[Keithwee] Preview of The Fujifilm X-Pro 2 : The ‘Pro’ returns.


keithwee

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4 years ago today in Jan 2012, the now classic Fujifilm X-Pro1 with the XF35mm F1.4R lens was announced.

Since then, with the advent of the propriety X-Trans I sensor, Fujifilm X mount has grown with many of us supporters of the X-Pro1 waiting for its successor, the X-Pro 2.

In fact, one may see the full X-mount system at : http://fujifilm-x.com/en/

And today, 15 Jan 2016 – Fujifilm is now proud to announce the return of the ‘Pro’, the X-Pro 2.

Presenting the Fujifilm X-Pro2.

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Shot taken with the help of Mr Ng Tiong Jin​

Sexy and worth the 4 year wait? ;)

Read on to find out.
 

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The wait for the next iteration of the X-Pro series is unique in that it has skipped a generation of the propriety X-Trans sensor, and yes, the X-Pro2 comes equipped with a newly developed 24 megapixels X-Trans CMOS III sensor and of course, a new high performance X Processor Pro Image processing engine.

Some have asked why a skip. Well, Fujifilm like any brand will love to sell more cameras and could have just done an X-Trans II embedded X-Pro 2 but to them the X-Pro 2 is an model that represents the epitome of X-mount, and of course – must present the best of the 80 years old experience that Fujifilm has as a photographic film manufacturer.

Overall, Fujifilm has kept to the rangefinder design of the X-Pro1 but on closer look, one will notice an overall haul to the buttons placement and more on that later.

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Fujifilm: Evolution to Revolution.
(photo by Mr Tan Chye Guan)​
 

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Truthfully speaking, the spec sheet is very long and I am just going to post a quick run-through of the specs we will want to know about the X-Pro2.

A newly developed 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor combined with a new high-performance X Processor Pro image processing engine achieves even faster autofocus, lower noise and both tonal and color reproduction that surpasses the previous X-Trans II sensor.

A world first advanced Hybrid Multi Viewfinder offering the benefits of both optical and electronic viewfinders featuring a Multi-Magnification function that automatically switches viewfinder magnification according to the lens in use and an Electronic Rangefinder that simultaneously displays the electronic viewfinder on top of the optical viewfinder.

The EVF comes equipped with 2.36 million dots with display speed improved from the 54fps of the previous model to a maximum speed of 85fps.

New focal plane shutter with a top speed of 1/8000 sec. and flash sync up to 1/250 sec, and yes, the shutter is now much quieter with lesser vibrations.

A robust, weather resistant body with the camera’s chassis made from four pieces of magnesium alloy and is sealed in a total of 61 points on each section, making it dust-proof, splash-proof and capable of operating in temperatures as low as -10°C.

Dual SD card slots, for more reliable image storage.

A new ACROS Film Simulation mode. Harnessing the high processing performance of the X Processor Pro, this mode produces smooth tones, deep blacks and rich textures that are far superior to conventional monochrome modes and a new Grain Effect mode adds graininess to photographs.

One hall mark of the Fujifilm X-mount cameras has been the placement of physical dials for the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and exposure values and the X-Pro2 sports new dials machined from aluminium and seasoned users will have no issues transiting to the X-Pro2.

Of interest is a 2 tiered ISO/Shutter speed dial which is a refreshed version of the one similar to the Pentax Spomatic , allowing one full glance of all important settings without even having to power on the camera.

A command dial position (C) has been added to the exposure compensation dial. Selecting this function switches exposure compensation operation to the front command dial and expands the range to ±5EV.
 

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Weather resistance has always been a big question mark thrown forward by Fujifilm’s critics.
So what did I do? :p

I contacted Fujifilm and told them I will be stress testing the WR of the X-Pro2, XF35/2 setup. To me, there’s no point writing so much when a photo can say it all.

No lame tricks like pouring a cup of water slowly over the setup, nothing weak like using a water spray to spray mists of liquid over it.

Let’s do something more proper.

We have the X-Pro2 placed in the middle of a water spray in a children’s fountain playground and left to be utterly wet. Quite hard to find weather conditions that beats this, after all – if its heavier than this, one will probably be under shelter.

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Both images shot with the help of Mr Ng Tiong Jin​

Obviously, good maintenance habits to follow up were done.

P.S: anyone, if you are not sure what’s ‘water proof’ vs ‘weather resistant’, do yourself a favour by asking someone who knows lol
 

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Performance: Shooting and AF

The moment one switches the X-Pro2 on and proceeds to shoot, you will realise that AF is much more confident now, and simply – faster. Sure, its not MFT standards blazing fast but it will exceed or match the AF speeds of most flagship models from the other brands.

