Mirrorless Monday_May 5th, 2014

[eric_arnold]

<p>Bissap Baobab photo documentary project -- Oakland, CA</p><div></div>

[Andy Collins]

<p>Very cool link, David...thanks! I had to share that with several friends. :)</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>Still adjusting to the Fuji X-A1. Don't think I'll ever prefer it over the Nikon V1 as a pure snapshot camera - at least not with the 16-50 kit zoom, which makes it feel a bit off balance. I often use the V1 one-handed, which isn't comfortable with the X-A1 and kit zoom. I didn't get a single well-timed snapshot from a downtown Cinco de Mayo festival. Everything felt just a split-second off. But some posed portraits turned out well. And deliberately composed touristy photos are easy with the tilt screen - saves craning my neck with the V1.</p>

<p>But the X-A1 in-camera JPEG quality is impressive, even at high ISOs. When I have the time to compose carefully I seldom feel the need to edit anything beyond the in-camera raw conversion options and a little cropping. I'm seldom completely satisfied with the V1's in-camera JPEGs and often prep from raw files.</p>

<p>Yolanda at the Subway sandwich shop in the downtown bus/train station. If she was any cuter they'd have to name a sandwich after her.<br /><em>(ISO 2500, 1/60th @ f/4.5)</em><br /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17759185-lg.jpg" alt="Yolanda, Subway sandwich shop, ITC station,Fort Worth" width="800" height="533" border="0" /><br>

*<br>

The fellow in the cowboy hat and pink shirt was hilariously animated in asking the conductor for directions. I was tempted to cross the tracks for a closer view but there were other trains coming and going.<br />(ISO 640, 1/1000 @ f/5.6)<br /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17759187-lg.jpg" alt="ITC cowboy" width="1000" height="667" border="0" /><br>

*<br>

The light on the Bass Performance Hall at sunset is incredible, especially on the west side. Windows from the surrounding buildings reflect swimming pools of light. And the Bass' gigantic brass doors on the west portal reflect beautiful warm light. In my b&w film photos and darkroom prints I've needed to do some selective contrast control, dodging/burning to balance the light and shadows in identical lighting.<br /><em>(ISO 200, 1/400th @ f/8)</em><br /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17759195-lg.jpg" alt="Bass Performance Hall at sunset, WxSW exposure" width="700" height="467" border="0" /></p>

<p>*<br>

Considering the Fuji 16-50 kit zoom is practically a fisheye at 16mm in the uncorrected raw files, the in-camera JPEG correction is really good. There's just a bit of barrel distortion remaining but it's only noticeable in horizontal and vertical lines parallel to the frame edge. Converging lines and diagonals look pretty good to me.<br /><em>(ISO 200, 1/160th @ f/8)</em><br /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17759196-lg.jpg" alt="Downtown Fort Worth, Capital Grille exterior" width="700" height="467" border="0" /><br>

*<br>

The very familiar and oft-photographed Bass Performance Hall angels. But I wanted to see how the Fuji's dynamic range and in-camera JPEGs handled the contrast. Very nice results.<br /><em>(ISO 200, 1/320 @ f/8)</em><br /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17759192-lg.jpg" alt="Bass Hall angels, west portal view" width="700" height="467" border="0" /><br>

*</p>

<p>I'll probably grab the V1 next time I head out for candid street snaps, but the X-A1 image quality at high ISOs is delicious. Great stabilization in the lens too. Really nice not having to lug a tripod for late afternoon and even nighttime photos.</p>

[Allen Herbert]

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