Photography News

Photo by Peter Bargh. Gear Suggestions:

• A macro lens is very useful but not essential
• Tripod – one where the centre column can be turned horizontal is useful so you can get right in over the surface you’re working on. You could also use a table top tripod.

  Technique:

Before you start you need to make sure your cutlery is clean and that your egg doesn’t have any imperfections.

You need to work where there’s plenty of light so position yourself near a window/ patio doors. Plain backgrounds, particularly reflective ones, work best. Still life tables that have a perspex base work well but try using a piece of white card or plastic tray if you don’t have one. If you have white plastic windowsills try setting your still life up on it but you may need to place a sheet of paper, netting or cloth on the glass to diffuse the light slightly.

When it comes to placement, experimentation is key as there are various ways to arrange your props for a successful shot. However, one that works particularly well is where you balance the egg inside two crossed over forks. Shooting this straight on produces perfectly good results but do try adjusting the angle of your setup or move your feet so you're shooting from a different position.

Make sure your camera focuses on the correct point so you don’t end up with a blurry egg, watch your white balance and if you have a problem with unwanted shadows creeping into your shot, try moving your set-up or any objects nearby that could be casting them.

You can keep your shot in colour or to give more focus to the shapes and structure of the shot, convert it to black & white and / or use a slight vignette to draw the eye to the middle of the photograph.

When you first think of a snowy day captured in an image, black & whites tones are probably not what first spring to mind. However, in the right conditions and with the right subjects,  working in monochrome on snowy days can work well and give you a collection of winter images that are rather eye-catching. To get you thinking more about mono, here's 5 tips to get you started on your journey into black & white snow photography. 

 

Photo by David Clapp

 

1. The Weather Matters

When skies aren't a brilliant blue, turn your attention to the black & white medium as when your shot has a heavy snow-filled sky in it, your image will have much more punch to it if captured in black & white. Mist can help to separate foreground detail from background too. Make sure you wrap up in severe cold weather.

 

2. Strong Shapes Are A Must

As with most forms of black & white photography, you need strong, recognisable shapes in your shot for it to work. The skeletal trees of winter create interesting shapes which are perfect for snow-themed black & white landscapes. Livestock, rock formations and stone walls all work well as foreground interest, too.

 

3. Foreground Interest Is Important

If you just have a blanket of white snow, generally your image won't really work as there won't be any depth to it. The reason we say 'generally', however is because a blanket of snow can work in abstract images where you just have one main focus point that's starkly different to the pale snow (as shown in David's shot above). Find something that will lead the eye through the image or if there's nothing to guide the eye, just ensure there's at least one part of the foreground that adds texture and interest to your shot. 

 

4. Converting To Black & White 

There's always the option to take your shots in colour then convert them when back home in front of your computer. When converting images to black & white it's important to pay attention to the colour channels, as John Gravett explained in a previous article where he said: "Look at each of the red, green and blue colour channels to see which gives the best effect. Often, if you have a broad landscape with a blue sky, the red channel will darken the sky and give the picture real impact, it will also have the benefit of cutting any distant haze in the picture."

 

5. Stay Warm And Safe

This one isn't really about your photos but your safety. It will be bitterly cold when snowing so don't spend too long outside and always dress appropriately. Tell people where you are going and don't put yourself in danger for the sake of the perfect image. 

[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]

 

 

Quick Verdict

The Fujifilm X-E5 is a classic design, combining traditional controls and functions with the latest high quality 40MP sensor. This is all in a likeable rangefinder-style format that will appeal to traditional photographers as well as those who love modern technology. Handling is superb, the quality is sublime and this could well be an ideal travel companion.

 

Fujifilm have a long and impressive history of producing solid, reliable and versatile cameras and lenses of the highest quality. The new X-E5 continues this tradition, with a classic rangefinder-style layout, a compact form factor and all housed in a solid camera body packed with the latest technological advances. We couple this up with the recently reviewed Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens, an impressive looking package. Let's see if it all lives up to expectations, both in the technical tests and in the field.

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Features

Starting with the machined Aluminium top plate, the first impression is of solid, precision manufacture. Finish is excellent. The style is one of conventional physical controls for the most used functions, rather than having to delve constantly into the menus. The film simulation modes are controlled by a small dial at the back of the top plate, the selection being shown in a small clear window. There are several commonly used settings from the dial, the option to save our own favourite and a setting that provides access to the full range in the menus. Moving along the top plate, we have the hotshoe, a generously sized shutter speed dial, on/off switch, unmarked button that is the Fn menu and an exposure compensation dial. Just in front of the on/off switch, at the top of the front of the top plate, are the dial for directly setting the ISO and a switch that selects a Surround View function. Toggle this switch to engage the digital teleconverter, either with the surrounding image area still visible (like a rangefinder camera would show) or as a magnified image. Pixel counts will be smaller as we “zoom” in. 

