Is the Fujifilm X System Good Enough for Professional Photographers?
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- In this week's video, I'll be giving an extended answer to a question I get quite a bit: Is the Fujifilm X system good enough for professional photography? Rather than just say yes or no, I thought it would beneficial (if a little long winded) to explain why and offer a framework for considering which camera system might work best for your business.
Gear from this Video:
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XF 23mm f/1.4 - amzn.to/3mYuKRG
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
5:30 - Size and Weight
7:07 - Colours
8:39 - Autofocus
12:39 - Low Light Performance
13:47 - Resolution
17:44 - Depth of Field
20:07 - Lenses
22:23 - Reliability
25:43 - Conclusion
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The fact that fuji makes premium and professional aps-c cameras is a bit of a miracle. Most manufacturers use the aps-c format as a cost saving consumer format.
True. I think this is one of the big reasons for their continued investment in the X system. They're making a system with very few peers at this point.
The Answer is simple: Fuji is to small to compete with Canon, Nikon AND Sony. But because these three Companies focus on 35mm Sensor Bodies no real competition in APS-C. Same with their More than 35mm GFX System.
@@DSP16569 it’s a bit of a master
stroke in terms of strategy, really! Similarly, Panasonic and Olympus/OM have nicely cornered the m43 market. Fuji were also very quick to go the mirrorless route. To make a dent in the Canon/Nikon digital camera monopoly of the early 2000s has been a great effort. Only Sony have done better. Fuji should continue to grow as more Fuji and third party lenses become available. It’s a very young system still, relatively
Thanks! I can only refer to my own experience, I was a Canon shooter and I switched over to Fujifilm about 6 years ago and I don't regret it. I use mainly the X-Pro3 and the X100V and, as I don't shoot sports, I'm covered 99% of the time. For landscape and studio portraiture I might rent the GFX 50R from time to time and everything is fine.
Now most of my former Canon colleagues moved over to Sony and are happy about it and all of my Leica friends stick to their beloved cameras, which I can understand but can't justify professionally as they're too expensive for the ordinary photographer I am.
Finally many former Nikon photographers moved back to... Nikon and I don't know if it's out of nostalgia or because their new cameras are better than Fujifilm's. At the end of the day what matters to me is image quality, portability, compactness, discretion and inspiration, which I get a 100% with Fujifilm. But that's just me 😉
Anyway whatever system you capture images with, keep doing so and have fun!
... by far one of the best explanations and assessments about a camera system on the internet ever! Very clear and understandable. Very well structured and undogmatic. You nailed it!. Brilliant. - Very well done! 🙌🍻
Cheers! If I knew how to put that little beer emoji in, I would! Haha. Glad you enjoyed the video. Sometimes it's good to be a bit pragmatic in the face of all the advertising that tries to convince us of what we "need" in our lives. :)
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer … Yes, entirely with you. ... we all have other "problems" these days and there should be better opportunities to shoot again. Therefore: Your last sentence is the quintessence of this often lunatic game. 😂
Really great video, man! I really enjoyed it. It's mostly been said already, but it was well-organized, objective, and very clear. Definitely one of the best videos on the topic.
Cheers, brother!
Thank you for a truly informative talk, without any "sell or push" -- really appreciate your objectivity.
love your channel. always a joy to listen too
Appreciate it, Christian! Thanks for taking the time to watch.
Brilliant video. Very clear. Thank you!
I love all my Fuji's and never will change those with other brand! I love the dials for choosing the setup. Fuji has character unique, colors which blows you away! Small, handy and sexy too!
This was a great informational video to watch. Much appreciated Sir.
Best video on Fuji I’ve ever seen. Thank you! 🙏🏼
Thanks for the great info
Interesting to hear your thoughts on this. I really like how versatile the system is. Having high specs like 30fps and 4k60 while still being nice and small. And great lens options. Even the small f2 primes are weather sealed. Most brands don't have that!
Indeed! There are so many little specs that I didn't even go into (imagine how long the video would have been...). There is a lot packed into these little cameras that many people, including myself, will never make use of.
As always, well organized thoughts presented in a respectful and objective manner. Great video, Dylan.
Thanks, Andy. Appreciate you taking the time to watch it.
Hi Dylan: I enjoyed your video about professional photography and Fuji equipment. Your style is really engaging and I went through the 30 minutes in a breeze. It is amazing how much "experts" can talk about irrevelant subjects when comparing camera systems. I am a super fan of Fuji system and it was nice to hear a professional what drove him to Fuji. Many other people feel the same way. Thanks for the enjoyable time!
Thanks for watching, Frank! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Very well put. I like very much your candid analysis.
Thanks for watching, Steve.
Good summary Dylan. I'm not a professional but I jumped from Nikon to Fuji in the first instance principally because of weight. I spent a week tramping the streets of Madrid one summer with my Nikon D7000/Sigma 17-55 f2.8 (which together weighed nearly 1.5 kg) and swore never again. A few months later I was in Marrakech and the Nikon didn't make it out of the hotel. On both occasions I had my little Fuji X10 as a "second camera" and it was the one I used nearly all the time in Marrakech.
Okay so the X10 wasn't an interchangeable APS-C camera but it was my entry drug to the Fujifilm system. It was light, unobtrusive and a joy to use and when I came back from Morocco I bought an X-E2s. Then bought an X-Pro2. I love the rangefinder style and combined with Fujifilm's analog-esque functionality it actually makes me enjoy using the cameras. The Fujichrons - the f2 primes - are small, lightweight and excellent and the colour-science and endlessly tweakable film simulations are just brilliant. The zooms are also impressive and I've a couple of third party lenses too
I've not regretted my move from Nikon to Fuji and find that simply picking up the X-Pro2 provides a tactile tingle. I could invest in a Leica M-series I suppose, but what's the point?
I made the same move for pretty much the same reasons. I had Fujifilm cameras from the original X100 and loved working with them. For personal work, where I didn't need the most reliable cameras, they were all I used. Once the X-T2 was released, they were almost good enough to be used for most of my paid work as well. With the release of the X-T3, my Nikon kit was sold.
I honestly feel like if Nikon had jumped on the mirrorless train earlier, I would have stayed with them and used all the fantastic lenses I'd accumulated over the years. But, alas, that wasn't to be the case.
