F8 Photography - Latest Comments

Re: Eid al-Fitr in Hong Kong with Fuji GFX 110mm and 23mm

Jack B. Siegel — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 13:53:22 -0000

Fantastic work. Great portraits, great color. What fascinates me is that I would have never expected a gathering like this in Hong Kong. I didn't realize the Muslim population was so large.

Re: Sony RX1R2 - A photographers perspective - Manila to India

Daniel Chui — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 22:19:32 -0000

This blog post was really helpful and your photos are outstanding. Great work.

Re: Sony RX1R2 - A photographers perspective - Manila to India

EvilTed — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 00:00:56 -0000

So did you ditch Leica and move to Sony? I did but kept my old M3 and vintage glass, but that may go soon to fund more Sony :)

Re: Sony RX1R2 - A photographers perspective - Manila to India

Tan — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 14:02:24 -0000

Splendid photos!

I guess low performance is similar to the 7RII? And does it have issues with shutter/micro vibrations since it's a high pixel count camera without IBIS?

Would be interesting to hear more thoughts on the Godox bare bulbs and HSS.

Re: Sony RX1R2 - A photographers perspective - Manila to India

David Han — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 03:51:41 -0000

Great review! Your work is fantastic. Could you share the triggers and setup on the A7R2 that enables HSS on the Godox AD360 please? I have looked high and low for the right solution. Thank you!

Re: Sony RX1R2 - A photographers perspective - Manila to India

Greg Turner — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 03:29:13 -0000

Great work. Sensitive and fabulous use of colour.

Re: Sony RX1R2 - A photographers perspective - Manila to India

Ian Mylam — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 10:17:30 -0000

Great review Gary. I'm still thinking about whether to switch from Fuji X to Sony. Your AF set-up is genius.

Re: APEC 2015 - Exclusive access 'Behind the Scenes' to World Leaders

Trevsmith00 — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 06:16:21 -0000

Well done mate a great accolade for them to say they used Gary Tyson as their personal photographer LOL ;)

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Gary Tyson — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 13:02:12 -0000

Hi Thomas, I always just leave it on the normal metering (multi), and if I have very tricky lighting such as backlighting or very dark environment, i use the AEL button to lock exposure. I do the exact method with all my cameras as it works well for me, I can't be bothered changing the meter mode, I usually shoot quite fast and reactively and don't usually have time to think about it, hence the AEL button is the fastest way to have effectively a spot meter style metering from wherever i want in the scene when there's backlight, etc.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Thomas — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 04:42:48 -0000

Thank you, Gary! Awesome pictures, very helpful review! Could you please reveal your metering technique? In particular, I'd be interested in what kind of metering mode you're using (spot vs multi vs average metering).

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Arnold Newman — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 00:15:05 -0000

Thanks, Gary. That makes sense!

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

nickwalt — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 01:59:07 -0000

Thank you, Gary.

I very much liked your article, which has great clarity and detail. I'm currently in Thailand looking at buying either the X-T1, E-M1 or A7. I'm a beginning enthusiast coming from a Nokia Lumia 920 and initially wanted a small camera that I can carry around with me everywhere, all the time (like my smartphone). However, my desire for IQ and experimentation has caused me to consider larger and more capable cameras that aren't so pocketable, like the three above.

When checking out the A7 in the shop, I found that, contrary to what everyone else has been saying, it had a far clearer and larger EVA than the other two. I also found that the ability to isolate subjects with DOF was significantly better with the A7.

Also, contrary to what you have mentioned about the A7's IQ others have talked about Sony's lack of it on the A7. Specifically Thom Hogan, in his great write-up of the camera. I was quite surprised, and disappointed, as this camera seems to have all the features I desire in still and video imaging (I really, really wish Fuji had made the quality of video capture good). I've also seen a few people posting images online from the A7 and found them to be quite flat. I don't know what is going on there, although from what I understood from Thom the images likely need a bit of post.

From reading your write-up, it seems that Fuji gets a lot right straight out of the camera that negates the need for much correction in post. Ming Thein really likes the E-M1 but seems to do a bit of post, including the application of HDR techniques to produce a look that I particularly like. Actually, a look that I also found in quite a few of your images. Ming is also a stickler for getting focus absolutely bang on. Although, he doesn't seem to use DOF as much and this is possibly due to the limits of the E-M1. I loved the way the A7 can isolate and I see that you use DOF a lot in your images. The reduced DOF and low-light IQ in the E-M1 is all that is stopping me from getting that camera. I really liked the E-M1 body and handling, although the X-T1 grew on me as I played with them in the shop. The E-M1, with it's deeper grip, seems to demand a more disciplined approach to holding it.

I guess that because you tend to use manual focus a lot more you may not be worried about Fuji's poor implementation of the four-way selector buttons on the X-T1. I find that I want to be very specific about focusing (who doesn't?) and which point I need to focus on. Typically this point is not close to centre and so I need to manipulate the focus on the grid. The E-M1 is really great to do this with and the X-T1 is not. I did like the way the A7 would select focus point automatically but I haven't checked out the grid selection functionality.

I don't know which focal length is going to be the most suited to my engagement with the world (which will also likely change with experience and confidence) so will start off with the 18-55. I can fix the focal lengths to simulate operating with a prime only.

