Rico Pfirstinger - Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1

Rico Pfirstinger studied communications and has been working as a journalist, publicist, and photographer since the mid-80s. He has written a number of books on diverse topics, from Adobe PageMaker to sled dogs. He produced a beautiful book of photographs titled Huskies in Action. He worked as the department head for the German Burda-Publishing Company and served as chief editor for a winter sports website.

After eight years as a freelance film critic in Los Angeles, Rico now lives in Germany and devotes his time to digital photography and compact camera systems.

Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1

Rico Pfirstinger

rockynook

Rico Pfirstinger

Publisher: Gerhard Rossbach

Project Editor: Maggie Yates

Copyeditor: Aimee Baldridge

Layout and Type: Anna Diechtierow

Cover Design: Anna Diechtierow

Printer: Sheridan Books, Inc.

Printed in USA

ISBN 978-1-937538-31-6

1st Edition 2013

2013 by Rico Pfirstinger

Rocky Nook Inc.

802 East Cota St., 3rd Floor

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

www.rockynook.com

Copyright 2013 by dpunkt.verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany.

Title of the German original: Das Fujifilm X-E1 Handbuch

ISBN 978-3-86490-065-5

Translation Copyright 2013 by Rocky Nook. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Pfirstinger, Rico.

Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 / by Rico Pfirstinger. -- 1st Edition.

pages cm

ISBN 978-1-937538-31-6 (pbk.)

1. Fujifilm digital cameras--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Photography--Digital techniques--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.

TR263.F85P46 2013

771.3--dc23

2013022946

Distributed by OReilly Media

1005 Gravenstein Highway North

Sebastopol, CA 95472

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher.

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While reasonable care has been exercised in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author(s) assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein or from the use of the discs or programs that may accompany it.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Do you really need a second handbook for cameras like the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E1? Doesnt the owners manual already cover everything? Unfortunately, it doesnt.

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

This book in no way makes the owners manuals of your camera, lenses, and accessories superfluous. You should definitely read them, because this book picks up where the manuals leave off. It condenses the knowledge and experience I gained in more than two years of groundwork, during which I collected a wealth of information from Internet forums and many other sources. While I was researching, I also shot thousands of images with all of the cameras of the Fujifilm X series.

This handbook includes personal experiences, tips, and background informationnot only from me, but from other photographers as well. Since the X-Pro1 and X-E1 are very similar in functionality and operation, most of the things that are discussed in this book apply to both cameras. The major difference between the two is the hybrid viewfinder of the X-Pro1. Dont worry; I will be sure to clarify if a feature or topic applies to only one of the cameras. As far as the sensor, internal processing, and image quality are concerned, the two cameras are virtually identical and deliver interchangeable results. Hence all sample images are representative for both the X-Pro1 and the X-E1.

Im assuming some basic photographic knowledge on your part. Your X-E1 or 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 or X-E1!

Rico Pfirstinger, September 2013

Figure 1: Have no fear: this book will help you master your X-Pro1 or X-E1. Both cameras are very versatile and can be used for a wide array of applicationsfrom reportage to studio, just for fun, or for professional assignments. This image was shot with a single Profoto strobe and an X-Pro1 with a standard 1855mm kit zoom lens. The RAW file was processed with Apple Aperture 3.4.

The mirrorless Fujifilm X-mount system comprises several camera bodies as well as a host of additional components available from Fuji and several third-party vendors.

In addition to using a variety of X-mount autofocus lenses from Fujifilm (Fujinon) and Zeiss, you can attach current and older lenses from manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, Contax, and Leica with the help of adaptors. A Fujifilm adaptor will enable you to use the Leica M system, and adaptors from other manufacturers like Kipon and Novoflex expand your lens mount options even further.

Unlike the X-E1, the X-Pro1 doesnt come equipped with a built-in flash, but you can choose from three different system flash units designed for both cameras (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 for the X-Pro1 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 camera system? Then youll need replacement batteries and a handy power adaptor. And how about an additional handgrip that allows you to get a better hold on your camera while shooting?

Ill also cover several other hardware issues in the pages that follow, such as: 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?