Best products from r/fujix

> I've heard a few reports of the metal rings supplied wearing through the lugs eventually. Is that a genuine issue?

So Fuji lugs are actually mostly made of a very soft metal, so to compensate for that they put in a sleeve inside the lug that is made of much more durable material. A while back, there was a 'tip' for peak design users to push that sleeve out so that the peak design anchors can fit through the lug. This is the only reported case of lug wear I've seen for newer bodies.

> Does anyone have any recommendations for quick(ish) release camera straps that don't use metal rings (other than peak design)?

There are some cheap alternatives that use plastic buckles (like this: https://www.amazon.com/OP-TECH-USA-Utility-Adjust/dp/B01C5TE1NA), but I fear the buckles are more likely to wear than the peak design straps. You might consider looking at the blackrapid strap (there are knockoffs too). Instead of the lugs, they attach to the tripod mount... so may offer you some increased flexibility. It's also pretty quick to attach/remove but you have to make sure you do so securely.


> I've started looking at mini karabiner type clips to see if I can rig something up myself but need to find decent, strong cord to attach to the lugs themselves.

You're probably going to want to look for what is called "accessory cord" in the rock climbing world. You can find different diameters/colors and they are all rated by the amount of weight they can handle. You can buy custom lengths in most outdoor shops that sell climbing gear. In the US, REI is your best bet. You can also find precut lengths on amazon. I think your challenge with this approach will be finding the right carabiner... large/strong enough to handle the camera weight, but small enough to be unobtrusive and not scratch up your camera body. Do report back if you find anything though =]

Some information is here: http://www.lifepixel.com/lens-considerations/lens-hot-spot-testing-database#fuji

But I also go based off my personal experience. The 18-55mm is bad and the 23mm f/2 is great. The Rokinon 12mm is very good, but I haven't tried the 50-230mm. Since foliage is a great subject in infrared, wide angle lenses are good for landscapes. So the Rokinon and the 23mm f/2 are ideal anyway.

Obviously, only buy one filter and then buy step-up rings to adapt a larger filter to smaller lens. So if the Rokinon is your biggest lens, get a 67mm filter and for a few bucks you can get a ring to adapt 67mm to the 23mm's 43mm filter thread. 43mm will also fit the 35mm f/2 lens, if you ever get that lens.

The Hoya filter is about $65, but if you aren't serious and don't care about image quality, you can also try some cheap Neewer filters on Amazon, like this one for $18 (although I haven't personally tried it):

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Infrared-Filter-Optical-Aluminum/dp/B073FG7GQ7/

I did. I purchased the Beschoi on Amazon for about $23.



I'll likely keep it but it isn't the answer.



I probably won't use the adapter for the macro lens on my XT100 again; not because of quality, but because the lens + adapter combo made the XT100 unwieldy and a pain to operate. On the larger bodied XT3, you might have better luck. I anticipate purchasing a used XT2 in the not too distant future and plan on using the adapter for that body.



The Beschoi has about 4-6 stops; another poster cited the Viltrox, which is purported to have 15 stops. This would probably be easier to work with.



Note: I'm planning on taking my XT100 + adapter + 11-16mm Tokina out for a stroll. I'm hoping to have better luck with that lens. Just having the adapter and knowing, if absolutely needed, I can use my Nikon lenses, was worth the $23 expense.

It isn’t perfect but I’ve been carrying this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M71YIG3

The divider is repositionable, I’ve got it so my x100f sits vertically with the lens against the divider. I usually put my phone and a usb battery in the other half. I don’t put it in another bag but it definitely would hold its shape well enough that it would still protect the camera pretty well.

I used a manfrotto befree with an andoer ball head. The tripod can be just a little shaky, but it worked of course. It’s purpose is to be mobile and light after all. This was my first time using the ball head and I really really enjoyed it compared to the ballhead on the tripod linked below.

I believe pretty much any highly rated budget tripod would do just fine. I also have this Slik tripod setup and although it feels a little cheaper, I believe it would’ve been fine for this photo. It also helps greatly to just not extend these tripods fully.

Depends on what kind of portraits you want. Everything else you could cover with the lens you have. You can do compelling contextual portraits with the lens you already have.

