Photograph with an "S" (Fujifilm X-E2S): The essssence of photography

The Fujifilm X-E2Ssss...

If you came time to time to visit this blog you may have already notice my passion to photography which in fact is the essence of the message behind those rantings of mine. We see thinks, subjects, moods that we want to freeze in time and in mind and represent them after.Yes photography is a visual interpretation of our personal realities. Everybody can add to this fantastic mosaic of flashes of life.

And between you and your subject there is the "tool". For the painter it is the canvas, the colours and the brush. In photography it is the camera i.e. the device which we use to register our pictures. It can be simple like the original stenope or very complex like our actual digital cameras. For many a creative tool should be inspiring, should be the extension of our mind and soul that will allow us to express our originality of reframing, recompose and reorganize our representation of the living.

And a tool that can be raffine is something rare to find especially in this time of short consuming. That is why I fully appreciate the Fujifilm approach to allow many upgrades of their products. Yes they have also a classical way of designing cameras in the sense of the modern compact models that have been started with the event of 35mm film photography. This heritage is fully assumed by Fujifilm and the people behind the logo.

My previous post Fujifilm X-E2: The digital rangefinder without rangefinder  was my introduction  to the Fujifilm world of ILC X-Mount Series.  For sure, the X-E1 have rightly preceded the second version but as usual I was late to discover the concept.

Working in the past with some Leica rangefinder models like the M4-P and the M6, I was curious to experiment the digital interpretation of those modern  and classic compact cameras.By today standards the M4-P and M6 would be no more really so-call compact cameras with their external dimensions and their relatively heavy weight but comparing with their medium format cousins, they were small devices as for their line of taking lenses. I think it has been a fondamental inspiration when Fujifilm designers begin to draw the first esquisses of the future ILC X-Mount Series.

The viewfinder schools: On-Off axis (action photography vs contextual) and about EVF
Are you an off-axis or an on-axis viewfinder devotee? Without discussing about the pro and con of each viewfinder location, we can advance that on-axis viewfinder are better designed for following action when using telephoto lenses foe example. Off-axis viewfinders seem to be a better tool for contextual photography and by revealing a good part of the photographer's face, it creates a more intimate interrelation with the (live) subject.
Using EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) technology is different from the classical optical way (rangefinder or reflex) because it represents to a certain extent the final result extracted from your image captor. "What you see, what you get" is more accurate especially in Black and White. Composition of your picture can be carefully done at the taking moment. For static subject, it is a perfect tool. In action photography, you must concentrate your attention on your viewfinder rendering because of the processing delay of the picture. Simply put, the EVF offers you a representation of the instant past.
My only big prevention about EVF in general is the more contrasty image presented in comparison of the final picture. Because of that, on several occasions I have adjusted my picture expectation with an overall higher level of contrast that has to be corrected by editing the final photo file.

Modern direct dial control.
Modern direct dial controllers are the digital interpretation of the traditional film manual camera control setting for the exposure and the focus. Even if automatic setting options are now very reliable and even better than human evaluation, many photographers still prefer to introduce their exposure or focus bias. Except for the ISO selection all other manual controls are available on the Fujifilm X-E2S and are presented usually on the fashion manner of the past film-analog cameras. You can easily parameter your shutter speed or your aperture (for most of the XF X-Mount lenses). Focus can be done manually by using either the viewfinder or the back screen. All the critical informations are clearly presented. So you can preselect your  exposure setting without actually looking  at the viewfinder/screen (Camera off if you want to save battery life). The exposure correction dial with direct appreciation on the viewfinder/back screen is also a very handy and creative  photographic tool.

Color and canvas model interpretation
That is one of the strongest advantage to use Fujifilm X  products. You can really select the color palette that will fit with your specific need. Fujifilm is really into the imaging business at first and is dedicating its products mainly for that purpose.

Lenses and lenses
Since the Fujifilm X-E2S is an ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) you can select any lenses available from the Fujifilm X-Mount Series. If you are looking for a very compact package you can try the Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 lens. Except for its modest maximum aperture of F2.8, the 27mm lens is a good all-around optic that give a lot of  photographic opportunities.To a certain extent the same advantage apply for most of the short and normal fix focal lengths offered by Fujifilm. The zoom lens models are also another optical option especially for the trans-standard ones that are giving you larger focal range in one device which can be appreciated on travel for example.  The telephoto zoom options are somewhat big customers for a compact camera like the X-E2S especially considering its off-axis viewfinder but it works. A moderated fix focal telephoto like the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 is an excellent portrait option and a very efficient discriminating lens.
When you are considering the purchase of an ILC you have to question yourself about the lens combination you are looking for because it can dictate your camera choice at the end. Fujifilm offers you the two viewfinder options, on and off axis, which is very appreciated.

Handling and body size
The Fujifilm X-E2S is a very light camera. If I am using the camera in combination of an heavier lens my left hand is becoming the main assise of the lens in order to maintain a correct balance of the set. With fixed focal lenses the camera offer you a pleasant and small package that can be fully appreciated in doing spontaneous photography (street, candid, travel, etc.) Space around the right hand side is limited and unwanted function button activation may occur. Adding a grip can help but the most confortable one is the first model (HG-XE1) only available now in used equipment. The view finder and the back screen are efficient tools. The  back screen doesn't need to be look directly which is compensating partly for the absence of a tilting option.

