Interview with Detroit Street Photographer Brian Day and Review of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1

by Eric Kim on April 4, 2012

1x1.trans Interview with Detroit Street Photographer Brian Day and Review of the Fujifilm X Pro 1

Had some time to catch up with my good friend Brian Day, a street photography local in Detroit. We chatted about shooting street photography in Detroit (the pros and the cons) as well as his new Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – which is a fantastic camera – with its quirks (like every other camera out there).

As discussed in the video, apparently the Fujifilm 35mm F1.4 Lens gets “aperture chatter” which is pretty damn annoying when in broad sunlight. If you are interested in getting the X-Pro 1, I’d probably get the Fujifilm 18mm F2.0 Lens which is roughly a ~28mm full-frame equivalent that supposedly doesn’t get “aperture chatter”.

However some of the pros of the camera mentioned include the ridiculously clean high-ISO (I shot at ISO 12,800 in JPEG and it looked better than my old Canon 5D at 3200 ISO) as well as the great image quality. However considering that the body is starting at around $1,699 – the camera isn’t cheap. If having an optical viewfinder is important to you, I’d get the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 and the Fujifilm 18mm F2.0 Lens and stick it in manual focus (1.2 meters) and zone-focus at f/8-f/16 all-day.

If you want a camera that is a bit more affordable, has incredibly-fast auto-focus, as well as great image quality + high-ISO – check out the new Olympus OM-D with the Olympus 12mm f/2 lens. The great thing about the 12mm lens is that it has “real manual-focus” on the lens, as well as hyperfocal marks for zone-focusing. Not a big fan of the Electric Viewfinder (the refresh rate is apparently twice as fast as the old model) but I prefer optical viewfinders.

Both are great cameras, but remember not to get sucked too much into GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)! If you already have a Fujifilm X-100 or any other Micro 4/3rds, I wouldn’t upgrade. But if you own a DSLR and want less weight and bulk when you are out shooting on the streets, both cameras mentioned above are great cameras.

Also make sure to check out Brian Day’s recent interview on Vesper Magazine for his “Time Traveler” series.

For those of you who have the new Fujifilm X-Pro 1- have you experienced this “aperture chatter” and what is your take on the camera? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Tagged as: brian day, fujifilm x-pro 1

  • http://twitter.com/flixelpix David

    I have both lenses and it is noticeable on the 35mm but I have got used to it. That said I am beginning to prefer the 18mm for general street work anyway. I love this site but perhaps you should cover that is good about the camera rather than asking about what are the annoyances? I have annoyances with every camera I own and have owned. I love the portability and image quality of the X-Pro1 I think like the X100 it takes a little getting used to. Once you though it though it is a lot of fun.

    • Chrisfetto

      The aperture chatter’s been more or less done away with in the new firmware update.

  • http://www.facebook.com/raja.indra.putra Raja Indra Putra

    Yes, I have the 35mm f/1.4 and it has “aperture chatter”. It’s noticeable when it’s quiet but with normal street noise around, the chatter is not annoying and after a while you forget about it. Then again, I would think it uses more battery power and it’s unnecessary wear and tear so Fuji really should resolve this issue ASAP.

  • Steve Down

    Use the OVF (not eye sensor, just OVF). Turn off histogram in the OVF. Turn on power saving. That should reduce if not eliminate it.

    • Brian Day

      @Eric Kim: great time hanging out with you, man. Come back soon.

      Steve, we didn’t get into that because the interview was somewhat on the fly, but yes, those settings do help. I’d only consider that to be a temporary workaround until Fuji officially addresses it. There are many situations where it’s more practical to use the EVF (which you’ve paid handsomely for, and should work without a built-in soundtrack), such as when you want to control the focus rather than let the AF hunt. Don’t get me wrong, I love the camera. I rode out all of the quirks with the x100, including SAB, and Fuji clearly listened to the voice of the community and addressed every major flaw in some way. I expect them to do the same with the XP1, but in order for that to happen, the community has to voice the concerns. At the moment, until the kinks are ironed out (there are a few others), the x100 is the stronger of the two for street photography.

      • http://twitter.com/twocutedogs twocutedogs

        Brian – why should the community do Fuji’s R&D for them?

        • Brian Day

          Come on man, we all know every camera – every piece of man made technology, for that matter – has its quirks. Camera companies – manufacturing entities of all kinds – have a long history of engaging their community for feedback on design annoyances and refinements. From Ansel Adams and Cartier-Bresson right down to Joe McNally, photographers of varying degrees of clout have had direct influence on the design of photographic technology over the years. If there was a such thing as a perfect camera, the “other guys” would be out of business. It ultimately boils down to what is most important to the photographer, and whether the benefits outweigh the quirks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m NOT a fanboy. The chattering of this lens is undoubtedly annoying. But does that outweigh my satisfaction with the output of the images, and the overall performance of the camera? Not by a long shot. Am I willing to wait and see if this can be addressed before I throw out the baby with the bath water? Absolutely.

          To each his own.