 

 

At the back of the top plate, we have buttons for Drive, Play, AE-L and the dial to make changes to a selected parameter. The useful Q menu has a well recessed button that has no tendency to be vulnerable to accidentally being engaged. The dial is also firmer in action than some Fujifilm models, so is more reliable in action.

The back panel has a joystick, rather small but effective, a menu/OK button and a Display/Back button. The 3” tilt touch sensitive LCD is bright and clear. There are 1.04M dots.

The viewfinder is a 0.39” OLED EVF with a more generous 2.36M dots. 

The weather-sealed body is solid, weighing in at 445g with battery and card. There is just one card slot. The built in 5 axis IBIS gives a 7 stop advantage at the centre of the field and 6 stops at the periphery. 

The 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor is capable of producing lovely image quality, along with impressively low noise levels. There are also various routes to connectivity. The physical interfaces are USB-C, HDMI Micro D, 3.5mm jack for mic/remote and the hotshoe. Connection is also possible via WiFi and Bluetooth. There is also a very useful Fujifilm X App.

 

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Key Features

•  X Mount APS-C format
•  Machined Aluminium top plate
•  Surround View function
•  40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor
•  X-Processor 5
•  5 Axis IBIS, 7 stops centre, 6 stops periphery
•  Mechanical shutter 30secs to 1/4000sec
•  Electronic shutter 30 secs to 1/180000sec
•  AF sensitivity -4 EV Contrast detection, -7 EV Phase detection
•  AI-powered subject detection - animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, aeroplanes, trains, insects and drones
•  Native ISO range 125-12,800, extendable to ISO 80-51,200
•  20 Film Simulation modes
•  Film Simulation Dial
•  1 SD card slot – UHS-I, UHS-II, SD, SDHC, SDXC
•  Video speed class V90
•  NP-W126S battery 310 frames/400 frames (economy mode)
•  3in LCD touch screen tilt type monitor 1.04M dots
•  0.39” OLED EVF, 2.36M dots
•  6.2K/30P internal recording in 4:2:2 10-bit quality
•  High speed video at 4K/60P and 1080/240p
•  WiFi, Bluetooth
•  Fujifilm X App
•  USB-C, HDMI Micro D, 3.5mm mic/remote jack, hotshoe
•  Body measures 124.9mm x 72.9mm x 39.1mm
•  445g with battery and SD card
•  Operating temperature 0C to +40C

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Handling

With plenty of physical dials and buttons operating the key features, this is a camera that will appeal to traditional photographers as much as those used to more menu driven designs. The instant access to shutter speeds, aperture (via the lens aperture ring with the provided pancake lens), ISO, exposure compensation and selected film simulation modes is quick and efficient. The bulk of the camera is sufficient to make handling much easier, rather than having awkward grips and the tendency to operate controls by accident. The X-E5 suffers from none of that.

Other adjustments can be accessed quickly using the Fn and Q menus, and these are selected by the joystick and then adjusted using the rear control wheel. As mentioned, this wheel is firm enough to ensure adjustments are reliably made every time.

The tilting rear screen is useful and seems sturdily made to withstand long term use. The camera body as a whole is solid but not overly heavy. Dimensions are small enough to contemplate it being carried, complete with pancake lens, in a large coat pocket. 

There is no obvious video switch, but this feature is activated as a setting in the drive menu. Once found and engaged, the actual shooting of impromptu videos of high quality is very easy. Sound quality is also good. Not primarily a video camera perhaps, but still very capable when needed.

 

[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]

Fujifilm X-E5 Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
 

Fujifilm X-E5 Sample Photos Previous Next

 

Lens Performance – The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR pancake lens was supplied with the X-E5 and has recently been reviewed. A summary of the lens performance:

Central sharpness is excellent from f/2.8 right the way through to f/11 and is still very good at f/16. The edges are very good from f/2.8 to f/11 and good at f/16. This is a great performance, and the images look sharp and crisp across the frame.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is minimal at the centre and still well under control at the edges. Colour fringing is not a problem in most images. Further correction could be made in the software in extreme instances, but it is doubtful that this would be required.

Distortion is just -0.20% barrel, straight lines remaining straight.

Bokeh is relaxed and easy on the eye.

Flare control is excellent, as is the norm with Fujifilm lenses. In very extreme lighting, it is just possible to see some slight artefacts, but we have to work at it to achieve such effects.

Vignetting is visible, particularly at wider apertures, but not obtrusive in general photography. In any event, a slight corner darkening can be a useful effect in many images, concentrating the eye towards the centre.

The pancake lens is a great companion for the X-E5, offering superb quality and making the combination ideal for travelling light.

