On January 15th 2016, Fujifilm launched the X-Pro2 as the long awaited successor to the X-Pro1. It was everything I had been waiting for, and so much more. As I wrote in my review back then, the X-Pro2 feels like a huge upgrade from the X-Pro1, but merely an evolution from the X-T1. Until the X-Pro2, the X-T1 had remained Fujifilms flagship camera in every technical aspect.
I firmly believe that the popularity of the X-T1 took Fujifilm by surprise. It was, and still is, the camera that really brought Fujifilm onto the radar of professional photographers who wanted a primary or secondary mirrorless system. Just by looking at the formfactor, it is obvious that the X-T line caters to the more DSLR/SLR savvy photographers.
And now it’s time! – A mere 6 months since the X-Pro2 marked the update to Fujifilms rangefinder line – Fujifilm announces the X-T2!
I have been so fortunate as to have been testing the camera since mid-april, producing images for Fujifilm for use in the campaign, giving feedback, and really just putting the X-T2 through its paces.
I had no doubt in my mind when I first saw, and handled it, that this camera was Fujifilms real stab at the working photographers camera. And I can without any hesitation say, that they succeeded in almost every aspect!
Let’s get a few things in place before I proceed with my writeup. Yes, I’m an official X-Photographer. No, I don’t get paid to write this, but yes I do get early access to the gear. Does this make me biased as hell? You bet! – This writeup will be all about my way of using the camera. It will be my subjective thoughts. My interpretations. Nothing more. Alright, now let’s get going.
I have never really liked the look of the faux-SLR hump that Fujifilm X-T1 and other mirrorless brands use. I always preferred the rangefinder look. Hence I was very hesitant in buying into the X-T system. This still hasn’t changed. – But that being said, the layout offers a much more refined workflow. So I have really come to appreciate the camera as a workhorse. The interface simply suits the working photographer MUCH better.
I had a lot of thoughts when conceptualising what I wanted to do with this review. I mean, I’m a documentary street photographer who also occasionally get paid to do portraiture and weddings. I’m not even a professional photographer. (To clarify, I HATE that term with a passion, but only when it’s not being used properly. A professional photographer per definition is a person that makes a primary living from doing photography. THAT’S IT. Nothing to do with skill). I make my living from being a doctor of medicine. Hence I’m an enthusiast/amateur.
So I thought to myself – “How could an enthusiast write a review of a camera clearly made for the professional photographer?” – Well, for starters I would try to get the camera going in all kinds of different scenarios. I wanted to test it as a nature photographers camera, as a music photographers camera, as a sports photographers camera etc etc.
So that’s what I did. I have been throwing myself into a multitude of different photographic disciplines trying to fit the X-T2 into the specific workflow of that particular photographic sub-speciality. Let me tell you that right away, that this was NOT an easy task! – But I did my very best, and hopefully this will show you the incredible versatility of the Fujifilm X-T2.
But first let me take you through some of the new, more technical, things the X-T2 has to offer. I know this will end up very gear-headed and geeky…. But since I’m a complete gear-nut myself, this is unavoidable 😛
DISCLAIMER: Please note that all the images in this review has been shot with a prototype of the X-T2. I didn’t upload full resolution files, since I don’t know if image quality is final. It probably is though 🙂 – All images has been edited in Lightroom CC. If you want straight out of camera jpegs this is not the review for you 😛
Build
I got a message back in march. It was Mr. Löweberg of Fujifilm Nordic:
“How would you like to be a Taurus photographer?”
Taurus-photographer? Is that some collective thing in Sweden I should have known about? – I googled, and googled. Nothing came up. So I had to reply back:
“Sure thing, I think… – but what is a Taurus-photographer?”
“Oh, it’s a new camera…. what do you say?”
….Ok, ok. If I absolutely HAVE to…then alright…. 😛
About a month later the neat little anonymous black box arrived with my name on it. When I unpacked it, I immediately noticed the subtle changes to the dials. “This is going to be good”, I thought to myself. I still agree with that initial thought!
Now, there has been leaks-a-plenty and even a stolen camera that was sold on eBay. So the looks of the X-T2 is hardly a secret any longer! The X-T2 builds on the already tried and proven recipe of its predecessor. But Fujifilm greatly improved some core features.
Lets start with the dials. The shutter speed and ISO dials now have “click/declick” locks, instead of the inhomogeneous locks on the X-T1. And it just works. Finally! The exposure compensation dial is very firm to turn, and it has been placed just a couple of millimeters inside the edge of the camera, so you will not accidentally turn it! Perfect. The dials are taller than on the X-T1, and as such, much easier to grip even with gloves. Same is to be said for the “bottom” parts of the dials. The right side dial still accommodates the photometry functions, where as the left hand side still selects the different drive modes. As a new thing, the movie button is no longer at the top plate, but you now have the function to the far left on the lefthand dial. Fujifilm put a function key close to where the old movie button was, but I still think they should have kept the old movie button and labeled it as an Fn2.
The back of the camera now has the focus point joystick/knob thingie, just like on the X-Pro2. This means that the focus assist button is removed, and the Q button is moved to its place. Instead you just press the scroll wheel like on the X-Pro2 when you want the focus assist function. Buttons have been raised slightly, so they’re easier to find by the touch. They should be raised even further imho.
The thumb grip is more pointy and less curved. It has been moved further to the right. This new placement works great for my hands.