I shifter from full frame to APS-C (fujifilm). And I don’t regret it. I don’t enjoy much post production either , size weight lens selection, lens quality and many more boxes that fujifilm have ticked for me. Autofocus not the best in the industry but it is not hindering me of taking great photos and videos. Thank you for sharing your experience
thank you so much for this excellent video. really informative. I have recently been viewing your channel and have benefited from reading your insights into photography. though I don't have any intentions of moving to the fuji system I come to your channel for the wisdom of your photography experience. something that I rarely find on other channels. thanks a lot. zen billings canada
Glad you enjoy my ramblings! These are all just thoughts that have connected in my mind over the years and this is my way of getting the job done. Glad it resonates with some people. Thanks for watching!
Very complete and very relevant. As always I love you down to earth and very calm approach. Also your rational is clear and well explained. I am not a professional, but this should be very helpful to those who are thinking of Fuji X system for their work.
Thanks for watching, as always. I think much of what I mentioned applies to non-working photographers, as well. I just wanted to clarify that we were talking about the decisions we need to make in order to choose the right camera system for work. Needs and wants are very different things. :)
Late to the party but this was the most informative video ever! Love your presentation style, clear and succinct. Thank you, this is what I needed to hear!
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it resonated.
Thank you, clear and really helpful.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Your comment on how many other brands pour their R&D budget into their full frame sensors and systems is why I'm very happy I ended up with Fuji, it seems like a lot of their budget goes into the APS-C development over the medium format system and as a result you get a very high quality APS-C sensor. I feel like it's produced to the best of Fuji's ability rather than the cut down, cost savings version of their flagship sensor like I do with Nikon, Sony or Canon.
Well said. I came off the Nikon F2, F3, D700 as a photojournalist and Fuji XPro 1 (2012) brought back the joy of photography. I only shoot the XPro line now. My tip is processing the raw files through DxO PureRaw3 for global sharpening and noise in low light. I can now take the XPro 1 out more often even at 6400 in lowlight and get very clean images.
The same happened for me with the X-pro 1. I’ve been a photographer since the 80ies. It really gave the joy of photography back. Now I’m working 100% with Fuji’s but still have some Canon gear that I’m not using anymore. I use Capture one, and the files are just so nice to look at. Not full frame? No problem at all!
I use an XH-1 almost daily for professional work, mostly food and chef headshots for the restaurant industry. I also own an XT-1 and X100S that's still kicking. They're all extremely well built cameras that take beautiful photos and do what I need them to do when and how I need them to do it. The lens selection and construction are fantastic for the price, too.
I shoot occasional corporate events too and dig your work. Great shots!
Thanks for watching! Seem's like you're getting the work done with the kit you have and that's what matters in the end, eh? Just looked up your work as well. Great stuff!
This is an excellent assessment and reasoning for choosing this system. I am by no means a professional but I do love hiking and outdoor photography. As I got older, I switched from Nikon to Fuji for it's size and weight. I don't feel as if I compromised when I switched.
And there you have it! The perfect reason to own a camera system: it doesn't cause you any pain. Are you enjoying your hikes more? Shooting more? Sounds like you made the right decision!
Excellent video Dylan
Well done! I like your even handed explanations of your needs and where other photographers might need different specs for what they shoot. I'm still in both Fuji and Canon systems at the moment and grab one vs the other based on the job.
A privileged position to be in. What makes you pick up the Canon over the Fujifilm?
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer Canon for the dance performances which are always in really low lighting. I *can* get by with ISO 3200 on the Fuji X-T3, but don't like 6400. The Canon R6 is a clean ISO 6400 and I can push it another stop if I need more depth of field for a group of dancers. Also the Canon has better continuous AF in low light vs the X-T3 (don't know about X-T4). That being said, the Fuji X-T3 was the first Fuji body that could handle my requirements for the dance photography in lower light - the AF finally was good enough and sufficiently better than the X-T2. I also grab the Canon if I'll be using a battery grip. The X-T1/2/3 battery grip isn't very sturdy when you've got a 50-140mm lens + Godox TT685 flash attached to a Rapid-R strap that's connected to the tripod socket in the battery grip. There's enough flex in the grip that the pin connections can hiccup and lock the camera body. You unscrew a turn, screw it back in and you're good - but you've lost the shot. Canon's battery grips are much better manufactured as they have an L that goes up into the camera body, so there's no twist/flex occurring.
Great video.I agreed almost completely to all your conclusions. Thank you. It is good to know that there 1 more person on the world with similar fuji feelings :-)
Dylan, I 100% agree with you when it comes to the differences between how a professional photographer looks at their camera system needs vs an amatuer or hobbyist. I'm a bit of a hybrid, I shoot professionally as an artistic pursuit for various storytelling projects I work on but photography is not how I earn my living. Anything I earn for my photography is money used to feed my art. I do something very different to feed my family.
But there was a time when I did photography professionally and I used the Panasonic LUMIX MFT system and people thought I was crazy for not buying a full-frame system and for the very reasons you mentioned is why I went to LUMIX from Canon. It was all about the feature functionality and the size of the gear. At that time I was a food photographer and the 16MP and 20MP cameras I used with Olympus lenses were sublime.
I shoot with the Fujifilm X-Pro3 along with the Leica CL and the LUMIX S5. They all serve different purposes while at the same time allowing me to utilise my M mount lenses across all the camera brands. I view them all as tools for getting a job or project down, nothing more, nothing less. And while I'm not tied to any particular camera manufacturer, I will same Fujifilm is the only camera system I've used where it made me always want to shoot and have fun while I was doing it.
Continue making great context. CZcams needs more REAL photographers and not product reviewers talking about gear.
Thanks for watching and for your comprehensive comment. You're absolutely spot on when saying that others often look at you incredulously when you say you don't have a full-frame camera. For something like food photography, the Lumix system is more than adequate and I'm sure your skills allowed you to produce wonderful images with a camera like that. Keep making art and enjoying the process no matter what you're using!
