BanHup Teh Photography » available light

My impression of the Fuji X-Pro1

Banhup Teh — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:09:35 +0000

I seldom blog about my opinion on any cameras. However I must share with you my impression of the Fuji X-Pro1 simply because my search for a lighter, more compact camera has finally ended. Will this replace my ever-trustworthy Nikon D3? Unlikely. Will I use it for some serious work? You bet! It is indeed a worthy backup camera. Read on if you like to find out why.

35mm @ f/1.4 ISO 200 1/2000s

Please note that I am not sponsored by Fuji and I paid for this camera and the lenses with my own money. I have nothing to gain whatsoever by writing my impression on this new camera.

Having cleared that up, let me tell you how I have been using my Nikon D3 to give you a better idea what I need from the X-Pro1. The D3 was, up to now, my only camera (unless you want to consider the iPhone 4S a camera) together with a good collection of lenses – Nikon 24mm/1.4, 85mm/1.4, 17-35mm/2.8, 24-70mm/2.8 and 70-200mm/2.8. I shoot exclusively in available light of which the brilliant (pun intended) high ISO performance of the D3 comes in really handy. I use the D3 whenever I run workshops and photo-safaris. After a while it became increasing obvious that carrying the weight of the gears became a chore – I noticed I was bringing along less and less lenses. This triggered my search for a more compact and lighter camera. Also notice that I have not upgraded to the D3s (and now the D4) for the same reason as well as the fact that their improvements are surplus to my requirement. And I don’t shoot video! Of course I won't know what will happen when Gear Acquisition Syndrome kicks in.

My search for a lighter camera system started a while back. Besides the weight issue I also need a camera that I can carry with me everywhere I go. And be able to use it for every occasion. I found that my D3 did not see much action even during important family events – I seem to reach for the iPhone 4S during such times (see the potential of the iPhone 4S camera here).

My other important requirements for the new camera are that the IQ must be near what I am getting from the D3, preferably allow interchangeable lenses and must be user-friendly. I have tried the Canon G9 and played with many lighter cameras including the X100 and none has attracted my attention until now. The rest is history.

For the record I bought the X-Pro1 together with the 18mm/2, 35mm/1.4, a spare battery and recently ordered the Kipon Nikon F mount adapter.

So what is my impression? I am not a very technical person and I don’t even need many functions that the D3 has to offer. All those technical mumbo-jumbo do not bother me a wee bit. What I am more interested in is how the X-Pro1 performs in real life situations especially vis-a-vis the D3. If it fits my way of usage, it is a good (enough) camera. If it has the IQ to go with it, it will be a great camera. Anything more will be a bonus. Simple as that.

To those of you who want to pixel-peep there are plenty of sites that will give you all the pixel-peeping images your heart desires. It is not my aim here. By the time you finish reading my post more of this images would have been added around the web. What you’re going to get from me is my personal impressions of this little marvel and how I’m using it. I will also show you what I can achieve with it in the days to come especially after my one-on-one workshop next week.

Not many people nowadays will get excited when we talk about high ISO performance. This is an expected spec of all new cameras, a given. More so from a high-end camera. No photographer should accept anything less. Given the lighting conditions that I like to shoot in where shooting beyond ISO 6400 is the exception rather than the rule, I must say that I am more than happy with the performance of the X-Pro1. The Auto ISO 3200 option is cool. I would have no qualms using this. The following images are some high ISO shots to support my view.

Colours 18mm @ f/2 ISO 640 1/210s

Fish 18mm @ f/2 ISO 640 1/210s

Patterns 18mm @ f/2.8 ISO 1600 1/50s

Reluctant son 35mm @ f/1.4 ISO 3200 1/30s

Bar 18mm @ f/2 ISO 6400 1/60s

Some people lament the fact that the X-Pro1 does not come with a built-in flash. Photographers like me who shoot exclusively in available light welcome this omission with open arms – we do not want to pay for something that we will never need.

Now let’s get to the point as to why I love the X-Pro1.

Firstly, it’s weight or the lack of it. Relative to the D3 this camera seems like defying gravity…it is so light that I almost do not notice it is there when I am carrying it. Even with the 35/1.4 attached. Must be the muscles I have developed carrying the D3. This doesn’t mean that it is poorly built. On the contrary. I would have liked it to be weather-shielded though. Perhaps that is a consideration for X-Pro2. The same goes for the lenses.

What about user-friendliness? For the D3 I will normally check and adjust if necessary the White Balance, the Aperture (mainly shoot in Aperture Priority), the ISO and the Exposure Compensation. I shoot with Matrix (Multi in the case of the X-Pro1) metering all the time hence that would be a one time setting for both the D3 and the Fuji. Adjusting these parameters is easy though slightly different in the case of the Fuji. No big deal.

To get Aperture Priority all I need to do is set the Shutter speed dial to A and then adjust the Aperture ring on the lens to the appropriate size. Convenient and quick.

Setting the White Balance and ISO can be done either via the Shooting Menu or the quick access via the Q (Quick menu) button. Again convenient and a non-issue. From what I have tested so far, I find the Auto White Balance very accurate, more so than that from the D3. And I would have no hesitation in setting the ISO sensitivity to Auto ISO 3200.

