This week Fujirumors dropped a bomb – Fujifilm is preparing an FF camera – most likely the successor to the X-Pro1. It didn’t take long for the Internet to go berserk. Immediately two opposing camps emerged. Some people reacted with outrage using words like “cheated” or “abandoned” as if the release of an FF Fuji camera somehow posed a threat to their photographic wellbeing. Others embraced the news, put their current cameras back into their boxes and started to prepare for the new arrival.
We admit this mass hypnosis affected us as well. After all, we do like the Fuji philosophy and their cameras; we use them every single day for our personal and professional work. We enjoy reading about them (here and here). We are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of APS-C and Full Frame cameras. Would we want to try a Full Frame camera from Fuji? Of course!
However, we must keep things in perspective. The occasional Internet hysteria around any camera release and us photographers’ role in it, reminds me of a famous novel, “Tilting at Windmills” by Cervantes. Like Don Quixote, who got himself embroiled in pointless endeavours, many photographers embroil themselves in imaginary battles. Instead of embracing their current tools and putting them to work to create stunning imagery, they indulge in a litany of false suppositions such as “If I only had this camera, I would take much better photos” or “If I had an FF I could…” Unfortunately, those internal struggles take away from your creativity. They could bite you so hard that you forget what this journey is all about. I know it from my own experience.
The truth is, there will be always another camera around the corner. If this frenzy gets hold of you, however, today’s opportunity to grab your camera and find this one magic stream of light, to make a composition of your lifetime, to create a stunning photograph will be gone forever. Each time I am excited about an upcoming camera, I just grab the tool I have, go outside and let my mind and eyes wander. After all, this may well be the day to create a perfect image.
The right time to deal with a new camera will come later, Full Frame or Not.
And here is the imagery we just captured with the Fuji X-T1, XF 14mm F2.8 & 56mm F1.2.
… and some B&Ws
© Olaf Sztaba Photography. All rights reserved.
Two opposing camps? – what about the middle ground, those of us who don’t change cameras like socks, and who will stick with a body/system for five or more years? We don’t have to “deal with the new camera”, ignoring it is also a valid option. Although probably not an option that creates good blog copy.
GS,
I take my hat off to you. I admire your “middle ground” stand and ability to withstand the temptation of acquiring new gear.
Regarding your comment on our blog: we always write what we think, not what is popular. Did you notice there are no ads on our blog and we don’t sell anything? Pure passion for photography – that’s what drives these pages.
Thanks for visiting.
Olaf
As one of those who’s eagerly awaiting the official announcement of a Fuji full-frame mirror-less, your post comes at just the right time. Wise words to always keep in mind:
“Each time I am excited about an upcoming camera, I just grab the tool I have, go outside and let my mind and eyes wander. After all, this may well be the day to create a perfect image.”
Thanks for this timely reminder.
Nick
Hi Olaf,
My I know your setting for the last picture before BW, i like the warm feel.
Br,
Mega – TX
Dear Mega,
Vibrance -27
Saturation -65
and a little bit of playing with split toning in Lightroom 5.
Thanks for visiting.
Olaf
Dear Olaf again wise words coming from you. Great analogy ‘if only I had such camera’ and kudos for quoting Cervantes. Yes one day Fuji making FF is exciting news, but it would still mean larger and heavier gear. We could choose smaller or larger Fujis cameras according to need and taste, which is a good thing.
Most people getting in school yard level of arguments about APSC or FF do not realise how far cameras have gone in the last 15 years and how lucky we all are to have so many good cameras to choose from, whatever their sensors size.
You are right: get out today, take good pictures with the camera you have. I very much like the reflection of the house picture.
Best,
Guillaume
Very nice set of pictures, and I enjoyed your thoughts on the Fuji/next camera hysteria!
I’ve really valued full-frame. I’ve appreciated the quality I’ve had from those cameras. I delighted in their capacity for A1 and A0 landscapes. But Fuji snuck up on me. Strangely over the past year or so, my go-to camera increasingly became the X100. A camera I’d first purchased as nothing more than a convenience.
But that darned X100 sure turned my head. So much so, that today my once absolute “never-leave-home-without-it” demand for full-frame has become a thing of the past. My 15kg plus kit became part of the growing stream of full sized DSLR bodies and pro lenses that have or are currently making their way to market.
Today an X-T1, 23, 10-24 and 18-55 (to be swapped for the 16-55 as soon as its released) seem as capable of finding that “magic stream of light” that Olaf speaks of, and creating A1 or A0 fine art prints as ever those full-frame bodies did.
Would the advent of a Fuji full-frame in 2015 finally be of interest to me? Sure. Or at least, maybe. But in the meantime, I’m with Olaf. Let Don Quixote tilt at the windmills. Between now and whenever, I intend to contentedly capture many, many “streams of light” with what I now delight to have and hold.
Yeah well, if I lived where you live I could take shots like that too! (just kidding)
I like the shot of the boat ‘Mermaid’. Beautiful textures and colours, and the subject matter makes me curious – I want to know the history of the boat. Your choice of BW treatment on the last one brings timelessness. Nicely done.
As for the matter at hand…
I can’t get my head around the intensity of feeling on the subject. Sure, I get that if Fuji abandoned the cropped sensor X line than a lot of people would be in a tough spot. Really though, how is this even remotely a possibility? As for the full frame horror itself, I agree that either way it doesn’t prevent the making of art today. If Fuji does do it, I bet they do it well. In the meantime, your advice seems sound – let’s make photographs.