The SD card door, which now covers a dual SD slot, has been redesigned, and now requires you to depress a little hinge. Its very sturdy. No “bendgate” here. Same with the hatch to the left hand side. No wiggly wiggly! – It covers a remote jack, a mini HDMI port, a USB port and a mic jack.
The standard eyecup is now much improved. For a glass wearer like myself, its perfect. It’s almost the same as the extended eye cup for the X-T1. I like this change a lot!
The screen is now a 3-axis tilt screen, meaning that in addition to landscape tilt, you can also do horizontal tilt. You can also combine the two, for weird angle stuff. The LCD panel is a 3 inch, 1040K dot display.
Fujifilm made the X-T2 slightly larger than the X-T1, but it’s such a small difference that you have to hold them both side by side to even tell the difference. It’s very minute.
Functions
The innards of the X-T2 is the same as with the X-Pro2. A 24.3mp X-Trans III sensor, and an X Processor Pro handles operations. I have already gone into great detail about the specifics of the new sensor and the new processor in my X-Pro2 review HERE,so I won’t be going through too many specifics.
It has incredible dynamic range, and native ISO goes from ISO200-12800, and extended ISO range from ISO100-ISO51200. Also as RAW files.
With the X-Processor Pro comes the ability to use the Acros® film simulation, and the grain control. I wrote about what the X-Pro2 does with noise control in Acros in THIS POST
One of the things that Fujifilm improved upon with the X-T2 is the already brilliant EVF of the X-T1. The new EVF has a refresh rate of 60fps in normal mode and a staggering 100fps in boost mode. In the 100fps setting it is incredibly fluid! – There’s hardly any lag. The screen is a 2.36 million dot OLED, with added brightness. And the framerate doesn’t drop when used in the dark. The EVF is truly outstanding. It’s still a 0.77x magnification.
A thing that is often talked about in regards to the EVF is the blackout period between shots. This has really been improved as well. Fujifilm doesn’t specify a number, but states that it’s below half of that in the X-T1. All I can say from my testing, especially in motorsports, is that the blackout is virtually nonexistent. It surely poses a non-issue for capturing fast paced action sequences.
Fujifilm added a new boost mode to the X-T2. It uses more battery but in return cranks up all the cool speed functions. The function is a bit differentiated between using the camera with- or without the new Vertical Power Booster Grip (VPB-XT2).
What you get in the boost mode is the 100fps EVF refresh rate and continuous shooting up to 8fps with the mechanical shutter, and 14 fps with the electronic shutter. With the grip attached you get 11 fps with the mechanical shutter.
Now trust me when I tell you this. It’s INSANE! – The speed you get from the camera when in boost mode is right in DLSR territory! Combine the fast fps with the new improved AF, and you will get close to zero misses even when taking pictures of fast moving subjects. It’s not only fast, but it’s very precise.
The new drive mode enables you to choose between 3-, 4- and 5 fps in C-L mode, and depending on boostmode, battery grip, shutter type it will enable 8-, 11-, and 14 fps in C-H mode.
This brings me to the AF system. While the X-Pro2 certainly upped things in this department, the X-T2 takes it even further. You now have up to 325 autofocusing points, where 49 of them are PDAF points. It’s roughly 40% of the sensor area that is phase detection enabled.
Autofocus is very fast and very precise. I said it back in my X-Pro2 review, and I’ll say it again. The AF of Fujifilm cameras is no longer a showstopper. It’s precise and fast.
The new algorithms in the X-T2 allows for even better usage of the processing power, and results in greatly enhanced predictive AF. The Autofocus of this camera is downright incredible.
The AF-C mode now has different profiles with tunings in three basic parameters:
- Tracking sensitivity, sets how sensitive the camera is to tracking and locking on to the moving subject
- Speed tracking sensitivity, switches between sensitivity of decellerating/accelerating subjects and steady moving subjects
- Zone area switching. enables the system to either follow or ignore appearing subjects in the frame where there’s already a subject being focused on.
It comes with 5 presets for different purposes, and a customisable profile, where you can make your own adjustments to the three parameters.
Flash
Now, I’m not a studio photographer. Never have been, never will be (I think). But I do use strobes a lot for my product photography as well as my portraiture work. Both on-location and in doors.
Until recently the flash offering from Fujifilm has been close to non existing. But since announcing the EF-X500 they have really done some work to the overall flash interface in the X-T2.
It now feels like a mature system! The menus have been completely redesigned to give you a much clearer representation of what you have going on with your lighting.
I didn’t have a chance to test out the EF-X500 unit, so I have been trying out the improvements in either manual mode with my Cactus V5 triggers and my Nissin i40’s or with the complimentary fill flash unit EF-X8.
You have TTL and TTL slow sync, both options with a choice of 1st and 2nd curtain sync. Just like always…..but now here’s the kicker… you can FINALLY have 2nd curtain sync when using flashes in manual mode.
Movie
The big news with the movie function is obviously that the X-T2 is the first camera from Fujifilm capable of recording in 4K resolution. It does so, in 24p, 25p or 30p. The optional accessory powergrip has headphones jack out so you can listen to the sound whilst recording, and the added battery life from the grip will allow you to record up to 30minutes of 4K video.
It does clean HDMI output for 4K video recording, and offers the “F-Log” log-gamma option. AKA it does some fancy tricks with the videofile in a fancy way.
