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CAMERA

Fujifilm X-E1 - A Retro Camera That Inspires (Part 6)

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6/27/2013 3:39:23 PM

Features

Bracketing

One of our favorite things about using X-E1 is taking photos in low light with reasonable confidence that we will probably have usable photos with good details. A variety of bracketing modes allow us to take advantage of that confidence, diversified exposure and individual ISO.

Accessed from the Drive menu, the bracketing options of the X-E1 consist of Exposure, ISO, Film Simulation, and Dynamic Range (specific details in our review of the X-Pro1, and scroll down to Dynamic range extension modes). Although they seemed a bit redundant at first, when we used a few modes to solve the special problems, we were able to see many more of their value.

Exposure bracketing

Exposure bracketing is basic bracketing mode that we are all familiar, where the camera captures an image at the selected exposure level of the camera, then varies it by the stipulated level of both the upper and under-exposure image in the next two constant shots. These images were produced in Program mode.

0EV: 55mm, F4, 1/1700, ISO 200

0EV: 55mm, F4, 1/1700, ISO 200

100% crop

100% crop

+1EV: 55mm, F4, 1/850, ISO 200

+1EV: 55mm, F4, 1/850, ISO 200

100% crop

100% crop

-1EV: 55mm, F4, 1/3200, ISO 200

-1EV: 55mm, F4, 1/3200, ISO 200

100% crop

100% crop

The camera made a good selection in the first shot, balancing the photos beautifully, but there are some cases in which a slightly darker or brighter photo area would be preferable (if the clouds in this scene were high and the white, for example, rather than low and dark gray). The X-E1 is capable of recording both RAW and JPEG files in this bracketing mode.

ISO bracketing

Maybe the most interesting of the three bracketing modes is the ISO mode, setting up the exposure at programmed or preset values and taking three exposures at three ISO settings.

18mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 6400

18mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 6400

100% crop

100% crop

18mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 8000

18mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 8000

100% crop

100% crop

18mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 5000

18mm, F2.8, 1/60, ISO 5000

100% crop

100% crop

Here, we used the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS zoom at 18mm (28mm equivalent) to take a photo of the Seattle skyline while approaching on a ferry. The priority here was a sharp photo and after a few tests, we set 1/60 second as a low enough shutter speed to get acceptable sharpness, and switched to shutter priority mode.

Standing on the ferry which was moving, we just had a moment to get the right frame, and with ISO Bracketing installed +/- 1/3EV, the camera set the aperture to F2.8, and chose three exposures at ISO 6400, ISO 8000 and ISO 5000. Of the three, we prefer the over-exposed ISO 80000 image for its brighter sky; your favorite can be various. Noise is higher in that photo as we would expect, but not essential. Of course, by casting everything into manual mode (including ISO) we were able to achieve the same result by trying the exposure settings, but in this kind of situation, when in fact the scene was moving, using ISO bracketing was faster and easier.

Although it is disappointing, the camera automatically pushes you out of RAW + JPEG mode while saving these files but does not tell you – something that also takes place in the film simulation and operating range bracketing modes, but not in exposure bracketing mode. Even so, when you return to normal advance, the camera will switch to RAW + JPEG mode; this is good.

Flash

The X-E1 has an integrated flash in addition to a standard lamp slot that we will examine below. Fujifilm offers many flash accessories, including the EF-X20, which shares the camera’s corresponding compact, rectangular design and has a swivel on the top mount to compensate for flash control or set the power output by hand. However, it is also fixed, so it can only capture directly forward, but no option for bouncing. The larger, but cheaper EF-42 part provides a fully connected head for more creative lighting options.

Pop-up flash, F2.8, 1/50, ISO 800

Pop-up flash, F2.8, 1/50, ISO 800

Pop-up bounced F2.8, 1/50, ISO 800

Pop-up bounced F2.8, 1/50, ISO 800

Film simulation modes

The X-E1 has a sphere of what Fujifilm calls "film simulation modes". These modes include five color modes that are named after the company’s professional film cameras- Standard / Provia, Vivid / Velvia, Soft / Astia, Pro and Pro Neg Neg Hi Std - and a number of  monochrome modes aiming to simulate the effects of using color filters with black and white film (yellow, red, green or no filter), adding a "classic" Sepia-toned mode.