Thanks for talking a lot of sense Dylan - a refreshing change. With regard to reliability - I photographed category five Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, Bahamas a few years ago with a couple of X-T3s and primarily the 16-55mm f/2.8 and 90mm f/2 lenses. Incredibly extreme circumstances with intense wind, aerosolized rain & sea water, 100% humidity, super low pressures, mud and quite a few hard bangs while navigating the rubble in the aftermath. Everything held up for the most part however the rear buttons and control dials stopping functioning on my primary body and the 16-55mm stopped focusing accurately after the winds and rain finally subsided. I'll still call that a win for the Fuji X-T3 considering the insane circumstance and the fact that everything was able to be repaired later for a reasonable fee. I of course had backup bodies and lenses in vacuum sealed bags at the hotel.
HI Dante! Sounds like quite the shoot! My X-T2's welcome to the kit was a similar circumstance - a class 5 typhoon in Taiwan. Everything held up well there. No doubt, it's probably more to do with luck than anything else, but I've had an X-T1, an X-T2, and an X-H1 all die in light drizzle. On top of that, my "weather sealed" 16-55 and 50-140 have both suffered ingress and the need for repair, while all of my "non sealed" lenses have had no issues in the same conditions. Fun times!
What a fantastic concise making complete sense ( not able to track a humming bird autofocus ) summary of a camera system !
I mean... if it can't focus on the wing you want it to, it's not worth it, right?
Thanks for this 🤘🏼
No problem!
Great job, thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Great channel a new subscriber here. By the way nice Ocean Collective t shirt
Great video! Love to see that a couple years later there is in fact a great ecosystem of third-party auto focus lenses, including the 2.8 zooms!
And even the 50mm f1.0 for the bokeh freaks.
I’m 100% with you. I’m not a pro but I’d still use Fuji if I was because I don’t drive and size matters.
You talk a lot of sense! No amateur, and most professionals will always achieve everything they need with a Fuji X system kit coupled with the most suitable lenses for their requirements. After more than 60 years of professional and amateur photography behind me, I have never felt my Fuji X system to be inadequate in any way.
Glad to hear it, Robert! I think people get a bit too caught up in comparing specs these days. The reality is, all the cameras we have these days are absolutely phenomenal. The autofocus on my old Wista 4x5, on the other hand, leaves a bit to be desired. ;)
Thanks
Great video, i love my XT4. I do a lot of weddings and i also have a Canon R6 and there really isn’t much difference when it to Comes to IQ. The high ISO noise is negligible, the main advantage of the R6 is the eye detect AF its a bit better but its also a much heavier system especially when using EF lenses via the adapter. So yeah its the person behind the camera that makes the biggest difference. Use a camera system that inspires you to create.
Interesting observations of the differences there. How do you find processing those files side-by-side? Does the software you use give a good starting point for both that allows you to match them easily?
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer Im using Capture one which I found much better for the Fuji files compared with Adobe. The raw files straight up do need tweaking, mainly the colours. The tint (Magenta) on the Fuji needs pulling back towards Green and adding a slight warmth on kelvins seems to get them fairly close color wise. with Saturation u do need to add approx 30% more on the canon raws to match Fujis, apart from that the Image quality on both systems is really good.
If you pixel peep the fuji has a slight edge on resolution being 26megapixels but the Canon However only when using a prime of course has a slight advantage on Clarity, but its very slight & its only when using Sigma Art or Canon L series primes. When both are on zooms, its much of a muchness. Definitely the client will never notice any differences apart from depth of field as I output both systems to a 24 megapixel resolution. The reason I have full frame is mainly when I want a good balance of shallow depth and versatility, The FF 24-70mm f2.8 gives u a bit of both those worlds when in run and gun situations and there is no time to change lenses & is something which is missing from Fuji. If Fuji had a 17-40mm f2, I would sell my FF in a heart beat. maybe one day well see? thanks for your feedback. enjoying your videos.
@@eliaspap8708 It's a bit big but have you looked into adapting the apsc sigma 18-35 1.8? Really want them to make a fuji version of it tbh.
Thanks for sharing. I use the x-system (XT-2 and XT-3) and I'am very happy with it. The only time my XT-2 failed was when I did something wrong with it. An upgrade for me is only some more megapixels for my kind of photography mainly woodland and landscapes. But that is a selfimpost one :)). The targeted costumers do not have free space in their homes to hang a realy big detailed print :)). An A2 print is the max. The most important factor for me is that it is my photography and I make the decision in which the format it is shared.
Absolutely! You've hit the nail on the head here. For YOUR WORK, the ISO performance, durability, etc. have no meaning and that's great! Hopefully it will save you plenty of money and stop you lusting for unnecessary equipment. A great, rational, way to think about your equipment and get on with the work.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
My main x series cameras X-H1 and X-T3 the only issues that I personally comer across with them are auto focus now and than especially with X-H1 apart from that I mostly happy with the system. But as time progress I will definitely try another camera system simply for the experience.
It's amazing that when the X-H1 was released, the autofocus was praised and it was indeed great. Now, we've seen how good AF can get and we want more. Such is human desire!
Genuine and very helpful
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for this. I have saved your video for future watchings. I bought the X-T4 this summer, after about six months of painstaking research. For the price, it seemed the best I could find, a true hybrid camera. After my purchase, I noticed the amount of negative criticisms mounting up, mainly for its subpar video and continuous autofocus. I am learning to take such comments with a grain of salt but nobody likes their expensive camera purchase to be thought mediocre. Your video is great for perspective and Sony envy. As a retiree, this may be my last purchase for a camera of this price range and I'd like to think I had good judgement buying it. This helps.
Hi Steven, glad you enjoyed the video. The question I always ask myself when thoughts like that arise is "Would anything in my work change if I had X?" If the answer is "no", then I move right on. Cameras are tools to make images and the right one for you is the one that you enjoy using and doesn't get in the way of making those images.
Amazing video!
Really shows how people should make reviews of anything really...
Most of the time it's not how A compares with B, but if B is more comfortable than A for you or your workflow.
Thanks for watching! I'm a firm believer that cameras are just tools and you need to find the right one for you.
I had Fuji years ago with the XT1 and sold it for more Nikon gear as it didn’t meet my needs then. Recently I sold all my Nikon Z gear and went all in on Fuji XT3’s and the fastest lenses - not looking back. There’s a few things I miss from the Z6 like high ISO handling and the auto focus, but the size,weight and handling of the Fuji is so much better for how I shoot and transport my gear. I love the range of lenses and smaller size compared to the giant Z Mount lenses which all grew in size from F Mount.
