Originally a Nikon shooter, I bought the Fujifilm X-T1 when it came out to give mirrorless a try. There was a bit of a learning curve for the X-T1 and I favored my Nikon for my food photography, but I did appreciate the lightweight Fujifilm for travel. With the release of the X-T2 and X-T3, I upgraded each time. Each iteration had improvements, but it wasn’t until spending the last two months shooting with the X-T4 that I felt compelled to say “I REALLY like this camera!” And, I haven’t even tried shooting video with it. There are two main features added to the X-T4 that have really made the way I shoot easier, which I will focus on here.
First, I thought the IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) might be useful; who can’t use help getting sharper handheld images. I have IS lenses for both my Nikon and Fujifilm cameras, so I’m used to that technology. But, I’ve never had a camera with in body stabilization. I have really been impressed with the very useable images I have been able to shoot handheld at much lower shutter speeds than I’d ever been able to do before. I understand that the X-T4 combines both the lens IS when available and IBIS to enable you to shoot at much slower shutter speeds. I was really surprised by this handheld test shot of ginger! Shot without a tripod using my new Fujifilm 80mm macro with image stabilization at 1/8 second, it is now in my stock portfolio:
The second feature I really like is one that I wasn’t expecting to care about. That is the new, fully articulating screen. When I purchased the camera, I didn’t think the screen would be such a big deal, since I don’t shoot vlogs or selfies – that’s more for the younger generation. But, since I shoot most of my food and still-life on a tripod and overhead shots are so popular now, I often used to find myself needing to stand on a stool to see the screen since I am short. Yes, I’ve tried using the live view shooting on the Fujifilm app, but the image update delay can be frustrating. Now, I just twist the screen around 90 degrees to the camera back when shooting overhead and fire away with the remote button on the app.
Speaking of the Fujifilm app, I love that too! Nikon’s little ML-L3 wireless shutter release used to be one of the best little accessories for shooting food, but now I have one less thing to loose. I just use the Fujifilm Cam Remote app as my wireless shutter release!
I’m not emotionally quite ready to part with ALL my Nikon gear, but I’m moving in that direction. I will keep my Nikon D750 and a few lenses for now, but have already sold some of my more expensive, under-used Nikon glass. As I simplify my life, I can see a day in the future where I might be able to let go of Nikon and be all in with the X-T4.
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