Finally the sixty four million dollar question – how good is the Auto Focus? I have read the various reviews in the net with so many differing views. It is nothing like trying it out firsthand. Remember I am coming from an experience of great focusing with the D3 and some quick focusing lenses. To me the X-Pro1 is fast enough for the work I do i.e. portraiture in available light and travel photography. The focusing mechanism has its quirks but I think it is not something that cannot be overcome with practice. I must admit that it is sometimes not very accurate but it never fails to amaze me how at other times it manages to achieve focus so well even at f/1.4. Luck of the draw or user error to be blamed?

I do not have any experience using an EVF until now. As such I would say too much other than the fact that I love it. Anything new especially when it helps is always a welcome addition. I especially like how I can zoom in to check on focusing accuracy during Manual focus mode.

Do I have any dislikes of this camera? There are some but those are outside my requirements e.g faster focusing and wider lenses, more accurate focusing, better access to changing the focusing frame etc. It would have been nice if they were there which would be a bonus. Since it does what I need it to do as is, I am willing to overlook them.

Oh yes, the RAW converter. I shoot 100% in RAW. I hope Adobe will come out with a RAW converter soon. Meanwhile I shall shoot in RAW + jpeg.

The above then is my first impression. I will be putting it through its more serious paces mid next week when I will be using it exclusively during a one-on-one workshop with a serious hobbyist from Australia doing (and processing) available light portraiture. If it performs as expected, it will be THE camera system I will bring with me on my photo-safari to Hanoi-Bac Ha-Sapa in early April. Finally a dream come true? Only time will tell.

Dusk 18mm @ f/2 ISO 400 1/300s

Reflection 18mm @ f/2 ISO 400 1/80s

Lines 18mm @ f/2.8 ISO 400 1/70s

Artist 18mm @ f/2 ISO 640 1/240

His pride 18mm @ f/2 ISO 640 1/250s

Bokeh 35mm @ f/1.8 ISO 200 1/680s

Coming next week – Fuji X-Pro1 at an available light portraiture workshop.

Red – how to frame a face

Banhup Teh — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:21:38 +0000

Many a time we need to make a tight portrait more interesting by framing the face with whatever we have at our disposal. Shawls, hands, leaves, natural shadows etc will all work. Here, Dian Sharlin has exemplified this perfectly. Notice how she used the red shawl and her hands to frame her face. Notice the play with available light.

Taken with Nikon 24-70mm/2.8 Aperture Priority @ f/3.2 ISO 200 1/500s.

Red

Credits:

Talent – Dian Sharlin

HMUA – Nigel NJ

Taken during Manuel Librodo workshop in Malacca

In the mood

Banhup Teh — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:31:02 +0000

Here are 2 shots taken of Natacha Meunier during my Nikon Malaysia workshop at the end of last year. I want to specially share these because I simply like the mood created by the lighting…and specially enhanced by post-processing of course.

Taken in available light with window side-lighting and a reflector to fill in some shadows.

Click image for larger view

Credits:

Model – Natacha Meunier

HMUA/Image Consultant – Nigel NJ

Photographers – Banhup & Nikon workshop participants

By the window

Banhup Teh — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:38:59 +0000

Or what's left of one. This was taken during my last workshop.

Window side-lighting is a great place to shoot especially in available light photography. This will be used to the max for this Friday's one-on-one workshop where I will be faced with many challenges. Should be fun.

Model : Juria Hartsman

HMUA ; Nigel Nj

A recent workshop with Juria Hartmans

Banhup Teh — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:01:11 +0000

I recently had a one-on-one available light portraiture workshop with Sanjeev Verma, a very keen hobbyist from Singapore. Natacha Meunier was the planned model but due to some last minute unforeseen circumstances, Natacha could not make it and, being the professional that she is, she recommended her friend Juria Hartmans as a replacement. I initially felt a bit apprehensive but that feeling soon disappeared a few minutes into the photoshoot – Juria was excellent! Thank you Natacha for the recommendation, and Juria for the great shoot. Thanks must also be given to Sanjeev for being able to absorb the full day's proceedings like a sponge. He really made it easy for me to share.

Here is what he commented of the workshop :

"I came to KL to attend Dr Teh's workshop, with a mind that i already know quite a lot of technicalities and i had already bought Dr Teh's books …… so will there be something new to learn? Just one hour into the workshop and i knew that the trip has been the most transformational step in my photography. The way the shots are planned, the way the props are used, the way we interact with the model and the way the light is used, it made the whole shooting experience a fun, which is the prime reasons for us hobbyists to take photography. I did not realize the role of whole shooting experience, until Dr Teh showed the post processing
Its not a workshop of quick "tricks" or "how to" …… Its the whole experience of art. I am very glad that i met Banhup, who is not only a great photographer, but also a great artist and a great human being
Look forward to more such outing Doc !!"

Allow me to present Juria.

