The graphite and spartan Fujifilm X-Pro2! Did we said traditional like boring or exciting?

Fujifilm X-Pro2 w/ XF 23mm F2 R WR (Graphite version)

Some love to own devices that are fully stuffed with functionalities and the latest novelties available. We just have to look at the "phone" market to acknowledge that it is not really recent consumerist phenomena. The same thing happens for the photo equipment market which is a "niche" market partly habited by eternal debaters who are looking for the "best" camera.

So, it is more a discussion about numerous potentialities and less about the practical use of a camera model for most of the time. It is to forget that for many decades during the analog-film era, the camera designs and interfaces were, by far, perfectible and not always fully reliable but it didn't prevent the vast majority of the photographers of that time period to make outstanding pictures.

I was hoping with this long introduction to awake our good logical reflexes and put our photo materialist preoccupation to a higher level, but I have so often failed for my own that I have no lesson to give to anybody in the first place.

The love of dials (ISO, Shutter speed, Exposure correction)

Recently Fujifilm have presented a flurry of new models (X-A7, X-T200, X-Pro3, X-T4) and as usual it is very difficult to be totally insensible to the harmonious songs of novelties. After all, choosing to buy a new camera is a completely irrational behavior! In consequence as it happened so many times in my brief photo life, I was wondering what my next adult toy into the Fujifilm planet will be. As a X-E series user, the Fujifilm X-Pro3 should be the nicest gift that I suppose (to cherish in my sleep every night) but I say to myself, what not have a second look to the previous (already 4 years old!) X-Pro2 model.

For those few who are following my blog over the years, you know already my always motto to want and buy a camera model of the just preceding generation at a discount selling price right at the moment of its replacement by a newest model. Because I have a tendency to prefer a more mature product that have benefited with all the latest firmware and have been more smoothly manufactured. For example, you can be very confident to use a Fujifilm X-H1 pro model considering its inherent qualities and the obvious fact that its last promotional selling price tag was simply a hell of opportunity.

But even with the introduction of the new X-Pro3, the price level of the previous X-Pro2 is still on the higher side for modest budget like mine. Luckily one of our best retailers in Montreal have made a special offer over the Fujifilm X-Pro2 Graphite kit (w/ XF23mm F2 R WR) that I cannot have ignore and here I am with one of the best (and at least affordable for a time!) "rangefinder style" digital camera on the market!

Compare to X-E series, the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is a bigger camera although its hand prehension may appear more secure depending your hand size. Many basic controls (dials and push buttons) are similar from what we can expect on a Fuji X-mount camera model. The combination of the "joystick" and the D-Pad command selector is welcome because it facilitates different direct configuration such as film simulations, white balance, focus areas and drive functionalities. Fine tuning of the shutter speed and expanding of the exposition correction factor can be performed through front and back commander dials. Auto-exposure and auto-focus lock are easy and well implanted. The Quick menu let go to the most used functionalities extracted from the complete menu. And there are other adjustments available from programmable function buttons.

But the Fujifilm X-Pro2 won't offer you all the usual requests that photo equipment web reviewers always ask for. No moving LCD back screen. no internal flash, a very limited video use and no provision for headphones, no optional vertical battery grip, etc. Sure, without the Leica label, you cannot avoid the critics about these choices of voluntary omission. No, the Fujifilm is not a do automatically everything camera for you and you will have to adapt yourself with imagination to cope with certain picture taking situations.

Front view of the optical viewfinder (OVF)

Very unique viewfinder
The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is equipped with a dual-option viewfinder, a unique feature among the "rangefinder style" digital ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) camera models. In simple words, we can select between a truly optical viewfinder (OVF) with picture frame parallax adjustment and a now classic EVF (Electronic Viewfinder). At first, I was skeptical about the utility of the optic option but after a certain time, I have found it very comfortable considering that the EVF (although more precise and more practical to preview the final picture taken) seems to develop some eye fatigue during an extended photo session. I must add that the larger view version of the OVF is not really interesting for glasses wearer like me.

The EVF is considered as the primary viewfinder by many X-Pro photographers. Its ability to project a preview picture in all the image and exposure configurations we may choose to make it as a very efficient photographic tool. With the eyepiece that Fujifilm have implanted, the eye relief of the viewfinder is (for the glasses wearer) limit for evaluating the entire frame especially for the extreme corners. All the proper information is well presented (into OVF or EVF) and have the autorotation ability. Lastly, you may prefer to select a different brightness of the EVF through the menu manual setting (in my case, minus 1 has been selected).

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 rear viewing screen can be operated to get a good Live View of your picture or as a reviewing screen for all the pictures already taken. The image definition is excellent, its reactivity is fast, and you can rely on it for many various photo opportunities. As already mentioned, the screen is fixed on the camera and no other orientation is possible. That can be annoying for people that are accustomed with more "video" oriented devices, but less external mechanisms might mean better long-term reliability and less provision for accidental (and fatal) manipulations. You can shut down the rear back screen if you don’t intend to refer to it during the photo taking session with the exception of reviewing the already pictures taking which is a very nice feature (you don't need to reactivate the rear screen to do so).

