Rico Pfirstinger - Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1

Mastering the FUJIFILM X-Pro1

Rico Pfirstinger

Rico Pfirstinger

Editor: Gerhard Rossbach
Translation: David Schlesinger
Copyeditor: Hillary Danz
Layout and Type: Rico Pfirstinger
Cover Design: Anna Diechtierow
Printer: Tallinna Raamatutrkikoja O
Printed in Estonia

ISBN: 978-1-937538-14-9

1st Edition 2012
2012 by Rico Pfirstinger

Rocky Nook Inc.
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Santa Barbara, CA 93103
www.rockynook.com

Copyright 2012 by dpunkt.verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
Title of the German original: Das Fuji X-Pro1 Handbuch
ISBN 978-3-86490-004-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Pfirstinger, Rico.
Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 / by Rico Pfirstinger. -- 1st edition.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-937538-14-9 (softcover : alk. paper)
1. Fujifilm digital cameras--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Photography--Digital
techniques--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.
TR263.F85P47 2012
006.686--dc23
2012034126

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This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Do you really need a second handbook for a camera like the FUJIFILM X-Pro1? Doesnt the owners manual cover everything? The answer is: no, it doesnt.

Thats not to say that the owners manual is bad; it documents all of the cameras functions brieflyincluding features that I (and probably a majority of other photographers) wont ever use. Whats missing are background information and practical tips based on experience. Whats the best way to activate a function? Which setting should you use in different circumstances? Why is the camera exhibiting a certain behavior? And most important, which functions dont work the way you would expect them to and how you should handle them?

This book in no way makes the X-Pro1 owners manual superfluous, and you should read the manual, because this book picks up where the manual leaves off. It condenses the knowledge and experience I gained in 15 months of groundwork, during which I collected a wealth of information from Internet forums and countless other sources. While I was researching, I also shot thousands of images with the cameras of the FUJIFILM X-seriesin particular the X100 and, since February 2012, the X-Pro1.

This handbook includes personal experiences, tips, and background informationnot only from me, but from other photographers as well. Some basic photographic knowledge is assumed. The X-Pro1 is probably not your first camera, and you hopefully are already familiar with concepts like aperture and shutter speed.

If you still need to learn the basics, there are many excellent books (including some from this publisher) for building the knowledge and skills to fill this gap.

I hope you enjoy reading this book and shooting with your X-Pro1!

Rico Pfirstinger, September 2012

The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 system comprises the camera itself as well as a host of additional components available from Fuji and several third-party vendors.

In addition to a variety of Fuji X-Mount autofocus lenses, you can also attach current and older lenses from manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, Contax, and Leica with the help of adapters. A FUJIFILM adapter will enable you to use the Leica M-system, and those from other manufacturers like Kipon or Novoflex expand your options for lens mounts even further.

The X-Pro1 unfortunately doesnt come equipped with a built-in flash, but you can choose from three different system flash units designed for the X-Pro1 (and other Fuji camera models) that feature automatic TTL flash exposure capabilities. Or you can avail yourself of flash equipment from other manufacturers while shooting in manual mode.

Do you wear glasses? If so, a diopter ring could make a big difference for you. With its help, youll be able to get the most from the X-Pro1s unique hybrid viewfinder without needing your glasses.

Do you plan on traveling with your X-Pro1? Then youll need replacement batteries and a handy power adapter. And how about an additional handgrip that allows you to get a better hold of your camera while shooting?

Theres more: Which memory cards should you use? Which filters should you affix to your lenses? How do you update the firmware for your camera and X-Mount lenses? And how do you keep troublesome dust and dirt particles from compromising your cameras X-Trans sensor?

As you can see, there are many questions to answer.

Image 1: The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 with the XF35mmF1.4 R standard focal length lens as well as the XF18mmF2 R wide-angle and XF60mmF2.4 R tele-macro lenses.

Before we get started with the actual operation of the X-Pro1, we should take a quick look at the cameras buttons, dials, menus, and connectionsnot because I think that you havent done this already, but to be sure that were speaking the same language and using the same terminology.

Image 2:X-Pro1 Front View: hybrid viewfinder, shoulder strap eyelet, focus mode selector, lens release button, lens signal contacts, X-Trans sensor, OVF/EVF viewfinder selector, AF-assist lamp, microphone (left/right).

Image 3:X-Pro1 Top View: ON/OFF switch, shutter button, Fn button, exposure compensation dial, shutter-speed dial with dial release, hot shoe.

Image 4:X-Pro1 Back and Left Side View: viewfinder with diopter ring, eye sensor, LCD monitor, VIEW MODE button, indicator lamp, command dial, AE-L/AF-L button, Quick Menu (Q) button, playback button, selector with macro button, MENU/OK button, DISP/BACK button, AF/delete button, AE/playback zoom-out button, DRIVE/playback zoom-in button, flash sync terminal, speaker.