Fujifilm Goes 4K with new X-T2 APS-C Camera Plus Film Simulation Modes

Erik Naso • July 8, 2016 • 1 Comment

I like the look of Fujifilm cameras. I had a X100 for a while. Loved it. The only feature it lacked for me was WiFi for sharing. I ended up selling it. Great little camera. The newer X100T added WiFi. When I was interested in buying a smaller APS-C camera the Fujifilm line looked really promising but video wasn’t very good. The new $1599 X-T2 seems to have fixed that issue in a big way like 4K better! Check out this sample from Fujifilm. Make sure to watch it in 4K.

This looks very good to me. It’s a safe film. No heavy camera movement to see rolling shutter but the detail looks very good and I don’t see moire issues.

Here is another sample this one by Emmanuel Pampuri, Again no signs of moire with such a sharp and detailed image. Nice!

This looks to be a nice entry and glad to see another option but with options comes the inevitable lens mount issue. If you don’t own a FUJIFILM X mount lens you will need to invest pretty heavily to take advantage of the autofocus features. Cameras always work best with native lenses. For video adapters are fine if you shoot manual. As for autofocus in video? We shall see. I’m a huge fan of focus tracking in video. Canon is the king and Sony is getting better with every camera they release. It’s an important tool that I like to use especially on gimbals. Very handy. The X-T2 does have AF-C Custom Settings. This brings focus tracking to the X-T2. How good is it? Does it work in video modes?

AF-C Custom Settings

AF-C algorithm has been significantly improved for even higher accuracy when focus-tracking moving subjects in the AF-C mode. According to the type of movement, you can choose individual settings for “Tracking Sensitivity,” “Speed Tracking Sensitivity” and “Zone Area Switching,” or select one of five presets that combine specific settings for these three elements.

Back to that 4K video! A few interesting points made on the press release is the X-T2 only shoots 10 min. clips in 4K. Why? I bet it’s to prevent overheating. An issue that plagues pretty much all Sony cameras. Limit the record time and it will prevent the internet from blowing the camera up. Maybe a smart move. In full HD you get 15 minute record times. You can record up to 30 minutes with the Booster Grip. I’m not clear why the Booster Grip extends recording in 4K but it must have some mojo inside it more than just a couple extra batteries. One bummer is no headphone jack on the body. You have one on the grip only. Ugh.

Booster Grip Features

For X-T2 Camera
Holds 1 or 2 NP-W126 Batteries
Improves Camera Performance
Extended Grip for Vertical Composition
Shutter Release Button for Vertical Use
Dual Command Dials; Focus Joystick
3.5mm Headphone Jack

You can’t talk about Fujifilm cameras and not mention the “Fuji look” I love it! They have great color science. Back in my film days I used Fujifilm all the time. Especially Velvia for landscape.

X Series’ first support for 4K video recording

Approx. 1.8 times the amount of information needed to produce 4K video (3840×2160) or 2.4 times required for full HD video (1920×1080) is packed in to create premium image quality with low moiré or artifacts. The X-T2 supports high video bit rate recording of 100Mbps for both 4K and full HD video, enabling high-resolution footage with minimal compression artifacts.
The Film Simulation modes, popular for still images, can also be applied to video recording. For example, you can use “Classic Chrome” to add a documentary touch with subdued colors and rich tonality, or “ACROS” to produce stunning monochrome footage with smooth gradation of tones and deep blacks. Nine different modes are available for versatile photographic expressions. Footage in a Film Simulation mode can be further fine-tuned with “Highlight Tone,” “Shadow Tone,” “Color” and “Sharpness” adjustments.
In response to videographers’ demand, the X-T2 supports Clean HDMI output for 4K video recording, and also offers the “F-Log” log-gamma option, which takes advantage of the sensor’s wide dynamic range to record video in wide color gamut, facilitating video production workflow.
4K 3840×2160 29.97P/25P/24P/23.98P up to approx. 10 min.
Full HD 1920×1080 59.94P/50P/29.97P/25P/24P/23.98P up to approx. 15 min.
HD 1280×720 59.94P/50P/29.97P/25P/24P/23.98P up to approx. 30 min. * Use a card with the UHS Speed Class 3 or higher.

X-T2 integrates several Film Simulation modes to mimic the look and feel of some of Fujifilm’s classic film types. For monochrome shooting, the Acros mode offers smooth tones, deep blacks, and fine detail reminiscent of the Neopan 100 Acros film type. A refined Classic Chrome mode is designed to deliver muted tones and a deep color reproduction, similar to that of a dated slide film. Pulling from their more contemporary line of transparency films, Provia offers natural-looking tones for everyday shooting, Velvia produces a more dramatic and rich tonality with deeper color saturation, and Astia gives less contrast for a softer depiction of skin tones. Mimicking their negative films, Pro Neg. Std. gives smooth image tones that are suitable for accurate color renditions, while Pro Neg. Hi produces a more dramatic feel with the ability to draw color out of a variety of lighting conditions. In addition to simulating specific film types, a Grain Effect mode is also available to replicate the look of old film photos with an organic textured appearance, which is especially noticeable when printing. Not everyone would want to use these baked in looks but I sure could see them coming in handy for quick turn projects.

One feature Fujifilm got right is the actual shutter release button triggers video record. Hello Sony…..

These are some thoughts I have on video and the camera has a ton of photography upgrades as well. All in all an exciting upgrade to the X-T camera from Fujifilm. You bet I want to try it out.

Fujifilm Press Release.

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