 

Fujifilm X-E5 ISO test images Previous Next

 

ISO Performance – Noise is virtually absent from ISO 80 right through to ISO 800. The very first whisper of noise and the very slightest reduction in edge sharpness occurs at ISO 1600, although at this point, quality is still high. At ISO 3200 and ISO 6400, noise is just starting to be more obvious and edge sharpness is reduced, but these values are still fully usable. ISO 6400 and ISO 12800 see a jump in noise levels, and the edges of the test target boxes are starting to show signs of becoming feathery rather than crisp. At ISO 25600, sharpness falls off and noise becomes quite obtrusive. At ISO 51200, noise levels are moderately high and edge sharpness is quite poor. However, the darkest test target boxes can still be differentiated from the background, so this is overall a solid performance.

 

Fujifilm X-E5 White-balance test images Previous Next

 

White Balance – White balance pre-set options are auto white priority, auto, auto ambience priority, 3 custom settings, K colour temperature setting, daylight, shade, 3 fluorescent settings, incandescent and underwater. Most of the images shot for this review used the auto ambience setting, which gives good colour balance but does not destroy the subtleties of the ambient light. The shade setting is useful for dark woodlands and helps to record natural colours of fungi in particular. The missing one is, as mentioned previously with Fujifilm cameras, a cloudy setting, the digital equivalent of the 81A or cloudy filter. Almost all other marques include this, so it would be useful for those who like warm images. Otherwise, the presets offered work very well.

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Digital filters Previous Next

 

Digital Filters – As with the recently reviewed X-T30 III, there are two avenues of approach to the 20 film simulations. The dial on the back of the top plate controls the readily accessible options. The selection made can be seen in the small window on the top plate. This enables direct access to a small selection of simulations, three custom selections plus an Acros setting that points to the Acros simulation but can be re-programmed to anything the user wishes. The C setting refers the user to the menus to select an option. The 20 choices are Provia/Standard, Velvia/Vivid, Astia/Soft, Classic Chrome, Reala Ace, Pro Neg. Hi, Pro Neg. Std, Classic Neg., Nostalgic Neg,. Eterna/Cinema, Eterna Bleach Bypass, Acros, Acros+Ye filter, Acros+R filter, Acros+G filter, Monochrome, Monochrome+Ye filter, Monochrome+R filter, Monochrome+G filter and Sepia.

The dual names such as Velvia/Vivid would be self explanatory to those who are familiar with the film types, but if not then the description gives an explanation. This versatility in choosing image styles makes good sense and gives a direct expectation to those who shoot or have shot film.

 

Video –  Although primarily a stills camera, the X-E5 has a sensible specification:

• 6.2K/30P internal recording in 4:2:2 10-bit quality
• High speed video at 4K/60P and 1080/240P
• Open Gate recording
• MOV (HEVC/H.265 or H.264)
• MP4 H.264

Shooting basic FHD video is pretty straightforward, and impromptu results are smooth, also with good quality sound. The tracking AF follows its subject effectively. The sound is clear. The stability of the video stabilisation also helps when the camera is unsupported, even when walking.

Video sample coming soon.

 

[SECTION]VERDICT[/SECTION]

 

 

Value For Money

The [AMUK]Fujifilm X-E5|Fujifilm+X-E5[/AMUK] body only is priced at £1249.00. Add the XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens, and the cost becomes £1499.00

This is a similar price level to the [AMUK]Fujifilm X100VI|Fujifilm+X100VI[/AMUK] with its fixed 23mm f/2 lens, priced at £1599.00

These are cameras intended to appeal to those who want the compact rangefinder style, rather than the DSLR style of mirrorless cameras. Not only that, but also we have a very compact form factor that brings these into the realm of pocketable, providing we are talking about large coat pockets.

The only other direction, fixed lens again, might be the [AMUK]Leica Q|Leica+Q[/AMUK] cameras, but then we are looking at a very different pricing level.

Overall, the new Fujifilm X-E5 looks to be sound VFM.

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Verdict

There is much to like about the X-E5. The rangefinder style will appeal to many, but there is so much more about this camera. It is solid, full of features, the quality is superb and the handling vastly improved with its dial orientated approach. The pancake lens completes the concept of a travel compact camera, but of course, here we also have the ability to use other lenses available in Fuji X mount. This is where the camera instantly scores above the X100VI with its fixed lens. 

Whilst there are many similarly priced alternatives, they do not have the same thin profile and usually are supplied with small but protruding zoom lenses. This is a different direction from the slim profile of the X-E5.

If the form factor appeals, then the camera works extremely well and it can be Highly Recommended.

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Light and compact
• Image Stabilisation
• Weather resistance
• Film simulation options
• Subject detection options
• Competitive price
• Fantastic high quality lens range

 

Fujifilm X-E5 Cons

• Cold operation only down to 0C

 

[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4.5|R_handling=4.5|R_performance=4.5|R_value=4.5|R_overall=4.5|A_level=4.5|A_text=Highly recommended – Compact and high quality with superior handling|E_id=8016[/REVIEW_FOOTER]

 

View the Fujifilm X-E5 camera specs in the equipment database.

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