The X-Pro1 era gave 49 selectable AF points (LCD), 25 (OVF), and the X-Pro2 now gives you 77 selectable AF points now – and on top of that, a joystick on the back panel to allow one to switch AF points fast.

Using the joystick was easy and straightforward, but there were times I wished that it would respond faster and that’s a firmware update I will definitely look forward to.

For further versatility, the X-Pro2 brings the digital split to the next level, instead of B&W, one now has the option to engage the digital split screen in full color. You shoot in color, why settle for B&W to focus?

Lastly, the X-Pro2 comes with UHS-II support. A quick test at 8 fps allowed one to shoot at Continuous high for 20 seconds before any noticeable lag in writing appeared.

A video for the X-Pro2 (credits to the original owners) showing the OVF in action.

[video=youtube;RsCN0LP3p5Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsCN0LP3p5Q[/video]
 

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I had the X-Pro 2 for around 2 weeks ;) and what’s better to show for the new X-Trans III sensor other than some images?

Above Astia, Standard, Velvia, Pro-Neg, Classic Chrome and Velvia – the X-Pro2 comes with a new film simulation:

Acros B&W.

Lets take a look.

Disclaimer:

1. the X-Pro2 I was loaned was a pre-production model running pre-production firmware.
2. All images shared are JPEG SOOC, only cropped and adjusted for highlights/shadows in LR. There was no support for the X-Pro2 RAW files back then.
3. The camera was returned to Fujifilm Asia Pacific at the end of the loan period and I was not paid at all in any form for the preview.
4. I shot almost 100% using Fujifilm’s film simulations on the X-Trans III sensor, mostly in Standard, ProNegH, Classic Chrome and B&W and I have my own preferred in camera settings for them.
5. the lenses used for each shot are labelled as far as possible and they are all my personal copies.
 

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XF18 F2

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XF56 F1.2

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XF18 F2

Yes, X-Trans III renders colours differently from X-Trans II and of course X-Trans I. Colours are even more natural in some film simulations with the option for one to adjust the level of Grain.

Don't forget the new 24 megapixels sensor now captures even more details.
 

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XF23 F1.4

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XF35 F2

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XF35 F2

the versatility of the X-mount allows me to use the X-Pro2 across multiple shooting situations. From compact setups like the X-Pro2 and with XF18 , portraits with the XF56 , everyday shoots with the XF35 and even the XF23 and XF55-200.
 

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XF35 F2

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XF35 F2 - ACROS with Grain effect

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XF18 F2

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XF18 F2

remember these are all SOOC JPEGs and RAW development was not supported during the time of writing this preview.
 

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XF23 F1.4

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XF18 F2

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XF35 F2

Action? No prob.
 

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XF23 F1.4 ACROS with Grain effect

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XF23 F1.4 ACROS

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XF35 F2 ACROS with Grain effect

The ACROS film simulation gives one new boundaries to work with, especially with the Grain Effect coming in 3 levels from Weak to Strong.
 

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XF18 F2

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XF18 F2

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XF18 F2

Visiting the abandoned villa by the Haw Par brothers at Coney island. Details were exceeding with very good colours.
 

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XF35 F2

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XF35 F2

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XF18 F2 Grain Effect
 

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XF35 F2

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XF23 F1.4

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XF35 F2

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XF18 F2

Complaints of Fujifilm AF too slow? With X-Trans III, I shot a wedding with the XF18 F2 mounted on the X-Pro2 with the i40 flash.
 

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a few weeks with the X-Pro2 and I will say I thoroughly enjoyed using this camera and that I have only managed to utilise and explore probably lesser than 3/4 of its capabilities and functions.

I shot a total of a close to a thousand images and here's sharing around 30 images across the different film simulations with grain being added for the ACROS film simulation shots.

yes, X-Mount has finally matured.

And did I mention that a professional level flash the EF-X500 is also being announced together with the X-Pro2, X70, XF100-400 and X-E2S? :bsmilie:

Thank you for the time reading and I shall end my preview with this:

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Some of the previews/reviews I’ve done previously for Fujifilm Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd are:

1. Fujion XF16mm F1.4 R WR at http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1514916
2. Fujifilm X-T10, Fujion XF90mm F2 R LM WR at http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1523181
3. Fujifilm X-A2, XC 16-50 II kit
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1513374
4. Fujifilm Year Album Service
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1563394

Thank you !
 

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Dear all, X-Pro2 preorder.

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X-Pro2 launch event.

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Pre-orders for the X-Pro2 has ended and here's the current package for the X-Pro2 at retailers (note , poster shows SRP, street prices may differ)
 

Thanks for the link. Nice to read a little more about XPro2 even if the price is quite prohibitive!