Blog – CESTBIBI PHOTOGRAPHY

Q2 Monochrom film simulation (X-trans IV)

NOTE: There was an early version of this recipe, which I have dramatically altered since then, as it was far from accurate. This new one should be more like the “real” thing.

The great thing about the Fujifilm cameras is their what so called film simulations, which are, as you may know, some sort of colour profiles presets that you can further tweak as of your liking. So, because one doesn’t need too much of an excuse I started to experiment with some new film settings with my X-Pro3 with some b&w recipe that would please my eye.

The Fuji X-Pro3 long term kind of review

As with other pseudo reviews in this site I won’t delve in all the technicalities of this camera. My aim here is to share my shooting experience and hopefully to give you a better idea of what you can expect if you are planning to buy this quite expensive piece of gear. As it stands and for the time being, this is still the pricier camera you can get in all the X line camera series. It’s a niche camera that will appeal to a reduced set of photographers that are seeking for a different photographic experience, in theory, one that might resemble what shooting with film was like, although with the benefits (and limitations) of a “modern” digital camera.

The Fujinon 35mm F1.4 R (kind of review)

This is the second lens I purchased when I got into the Fujifilm system. I bought it second hand altogether with my X-Pro2 because the seller gave me a good pack price. I must confess I didn’t know much about the reputation of this lens, so this was a total surprise for me when I started to see the great results I got from it. It’s quite difficult, for me at least, to explain exactly why this is a unique lens in the Fujinon lineup. Many people describe it as “magic” which of course is quite a relative and personal way to describe its character. As this is one of the first lenses issued for the X system by Fuji (around 2012 I think) you can find countless reviews of it, quite a lot more technical than this one you are reading now. Fujifilm even dedicated a special page and promo video to it last year as it turns out it has become quite a classic one on its own (they even dubbed it “The Original”).

My X-Pro3 sub-monitor issue

Background

I’ve enjoyed my X-Pro3 camera since the first day I’ve had it. I previously owned an X-Pro2 which had been my sort of perfect camera, from street photography to travel photography. After long thought I decided to upgrade to the X-Pro3 and sell the X-Pro2 which I quite frankly regret sometimes, not because I’m not happy with the new one, but because I think the two can coexist perfectly as they have a different sensor and produce different images in terms of quality and style. Anyway, that’s another story, let’s get to the point :

My ideal lens travel set-up (possibly)

Weight is your enemy

When I first transitioned from my Nikon D750 to the Fujifilm system, my main goal, as many others have experimented, was the search of lightness and mobility.

Fujinon 23mm f/2 WR is it for you ?

As with my other reviews, this won’t be a technical one because you can find plenty of them already. This is, by far, my most used lens on a daily basis, and in this post I will try to explain why it might also be for you.

Red (and Classic Neg)

I just wanted to put here some examples of the treatment Classic Negative does to colours, specially red. The photos below where taken with the excellent Superia 800 film recipe for X-trans that uses Classic Negative film simulation and that I’m experimenting a lot with lately. What do you think ?

Kamlan 50mm Mk II f/1.1 samples

As for my review of the 7Artisans 35mm this wont be a technical review of this lens you can find a very detailed one here. I will post a variety of samples photos that hopefully will give you a better idea of what you can expect.

7Artisans 35mm f/1.2 samples

This is not a proper technical review of this lens, there are plenty of them if you google it, which you surely already did if you landed here 🙂 It’s a little non expensive, manual focus and fast 35mm lens that is very fun to use if you know what to use it for.

Saul & Ernst Recipe

The inspiration

This is an approach attempt to a colour style inspired from some of the iconic images from the works of Saul Leiter and Ernst Haas. If you don’t know them, check them out it’s well worth it. The idea is to achieve a “painterly” look. I’ve deliberately chosen to go for a warm cast which I think works best for the final effect. Because of this, the recipe could have many subtle colour variations that might suit better the available light conditions and subject. Feel free to experiment and share the results here in the comments.