CREDITS:

Model – Juria Hartmans

HMUA – Nigel Nj

Photographers – Banhup, Sanjeev Verma

Nikon Club Malaysia – Banhup Available Light Portraiture Workshop September 24th-25th, 2011

Banhup Teh — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:07:30 +0000

The workshop finally came and went. It was a day for creativity to flow and flow it did especially from the enthusiastic participants.

I must thank all the participants for making life so easy for me as an instructor. Judging from the shots that the participants have sent me, I must say that I am more than impressed.

Special thanks must also be given to Thian Leong of Nikon Club and Nikon Malaysia for making this event possible.

Here are some shots to share of Natacha Meunier, our main model of the workshop. More to come later.

Credits:

Models: Natacha Meunier, Wen Ling

HMUA/Image Consultant: Nigel Nj

Photographer: Banhup

Motion in red

Banhup Teh — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:05:12 +0000

This shot of Natacha Meunier was taken during my August workshop with Burke Strickland, a very keen photography hobbyist from Texas. When you have a great & gorgeous model, a good background and beautiful side-lighting (and of course, a patient participant), that to me is a formula for a potential good shot. Hope this one makes the grade.

Taken in available light, Aperture Priority @ f/2.8 ISO1600 1/200s.

Motion in red

HMUA : Nigel Nj

By the way, Natacha will be my model at my collaborative workshop with Nikon Malaysia on September 24th-25th, 2011.

If you are keen to post-process like the above, come join me at this workshop. Click here to register and for more details. I was told there are still a few slots left.

Limited slots left at my September 24th-25th Nikon workshop

Banhup Teh — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:50:02 +0000

Nikon Malaysia has informed me that places are being taken up fast and there are only limited slots left for my September 24th – 25th Available Light Portraiture Nikon workshop. That is good. It would be my pleasure to meet all the participants. If you are considering learning my workflow, please contact Nikon Club of Nikon Malaysia fast to avoid any disappointment. Details of the workshop here.

As usual there will be some goodies from me. For a start Natacha Meunier will be our main model and Nigel Nj will be our image consultant/HMUA.

Allow me to present Natacha…in blue. More photos of Natacha here.

Blue angel

What a workshop!

Banhup Teh — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:35:02 +0000

It was an interesting available light portraiture workshop indeed with so many new "experiences". Firstly, Burke Strickland flew all the way from Texas for this one-on-one workshop. Before that, the furthest among my participants were from Singapore.

Secondly, we have been planning this for a few months and on the evening of the workshop, I sprained my back…bad…while carrying the new tables I bought for my projector room. It was so bad that I couldn't sleep well the whole night because each time I turned, my low back muscles went into spasms. Ouch! The same ailment hampered my movements somewhat but when it comes to photography, the creative juice just flowed. The photoshoot went on without a hitch, safe for the occasional spasms of course. The lighting was absolutely gorgeous and so was our model, Natacha Meunier.

Thirdly, I used my new LCD projector for the first time for my one-on-one workshop. (I have used the same projector for my recent Bali photo-safari where I connected it the wrong way – I used the USB connection rather than the VGA cables resulting in less-than-satisfactory image quality. I have since learnt from that mistake). Prior to that, all my one-on-one post-processing sessions were done with my two-monitors + MacPro setup. Of course the image quality was superb but then the session would have to be done in my bedroom.

All in all, it was a fun and enjoyable day for me. I must thank Burke for taking the time to come all the way for this workshop. Burke, your self proclaimed 'basic' knowledge made it easy for me to share with you. I must also thank Natacha for being the ultimate professional and a good sport. Last but not least, I would like to thank Nigel Nj for his creations that made this shoot so inspiring.

Here are a couple of shots to share from the shoot. More will come when I can sit properly to post-process them.

Elegance

Glow

Banhup Workshop with Nikon (Malaysia)

Banhup Teh — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:58:22 +0000

In collaboration with Nikon Malaysia and their Nikon Club, I will be having a 2-day portrait workshop on September 24th and 25th, 2011 specially for beginner-to-intermediate level photographers, or advanced photographers who would like to learn my style of available light photography and post-processing.

Here then are the details:

Theme : "Shooting with Available Light – People Photography" with Dr Teh Ban Hup

Venue : Nikon Centre Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fee : RM580 (max of 15 participants)(something tells me this is being subsidized….)

Dates : Saturday September 24th 8:00 am to lunchtime (Photoshoot)

Sunday September 25th 9:00 am to lunchtime (Post-processing)

Participants : Open to Nikon users registered with Nikon Club Malaysia (You may register as a free member here).

What you will learn:

From the photoshoot

1. Camera settings for available light photography.

2. Required gears.

3. How to take more creative portraiture.

4. Understand ambient or available light and how to see the light.

5. How to pose and interact with the subject.

From the post-processing

1. Photoshop configuration.

2. RAW post-processing.

3. How to prepare the image for proper post-processing e.g skin treatment, skin smoothening, eye enhancement etc

4. How to make the image pop and more 3-D like.

5. Finishing touches.

At the end of the workshop, you are expected to learn how to capture and process with the following result.

Before

After

For further details, please email Nikon Club Malaysia at nikoncentre_kl@nikon-asia.com or contact them here.

You may also fill in the form below and I will keep you in the loop on further development.

[contact-form-7]