Auto-focus and reactivity
Focusing on subject is part of the selective process when you are composing your final photograph. Since the camera is not directly link with your brain it is still a difficult task to select and lock on the object or subject that has been chosen by the operator. Most traditional subjects are now well covered by the automatic focusing system. In action photography, the Fujifilm X-E2S is not so reactive and you may find that pre-focusing technique can prevent blurry subjects,

Flash, in-board, external on-camera and off-camera
The Fujifilm X-E2S is doted of an in-board small electronic flash that can serve as an emergency unit or more likely as a fill-in flash very contrasty front light situation. The flash power can be adjusted via  a compensation option which is better to be added to the Quick menu selection for faster access. Flash photography is now less usual in spontaneous photography. It is more related with creative photography (studio style) as a discriminative light source. In that case, the off-camera flash units offer a better control of the effect intended and many devices combinations are available on the market and as rental opportunities.

The revenge of B&W photography (!)
One of a nicest thing to do with Fujifilm cameras is Black & White photography. You can choose to do it right from the start or later in post-production editing. With the help of the Electronic ViewFinder (EVF), you will see in real time the final result of your picture. So doing B&W photography has never been so constructive since the event of digital camera and EVF. Monochrome picture representations are here to stay as a major visual sub-art in concentrating your attention to graphic composition and the light contrast and repartition.

X-E2S: A fashion camera? Yes because we are fashion people!
Fashion is at first a way of doing or be something.  It can be purely utilitarian or, on the other hand, simply frivolous. Qualifying the Fujifilm X-E2S as a fashion camera in trying to underestimate its creative qualities is simply the expression of personal dislike for this type of design. Because every (photographic) tools are also a cultural and social expression. The most important factor is that the Fujifilm X-E2S is beautiful photographic device from which we can create interesting pictures.

Surely the Fujifilm X-E2S can be an inspiration to do photography at least for a certain kind of person. I will never contest that others models are or seem to be better performers in specifics aspects of their operating features. Nobody is perfect and it is true that things tend to get more sophisticated with time. But the "S" sense of the X-E2S is to be a productive tool of photographic expression.

The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4: the twin personality lens !

Apparence
The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 lens is part of the initial line-up of the Fujifilm X-Mount optics. Its firmware has been improved extendedly to meet the requirement of the newest camera additions from Fujifilm.

The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 receive a very classic presentation that will recall for some of us the classical lenses from the 35mm film era. Aperture and focus controls are traditional (although they are in fact simulated mechanical adjustments). It is not a small and light lens but without optical image stabilization option (no OIS) its heaviness add some inertial weight that can help to prevent shakeness. Yes it is a "made in Japan" product. An imposant metallic and nicely crafted lens hood is included with the lens that can prevent some flare phenomena under certain light conditions.

A double life
The twin personality of the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 lens is relating about its portrait and macro vocations. In fact it more a small telephoto with a very near close focusing ability. So it gives you the possibility to take picture of your main subject at a very short distance and cutting down the deep of field a lot. Those qualities are rightly appreciated in portrait purpose.
As a small telephoto lens my preferred aperture setting is to select the maximum opening (F2.4) as often it is possible. The Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 had respond beautifully to that (ab)use of its largest aperture. Thus F2.4 appears to be modest but in reality it is easily comparable to the traditional Leica Elmarit 90mm F2.8 or the Nikkor AI-S 105mm F2.5 lenses of the time.

Action photography can be a challenge as usual for that kind of lenses. Snap Sport Shooters will definitively have problems to get full proofed on-focus subject by simply snap and follow the subject mobility. Prefocus (Auto or Manuel) setting is highly recommended but I have discovered that the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 in normal lightning condition got its own ability with close distance action subjects. Panning your subject may be the more successful way of getting in-focus action subjects. Predictive manual focusing is another way of doing action photography with that lens but experimentation may be frustrating.

Kiki Piccolo is our "impossible" subject for action
photography. But through the small bars the
XT-10 / XF 60mm manage to focus rightly and
be able to freeze most the movement.

No stabilization on this lens mean you will need to be careful about your own ability to hold your camera very steadily and following action by panning your subject. In low light or interior conditions that will be a challenge since we are now more and more relaying on stabilization options over lenses or cameras. Your rate of success will decrease as you will find in selecting your final choice of pictures during the editing session. For that point of view it is always better to review your results on the spot by using the camera rear screen.

Accurate focusing is another challenge in particular with short distance subject. A small movement from the part of the subject or from your part will result in a visible out of focus of the interesting point of view.

Fujifilm Classic Rendering

With a macro lens of this type we are looking for higher quality results if not the best available. On the optical point of view the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 will deliver very fine and detailed images. Closing down a bit your aperture will optimize yours results corner to corner but you don't need to go too far to get that. 

Fujifilm color output is outstanding as usual. The last lens series that I have worked that was so distinctive was the Leica one during the eighties because I was mainly relying on slide films for colour projects. Fujinon X-Mount lenses will give you good colour and tonal separations. So editing your pictures will be more a fine tuning experience if your composition has been done carefully.

Even if the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 lens is not really a snap shooter optic to say the least, it stays a wonderful selective tool if you are ready to invest the effort (and persistence) in your photography. And at the end you will obtain something different of your own originality.