Critique Welcomed Model Shoot - Del Mar Ca

[Chris Dodkin]

One of the main reasons for buying a lens like the XF 56mm f/1.2, (and the vertical grip for that matter), is to shoot professional portraits, at wide apertures.

Sure, you can use them for a million other things, but they are designed to make portrait shooting a wonderfully pleasurable experience.

So how did the X-T1 and the new 56mm Lens stack up?

I took them on a model shoot with Mikah and Dori, in Del Mar California, to find out.

(Click on any image for a larger version)















































The full Flickr set is online here

The X-T1 and 56mm performed superbly. The camera was responsive and the EVF was easy to use even in bright sunlight.

AF was fast and accurate - I dropped the AF box down one size, and positioned it over the eyes for each shot.

DOF was razor thin, so care had to be taken not to focus and recompose, as this introduced the possibility of a mis-focused shot.

With such wide apertures in daylight, I has to use a 4 stop ND filter to keep the shutter speeds in range.

The lens reminds me of my Canon 85mm f/1.2L - another portrait specialist - it has that smooth bokeh and wonderful contrast - it just makes people look gorgeous!

But let's not forget that the Fuji 56mm is less than half the cost of the Canon 85mm!

I'll say it here, now that I've used the camera and lens combo in anger - they are going to get a lot of use in the studio and in location shooting.

Thanks to Britt for all of her help setting up the shoot, and to Mikah and Dori of course.

 

[Pete Askew]

Well, first of all, what a gorgeous set of portraits. The camera has performed flawlessly and the poses etc work very well too. The shallow depth of field works well and really isolates the models nicely and draws you into their eyes. The only time it is limiting is on the second shot where you have lost sharpness on her right pupil (I'm good at nit-picking! ). It is certainly turning out to be a formidable camera.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

As I love portaits, it isn't hard to admire and appreciate what you have accomplished here. Just plain beautiful as goes for the model too. I have no doubts that this lens is superb also in combination with any x camera from Fuji. To say which one I like most here is both hard and absolutely unnecessary since they are all very nice. Just one question though, have you found any light leaks from the xt1 as a few owners claim especially on long exposures?

 

[Brian Moore]

Fine set of portraits, Chris. Did you use any kind of light enhancement aids (e.g., reflectors)? I see what Pete means about the right eye, but honestly I don't think I would have noticed that if I hadn't read his comment.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Stunning, Chris. Don't know what you mean by saying you've used it "in anger"...Looks totally pro to me.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Looks pretty good to me and a lovely set up to use.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Yes superb set. Seems like a perfect set up for portraits.

Chris, how do you link the click to lager size as you have via Flickr?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Well, first of all, what a gorgeous set of portraits. The camera has performed flawlessly and the poses etc work very well too. The shallow depth of field works well and really isolates the models nicely and draws you into their eyes. The only time it is limiting is on the second shot where you have lost sharpness on her right pupil (I'm good at nit-picking! ). It is certainly turning out to be a formidable camera.

Thanks Pete - I know what you're saying;

As I love portaits, it isn't hard to admire and appreciate what you have accomplished here. Just plain beautiful as goes for the model too. I have no doubts that this lens is superb also in combination with any x camera from Fuji. To say which one I like most here is both hard and absolutely unnecessary since they are all very nice. Just one question though, have you found any light leaks from the xt1 as a few owners claim especially on long exposures?

Thanks Ivar

Yep, if you leave the USB door open and shine a flashlight in - there is a light leak!
But as I never shoot with this door open, it's somewhat of a non-issue for me at this point
Waiting to see what Fuji do to fix it though - someone messed up their testing at Fuji HQ!

Yes superb set. Seems like a perfect set up for portraits.

Chris, how do you link the click to lager size as you have via Flickr?

Thanks Julian
I make the Image a LINK to another image of a larger size:

Drag smaller image into edit window where you're writing your post
Click on it to highlight, then select the URL link ICON in the edit bar
Paste in a URL for the larger size version of the image from Flickr

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Thanks Julian
I make the Image a LINK to another image of a larger size:

Drag smaller image into edit window where you're writing your post
Click on it to highlight, then select the URL link ICON in the edit bar
Paste in a URL for the larger size version of the image from Flickr

Thank you Chris. I did play around after with links in a post and one way I did it my whole Flickr site showed up as a slide show within the post. Find it hard to get my head round the linking business.
Again smashing images.

 

[Nick Lukey]

A superb set of images Chris, nicely lit and lovely skin tones. You should be chuffed to bits with these.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

A superb set of images Chris, nicely lit and lovely skin tones. You should be chuffed to bits with these.

Thanks Nick - definitely chuffed