And there it is, eh? You've got cameras that you're willing to take out and use because they're smaller and lighter. That's a big one, in my books. I looked at the Z series when Nikon introduced it. I had trouble with the size of everything as well. It looks like they did a great job of finally getting into the mirrorless market, though. Did you enjoy using the cameras otherwise?
Nice video! You could also add the elusive X-Factor. Professionals need to be creative and original on demand and you need a camera where you can quickly and intuitively capture you creative vision. That's why I love Fujifilm - nothing kills inspiration like scrolling through menus on a little screen.
To be sure! Being comfortable with the system you use is an absolute must. I have loved that about my Fujifilm cameras and previously my Nikon cameras. They never got in the way and that's about the most important thing.
Once again an amazingly informative and objective video. I really like your stuff.
Fujifilm definitely suits me.
Cheers! Thanks for being here again. What's your favourite thing about working with Fujifilm cameras?
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer Definitely the colours out of the camera. Rarely have I ever felt like they disappointed me. Also, the ergonomics of the dials and the size of body.
They appeal to me more so than tech specs!
Dylan, thanks for this beautiful video. It strikes me to find a review which is finally focussing on photography vs video.
Sevcondly, I love the fact that the image must come out as perfect as possible from your camera instead of sitting behind your laptop forever retouching them.
Would you give us an iside of your general settings?
Thanks, Eduard!
What do you mean by my settings?
Just found your channel Dylan….love your manner and content….New UK subscriber
Cheers, Jonathan. Appreciate you being here.
look at that... 1 year later and 2 of my biggest wishes where granted... My X-H2 and the Viltrox 75mm 1.2 replaced my Sony A7 III with the Sigma 135mm 1.8 - the weight difference is tremendous and i get objectively better results with the Fuji combo (just a tad slower AF, but thats not a concern for me)
Very balanced and unbiased video.
Thanks for watching.
Liking your presentation style Dylan. FWIW I'm using a Fuji X100V and for my first 'proper' camera I'm liking it a lot despite the menu(s).
That's still my favourite camera to work with when there's no pressure. There's a certain joy to it. Like any modern mirrorless camera, if you don't like the menus, assign function buttons, create a Q menu and a MY menu. That way you'll never need to use them.
This is a superb video. I hope many people are going to see it! For my needs, the XT3 is perfect. But I want more… of course I do! I moved to Fujifilm from the Canon 5D IV. It gives me similar results to my criteria with half the weight, size and cost too. The only 2 things I found better with the Canon were Battery life and the App. Fuji has some App work to do. But these are not insurmountable downsides.
Glad to hear the Fujifilm X system works for you as well. The app... well... yes... it's pretty unreliable. I do hope it gets some love. It could be such a great tool.
Great review, Dylan! Comments re. lens system: there are some decent 3rd party lenses out there for the Fuji X system, like some AF lenses from Viltrox that seem to be of decent quality and are inexpensive. I have a Rokinon 8mm MF lens for my X system that is built like a tank. Tamron is out with their 18-300mm super zoom with more to come and apparently Sigma is working on X lenses. There are some additional brands for the X system.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for watching. Yes, those lens offerings are definitely there, but I didn't include them as this was a discussion looking towards professional use. Superzooms and the Viltrox offerings fall a bit short of the demands of most working photographers. That being said, they're great options for hobbyists, indeed! Thanks again for taking the time to watch and join the conversation.
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer I don't realy agree with you on this one. The Viltrox lenses are great for professional work aswell, and some are even better then similar Fujinon lenses 😀
Hi Dylan, nee to the channel. Just dropping you a message to say how much I enjoyed the video. I am not a professional photographer but do work for charities which helps save costs and affords opportunity to see images I take. I loved the structure of the video and questions poised, it has helped me enormously in that I have been considering moving away from Fuji. Main reason I have been m until now, caught up in the hype of mega pixels, focus tracking, etc . And you know what reflecting back looking at what I do the incremental gain of moving from Fuji or buy an additional brand as.an alternative is illogical. For that I that yiu helping to clear my thoughts and of course probably a significant amount of money. I use mainly an XT3, a better choice of macro lenses would help otherwise I am very pleased with my Fuji set up,
I'm a hobbyist and had a couple of Nikon DSLRs before the D800 which I used for several years for wildlife and sports photography. I agree that the D800 is bullet proof; it works just like new. One thing not be overlooked - perhaps more for the hobbyist than professional - is how the camera makes you feel when using it. I use an X-Pro3 now and I love taking photographs with it. The look, the feel in the hand, the mechanical interface and of course the look of the images. It's rarely far from my hands! It's a cliche but if you love your camera, you go and photograph more. Thanks for the video.
Don't think working photographers don't get a bit of gear lust from time to time, love their cameras, or want to work with a tool they love (or go out for the simple joy of photography). There's definitely the business decision of picking exactly what you need, but a camera that you enjoy using is just important. I didn't include it in this video because I didn't want to start that war here in the comments. Haha.
I'm absolutely with you on this. For example, I've used both Leica and Canon cameras in the past and while the images were beautiful, the tool got in the way for me. Both seemed to fight a little with the way my brain wanted things to be done. You can't have that in the way when you're trying to work.
Well done video!!
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for sharing! Very useful and informative. I think good also for “non-professionals” like me 😀
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
What an amazing video .. You explained every bit I wanted to know so well ..
for my work as well 26 on a crop is excellent .. i shoot a7iii which is 24 and the images are fine imo .. so fujifilm if I am able to afford the fuji and viltrox line up it will be a nice add on to what i currently have
Glad you're finding what works for you.
Very useful video. Thank you. I’m just a hobby / enthusiast photographer and I really enjoy the Fuji system. I love a lot about it, the design, controls, lenses etc. Oddly enough, the only thing I’m not 100% happy with are the colours. I know everyone loves them. However, I usually don’t feel they are quite right for me with none of the profiles. I’m not that keen on Provia and everything else is very stylised already. I recently tried a Sony A7 and the colours straight out of the camera were not very good. But it seemed to be easier to manipulate the raw files to what I want and felt it should be. I guess maybe there is no manufacturer that will exactly provide colours out of the box to what the personal taste of an individual. So not sure what my rant is about 😊
There's definitely a large group of proponents for the way Fujifilm renders colours and how their "film simulations" work. Just like you, I don't like a lot of them but that wasn't the purpose of this video, so I didn't go into it too deeply. For me, Fujifilm just gets me the closest out of all the cameras I've used to date and it works for me. I wish you all the best in your quest for finding colours that work for you right out of camera. ;)
Inspired by your insights, I have bought XT2 and some good glass 😊 👍
Hope you'll enjoy working with it!
