO MONOPODS. These products bring the premium style and performance of the 055 and 190 series tripods on single-legged camera supports and are superbly designed and crafted for professional and advanced photographers. The new XPRO MONOPODS range consists 6 of new models of the PRIME, OVER and LAND monopods.

COMPACTNESS, PORTABILITY & PAYLOAD
With 6 new models available – 4 in aluminium and 2 in Carbon Fibre, the new XPRO MONOPODS come in different sizes and with ¼” or 3/8” mounting threads.

The PRIME Monopods provide the highest payload in the range and are able to support up to 10kg (22lbs) of weight. Available in 3 models (2 aluminium and 1 carbon fibre), one features a unique retractable mechanism that allows the three feet to fully disappear inside the last tube – only coming out when needed.

The OVER Monopods have increased the maximum height by 16% more than previous model, widening the shooting angles’ versatility whilst still maintaining remarkable compactness. Available in aluminium and carbon fibre.

Extending the range further, the LAND Monopod is a 5 section monopod ideal for travelling. It folds down to 41.5 cm (32.6 in) for easy transportation and can be packed into Manfrotto backpacks or messenger bags. Available in aluminium only.

EASE OF USE & STABILITY
The New Quick Power Lock provides stability of use to all XPRO MONOPODS and a fast locking grip, which can be released with a single hand movement.

The D-shaped tubes greatly improve the anti-rotation resistance allowing for a solid locking grip by eliminating jerky movements.

Remove problems of vibration, speed and portability with the New XPRO MONOPODS: suitable for Sport photography, Bird watching, Travelling and Nature photography.

Prices from £54.95. For more information, please visit www.manfrotto.co.uk

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Manfrotto launches XPRO Ball Head

26 Jun

Manfrotto has launched the XPRO Ball Head in the UK, joining existing fluid and geared heads in the XPRO lineup. It is offered with Arca-Swiss compatible Top Lock and 200PL camera plates and features a spherical locking mechanism alongside a Triple Locking System, the latter of which stabilizes the camera’s position and keeps it from drifting via a trio of wedges. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Manfrotto releases XPRO Geared tripod head for precision adjustments with heavy kit

05 Mar

Italian tripod and accessory manufacturer Manfrotto has announced it is introducing a new heavy-weight head to its XPRO range. The XPRO Geared Head is designed for photographers who use weighty equipment and who like to be able to make precise adjustments to their composition. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Fujifilm launches updated grips for X-E and X-Pro cameras

15 Jan

MHG-XE_X-E2.png

In amongst the product releases of the past few months, Fujifilm announced a pair of accessory grips for its X-E and X-Pro cameras. The MHG-Xpro and MHG-XE improve on the original HG designs by providing continued access to the cameras’ battery/card compartments. In addition they reposition the tripod mount so that it’s in line with the optical axis. The MHG-XPro and HMG-XE are available now priced at $ 150 and $ 130 respectively.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Luxury Campground Getaway, Huettenpalast Campground, Fuji X-Pro 1 Globe-Trotter

26 Jan

In this episode of AskMen Aspire, we look at the Huettenpalast Campground, the Doubleback camper, & Fuji’s X-Pro 1 Globe-Trotter camera kit! Huettenpalast Campground www.huettenpalast.de Doubleback www.doubleback.co.uk Fuji X-Pro 1 Globe-Trotter fujifilm-x.com AskMen: www.askmen.com Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com Follow us on Foursquare: foursquare.com Let us know know your opinions by commenting below!
Video Rating: 3 / 5

 
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Zack Arias and the Fuji X-Pro 1 Shoot Up the Streets of Atlanta

07 Dec

If you ask 10 different photographers what makes a great photograph, you’lll surely wind up with 10 different answers. However, there are three constants: a subject, a photographer, and a camera. For our new series, Shots Fired, we wanted to put the hottest cameras in the hands of the best photographers and let them loose to shoot whatever subjects their hearts desired. First up we have Zack Arias, an editorial and commercial photographer based in Atlanta who describes his style as “simple, straightforward, bold, classic, true, and straight from camera.” His work has been featured in TIME, USA Today, and AFP. He’s also done some work for Sony Music, BMI, and Elektra. His resume is serious. You can head to his personal site to learn more. For the first episode Arias brings along one our favorite cameras of the moment, the retro-styled, ICL Fuji X-Pro1, and takes us on a tour of his native ATL.

 
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