I had the opportunity (read as: paid my $15) to go on a photowalk hosted by Steve Zeinner, a local Cincinnati photographer, Procam Cincinnati, and Stacey Moore from Fujifilm on Saturday Sept. 14, 2019. The carrot on the stick was the chance to use a Fujifilm X-T30 (in my case, equipped with a 16mm prime lens) while walking around downtown Cincinnati, and as a Fuji fan, that (plus a free afternoon, which is unusual) was enough to get me there. We were accompanied by a model, Sara Lee, as we walked and got tips from Steve (and Stacey) about perspective, finding angles, and finding unique spots to shoot.
I have a video on Youtube of the day if that’s any interest… shot with my iPhone, I didn’t test the video capabilities of the Fuji. Several of the photographers have posted shots of Sara on their instagram accounts so that she can grab them and repost them (her account is private, though). So far I’ve seen shots from:
@lee_finn_onajetplane (from Procam) who also posted a group shot of us all!
X-T30, 16mm: f5.6; 1/26; ISO160 jpeg, straight out of the camera (no edits), as are all the rest of the photos.
The camera is easy to use, especially as a Fuji shooter: I was able to help a person or two with a settng or two, but also managed to knock the command dial from single shot (S) to one of the creative settings (ADV) and couldn’t remember how to get it back…even after I had changed it from the multi-shot setting to S when i started the day. LOL
X-T30, 230mm: f6.7; 1/45; ISO800 jpeg, straight out of the camera (no edits). This was with my Fuji XC lens.
We started at PROCAM’s store near Amelia, Ohio, then carpooled down to Fountain Square. We walked a few blocks, with everyone listening to Steve’s ideas, asking Stacey questions, and shooting street, landscape, architecture, Sara, and each other with the Fujifilm X-T30s as well as our own cameras. The small size of the X-T30 makes it a discrete choice for street shooting, as I’m sure you can read and see on lots of blogs and reviews, but it is such a solid, well-made camera, I highly recommend it to anyone that is shopping for a camera that is not a DSLR. Excellent feel and feedback (the shutter click is quite satisfying) and excellent controls. The size was small-ish for my used-to-using-the-larger-X-T1, but the grip that Stacey had on hers solved that minor annoyance. My hands aren’t huge, but big enough to want more to grip.
For me, one of the most important features that separates it from cameras of the same size and market range is the excellent EVF. I still use my X-M1, but one of the many reasons that I bought an X-T1 (used, as I am very budget-conscious) was that it had the EVF that the X-M1 lacks. You can set the diopter with a dial right next to the viewfinder, so I could use it without my glasses getting in the way. The dial is more convenient than the one on my X-T1, I think, even if the EVF is smaller.
The most used controls (Mode dial and shutter speed) are right on top, and the Fn button as well as the touchscreen make settings like ISO easily accessible. I did let the camera do most of the choosing shutter and ISO for the afternoon, to be honest: I used the aperture ring on the lens to make my adjustments and let the camera figure out the rest.
I was pleased that back-button focus was set up the same as my X-T1 (set front switch to M and press the conveniently located AF-L button), and the only focus errors were completely my fault! Ugh. I met some ladies that were taken aback by our posse of photogs, and for fun snapped some shots of them and didn’t hold the back button! Stupid mistake. :)
Fujifilm’s Stacey Moore helping out with the touchscreen menus. You can set it to take a photo when you tap it! X-T30, f4.6; 1/85; ISO400; 56mm
Enough with the jabbering, here are some representative images from the X-T30: some with the 16mm prime, some with one of my lenses (the aforementioned XC 50-230).
Stacey was a joy, here she is gleefully passing out some swag! X-T30, f2.8; 1/30; ISO160; 16mm
Cincinnati’s Fountain Square was hosting yet another event: it’s the town square of Cincinnati. X-T30, f8; 1/40; ISO160; 16mm
X-T30, f8; 1/26; ISO160; 16mm
X-T30, f5.6; 1/20; ISO250; 16mm
Sara had to let me get quite close a few times with the 16mm lens, she was a breeze to work with! That’s Neil Armstrong behind her, of course. X-T30, f3.2; 1/180; ISO160; 16mm
Like I said, she was a pro about it! X-T30, f5.6; 1/28; ISO160; 16mm
X-T30, f6.7; 1/320; ISO1600; 230mm Classic Chrome film simulation, I’m pretty sure. Shot through a plant…
X-T30, f5.6; 1/240; ISO160; 16mm handled the extremes of shadow and sky like a champ!
Steve Zeinner (on the right) patiently waiting for the group to join the guide… X-T30, f6.7; 1/340; ISO1250; 230mm
Steve is a fan of the low perspective shot, as am I. X-T30, f5.6; 1/38; ISO160; 16mm
I liked the leading lines and angles! X-T30, f2.8; 1/1900; ISO160; 16mm
Steve introducing Sara’s first posing spot. X-T30, f2.8; 1/170; ISO160; 16mm
Lastly, here’s a shot of the lintel of the old Cincinnati Enquirer building for a little variety. Thanks for reading!
X-T30, f4.5; 1/75; ISO400; 50mm
All photos are mine. ©DavidPaulThomas