I honestly think the X system is absolutely amazing. I used to shoot with the D500, the D810, and my wife used a Z6. When I sold my D500 for the X-T4 and the 16-55mm f/2.8, I was absolutely blown away by the quality. When I added the 70-300mm to my kit last month, it sealed the deal even more for me. I love Nikon, but the X-T4 is so light weight, yet rugged and the image quality is on par with what I was used to with Nikon that I’m beyond satisfied. I’m sure the small things I wish this camera had will be introduced in the next camera, but I’m not in any rush.
Glad to hear you're enjoying your camera. I couldn't agree more that there are always small things about ANY camera that we wish might be improved or implemented. I even mentioned a couple of my own in this video. When we take a step back though, we're using some pretty amazing machines and, as you say, "I'm not in any rush." We're pretty lucky to have engineers around that can build these sorts of things for us.
As a Fuji owner (X-T4) I didn't come here to justify my decision to opt into their system. Instead, I was looking for another perspective; a coherent explanation of why their system works and the decisions used to arrive there. I found this a very useful video as my mind has recently started to wander towards a full frame system and not because I 'need'[ one. Arguably, as a keen amateur, the Fuji system itself maybe more than what I 'need' right now. My pocket and bank account thank you for bringing me back down to earth!! ;-)
Hi Darrren, we all get the wandering mind from time to time. I'm glad I've saved your wallet (for at least a little while). What was making you consider a full-frame system? Is there something you feel is lacking in the X-T4?
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer to be honest, I don't think I'm experienced enough to actually know what I want from a system. And, as being as photography isn't yet my career (but I'm working on that), it isn't that I need the latest and greatest. What I would say, after a 6-hour studio shoot - I was being shown the ropes - with a mate who is a professional photographer, a few more pixels and a lower ISO could have helped my cause. His shots on a Nikon D810 seemed so much sharper and detailed than mine. Of course, It could just be the way I set up and used my Fuji.
16:28 I have this issue constantly with my x100v - guess I’d need to get a cam with a zoom lense, to not have to crop so much later, but my ideal is to have a small lense and crop layer. (That’s also why I shoot in 4K even though I only export in HD)
Great video Dylan! I appreciate hearing your rationale and workflow ideas. I switched to Fuji for all professional and personal photo work in 2016. Right now it’s an X-T4 as primary and X-H1 as backup. 10-24,16-55, 50-140. Personal work is usually on either an X-T1 or X-E1, typically with adapted old manual lenses.
This setup gives me results I am happy with at a reasonable kit cost and weight.
I am curious... Is f2.8 in 16-55 and 50-140 enough for shooting in trouble light conditions like weeding party or so?
Let me know if you use it like that at all. Thanks in advance.
I have already 16-55, and 50-140 is my next goal.
@@second_hand_bread the 16-55 & 50-140 are a killer combo. For extreme low light it’s always nice to have at least one fast prime as well. I’d take a serious look at either the new 18 or 23 1.4 WR lenses for your third lens. That extra 2 stops of light can come in handy.
@@LyndonPatrickSmith Appreciate your answers. Any thoughts about 3rd part lenses? like Viltrox? Are they usable on profi level?
@@second_hand_bread sorry no experience with those. I have seen lots of nice examples with Viltrox on X-series cameras from other photographers.
Great to hear, Lyndon. What are you shooting professionally? I've got a good friend who works with the big zooms as well and loves the results he gets.
Hi Dylan, It's winston. It's been a long time! Came across you video on accident as i'm looking at switching to the fujifilm system from Nikon d750's. Really informative and helpful. I hope you are well ^^
Winston! Blast from the past, brother. You back in SA?
Dylan - One of the best and most informative Fuji system reviews I have ever seen. Have you had much experience using the X-T4 for Landscape work? Thoughts on the "quality" vs a higher megapixel body like a Sony FF 42mpx body like an a7r2 or a7r3? I am on the fence as I shoot mainly Landscapes.
Hi Matt, I definitely get out an shoot some landscape images, but I'm not too demanding of the camera for that. That's just a hobby and I enjoy being in nature more than actually photographing it. I couldn't compare to a full-frame body as I've never spent significant time with one. If you want/need the detail and large files, perhaps go for it. If you don't, the Fujifilm system is a good bet.
Hello Dylan, thank you for your feedback and your videos that I always watch carefully. Sorry for my English, I'm French and I use Google Translate. I am a professional wedding photographer and the fuji system suits me perfectly. I have 2 Xt3 and 18mm f/1.4 and 33mm f/1.4 lenses which give me complete satisfaction. The system is light and allows me to do a day from 12h to 15h by running everywhere without being broken in 2 at the end of the day. In addition, their vintage and incredible look and often the guests come to talk to me about this "are these cameras film cameras? As far as performance is concerned, I don't feel restrained at all, the auto focus and very efficient especially on the new generation of lenses like the 18 and the 33. I find the rendering of the images fantastic and never have any customers come and tell me "we are disappointed with the images received, the bokheh is less creamy than on a full frame camera". The only thing I could criticize is the increase in iso which, from my point of view, quickly reaches its limits. For me, the colors and details are no longer acceptable above iso 6400. For the rest, I like my Fuji and it never crosses my mind to switch to a full frame system.
Hi Dom!
First of all, don't ever apologise for your second language. As a speaker of three languages and a master of none, I can completely understand. French is not one of my languages, so the utmost respect goes to you for working in my native language here.
Wonderful to hear that you're running a successful business working with the X system. No doubt, your clients couldn't care less what you are shooting with as long as they look good and the images have feeling. That's truly what's important at the end of the day. That and, of course, your health from carrying around a lighter system!
I would agree with you in terms of the ISO if I were working in the wedding industry as well. For those events, skin tone and detail can be quite important. In my case, the only time I use ISO 6400 is at corporate events and, even then, only when necessary. It rarely becomes a problem for me, as I'm sure it does for you.