I tried the video function. It looks good. I’m NOT a videographer. I don’t do video AT ALL. So if this is your main interest, you might want to read another review. – And that’s just about all I have to say about the movie part. I did make a small sample clip, that you can view below.
I used a Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH for this small sample clip. I have been told that you can see autoexposure and aperture changes. What can I say? I’m not a video guy.
I used the Acros filmsimulation and edited it in iMovie.
Image Quality
As I mentioned, the innards of the X-T2 are the same as with the X-Pro2. You get 24.3 MP files with a resolution of 6000x4000px. Dynamic range in this new sensor is very good, and the flexibility in post processing is quite marvellous. I have been shooting the X-Pro2 since november 2015, and now the X-T2 since april. I have gotten quite familiar with sensor and its output by now.
Even though a lot can be recovered, you still have to watch your highlights on this sensor. Rather you underexpose a bit, and pull the shadows. – It’s an ISO-less sensor, so you can dial in exposure in the field, or you can do it after the fact when doing post-processing. It’s up to you. Your noise levels will not differ. – A lot of articles has been written on this subject, so I won’t add further to that discussion 😉 – Again, if you want my complete run-down of the image quality of this sensor, check out my X-Pro2 review HERE
Usage
Now, as I mentioned in the beginning of this write-up I really wanted to test the camera in different scenarios that would fit the bill of different types of photographers. So during the last 3 months I have carried and used the X-T2 everywhere. The only sub-ideal thing about this was that I constantly had to carry both the X-T2 as well as my X-Pro2. For keeping up my social media appearance, I had to shoot a a lot of pictures twice!
N.B. Remember to click the galleries to get to the image carrousel.
Landscape/nature
Just a week after receiving the X-T2 test unit, I had a trip planned to Iceland with some fellow danish Fujifilm photographers. I thought it would be a golden opportunity to test out the camera right away with harsh weather and beautiful sceneries requiring the absolute best in dynamic range and weather sealing.
The trip was an absolute success. My travelling companions must have figured me as a complete manic, since I always flew out the bus as the first one. I only did it so I could set up the X-T2, take the shots, and put it back in the bag before anyone noticed.
Weather sealing sure came in handy. The weather in Iceland is everchanging. Ranging from -2 degrees celcius to +14 degrees within an hour is nothing unusual. The weather sealing works. I put it within 3 feet of waterfalls. Put it into misty falloffs as well as accidentally dropping it into a small puddle. No issues what so ever!
The new portrait oriented tilt mode is fantastic for tripod usage when doing vertical landscape shots. It really came in handy in so many situations!
The image quality is fantastic. I can pull details from shadows, retain highlights and get incredible shots of the rapidly changing lighting conditions. It really is quite something!
Portraits/Commercial
During last year I have developed a great relationship with local danish motorcycle builders “Relic motorcycles”. They build bratstyle caferacers from old Hondas, BMW’s etc. We had been having some talks for a while about doing a proper session where I could photograph some of their bikes, their clothing line as well as general portraiture images for their upcoming website.
We ended up using the area around Aarhus harbour. For the driving shots I was hanging out the trunk of my family wagon, while staying as close to the asphalt as possible.
For the night time images of the bikes I used lightpainting techniques, while exposing at 30s on a tripod.
But this was really a test of the flash capabilities of the X-T2. I used my two Nissin i40 strobes in various setups with my Cactus V5 triggers. I really like how intuitive the new flashmenu is. It’s MUCH easier to work with and changing settings on the fly. Even when in manual mode.
We shot for 3 hours. I shot around 800 shots, and changed the X-T2 battery once. I can definitely live with that!
I really like how the filmsimulations can be used in these conditions. Especially around sunset the yellow/purple gradients in the sky look fantastic using the Velvia simulation, and the roughness of the industrial areas is easily enhanced using Classic Chrome. We had a blast and the X-T2 performed flawlessly.
Motorsports
I was fortunate enough to get an accredited spot as a photographer at the annual Classic Car Race Aarhus back in June. The test version of X-T2 had just been updated with the new firmware containing the new enhanced Autofocus and drive settings. So it was the perfect place to test out the highspeed, high performance aspects of the camera.
Off I went with the X-T2, Powergrip, Batteries gallore, XF10-24, XF50-140, XF16, XF23, XF35, and the XF90. Everything fit snug into my shoulder bag. No huge DSLRs here. The weight was perfect! – After 10 hours of constant walking, standing and shooting I didn’t even feel tired in my shoulders and back. THAT’S what mirrorless is all about!
Now let me just get it out there. The X-T2 is fast! It’s made for this kind of shooting. Racing cars going directly towards me at 200+ km/h was easily captured in burst mode with focus being locked on the car throughout the series. 3 fps through the trees and bushes didn’t fail once. It just locked on, and STAYED on. The extremely short blackout time makes it incredibly fluid to shoot fast paced scenes. I used the AF-C type 3 function for accelerating/decelerating subjects while in Zone focus mode. Switched between bursts of 11 and bursts of 3-5. It just works!
For panning shots I used manual focusing, set the aperture to A and shot at 1/15th to 1/60th. I can say with absolute certainty that with the hit rate I got from this event I can’t imagine a DSLR in my hands could be easier, or get me better results. Fujifilm has really stepped up to the plate in this area.
