Note: Images taken under challenging light conditions with the new Fuji X Pro-1. It was the first time out with the camera for me. Eric had it out the night before. The transfer station is now abandoned and mostly used by graffiti artists who sneak in and film companies for movies and commercials.

It is very dark. The noon sun was blazing through some open windows creating very high and hard contrasts. The place is usually locked up and I got in by surprise. I was without a tripod and wished I had one.  I used the 35mm and 60mm lenses. (about 53 mm and 96mm full frame equivalent) They are the two I had with me. Shots by Eric were done with the 35mm lens. The exposure comp dial was very helpful. I am delighted by the camera's great dynamic range. In spite of what I heard about auto focus in low light being poor, my experience was very positive. The camera's illumination light assisted the camera to find the focus and I'd guess it hit acceptable focus automatically about 24 out of 25 times. All of my images were on auto focus. The harsh light required the comp dial to reduce the light. Almost all of Eric's images were manual focus. He also needed the exposure compensation dial to reduce the light when one or more of the windows were in the image because the rooms were so dark. The images give the impression this place was well lit but that is because the camera is so good. For example the shaft of light hitting the blue bar. It is blown out but that took 1/25" with the lens wide open F1.4 and ISO at 3200 under exposed about a 1/3 stop. That means the room was very dark indeed.

The camera is very sensitive to light. Many times I shot into the darkness, my eye could not see anything but the camera picked up astounding detail. The lack of noise, or rather the way the ISO 3200 noise resembles acceptable film grain blew me away.  Those long exposure images into the dark suffered of course from hand shake but with a tripod or something to brace the camera I think there could be very impressive results. Excellent travel camera for shooting in dimly lit churches and museums, street shots in the evening etc. Wide open the F 1.4 35mm is still very sharp. On review of the photos unfortunately there was nothing I could post from the macro lens. That will be for another time.

I did not have a brace or much opportunity to steady the camera but the light weight and comfortable grip helped me keep it steady. Pixel peepers will no doubt see some softness in some of the longer exposures. I think that is operator error not to be blamed on the camera. The fact that the images of the furnace 1/9" and the wheel 1/27" are very clear is a testament to the good ergonomics, lack of mirror slap and lightness of the camera which is braced against the forehead when using the OVF.

  Very good beginning and I am delighted with the camera so far. There should be many more images with this camera on the blog in the coming months.

The Light (Photo by Eric)

Fuji X Pro 1 35mm 1/140" @ F4.5 ISO 200 EV-2

Fuji X Pro 1 35mm 1/50" @ F 1.4  ISO 320 EV-.33

Fuji X Pro 1 35mm 1/100" @ F1.4  ISO 200 EV-.33

Fuji X Pro 1 35mm 1/60" @ F 1.4  ISO 200 EV 0

Love (Photo by Eric)

Fuji X Pro 1 35mm 1/50" @ F 1.4  ISO 200 EV-.33