          • 9dap streetphotography

            Agreed with you, I also bought X-pro1 for street photography cause of the output of the images.

          • Patrick.

            Nice summary. Seems like a great camera with some quirks, jsut like the X100 (which I own and love). Out of curiosity, what is the lens hood you’re using with the X100? I’ve wanted a rectangular hood but can’t seem to find one. Looks great.

          • Brian Day

            Thanks Patrick. A friend referred me to this site for that particular hood:
            http://www.un-ltd.co.jp/en/index38.html. You’ll need an adapter (UNX-8521); the actual part number for the hood is UNX-8118. If you email them, they’ll quote you the actual price and confirm all the details.

  • http://twitter.com/twocutedogs twocutedogs

    I’d advise anyone that buys a lens that makes a noise like this to send it back to Fuji and get a refund. In my opinion the company spends far too much money on advertising and far too little on R&D. They had a chance with the X100 and X Pro 1 but completely fucked up both cameras. My suggestion to those that want a small camera is to get a ricoh or con tax film point and shoot. Use it for a year. By which time there should be better smaller cameras on the market.

    • http://erickimphotography.com/blog Eric Kim

      Getting a ricoh gr1 or contax t2 is a good idea – “full frame” in a small body ;)

      • http://www.flickr.com/travisjensensf.com Travis Jensen

        I just swooped a Ricoh GRs1 and am loving it! It’s been a minute since I shot film. Feels good not to be lugging a large camera around…

  • Sivaneson40

    This video is way too short. I wanted to see more. Where the rest?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JI3P5JHIWGAYWA3PL3Q4JNRN7Y Mike G

    My interest would be to put Leica lens on the Fuji. My dream would be for Leica to announce a full frame body that takes current M-Lenses. Doesn’t have to be a Mx just way cheaper than a M9. I want to use my Leica lens on a digital body, but currently I have to deal with the lens magnification problem and the fact the M9 is already history. Nikon D800 is the future, why does not Leica make a deal with Nikon. Nikon can wip up a body for Leica lens. In the 50′s Leica had a camera body for Nikon lens ;)

    • Erik

      I think we’re many who’d like a cheaper full frame rangefinder for M-lenses. Something I can afford that will offer the feel of my M2. In reality I don’t think it will happen. Full frame will most likely never be mass-produced for the consumer market and therefor remain pricey, combined with rangefinders being a niche market as it is this means seriously pricey. Even if Nikon/Leica struck a deal here they can’t just put Nikon’s current sensors into a rangefinder. You would get crazy vignetting and colour cast. There is a reason why Leica is still using their expensive, bespoke Kodak sensor (in many respects a poor performer of a sensor). Still, I agree with you: I’d like the idea of a Japanese, less expensive Leica.. it’s been done before .

      As for manual lenses (M-lenses) on a x-pro1 does anyone know if it has any kind of focusing aids a la peaking? I’m skeptical to the idea of using manual lenses on this camera as it isn’t optimised for it and it requires the use of the evf (rangefinder feel lost imo), but if focusing in evf is just by eye and no aids it’s not an option at all I’d say.

      • Erik

        Not sure why I wrote ‘in many respects a poor performer’ as the only real issue I know of is the poor performance at high ISO. Let’s call it a typo ;)

  • Gus

    Fuji is playing with peoples minds, they are more that capable of making an incredible real rangefinder with real
    manual focus and depth of field scale, they made great rangefinders before as-well as the x-pan and big involvement with hasselblad H system, I currently own the x pro1 with the Kipon adapter and leica lenses
    (no x pro 1 fujinon lenses) This camera system is the equivalent to having boobs with out nipples,
    kinda fun bust missing the real fun part..

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  • Elliottckhull

    Brian Day seems like a cool cat. I agree with twocutedogs, for as much as the camera costs, it should not be making those weird noises.

  • http://twitter.com/TheRealBidong I am Bidong

    Special guest appearance by the Packard Plant! I think Brian Day needs to post a shot or two of Eric’s first urbex adventure.

  • Celestar

    Sold my Canon 5DmkII and 2 L lens to get the Fuji Xpro1
    Love it so far. Hate that stupid noise coming from the lens!
    Well, before Fuji decide to fix it, which I hope they can and will, I have to live with it.
    I think X Pro1 can make you a better photographer because it is more portable than a DSLR.

  • John Bauer

    What kind of lenshood is he using on his x100? Thanks.

  • Ask_B

    Have the X100 but haven’t decided if I shall get the X-Pro 1 yet.

    Also have the GX1 with the Pana-Leica 25mm which also has some very annoying aperture chatter.

    • guest2

      I also have the Gx1 and Pana 25mm and there is no aperture chatter. Both of them were purchased new. Something’s up with your lens I reckon : (

  • roger boon

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  • Kenny

    Aperture Chatter: Are you sure the camera isn’t set on AF-C (continuous autofocus) I have the X100 and it makes the same noise when the focus mode is selected on AF-C. When switched to AF-S its gone.

    Just a thought…

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