Wedding
I attended a wedding of some of our very good friends, and even though I wasn’t the primary photographer I couldn’t help but bring my gear along. For the documentary type of wedding photography that I usually do, the capturing of the fast fleeing moments is ever important. Having your camera fail in locking focus and being slow just makes your life as a wedding photographer a lot harder!
I only used prime lenses for this event. XF23mm, XF35mm and XF56mm APD.
Yet again, the small formfactor of both the X-T2 and the optics allowed me to attend as a guest and staying discreet about taking pictures.
Music/Concert
Being a huge music lover, looking at concert images always brings a smile to my face. I love it when you get to see the emotional register of the artists as they perform their art. During 2015 I did a concert test of the X30 as well as bringing my XT10 to the Smukfest festival. – Both events was shot while I was a regular member of the audience. This summer I had a great opportunity to be part of the internal photography team at the Nibe festival in Denmark. (Incredible team!!)
Seeing that it was my first time in the pit with proper access, I was a bit nervous as to how it would turn out.
The X-T2 did an amazing job. The fast paced sequences where the artists usually deliver great photogenic statures was easily captured with the AF-C mode set to track “Erratic moving subjects”. Focus was spot on. Mostly I used a 3 fps CL burst.
The flipscreen was very very handy here as well. For shooting above the edge of the stage, above the audience, ground level audience shots and so forth.
In addition, the small size really made it a breeze to carry the camera over my shoulder all day.
I really loved how it transformed from a big mean rapid fire stageshooting beast with the XF50-140mm, to being a completely discreet audience reportage camera with the XF35mm. Incredibly versatile!
Street/Documentary
Although my main camera choice for street photography would be the rangefinder’esque X-Pro2, the X-T2 certainly brings quite a few welcome features
For one the amazing EVF. It is like using a big screen TV for framing. I suddenly see a lot of tiny details much more clearly. I do miss the hybrid viewfinder component, but overall the big EVF is a great thing. The other thing that is great for street photography is the tilt screen. I really use this a lot for low angle framing. Also, when I look at the flip screen at waist level, the lack of possible eye contact makes my appearance much less noticeable. With the X-T2 I can even do this in portrait mode. It’s genius!
The new focus system is so snappy and precise, that missing fast paced moments is getting quite hard.
Conclusion
The X-T2 is the absolute best camera Fujifilm has to offer for the working photographer. It has great speed, great controls and great image quality. It really is a fantastic allround camera that will work very well no matter the situation you put it in. It marks a very effective top of the line in the X-T series. While 4K video has been added and revamped, it still feels like a still-photographers tool first and foremost. If you’re a photographer making a living from your pictures, and want to try out a mirrorless system, the X-T2 would be a great place to start looking.
this is awesome and answer me “why you not post for so long”.
thankyou for best review jonas.
Yeah. Thats partly the reason! – Thank you so much for reading 🙂
Great review, Jonas! And your photography is absolutely spectacular. I’ve been following you for years now, but your latest work is fantastic. Congrats.
-Stephen
Thank you so much for those kind words Stephen!
Your images are TO DIE FOR.
Thanks so much for posting this review, there’s such a lot of depth and detail I’m blown away.
Iain! You’re always so kind! Thank you so much.
Thanks for great review. I have x pro2 and it has terrible hot pixel issue (3 min long especially in shadow areas). Did you notice that?
Hi Serhat. Thank you so much. – I didn’t notice this issue during my 3 month test run. But I havnøt seen the issue on my X-Pro2 either.
Is it possible to send me raw file 3 min exposure without NR
Jonas,
thank you so much for such a great review (as always;). Your photography blows me away. I used X-T1 for the past year for my photography work (my main career is a biology teacher:), but I’m definitely getting X-T2 to substitute my trusty and wonderful previous model. Thank you again, I don’t need to read any other reviews. 🙌🏻😊
Banê V.
San Diego
Thank you so much for stopping by my friend! And thank you for the kind words.
Your reviews are amongst the best I can read on the internet; down to earth, real life and practical , beatifully illustrated, I always enjoy them.
The only downside – as you always get the best out of the tool you’re testing, it takes me days and a lot of efforts not to burn the credit card just after reading 🙂
hahahaha. Sorry about that Didier! But thank you for continuing to read even though I cost you some money!
Thanks for a great text, this made my rainy Thursday morning 🙂
/Vincent
Thank you very much Vincent! Glad I could help 😉
Fantastisk læsning, Jonas. Lige et spørgamål. Jeg læser din tekst som, at kameraet nu kan skyde ISO100 i RAW. Er det rigtig forstået?
ISO100 er “extended”, så det er blot er et overeksponeret ISO200 billede, hvilket forklarer den lavere dynamiske formåen. Så du vil få det samme resultat ved at overeksponere et ISO200 billede med et stop … sådan er det i hvert fald med alle de andre Fujier. Hvis det ikke var sådan med X-T2eren, tænker jeg, de ikke ville sætte den i egen bos som extended 🙂
Jeg har ikke prøvet et X-T2, men dette er den generelle forklaring på, hvordan Fujis Extended ISO100 virker.
Tak Thomas. Immanuel har fuldstændig ret 🙂 Det er blot en undereksponeret ISO200 fil. Et resultat af den iso-løse sensor. Dog er der nogle problemer ved at gå ud over sensorens kapacitet på den måde. Man skal virkelig passe på sine highlights dernede. De blæses utrolig let ud.
Great review, Jonas! Your shots from motorsport event are just gorgeous!
