Given Fujifilm’s reputation for straight-
out-of-camera JPEG colours, it is perhaps
a good thing that Lightroom didn’t yet
support our batch of RAW files. It means
you can see the new Classic Neg Film
Simulation at work in an image that hasn’t
been retouched. The autofocus system
is nippy, and the Eye AF works well for
street photography – a favourite genre
of X-Pro users – allowing for rapid facial
recognition and acquisition. Both the
highlights and shadows intermingle
effortlessly, and the tonal fall-off has
a pleasing gradation to it. The harsher
tonality of Classic Neg paired with the
lower saturation gives a low-fi retro feel,
and an almost peachy toning to the final
shots that is sure to be popular.
Fujifilm and its
colour science
IMAGE
QUALITY
touchscreen offers 1620k dots,
though is hidden as standard.
Instead, a 1.28in sub-monitor
displays the settings or Film
Simulation mode. Revealing
the screen requires physically
pulling it out, where it drops
to a rear-facing 180°.
Performance
Based on our experience of the
X-Trans 4 systems so far, being
implemented in the X-T3 and
refined in the X-T30, we’re
already confident that the
X-Pro3 will have the ability to
produce stunning results and
gorgeous colours. The claim
that it can focus down to -6EV
with an f/2 lens is a great
promise, though we weren’t
able to verify this during our
brief first look. Likewise, the
in crease in the EVF resolution
to 3690k-dot is a great jumpup
and it looks superb.
The switch between optical
and electronic viewfinderis by
way of a lever on the frontof
the body. The EVF looks great,
while the optical version is
akin to a rangefinder, andgives
a graphic overlay and distance
scale. You can also initiate
a small electronic panel inthe
bottom right-hand cornerto
confirm the focus.
The latest Film Simulation
is based on the classic Superia
film stock, reminiscent ofretro
snapshots. It delivers less
saturation, but harder tonal
reproduction. We predict this
new addition will prove very
popular with Fujifilm users.
Let’s dwell more upon that
hidden LCD. Fujifilm says
this innovation is based on
feedback from a range of
professionals, who say they
prefer shooting through the
viewfinder. It aims to stop
chimping – reviewing shots
via the rear screen after every
capture – and get people back
into the dwindling mindset of
spontaneous shooting. Indeed,
it did feel like a slower and
morecalculatedwayto work,
andwe foundourselves
choosingto forgotheLCDin
our brieftesting,thoughstill
usingtheEVFto reviewshots.
However, there were times
when we lost the shot with
this approach, so it will be
interesting to see how this
fa res during a full review.
Watch this space!
Verdict
The X-Pro3 is more of what
we love – great sensor, solid
lo w-light performance andone
of the most advanced focus
systems on the market. There
are new additions, such as the
Classic Neg Film Simulation
and re-jigged EVF, thoughold
fa vourites remain, meaning
it feels like a new camera in
a fa miliarpackage.Thehidden
LCDdidn’thinder,andthere
was evena senseof liberation,
al thoughthismaynotbe the
caseon a seriousshoot...
Thesub-monitoris, as thenamesuggests,a secondarymonitor
as signedto carryouta smallerfunction.It’sbasicallythe
ev olutionof thetop-plateLCD,whereyou’reableto review
yourexposuresettings,as wellas detailsaboutthefocus
modesandzones,or whitebalance.Thesub-monitoron the
X- Pro3featuresa digitalinkread-out,meaningit’sequally
visiblein brightordarkconditions,thoughbecauseof its
OLEDconstruction,it is alsoat homeas a graphicalinterface.
Switchingfromthe settings,it canshowthe particularFilm
Si mulationmodeyou’rein – evendisplayingit as thoughit’s
ri ppedfromthe packetof film.Thistraditional-fused-with-tech
approachis typicalof Fujifilm,andtheappealis enduring.
Tech Focus What is a sub-monitor?
Above Fujifilm says the hidden
LCD is down to feedback from
pros, and aims to get people
shooting in the moment.
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FIRST LOOK
