Why Choose The Fuji X-T2, or Why Our Canon Kit Is For Sale

I recently took EZ through my painful process for technology upgrades. A lot of time, thought, and research precedes these decisions. I want gear that will last me for at least a few years, and this is especially true with cameras. We just finished our first field test with the X-T2, and the results are amazing. Why choose the Fuji X-T2? We cover that, our technology lifecycle management at home, a bit on the full frame vs. crop sensor debate, and our favorite bonus feature on our new X-T2.

Why Choose the Fuji X-T2

Image Quality – As we mentioned in our newsletter, this prelim test shared by PetaPixel shows images performing well above their pay grade in terms of sharpness. The best part is that the camera will only produce better images, as Fuji continues updating the firmware. Additionally, the test images from Imaging Resources show that the X-T2 delivers better than the 6D at the higher ISOs and can hang with the 5D MkIII.

Low Light Performance – The X-T2 has exceptionally fast (bright) lenses, and the camera itself does great at night and in low light (like when you are chasing your toddler around the house). Sure there are options that can see in the dark, like the Sony A7S, but that is a bit impractical for our use. We are not videographers, and it is not ocean friendly.

Dynamic Range – If you haven’t seen it yet, Elia Locardi, has a great review of a preproduction X-T2. He really shows off the dynamic range with his sun shot from Meteora. Inspired by his post, I pulled this off during our Milford Sound Cruise.

Controls – I went to the shop to check out a demo model, overflowing with excitement. Then I picked it up, and it was a like a sucker punch. It felt confusing, tiny, and awkward. Plus, I am only able to wink with my right eye, and the camera is so small that my right hand scratched my face when I held it up. However, I went back again because image quality and individual control knobs for ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. I love that there is a dedicated dial for everything I need to adjust. No more needing to press multiple buttons to change the aperture or ISO.

Weather Resistant – The X-T2 is weather resistant which means we won’t need to worry about ocean spray as much, we can play in the misty mountains, and there should be less dust on the sensor. Also, we can get this close to a waterfall with a 16mm lens!

Firmware Updates – The Fuji X Series cameras are known to improve shooting and image quality with the firmware updates. This means my new tech will get better before it starts its descent into obsolescence.

Price – For the image quality, I think this is amazingly priced camera, even if the lenses are expensive. That should change as more lens manufactures release XF mount lenses.

Lifecycle Management for Home Tech

I am techie. I love gadgets, and I always have. The 12-year-old version of me lived for each issue of PC Mag and Computer Weekly, and an inordinate amount of time with a x286 computer. The 12-year-old me also wants to slap the old and boring me. He dreamed of a future life, with a good job, where he could walk into the store and buy any video card, as much RAM, and whatever else he wanted. The 12-year-old me had no concept of having a child, family, or good sense. Today, I love my space,  I want it relatively decluttered (I do have a toddler, after all) To maintain that I have a technology cycle. Every 3 years I start run through my home technology lifecycle replacement program.

I don’t see the benefit in upgrading annually to the newest technology. Everything is getting better, and more options are produced daily, However, we don’t have more space. Not in our home, and not on our planet. My solution? Buy something that is very strong, and occasionally top of the line (computers). This way, it will last for several years. I am still on a 2011 Macbook Pro.

If you work for a large corporation, think about how often they buy you a new laptop. You make them money, and it is all about return on investment. They will buy you a good enough machine for the work you perform, and they upgrade it every 3 to 5 years. If you are not a software developer, they are not buying you a developer machine. Likely your work computer is a tradeoff between cost, and what you need to perform your role.

When it comes to quality, I treat it similar to my position on bicycles and triathlon gear, the podium is not close enough to justify spending money for a few seconds on my finish time. My photos aren’t going in a gallery, and less noise and sharpness likely won’t change that. Yes, there are cameras that take sharper images and have better low-light performance in lab tests. However, that will not materially impact the quality of our annual photo books or this site.

Our Current Setup & Why It’s For Sale

That said, our Canon 60Ds are 3 models old. The 80D is the current version, and camera technology came a long way in the last 4 years. More importantly, we regularly find ourselves in situations where the 60D produces frustratingly noisy images. Many of these have to do with low light and a fast-moving toddler, and there are a few sad star photos also. I wanted to use the shutter count excuse because there is an expected life of 100,000 shutter actuations, but our two 60D bodies are only at 40,000 and 10,000. They have lots of life remaining.

We planned to buy a Canon 6D Mark ii, but the rumor mill keeps missing the mark on its announcement. The 6D is an amazing entry-level full frame camera, but it was first released in 2012. When I do purchase new tech, I want it to be the latest model so I know that I can use it for several years, before it needs replacing. There is a great argument for replacing your camera every year, but electronics are not the most eco-friendly products. I may not be a tree-hugger, but I do care, a little.

Since Canon left us hanging with the latest round of announcements, we decided to shop around.

Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor

The bulk of my opinion on this one is lifted from an article I read several years ago from Zack Arias on why sensor size is irrelevant. With technology advancing so quickly, sensor size will not dramatically improve your photos, until you start talking about medium and large format cameras. However, I think most of us parents family photographers would prefer to pay for a couple semester of college instead of a camera. Also, in my limited understanding, they require a bit of additional setup time for shooting.

Our Fuji X-T2 Purchase

We bought our G7X at Paxton’s camera here in Sydney, and since then, we returned with multiple friends and colleagues to help them sort their camera purchases. It made logical sense to reach out to them for our new camera. We like the family-friendly, approachable atmosphere of their stores, We picked up our G7X there on an incredible sale, $599 AU!

We popped out to their Chatswood location to pick up our X-T2, and grab coffee with Matt. We love supporting local businesses, and so does Paxton’s. We plan to organize a couple of photo walks and meet-ups after we return from NZ.

Fuji X-T2 Bonus Feature

While this had no bearing on our decision to purchase the camera, I love the built-in panoramas. Check out this shot from Key Summit in Fiordland National Park, NZ!