I’m shooting a lot of concerts with my X-T1, and very often AF have hard times to lock in stage lighting. Is there is a huge improvement with X-T2 in this regard? Thank you!
Thank you Krill. Theres definitely an improvement. The low light AF is much better because of the improved lighting sensitivity of the X-Trans 3 sensor.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing! Oliver2.0
Thank you Oliver 🙂
I love your photos and style, thank a lot for such honest review
Thank you very much! Glad you liked it
Hi Jonas 🙂
Thanks for the review. In general, I find your reviews very informative 🙂
I guess Fuji likes to get feedback from you X-photographers, so here is a neat little firmware suggestion, I would love, if you would pass on to Fuji. It is in regards to auto-ISO settings. Right now, you can set a fixed minimum shutter speed in the auto-ISO settings. I would like the option to be able to set this to “variable”. Here is, what it would do to the shooting flow:
Set the shutter speed to T and use one control dial to pick the minimum shutter speed for the specific shot.
That will make thinking of ISO a thing of the past (for me anyway). If you want to shoot something fast, you set a faster minimum shutter speed, and if you want to shoot something slow, you set a slow minimum shutter speed. This way, you will always get the optimum noise performance.
Imagine it for street shooting with a bit too little light:
1) Person walking by: 1/160 ISO 1600
2) Still shot of architecture: turn control wheel: 1/60 ISO 500
3) Beautiful bird flying by: turn control wheel: 1/800 ISO 5000 – but sharp
4) Another interesting still object: turn wheel to 1/60: there is plenty of light here: the camera fires at 1/100 ISO 200 without over exposure
This will take the flexibility of auto-ISO to another level. As it is now, in many situations you often either waste ISO on a higher speed than needed or you get motion blur from a too slow setting. But maybe more important is, that it could make photography a little less arithmetic. And it would be really nice to break the 1/500 barrier in the auto-ISO settings 🙂
Best regards
Immanuel
That is one hell of a great idea! – I’ll try and pass that on. Should be doable in firmware.
Thank you for reading, Immanuel!
Excellent review Jonas! Thanks for the details. Now I must decide when to pull the credit card trigger.
I don’t think you’ll regret such a purchase 😉 – Thank you very much for reading.
Simply the best.
Thank you so much Jarrod. Always so kind
What a brilliant and inspiring review. Makes me so glad the succesor of my beloved X-T1 came to do nothing else than justice to FujiFilm brilliance.
Your street shots are bluntly impressive, my friend.
Thank you so much Danilo! – Glad to have you reading.
Amazing Review Jonas, I’m thinking to buy this camera…I’m trying the Leica SL but it’s too big and heavy!
what you think?
🙂
I’m not Jonas obviously but for the price of the SL plus lens(10000? €) you’d get a nice working Fuji kit (let’s say around 4000€).
Plus, if you are really into niche cameras, save a bit more and get the new Hasselbad X1D, or wait for the Fujifilm Medium Format.
I doubt a lot of people can justify the SL. Then again, this is Leica we are talking about. :-).
Cheers
Martin
Hi ikkio. I havn’t tried the Leica SL for more than a few minutes so I really can’t advise either pro or con.
It’s definitely bigger and also A LOT more expensive than the X-T2.
Great Review, one question which I can’t seem to find the answer to (hopefully I didn’t somehow miss it in your review): the playback in portrait mode on the XT1 always fails to flip the image so you need to cock your head to the side. The screen is flipped during the initial playback back right after the image was taken but when in playback it shows the image as if you’re holding the camera in landscape orientation. Did they fix this?
There is a menu option to make it turn the preview image 😉
I’ve read a lot of reviews, possibly too many for one night, but this is my absolute favorite. I am sharing with friends as the go to review to read since it covers everything we need. Even though I pre ordered prior to this read, thank you for this, I sincerely appreciate it.
-Andrew
Thank you so much Andrew!
This is a very helpful review! 🙂 Are you sure doctor is what you REALLY wanna be when you “grow up” ? 🙂 😀 -Very- nice pictures and I like your style of writing. Thnx a lot 🙂 (Makes me want a new camera though..)
Vbr: PerS
Haha. Thank you Per! – Yeah, that decision is as final as it gets. Its works best that way 😉
Jonas,
Kasia and I always enjoy reading your pieces. Great review and amazing imagery!
Hey Olaf! – Thank you SO much for reading! And for your kind words. You guys rock. I really enjoyed your writeup as well. I only found time to read it this morning! Beautiful! Cya. /J
Sounds like a very good camera that I’ll have to strongly consider. But wow, outstanding images as always. I could thumb through them all day long.
It really is. Thank you so much Leroy!
Thank you. Beautiful work. Stunning and covering so many different styles and edits.
Thank you so much Seth!
Kæft…. en god artikel
Paps
haha. Tak Paps 😀
Damn bro, this review is sweet. Thank you!
hank you so much John. Thank you for reading.
How is the low light focus? I might have missed it here.
Same as with the X-Pro2 since the light sensitivity is the same on the sensor. But the AF algorithm in the XT2 does do a better job overall.
Beautiful photos as always!
Thank you so much Christopher!
Fabulous photography. Inspirational.
I don’t even know what to say when a photographer of your caliber says that to me! You’re incredibly kind. Very humbled Damien! Thank you so much!!
Great review as always – the go-to review of X-T2 so far! You didn’t mention whether it has the sexy “snik!” shutter sound of the X-Pro2?