I think Arnold asked the question most on my mind, which was about juggling primes. It seems that most of the comments about focal lengths I am reading are from enthusiasts and most seem to be limiting themselves to wide angles, especially the 23mm "street lens". However, looking at your photos, it is absolutely clear that all focal lengths can be used for street. It is also really interesting that you don't use a prime longer than 85mm (equiv). This makes me question whether or not I actually need the 55-200 zoom for those "sideways glances" at the world.

I'm going back to the store today to also take a look at the D610 and 6D to establish a benchmark for the mirrorless cameras.

Cheers.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Gary Tyson — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:13:33 -0000

I usually carry 2 lenses (wide and long), shoot a lot of wide, then if i get into a situation for a few portraits or become more engaged with someone, i switch to portrait lens. That would usually be a 28mm and 75/85mm (full frame equivalents). Other times i may just use a 35mm or 50mm and make it work for both, i dont like zooms due to the speeds, for me the superior IQ from a prime and the fast aperture makes going back to zooms hard. I shoot a lot in lowish light and you may or may not be surprised to hear but the light in Hong Kong is quite atrocious most of the year, we are covered by a natural ND filter of pollution which takes away a lot of the good light, making fast lenses a much nice option. These days with higher ISO's of course a zoom is easily acceptable, but personally for me, i prefer primes....I did manage perfectly well a career as a military photographer with 3 x zoom lenses and no primes though...so take what I say with a pinch of salt, maybe I've just become snobbish! lol.

Re: VIDEO: Process Fuji X-T1 RAW files to black and white | F8 Photography

Clair Estelle Photography — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 10:31:14 -0000

a great lesson for photographers who use that little camera!

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Arnold Newman — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:26:26 -0000

Really enjoyed this review and your photography, Gary. As a long time zoom user who has considered investing in primes from time to time I have to ask how you managed all those lenses. Do you go out with all of them, some of them, or just pick one and look for compositions suited to the one you chose? I'm guessing with this subject matter that you don't see the comp and then switch to the most appropriate lens; it seems like that would take too long.

Re: Fuji X-T1 'wet review' at Songkran in Hong Kong | F8 Photography Hong Kong

Mike Croshaw Photos — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 03:58:09 -0000

Great post. The first fashion shoot I did with the XT-1 was in the pouring rain and I did the same as you, plastic bag over the seal between the lens and the camera and it worked great.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Julius Moosbrugger — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:12:29 -0000

Thank you for that interesting non technical review. I can admit your conclusions, also the poor battery life.

I also like your images und would really think about to purchase one of your workshops if europe would be a little bit closer to you.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

RussW — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 11:14:02 -0000

FYI when I called Fuji support and mentioned the focus hunting in C mode they said they were aware of the problem so am hoping a firmware fix is possible. My X-E2 has the same behavior so it's not X-T1 specific.
Also noticed that my controller buttons are not as good as the newer X-T1s- you might want to compare yours to a newer one. I'm hoping when I return mine to get the light leak fixed the buttons will also get fixed/replaced, we'll see.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Gary Tyson — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 10:03:08 -0000

Hi Bill, yes I did use the little flash, I thought I had posted 1 or 2 images on there with flash, looks like I didn't do that. But anyway, the flash capability of the tiny pop up one thats come with it is perfectly acceptable for fill-in and works well for its own exposure. I tried the camera with triggers to fire studio lights also and it was great.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Gary Tyson — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 10:01:09 -0000

I think the XPro2 will be a great camera also (unless its full frame, then all your lenses will need to be bigger to accomodate the extra sensor size....that may defeat the purpose and it will be back to DSLR size by the time you get a few lenses....hence why I believe currently the X-T1 is just right.

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Gary Tyson — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 10:00:02 -0000

I have not found too much problem with lag or blackouts, of course there will be some, its not optical viewfinder, its always going to be a compromise, but I believe its easily the best EVF currently available (as at April 2014).

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Paul S — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:19:19 -0000

Good review and great photos. About the camera, how does it behave between shots, can you follow a subject in the evf between shots or do you 'loose the subject' because of blackouts (S mode)?

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Alex — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 05:36:17 -0000

I'm not buying anymore cameras after reading posts..Anyway well done your review! I own X-E1 with several lenses and wondered about purchasing X-T1. I tried it in shop in Germany and seemed to me less rigid of what I expected, somewhat hollow plastic touch feeling. It reminded me to mid level Canon body. Of course that has nothing to do with it's performance, but I rather wait for X-Pro2 (probably an year more).
Cheers for the nice photos

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Bill — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 05:28:19 -0000

Nice pictures and good review. Did you use flash while you're there, and if so what are your thoughts?

Re: Fuji X-T1 review in Hong Kong, Korea & Cambodia

Gary Tyson — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 04:05:53 -0000

Thanks for this information, I can only compare to what I have tried, and I found the files to look much better than my X100s files did, especially comparing at F2 with the 35mm equivalent..It may just be the prime lens for the XT1 is superior but certainly doesn't have the mushy look that I was getting with X100s at F2. I no longer have the X100s so cannot do direct comparisons anymore, and of course all images are shot under different conditions so results will vary each time...then there's the different lenses that will produce different looks, etc....quite difficult to get any 2 files to look identical I think. Thanks for the info though, its useful to know if others are doing tests and not finding different results.