Author: Chris Oaten

To II or not to II? Usually, that’s an easy question to answer, because of course we always want the improved version of a given current model, right? But when it comes to Fujifilm’s GFX 50s Mk II, the upgrade path presents some cause to pause for thought ahead of slamming your money down. Having used the GFX 50s Mk I over the last couple of years, I’m very aware of its shortcomings, in particular its lack of image stabilisation. However, it’s a tolerable shortcoming because almost all the work I do with the 50s is architectural or studio work,…

How things can change dramatically in a short time. In my previous review for Tech Guide, COVID restrictions were in force and there was barely anyone on the streets. This time, with the Adelaide Fringe Festival in full swing and restrictions eased almost all the way back, the opportunity to “shoot street” with the Fujifilm X-S10 could not be left begging. In fact, as the official photographer for one of the Adelaide Fringe venues, it was in my remit to fulfill a shot list that could in part lean on the X-S10’s small form factor and responsiveness to capture people…

On unboxing Fujifilm’s X100V rangefinder camera and handling it for the first time, I let out a little squeal. No, really! That sounds ridiculous, I know, but to explain why I’m going to need to run a little history by you. A good number of famous 20th century street photographers used the rangefinder type camera to great effect in the execution of their work. Among my favourites is Joel Meyerowitz who, along with many of his peers, and certainly many contemporary photographers, captured memorable and intimate scenes of everyday city life on the street. Their rangefinder cameras, the Leica being…

Tech Guide readers who saw my review of Fujifilm’s X-T3 a few weeks back might remember how I was taken with that camera’s excellent functionality and image quality.  Now, it’s the X-T30’s turn for a look and the first thing I thought on unboxing it was: “is this just a baby version of the X-T3?” because if it is, it’s already on a winning track. So, is it an X-T3 mini-me? Yeah, actually, it is, pretty much. However, whereas I expected it to house an M4/3 sensor because of the smaller body size, it has the same 26.1MP APS-C CMOS…

Some reviews could write themselves. Like this one, because when a camera – in this case the Lumix S1  – wins the Technical Industry Press Association World Awards “Best Full Frame Photo/Video” category,  it might be cavalier to follow any course of appreciation other than the one taken by the respectable folks at TIPA. Who am I to challenge their judgment? So I’m not going to. There’s little doubt the Lumix S1 deserves the accolade. As the first Lumix mirrorless full-frame camera, the high anticipation held for this shooter would have crushed it had it not lived up to expectations.…

Alongside its X-T3 release, Fujifilm has brought the X-H1 to market, positioning it as a flagship model of the X series line-up boasting a first for the maker with in-body image stabilisation but the release brings with it a quandary for buyers of this class of camera. Before explaining the quandary, however, let’s have a cheer for the X-H1’s in-body 5-axis stabilisation (IBIS). Here’s the thing. I have notoriously shaky hands. Too much caffeine, I think. It’s why I’ve always liked a solid camera rig that sits heavy in the hand and overcomes my nervous ticks. Thus, whenever I’ve picked…

I’ve heard some great challenges to my technical sensibilities over the years but when Fujifilm’s people asked the gathered throng at the first showing of their new X-T3 to “not think of it as an APS-C camera” I was incensed. I thought, immediately: “Right, you’re on, mate. It’s hammer time. Show me this anvil”. Context. Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time shooting commercial timelapse and in almost every instance there’s a decision to be made, being this: will I get by with shooting this clip on a crop-sensor camera or is it the kind of…

With the release of its X-T3, Fujifilm has done nothing to damage its reputation as a maker of cameras for “real” photographers, delivering an update to its X series that feels “right” in the hand and lays down a challenge to Canon and Nikon in the prosumer segment of the mirrorless market. “Real” and “right”? Yup. Real, as in those photographers who like to actually operate a camera with knobs, rings and dials. Right, as in the way it sits in your hand. Marketers like to talk about “mouth feel” when selling food and I’m talking here about “hand feel”.…

With all the attention Canon and Nikon have been stealing with their mirrorless camera releases, you’d hope Fujifilm would have something with which to steal the wind from their sails. As it turns out, though, Fujifilm’s new shooter is more about building on the company’s established mirrorless expertise than breaking new ground. Announced yesterday, the X-T3 offers plenty of new features for enthusiast photographers. According to Fujifilm Australia boss Frank Bite, it should find appeal among what he describes as a new group of photographers who love to engage with Instagram but want a camera they can use to “up…