Thank you again for watching and sharing your thoughts.
As an xt3 user with the 33mm lens, I agree with your assessment. I am curious about what film simulation, white balance shift values and other parameters you use in your wedding photography. Thanks
I been a nikon shooter for 10 year had a d800 , d810 sold em both. I also have a d500 which i cant get rid of its a tank. I also been a fuji shooter for 6 years. Fuji colors pop like crazy. Xt-3 Camera and f2 / f2.8 lenses are nice and light
Going out with the X System and listing to The Ocean makes to me :)
Doing just about anything and listening to The Ocean is a happy time, for sure.
I recently made a complete move from Sony to Fujifilm after many years as a hardcore Sony fanboy. I bought an old X-T1 just to see what all the hype with the manual dials was about. While the manual dials didn't impress me, the SOOC photo quality did. After months of having to tweak my Sony photos in post to look as good as the Fujifilm photos, I came to the realization that it wasn't worth the effort. I sold every last bit of my Sony kit. I kept the X-T1 because it's just such a sweet little camera, but added an X-H1, which I absolutely love. Very happy with the move which was completely unexpected.
Glad to hear it, Don! Nothing better than having tools that inspire you to enjoy the process and give good results at the same time.
Found your topic interesting. I got a Fuji xh1 and 16-55mm and 50-140mm , which I enjoy. Now into buying my first full frame (Sony a7iii). Reason is because of low light photography around my city London. So will have two systems as keeping my Fuji.
Hi Kevin, what are you shooting that requires such high ISO values and does the noise matter to you? Could you solve the issue with a fast prime lens or a wider aperture? A tripod? Noise reduction in software? Perhaps rent the A7III before purchasing to see if the difference is really worth it for you. Good luck!
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer Hi Dylan, I shoot mainly cityscape at night. Sometimes I don't use a tripod always and find the noise on Fuji high at iso 1600. My way of thinking is Sony a7iii is cheaper to buy now, due to new released. I will just buy primes for that camera. Maybe its just me thinking I need a new system.
Thank you for your video! I am more concerned with image quality. Overall, we have been very happy with our X-cameras. There are times where I would like better image quality from either a full frame or medium format camera.
Thanks for watching, John. What do you feel is lacking in the X series cameras for your work?
I deeply love the fact that you're putting things in perspective.
Real-world use, needs, wants. :-)
I'm an X-H1 photographer, it's a fantastic tool to shoot with manual lenses because it helps my shaky hands to capture extremely precise things handheld with its IBIS and excellent resolution.
I'm not a professional, so it's always "for my pleasure", but I'm the demanding type of enthusiast...
Macro is my main photographic universe, and non-macro very thin depth of field pictures.
I was tempted by the GFX system, to "embrace" this outstanding resolution and look at things I've never seen with my bare eyes, but it seems like there are not that many great macro (1:1, or 2:1) that could work on it (for now). Plus, the X-system is very portable and lightweight (4 hours sessions in a forest may be hard to handle with GFX).
So I've never changed my tools.
And now, or soon, there will be an X-H2 with another sensor and that could be another thing to consider... ;-))
Thank you so much for your feedback and advices.
Always very helpful.
The IBIS really is a life changer.
Hey quick question, I’m wondering if I should buy xh1 I love the big grip and small screen on the top but I heard the af isn’t great at all and the battery life is preety bad, I have a small budget so can’t buy the xt4 is it still worth buying it in 2022 and is the af and battery life really bad?
Ps I’m like you, I do photography for fun but I like good equipment
Hi @@ronanimal1731 !
X-H1 is still excellent in 2022. For sure battery life isn't as good as the XT4, but you can't take 2 or 3 batteries for your sessions (it depends on your use) and it's not that heavy in the bag. The AF is really good, not as fast as XT3/XT4/XT30/XS10, but very usable for a lot of applications.
If you're planning on shooting mainly sports, maybe you should look at the XS10 (if you're on a budget), it's got IBIS and the last fast AF.
Your choice will be based on your photography (type), choose the right tool for your needs.
I've got two X-H1 and a X-E3 and I don't feel like I need that blazing fast AF, but that's because I don't shoot fast moving things, and I don't need a fast tracking (like for mode photo shoots).
I hope this helps a bit.
Take care !
Thank you so much man🙏🙏 you helped me a lot
WORD @@misterfilmguy ! :-))
Everything you said and described ist completely true. I am using the F2.0 combo from Fuji. Most of the time I do not go below F2.8 in low light and for Bokeh. For some „fun“ pics I am using the TTartisan 50mm F1.2 at F1.2.
Thanks for watching, Thomas! Are you enjoying the 50mm f/1.2? I had that lens for a while and really liked the results.
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer The TTartisans 50mm F1.2 is great ... if you know what you are doing.
You sound totally reasonable.
Spot on!! Shooting Fuji for some years now, next to Canon, that I use for birding, and in the past Nikon (took too long for mirrorless) and Sony (reliability in cold weather at the time, and took ages to process an image). I like Fuji for reliability, SOOC photos, and the fun shooting it. Dislike it for the selfy screen route they seem to take (I like a lens aligned screen for macro on a stabilized body (only X-H1 at the moment)), and the mode button that might return. If that proves to be the case, will switch back to Nikon. Most macro lenses I have are adapted lenses anyway, so can be put on any body. Only the 80mm is going to be missed.
Seems like you've been through quite a few options over the years. I too came from Nikon and made the switch because they had no viable mirrorless option at the time.
Don't even get me started on the selfie screen of the X-T4... it's the one thing that STILL bugs me, even after using the camera for almost 2 years.
I felt a little silly enjoying the video but really enjoyed it. I'm not a professional, but I do spend a lot of time and energy on my photography. What made me feel silly was how important it was to be reassured that I am using an excellent camera system. After all, I enjoy using my xt3 and get results I like -- what else do I need?
No need to feel silly at all! The considerations are mostly the same, just a little more business oriented and a little less emotional for those using their cameras to pay the rent. The X-T3 is a phenomenal camera. Sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees with all the marketing and spec comparisons that go on. Rest assured, the X-T3 produces great images and the rest is up to us as photographers.