Contax G2 w/Planar 35mm F2 (35mm film ILC)

Source: Wikipedia

The pleasure of working with the X-Pro2
The Fujifilm X-pro2 is bearing resemblances with older rangefinder cameras of the film (analog) era such as the Contax G2 illustrated here. But to evoque such a comparison like that is sometimes misleading because of the strong differences in term of design and manufacturing between the two types of cameras (film (analog) versus digital). And performances associated with them were also very apart. Digital cameras of today have a much performant auto focus system and auto exposure calculator that are more versatile and more reliable than it was 25 years ago. Going back is more an esthetically nostalgia than anything else.

The Fujifilm X-Pro2, doted with a 24MP APS-C digital image sensor, can be a very simple camera model to operate. Its handling is facilitated by its more prominent size. The shutter sound is smooth and discrete. The X-Pro is reactive in auto-focus and for the auto exposure setting. It is easy to parameter the photo basic like the ISO, the shutter speed, the aperture and the exposure correction factor. You take the camera and with an eye glance, you are informed about all these data. The accuracy of the X-Pro2 metering system is reliable even in more critical situation but you can adjust the camera following your own bias.

The bottom of the Fujinon XF 23mm F2 R WR Graphite
Made in Japan! (not Philippine) 

With the Fujifilm X-Pro2, many photographers will couple accordingly a fix focal lens which is more compact (and suitable in using the OVF) and that will guaranty high quality image files. The optical viewfinder will better be mated with short focal lenses such as the 18mm, 23mm, 35mm for example. The EVF on its part will suit any focal length challenge. With the graphite version, Fujifilm will combine a graphite (made in Japan!) XF 23mm F2 R lens which is a versatile optic for many purposes. You can gradually construct a complete lens park with the XF 16mm F2.8. the XF 23mm F2, the XF 35mm F2 and the XF 50mm F2, all these fix focal lenses are weather resistant (WR) same as the X-Pro2 (a good reassuring factor for photographers who are facing various contextual conditions).

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 have provision to accommodate a pair of secure digital (SD) memory cards allowing its owner to duplicate pictures in RAW and JPEG or simply get a longer autonomy. Power consumption is supported by the regular NP-W126(S) battery pack seen on most others Fujifilm models (except for the newest X-T4). Keeping spare (and loaded!) battery packs is a good habit to have with electronic camera models.

The best of both worlds: Joystick + D-Pad controls

Numerous (practical) controls
As already mentioned, the dual presence of the D-Pad and the jock stick is given you a rapid access to many other functionalities. The "Fn" push button is programmed initially to start the video recording but it can be configured for more still photography utilities. I won’t bother you in listing all the possibilities that the X-Pro2 give us access through its quick (Q) and extended menus. I leave you that part to explore and to discoverer how the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is an outstanding camera model for a lot of different photo situation. And yes, a traditional flash PC plug is located on the (LCD) side of the X-Pro2 for those who have the nostalgia of the annoying old (and hazardous) PC cord.

The autofocus system of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 perform nicely even under low light conditions. For the still photographic purpose, the system can be adjusted following more specific needs. Normal action photography can be correctly served although erratic subject movements are always been a particular challenge for any autofocus system and depend essentially on standardized algorithms that have been programmed by the manufacturer. Even if the Fujifilm X-Pro is not a "track and field" labelled camera model, it can manage its way to that task as long its owner understands its limitation and work on a creative alternative like the subject panning technique, the pre-set focus, or the voluntary blur, etc.

A shutter release cable mounted on the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm picture quality output
One of the major strengths of Fujifilm digital camera models is certainly its science of colors and black and white that the manufacturer has imported from its past and renown experience from the film (analog) era. All the Fujifilm film simulations are interesting to try because they can offer new picture interpretations you never think of. For sure, black and white (especially ACROS) simulations are very popular. If picture quality is your primary criteria for electing a camera model, you won’t be disappointed par Fujifilm and the X-Pro2.

Since the Fujifilm X-Pro2 is designed as a professional camera, its lifespan is proclaimed to withstand more than 150,000 shutter actuations, meaning 600 working days of 250 camera shutter releases per day. For the more moderate users, it represents years of continuous use. At this date (and before the release of the X-T4 model) only the Fujifilm X-H1 can surpass that mechanical longevity interns for the number of pictures produced. Saying that a camera model is a pro one doesn't necessarily induce that it is a fully loaded photo device with all the functionalities that you may think of. It simply implies that the X-Pro2 is primarily designed and manufactured for an intensive pace of utilization.

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 like its predecessor the X-Pro1 and its successor the X-Pro3 are all greater dimension camera models not really playing into the more compact field of the X-E series for example. That bigger size allows the manufacturer to combine effective an OVF and an EVF, a specific feature you cannot find to other competitor rangefinder style models. The durability of the X-Pro2 should classified as a working everywhere and under most adverse conditions camera model and that will withstand intense uses. But it can be also seen as a long-term camera device for someone who to spend more time, more destinations, more subjects to his/her photo projects. Are still some X-Pro2 available out there? For one, I was privilege to have found one of the last in Montreal!

All illustrations were realized by Daniel Marchand except for the one presenting the Contax G2.