#463. Fuji's X-Pro2 - first look part 1

Mar 19

It’s 16 March and the frame counter now stands at 91. That’s less than a hundred images from which I can say the X-Pro2 is definitely a keeper.

It’s been hard to find an X-Pro. The international roll-out was delayed and Fuji hasn’t got around to a launch in South Africa yet, which is probably just as well. The country – led by our immensely hard working Minister of Finance – works to avoid a financial ratings downgrade and our government, led by a venal cabinet cabal built around our corrupt president, are equally determined to steal everything that isn’t nailed down.

Nett result? Our currency has been devalued by around 30% since December, making just about everything on our shelves – including photographic kit – ratchet up by a similar amount.

End of personal rant.

Derelict – Singapore. X-Pro2, 35mm f1.4 @ f5.6

Elsewhere – Singapore. X-Pro2, 35mm f1.4 @ f5.6

So, my purchase has been made during a visit to Singapore. Even that has been difficult, as there seems to be little stock still available following a very successful launch and acres of on-line pre-tests and enthusiasm.

Anyway, I got one yesterday. I also got a free 16Gb SD card from the highly recommended (by everyone, not just me) Cathay Photo, a second 16 gig card from Fuji, plus a leather case and a cleaning kit.

Today, less than 100 photographs later, I’ll say it was a good move.

Are you awesome? Singapore. X-Pro2, 35mm f1.4 @ f1.4

Bus stop – Singapore. X-Pro2, 35mm f1.4 @ f2.8

In use, the -2 feels like the -1, but better, more assured. Predictable might be a good word, as its focussing is much better, faster and less prone to the hunting which was something of a hallmark of it’s predecessor.

The mechanical shutter sounds more convincing, less “chick”, more gentle “thunk”.

Unwrapped and unboxed, one of the first things I’d wanted to try was the much reported Acros black and white film simulation. First though, I stole my -1’s fully charged battery to use in the -2 for setting-up purposes. There have been many reports of -2s dumping set-ups because the internal battery is insufficiently charged on unboxing and a less than full system battery not having sufficient charge to keep all the little chaps inside hard at work. So far, so good.

Studded carpet between the doors – Singapore. X-Pro2, 35mm f1.4 @ f2.8

Bar stools – Singapore. X-Pro2, 35mm f1.4 @ f3.2

Diving into the -2’s much improved menu system, I set it to record RAW and fine JPG – the Acros elves work on RAW sensor data to deliver beautifully toned black and white JPGs alongside the expected colour RAWs. I know that especially, because despite currently being in colourful Singapore, the black and whites are really arresting, I’m yet to test the colour option(s).

That’s about as far as I’ve got. To date, most of the images have been taken with Fuji’s 35mm f1.4 and a few with the 16mm f1.4. The 90mm f2 has also seen some action as you’ll see below.