Hi Jan. Thank you so much. That sexy “Ninja sword through a ripe watermelon” sound from the shutter is indeed still there! 😀
*collects jaw off floor*
Absolutely incredible images. I especially loved the concert shots. Just WOW.
Hahaha. Thank you so much Luke! – Glad you liked them.
Absolutely fantastic shooting Jonas. I can really see the progression of your ability to capture increasingly great shots. Yeah, we can credit the equipment all you want but most of us aren’t ending up with results like this. 🙂
Nice write up. It really. Makes me lust for a tool I told myself I wouldn’t be interested in after making the financial plunge with the xpro2. I still love this camera but I do admit I miss the larger EVF and tilt screen.
As always thanks for sharing your vision.
Hi scott. Thank you so much for your continued support to my site! – I agree the tilt screen is incredibly useful.
Fantastisk godt review – fantastiske billeder og en super flot introduktion til et nyt og ventet kamera
Tusind tak skal du have Svend!
I know you’re not a videographer, but any chance you can interject on this topic?-
F-Log, the consensus seems to be that you can only select/use it when you are using an external recorder via HDMI. Do you ever notice the feature in the menu when choosing your profiles?
Its not tin the menus, so yes. This is only for HDMI recording in full bitstream.
Ok, I loved your review, but your pictures were even better. Basically, if I could upgrade cameras to the XT-2 that would be great, but if I could upgrade to your skills I don’t care about the camera!
You’re too kind Wally. Great to have you reading/watching. Take care. /J
Hi Jonas,
as always a great Review and really nice shots! Thank you very much.
Concerning vintage glass – would you choose the x-t2 over the x-pro 2?
Cheers
Daniel
The X-T2 is REALLY great for vintage because of the big EVF. It makes focusing VERY easy since its much clearer with focus peaking.
I have a bit of trouble nailing focus with manual lenses on my A7 even with focus peaking because focus peaking isn’t always right on. I’m wondering if Fuji tools for manual focus guys like me are better?
Hi Jonas,
Is the larger EVF much better than using the OVF w/ rangefinder tab in the X-Pro2? I’m an x-pro1 user and I love the idea of the rangefinder tab in the new one, but if it turns out that you’re most likely to use the EVF most the time because it’s significantly better than I guess there is no point?
Your website got me into using vintage lenses with the x-pro1 and now have an M-Rokkor 40mm glued to the camera (the 90mm is also great).
Alex
I meant to add that I use vintage lenses exclusively so the rangefinder tab comment refers to using it with older lenses with an adaptor
Thanks!
I read through and it looks like it will be great camera can’take wait to rent it and try it myself.
One thing I read that I agree with and have gotten into many many arguments over. When you menation youre not a professional photographer. People think the kit or skill make you a pro. It’s making a living off shooting that Determines that.
Jonas,
Have you used the 16-55 f2.8 zoom and what are you thoughts about ease of use and image quality?
Thank you,
Frank Wolff
Jonas, this is the first time I’ve read your blog, and I have to say that I’m way impressed. Your review of the X-T2 is hands down the best I’ve seen (and I’m pretty sure I’ve read the majority of them up to this point). I particularly appreciated the detail and information about the AF enhancements, which is probably the area I am most interested in as an X-T1 user for the last couple of years. I had high hopes for its successor, and by all rights, it would appear that they have been at least met, or more likely exceeded. I placed an order for the X-T2 from my local store and just can’t wait until it makes its appearance. Again, many thanks for an outstanding overview and review.
A first class review, based upon real world use and backed up by some stunning images – thank you! I’m now very excited at the thought of the X-T2 release. I was also very interested in your comments concerning the term ‘professional’ – sad but true in a lot of cases, the many truly brilliant pro-shooters out there not withstanding.
The extreme level of the absolutely amazing images “improves” the camera much more than the quality of the camera itself
Great work Jonas! Seriously amazing!! A lot of great pictures, think my favorite is the motorcycle guy + sunset 🙂
Great review and great photos as always! Love your work! I have a X-Pro1 and X-T1 and just bought the X-Pro2 when it came out! Like you, I prefer the rangefinder style better the DSLR style of the X-T model. As a Fuji-X lover, I’d like to get the new X-T2 too but I think it is a bit overpriced particularly when you combine the battery grip to the total cost. Do you agree?
Jonas, I have been saving up for this camera since the Xpro 2 was announced 😀 i figured the XT2 would be coming sometime soon. Anyway, the only other fuji I have is an X100S. So no XF lenses on me yet. Would you recommend I start with the 18-55 2.8-4 kit or jump right into the body only with a 35mm f2 prime? I carried a apsc dslr with a 35mm prime for years, but I figured the 18-55 XF lens looks sharp enough to satisfy most my needs until I can save up enough money for a 35 or 56mm Prime. What are your thoughts? Thanks for the great review, I read yours before any others.
You certainly won’t be disappointed with the 18-55, it is an excellent lens. Compact, sharp and more versatile being a zoom. The 18-135 is very good as well…an ideal single travel lens. The 35 f2 is great, but maybe wait for 23 f2. Get them all! I’m a Fuji convert for three years now, and have finally decided to sell Canon 5D and L lenses. The weight is a killer in the end.