Using color filters with black and white film

Using color filters with black and white film

The Standard/Provia and Pro Neg Standard modes both use the same curve that has a very open shadow tone, reducing focused saturation and punch. One of the two, the latter is less focused, and therefore the color mode of the X-E1 is the most neutral; we think it is the best choice for natural portraits. We are rather curious to see that the Astia / Soft mode is really higher in contrast and (as with the X100) better for everyday shooting. Meanwhile the Neg Pro High is a bit of more contrast, but the color is less focused.

The Vivid/Velvia mode clearly lives up to its name - we have been unconvinced that it provides exactly the same appearance as the film icon that it is named after, but it is certainly lively and focused. Highlights tend to burst more easily, though, and we may be tempted to rotate the Highlight Tone down a notch. For single modes, we would tend to use a red filter mode for landscapes and green filter for portraits.

The X-E1 provides a good deal of control through its JPEG processing, you are able to adjust the color intensity, sharpening and noise reduction and even set the shadow and highlight tone (contrast) independently. However, the Film Simulation mode cannot be tweaked separately to match your tastes, instead of that any changes you make to the diverse processing settings are commonly used on all of them.

This solution is to save any tweaks that are preferred among the settings of customers, which can then be brought through the Q menu. However, it is important to remember that these backups hold both ISO and DR settings too. It's also worth remembering that if you shoot raw, you can freely control through all of these processing parameters when using them in the camera raw development in the playback modes.

Movie mode

For a panoramic view over the videos, have a look at the Movie section of Fujifilm X-Pro1 review. This video camera has 18-55mm lens, which is image-stabilized.

Panorama

Its classic beauty and relatively small size make the Fujifilm X-E1 appear to be an ideal choice for travel, and one of the things makes it easy is quick panoramic images. The camera’s mechanical shutter creates a bit of noise as you are sweeping across the scene, but the result looks beautiful because of the images stitched together in a surprising way. The Drive mode menu is where you choose Panorama, and then you are able to set the panning direction and shoot in horizontal or vertical format through the right arrow key. Vertical is preferred for scenes with higher objects, such as trees or the Seattle Space Needle, panning direction depends on how comfortable your feel. You are also able to set the width of the machine direction, Medium or Large.

·         Angle 180° Vertical Direction Dimensions 7680 x 2160 Size 15.8 MP

·         Angle 180° Horizontal Direction Dimensions 7680 x 1440 Size 10.5 MP

·         Angle 120° Vertical Direction Dimensions 5120 x 2160 Size 10.5 MP

·         Angle 120° Horizontal Direction Dimensions 5120 x 1440 Size 5120 x 1440

Panning direction needs a little practice to achieve the correct angle and speed, but the camera can give you a horizon line to hold it firmly as you rotate your camera body.

Panning direction needs a little practice

Panning direction needs a little practice

We were impressed with the results of the panoramic shots above, especially how good it looked to process the exposure transition through a wide expanse with the sun in the photo. But then at the computer we found the remarkable range of colors in the sky when the exposure was adjusted according to 180 degrees arc.

The remarkable range of colors in the sky

The remarkable range of colors in the sky

Above, we cut and adjusted the levels to indicate the clearer effect of band. Pictures taken with less exposure change generally does not show the problem, as seen below. This image was created from the Medium’s viewing angle.

Less exposure change generally does not show the problem.

Less exposure change generally does not show the problem.

Both panning directions are created in the vertical mode to shoot more of the sky and foreground.

Dynamic range expansion modes

As the X-Pro1, the Fujifilm X-E1 offers two settings of expanded dynamic range that we will mention more extensively in our Fujifilm X-Pro1’s review.

 

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