I love my XT4, but it's AF system is frustrating when trying to photograph my kids who cannot sit still for a minute! I'm considering a Canon R6 or waiting for the XH2. What will a 40MP APS-C sensor do for image quality and AF?
Great review of the system as a whole. I have been looking into Fuji myself but the lack of a single 10-24mm lens that can handle astrophotography, vlogging and real estate has held me back. I think this is what the system is lacking at the moment. Something like the canon rf 15-35 f/2.8 would be great. Hopefully soon enough…
There is a 10-24mm lens, but I’m not sure if it’s suitable to your astrophotography, although I do use it for that - probably not as good as yours, though!
Take a look at the 8-16 f/2.8. It's big and expensive, but it might be what you're looking for.
Interesting insight into your photo world Dylan. I have been using my Nikon D7500 (aps-c) + Sigma 150-600mm C lens for several years for wildlife photography. Last year I bought the Fujifilm X-S10 & 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens and it's a great little combo. I was going to buy the XF 70-300mm lens but it is out of stock everywhere right now. I am looking forward to seeing that new Fujifilm 150-600mm lens-that would be perfect for my type of photo/video work. I also hope they add some Ai autofocus features to new models such as animal/bird detection.
Hi Steve! Great to have a long-lens shooter join the conversation. APS-C definitely shines in this regard and I'm sure you'll be happy with the new additions to the Fujifilm system. Have you given the 100-400 a try yet? Our local Fujifilm rep was complaining that nobody here buys it! ha!
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer I have not tried the 100-400mm yet. Maybe I will give it a try :-)
I am have a fuji X-H1 and X-T3 i came from Canon, and i am noget going back :)
Regarding resolution: large format prints, like his example, usually require graphic designers send low-res files. Sometimes as low as 100 PPI for a print that size. There's not a camera on the market that wouldn't meet those specs. Where you "need" resolution is in large art prints at say 20 by 15 inches or larger. Like he said, viewing distance is key. Or, if you need to crop in heavily for sports or wildlife.
Resolution is definitely not as necessary as we might think. It's nice to have, sure. Poking around and looking at details you can't see with the naked eye can be fun. However, as we've both said, for most uses, it's unnecessary.
Shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh? Try the 7Artisans 50mm f/0.95 that we use.
I have been shooting with a Nikon dslr and have waited for a Df version of a mirrorless for a long time to get into the mirrorless system. This xmas will see me with the new XT5. Nikon should really get into Zfc full frame before many like me migrate to the fuji XT system.
You know, I was really hoping to see a Nikon mirrorless camera way back in 2014, and 2015, and 2016... I love working with Nikon bodies. They feel like absolute workhorses. Now I'm invested in Fujifilm and getting great results, despite a few annoyances, I can say that all you really need to do is pick a camera that works for you and stick to it. Make photographs with it and enjoy it. If the X-T5 does that for you, it's a good choice.
A good listen and totally agree with your thoughts. If you look at the work of Eric Bouvet (documentary/conflicts) or Saraya Cortaville (portrait/travel) they don't have a problem using Fuji.
Cheers, Iain. Indeed, Eric's work is a shining example. I think the differences between systems tend to get blown out of proportion as people let their desire to be on the forefront of technology take over. For a professional, having a tool that pays the bills is the primary concern. If it does what you need it to do, it's the right tool.
Indeed, and there's a lot more incredible work being done with Fuji.
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer It seems to bother amateurs more than professionals. You don't ask a great chef what cooker he uses!
Dylan I absolutely love your content and the production values, kudos to you. However, that intro does not do you any justice, but hey thats just an opinion haha ! but thank you, great channel and subscribed !
Haha. Thanks for the kind words and criticism. This channel is a bit of a hobby for me so that intro was a few dollars on one of those intro-generator sites. I just needed something in there. Maybe if the channel grows a little, I'll create something fancier.
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer all good brother it's my fault that I kinda binge watched your videos because I was totally addicted and after a while that music started to get annoying haha. Keep doing what you do, great content
Because I made my comment on my phone I did so before I got to listen to your video but I see that many of the points you speak about are the same as the comments I made, one other point I would like to make, I used to belong to a photography website where people would post different questions, one that would come up often times was, l"m being asked to photograph a wedding for a friend or family member and I need to know what lens I need or camera settings to use, to people that ask questions like this they don't have enough time using their camera to photograph events, photographing events requires different skills and knowledge of camera equipment, I have spent.many years photographing a wide variety of subjects in different lighting conditions and photographing events was the hardest and most time consuming experience, besides knowing every aspect of your camera you need to know how to make exposure settings to handle a variety of lighting situations, how to pose people, how to use flash, and you have to have the proper cameras and glass to get the job done, you also need post processing skills and at times the ability to provide prints.
Great video. I agree that durability is critical for a pro photographer.
It really is. Can't have your tools failing you!
10:23 I’m missing a lot of street photography shots with my x100v - that’s probably partly still my lack of technical skills, but I am a bit disappointed that such a hyped
“Street photography camera” can’t do better at this out of the box. But it’s a very fast situation I sometimes just go back to my iPhone cause it’s more reliable
Just want to point out the awesome The Ocean shirt my guy is rocking
Always. These past to records have been absolute bangers.
Thanks for your interesting video! I my opinion, the often criticized reduced shallow depth of field on Fuji-X-sensors is actually an advantage. While the same f-stop will give you the same light gathering on different sized sensors, you will need a bigger, heavier and more expensive lens on full frame cameras. You might get a blurrier bokeh on full frame, but you will also sacrifice sharpness on your subject. On Fuji lenses, I can be confident to get the whole face sharp at around f/1.8 (with a still pleasing bokeh), where I would have to stop down on full frame cameras to get the same sharpness (and therefore sacrificing light). So for me, the Fuji APS-C sensor size is actually the sweet spot regarding sharpness, light gathering, DOF and equipment size & weight.
This is so true. I rented the A7Riv and the 35mm GM on a recent holiday and majority of my shots are at f/4 at least. There's just no point shooting 1.4 even in extreme low light if only a sliver of the subject is in focus. I returned them early (only used 4 out of 7 days) and went back to my XT4 and 18mm f/1.4 for the rest of the 2 week trip. My only wish now is for Fuji to refresh the 10-24 into f/2.8 version. Or at least a 11-20. If Tamron can do it, they can do it better.