Well well well Jonas… Fantastisk review og som sædvanlig billeder i verdensklasse. Kan ikke gøres bedre! Happy shooting til vi ses næste gang 😉
As usual and recognized fantastic pictures. Now which between the T2 and the Xpro2 will you recommend…start to get difficult!!! I still have my “old” Xe2 which has been great but…maybe it’s the time to move on…so which one. I have also a X70 for my work/traveling period.
I want to buy the X-T2 but my problem is the choice of the lens because sometimes I photograph in low light concerts with musicians in small movements.
R LM OIS XF18-55mm F2.8-4 stabilized but not constant F2.8
XF16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR is not stabilized but constant F2.8
Which one do you recommend for my use?
I will never make a good photographer but enjoy the hobby and the pleasure and disappointments it can bring. At reaching 70 I have sold all my Canon pro equipment as finding it to heavy and cumbersome. Your straight forward and practical review of the XT 2 was one of the best reviews I have ever read Thank You. From your equipment it appears you mainly use non zoom lens. I would really appreciate you recommendations on lens selection when I purchase XT 2. As yourself I am not interested in Video. The new light weight XF 35MM F2R WR was my first choise or is the older F 1.4 better?
Thanks again for great review
Tony Wright
UK
I find myself in a similar situation to Tony so am looking for all reviews on the new XT-2. I thought yours was well balanced and informative – thank you!
I have friends who have the XT-1 and swear by it – how much better is it with the XT-2?
Fantastic review and amazing pictures about the X-T2. Your pics wit the X-T2 are so gorgeous Jonas ! Thank you !
Great job! love that Review!
And crazy good photos anyway.
As I´m looking arround for a alternative to my Olympus Gear – just in case the E-M1 MII is not what I expect to stay on the System.
I´m drawing more and more attention to FUJI, as the a7r MII is still so expensive and getting big. To expensive and quite to big for me
Hi Jonas, thanks so much for this review – super helpful! Could you help me with a question about AF behaviour?
In Af-C (and specifically when using back button AF), does focussing stop and restart after every frame taken?
I had an XT1 and that’s how it worked. The delay in re-acquiring focus after every shot, even while my finger remained on the back AF button in AF-C mode, drove me nuts!
Hoping the xt2 (and xpro2?) behave more like my Nikon bodies with AF-C continuing to track without any discernible pause when the shutter is pressed.
Hope this makes sense?!?!? If you’re able to shed some light on this I would be very grateful!
Cheers
Paul
Is your photo being used by Tony & Chelsea Northrup? Just saw a youtube video by them and I swear it is yours.
Hey man. It is. It’s been licensed to Fujifilm, they use it for the online press, blogs etc
Jonas,
I find myself coming back to this site again and again.
You have a silent and solid quality in what you write and how you write.
As a matter of fact I believe that this is one of the major secrets of Fujifilm’s success. The community. Interested and interesting people sharing something special.
Thanks for sharing your work with us, Jonas.
Best regards
Robertus
Hi Jonas,
I have to be honest with you! I just read a review of the X-T2 on the blog of a Belgian photographer and at the end of the article there is a link to your review. When I clicked on the link I thought that I would read the same things as in the five previous reviews I just read but… I was completely wrong!
Your review is one of the best article (if not THE best) I have read! OMG your photographs are PEACHY and so inspirational!
Fuji is not just selling good products but really building a great community and I love the passion and sharing of the X-Photographers.
This was my first time I’m on your website and I can say that’s not gonna be the last #bookmark^^
Keep the good work!
Cheers from Belgium
Renaud
I would love to see you do a review on the Mitakon 35mm f0.95! Theres just not enough info on fuji with the mitakon speedmaster!
Absolutely stunning photos and a great writeup about your X-T2 experience. You are a very accomplished photographer and someone who makes a difference in people’s lives. Please don’t raise the bar so high for the rest of us. Bastard. 😉
I’m trying to decide between the a7ii and the x-t2. Fuji has a more promising lens lineup and i have read good reviews on their glass. This review is pushing me towards fuji (still undecided), and is one of the most excellent reviews I have read! Keep up the good work!
Please post back with your findings and/or decision! I’m making the exact same pivot for video reasons but have read that the Sony image quality is better. I prefer the manual controls on the X-T(x) though.
Hi Jonas, great review! I am about to buy my first ever Fuji camera and I am overwhelmed with all the options. I’m not a professional photographer but I do need a good camera for my travel blog. I travel often and here are the kind of shots I usually take:
1. Landscapes (like Swiss alps, Santorini calderas and Seychelles beaches)
2. Streetstyle portraits with blurred backgrounds (usually half body or full body in various cities around the world)
3. Interiors (hotel rooms and lobbies; I love colorful design hotels)
4. Food (close up or with blurred background)
5. Colorful walls, buildings and patterns.
I would really love to get this new X-T2 but I am not a working photographer so I don’t know if it’s worth it to splurge if I can get great quality pictures from another Fuji camera. So what Fuji camera should I buy? Should I get the X-T1, X-T10 or X-Pro2? Or another model?
Also, I want to buy one lens only for a start. Based from what I enumerated above, should I buy Fuji XF 35mm/F2 or Fuji XF 23mm/F2 to be able to take these kind of shots? Or should I get the Fuji XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR instead? Landscapes and streetstyle fashion portraits are the most important to me. But it would be great if the lens can do hotel interiors too.
Thank you so much! Love your website and photography!
Bonjour Jonas.
Tout d’abord félicitations pour vos belles photos.
Je voulais savoir, si vous avez un boitier seul à prendre, vous prendriez le xt2 ou le xpro2 ?
Cordialement.
Hi Jonas,
I have just bought the x-t2 and it is my first Fujifilm camera. I use Canon 5D Mk III but found this way too big to always be lugging around with my boys.
I just had a quick question about previewing images. Is it normal for the preview to take a second to come into focus? Could it be my memory card (eye-fi) that is making it slow? Or is there a setting?
Haven’t really had a chance to play with it but I am liking what I am seeing anyway.. everyone’s reviews have amazing photos. I think in my situation it is the user hahaha.
Thanks
San
Hi Jonas,
Great review and your pictures looks amazing! Just one quick question, as a causal photographer who mainly shoots stills, would u recommend going for the much cheaper X T-1 right now or the more advanced but very pricey X T-2?
Thanks!!
Ivan
I find the XT2 to be overhyped, it’s autofocus for fast moving animals for example is not as sharp and accurate as some may lead you to believe, for wildlife or action there are far better options all be it heavier, and it’s buggy, the screen goes blank often and the camera shuts down in mid use on occasion, as a Fuji shooter with XT1 and now this one I’d say do not get it yet, I’d wait for a few months or at least until the first firmware update to see if it gets better, if Fuji give you a camera to test you are biased period. I do not think this camera is a game changer, not yet.
i’m not sure i could be comfortable with a Doctor that is such a wonderful photographer… ; )
Thanks, Great Job..!
Wow. Great stuff. I love my Sony A7 but I miss my Fuji gear too. You certainly have made a compelling statement for the XT2. Beautiful shots and great site.
LOL @ Matt.
So, I’m a bit of a gear head(please don’t judge 😉 and love reading/watching reviews. This one blew me out of the water because I forgot about the camera and got lost in your images. Makes me want to take whatever crummy camera I have with a charged battery and hit the streets.
Wow…..
Your sample photos are crazy……
Wow….
You make me sure to what i wanna buying between sony a6500 or fuji xt2
Hi Jonas! And happy new year! Just bought a xt2 and loving it. Only one thing that’s worries me. I have find some hot/ stuck pixels and the camera is only about 4 weeks old. Is this normal? Is it any idea to send it back or should I do a pixel mapping from the menu?
Hey Jonas!
Thank you so much for this useful review!
I have a quick question, I just got this camera and having some trouble with the manual mode when it want to get a purposely blurry foto for aesthetic reasons, the autofocus still kicks in even if i am in manual mode and scrolling the focus ring to get it blurry.
How can i turn off the autofocus helper?
It would be REALLY helpful! thanks!
c.
Hey Jonas! I just got an x-t2 and I’m just in awe of your color work. Specially the iceland pictures (the one with the waterfall and the ice falling off the mountain across the gap). Have you made any tutorials where you show how you’re getting these tones? Or do you use a particular preset system?
I’m just so envious of those colors, not easy to get to that for a colorblind person, such as me haha
cheers!
I love your Homepage, the design, the way you express your ideas, thoughts and how you present them. Very nicely structured and minimalistic, ON POINT! 🙂 This article of yours made me buy the Fuji X-T2 and I LOVE it! Thanks for your content, I will always check in and support your work! Keep it up man!
Greetings from Germany,
John
I am one of your photos fans.
I am watching your photo from Japan.
My camera is x-pro2.
I purchased the same thing because the camera strap you are using was cool.
I want to know the setting of your wedding photo. If you are not troubling, please let me know.
Is it the same as your ordinary setting?
I usually take pictures with your settings.
I was able to find out on this blog.
I’m sorry, my English is not good.
Jonas, you might not be a professional photographer, but your reviews and pictures are simply amazing! Way better than other pros out there reviewing he same gear. Fuji know what they do lending you their cameras.
Dear Jonas
I read your Fuji Xt2 review and its really great.
I would like to help me with an dilemma.
I am a lover of travel photography (landscapes most and people) and i would like to buy Xpro2 or Xt2. What’s your opinion? Why?
I already have 10-24/4, 56/1,2, 35/2, 18-55/2,8-4, lenses.
Thank you
Akis
Dear Jonas
I would like to add on my previous comment that I already have a Fuji Xt1.
Akis
Every single shot you have posted is beautiful. I have been taking photos for 25 years & don’t have five shots that are as good as any one of those. Hats off.
Wonderful review, images. But I BEG YOU! the name of the song and artist on your video! Please!
Thank you for the review. Absolutely stunning images.
Hey Jonas!
My name is Brian and i’m from the SF Bay Area. I just purchased the Fuji XT2 with the 18-55 zoom lens and an additional 35mm f2 prime lens and to be honest, I thought I’d have more time to learn the camera but with two little girls running around the house it has been quite difficult. Unfortunately, I’m going to be going to a family reunion in the Philippines next wednesday for a family reunion and I’m trying my best to document the trip because I don’t know when the next time I will go back will be. I’m hoping to take street photography style (static) and also family photos (portrait), right out of the box settings I’m already so confused and I feel like I spent so much money for a camera that isn’t working, but I’m also wondering if that’s because of my settings. I looked at the menu options and I have no idea how to adjust or change these things. I was wondering if you could please guide me as to how to setup my camera settings to achieve street photography and family portraits. Please help!!! Thank you for your time Jonas and I hope you’re doing great. Keep up the great work!
Regards from the Bay Area,
Brian