I totally agree with this for many types of photography. There’s MANY times that shallow DOF is a negative. Look at the old Life and Nat Geo photogs. They would have killed to have more DOF with a fast shutter. I think Fuji works fantastic for travel etc. where its strengths really sing. Full frame is nice for portraits at times, but tbh I’m getting really tired of photography being pigeon holed into shooting “pretty girls”. It’s more than that and Fuji seems to understand this.
Hi Shervin,
For many types of photography, this is certainly true. I have really enjoyed being able to work with f/1.4 and f/2 at family and couple sessions in low light while knowing everyone will be in focus. It was quite a struggle moving to the GFX system for some of my personal work and realising that even f/4 wasn't enough at times!
Have you tried some of the new Fujifilm lenses like the recently released 18 and 33? Those are spectacularly sharp while still rendering beautifully in out of focus areas.
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer No, I haven't tried the new lenses yet. 35mm is my favourite focal length - but I only have the f/2 version. I was thinking about upgrading it to the old f/1.4 version and using it together with the 16mm f/1.4 for travel photography and videography. I love the focus ring of the 16mm lens as it is great for manual focusing for videos, which would draw me to the old 35mm f/1.4 version. Is the image quality of the new 33mm so much better?
@@shervinsardari The image quality of the 33 isn't better per se. It has a different look to it. The 35 gives more of a 'classic lens' look to the image. The 33 is, without a doubt, a much better focusing lens and of course it's weather sealed, which the 35 is not. I've had the 35 for a couple of years and picked up a 33 principally as an all weather walk around lens. I won't be selling the 35 though.
Autofocus is a sensitive topic esp when you are on a portrait shoot . For me the camera sometimes goes crazy when people are in spectacles or less contrast situations and has let me down
Can't say I've ever had any issues with glasses. Low contrast does make it struggle a little, I have noticed as well. But, you always have other areas you can focus on to make it work. Which camera are you using?
I switched from Nikon (not dissing Nikon at all!) to Fujifilm, mostly because of my hand size, and my age. It’s getting harder to handle a large camera. I started with the XT-2, and am now up to the XT-4. The Fuji system has been my workhorse for years now. I photograph real estate, events, and products, and it has served me well. I think cameras are like underwear - if it doesn’t fit you, it’s just going to sit in a drawer!
Hi Rhonda! Thanks for watching. I'll remember that quote about underwear... haha. Do you use a shift lens at all in your real-estate work?
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer I don’t use a shift lens. I have one, but don’t use it. I’ve found if I get the tripod at the right height, it works well, and I can generally keep the walls straight.
My collegue had issues with the shutters of both his X-H1 cameras and on a xpro 3. He now uses Nikon Z6II. We use them every day.
Interesting. What sort of issues are we talking about?
Regarding color, I think we can all agree that Fuji has great SOOC colors, among the best in the industry (IMHO just slightly behind Canon). But you mentioned RAW color being better as well. Can you elaborate on that more? I've cross-compared Fuji X-T3 and Sony A7 III, and once I've set them to the same WB and color profile (like Adobe Color in LR or Film Standard in Capture One), they look exactly the same color-wise.
I don't make use of the "standard" profiles. Capture One as reasonably accurate approximations of the Fujifilm simulations that provide an excellent starting point. The goal for me is to avoid excessive post-production in my day-to-day work.
Hey Dylan. Love your review not that just a fact that I just got my Fujifilm GFX system…. And I loved it at first place.
Thanks for your effort to make videos and sharing your expert opinion. I just wanted to say that about Auto-focusing system “ I mean seriously “ I feel sorry for many out their holding fast focusing system and ending up getting 40/50% of the work go to trash due to many technical issues etc.
I’m sure you came from old school as me…. What about the time when we use to shoot on film and having 38/40 images out of 35mm film “NIKON F3/F4” and hardly 1-2 image out of focus even though I use to cover cat-walk sessions moving subjects.
U know what I mean “ I’m not trying to say I was amazing” BIG NO… photographer around me in same time they’re shooting on films.
So i don’t disagreed with the fact that technology is awesome I’m great respect for that. But please guys don’t make a big deals about small features… on the other hands just like Pixels game Blah blah blah…
What about Nikon D1x when we use to shoot almost 5.3 mega pixels 🙈.
We still got printed on Bilboards and magazines.
My point is photography at the end of the day it’s about enjoying the process and creating an image. “ but not in commercial world most of the time”.
Any ways. Thanks again for your reviews. 🙏👌☑️
Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree that there is a lot of focus (excuse the pun) on AF systems and small features these days, but that's just where we're at in the industry. Cameras have to differentiate themselves in order for companies to sell them and reviewers need to talk about those details. If reviews didn't talk about those details they'd just be "It's a good camera" every single time.
I started my journey with manual focus and film, much like you. Then I got a single AF point that didn't really work, then 5 AF points. Now I have more than I need and a camera that thinks for me. It's great, but as you say, not necessary for a lot of purposes. Small things do make life easier, though!
Cheers!
Representing The Ocean Collective. Strong choice.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
Love my SL2 tank. Know what you mean with build quality. XH1 also fits the “great build” category.
You know, the X-H1 was my most problematic camera in terms of build. That thing was in the service centre more than it was in my bag. Haha. It does seem like I got a dud, since everyone else I know who had it never had an issue. Glad to hear yours is going strong.
@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer yes Dylan that example might be an outlier. Never had a problem enforce but I do think the menu froze here and there. Had to turn it off and on. Best built camera I ever own was the Canon 5DM4. That was a helluva camera bro. Miss it some.
I wouldn't hesitate to take my XT3 into the ring-I think skills and experience are ultimately much more important than 1-stop of this, 1-stop of that. In the end, Fuji is giving us all very capable cameras that can be paired with very high quality "pro" lenses (like the 16-55 or 50-140 - yup, my top pro choices) at a lower total cost of entry, even if the weight savings are not major. That is a big deal. If Fuji wanted to pump out plastic bodies and lenses they could likely save more cost and weight, but frankly I'm glad they don't - it is another way they carve out something unique and satisfying for the rest of us, which frankly might also be more recyclable/reusable (I hope).
editing