I'd like something wider for streets and landscapes; on a personal vacation I'll take the wcl-x100 (19mm, 28mm equivalent) and mostly "f8 and be there". But I just shot a whole wedding with a 23 and 56. The 56 is hard to beat for flattering portraits and head shots.

Thing is, you really want flattering portraits of the natives? I would think on a trip like that, you'd want context.

You can pick up the 18mm pancake for under $300. Or if you're wanting to keep it all WR, go with the 23. Also consider if you never change the lens you don't have to worry about dropping a lens, keeping up with the spare, getting dust in the body, etc. These are all reasons I like the x100 w/ wcl-x100 for personal travel.

Also, i just did a long trip with one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SGY5M28/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CjzeAbJ3JBEEG
I never used the strap I packed. Carry the Alan wrench in a pocket though. Tighten up the screw a couple times a day for piece of mind. My favorite new piece of kit in many years. And only $10.

I was going to say make sure you update the firmware, but I don't think you can do that without an SD card. You have some patience though, I would have run to the closest store and grabbed the first SD card I could find.

• These are some things I did with my X-E2. Protect the screen: http://smile.amazon.com/LARMOR-Self-Adhesive-Optical-Protector-Fujifilm/dp/B00NX6AOTK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449346301&sr=8-1&keywords=x-e2+screen+protector
  
  
• Thumb grip. Some people like them, some don't. I used the rather expensive Lensmate one, which was quite nice. http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=x-e2+thumb+grip&sprefix=x-e2+thumb+grip%2Caps%2C203&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ax-e2+thumb+grip
  
  
• Kindle book (can read in browser or on Android/ipad/iphone) http://smile.amazon.com/Fujifilm-X-E2-Beyond-Manual-ebook/dp/B00VB46KM6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449346590&sr=8-2&keywords=x-e2+book
  
  I never tried the leather case, but I did use the grip (different one) a lot of the time. It's a personal preference thing.
  
  Spend time in the menu system. Make sure you understand what everything does so you can get to it if you need it.

Awesome thanks. Im thinking of getting an off brand adapter and hood, is it safe to think that itll still fit on x100f, considering its the same lens?
https://www.amazon.ca/JJC-LH-JX100-Adapter-Finepix-AR-X100/dp/B0059VMH5G/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Just asking to make sure...
Cheers

I really like the crumpler camera pouch/insert. I have an older model but it looks like the function is the same - amazon link

Small, like the drawstring close, configurable, the external mesh pockets are great for holding an extra battery, charger, small polarizer etc. I carry my x-t20, 16mm f1.4 and 23mm f2 most days. Sometimes swap in the 18-55 etc.

This book has a lot of good tips and suggestions on how to setup the Function buttons, some useful default settings, etc for the camera. Definitely helps with getting used to what all the camera is capable of.

SHOOT RR-90 LCD Timer Remote Shutter Release Controller Cord Trigger Time-lapse Photography Device for Fuji RR-90 Fujifilm X-T1 X-M1 X-A1 X-A2 Camera https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q5VEC8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pbm2AbKVQKSZ9

I’ve also owned this one (except it was for my canon dslr). This is probably my favorite. A tad bulkier than the one I’m using now but it feels good in the hand, has the same slide to lock feature, has an lcd screen (that displays the count of your shutter when engaged) and can be set to interval shooting (useful for time lapses). If you’re willing to spend a little extra and don’t mind the slightly bigger size I definitely say get this one!

Should be fun , the image quality may not be the best, but it might be amazing. Also, you can get adaptors for less than 30.

[#1 example] (https://www.amazon.com/Fotasy-Fujifilm-X-Mount-Camera-Adapter/dp/B007YPWT8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484297331&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+to+fuji+adapter)


[#2 example] (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adapter-for-Canon-EOS-EF-EF-S-Lens-to-Fujifilm-Fuji-FX-X-mount-X-Pro1-X-E1-CAP/321858386384?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40806%26meid%3D84e6258349ea48c592fd16bbf8d52ac1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D272331764705)

Now if you use those there will be a crop factor turning your 50mm lens into something like a 75mm f2.5 (dof effect), which be a lot of fun if you don't have anything like that in your kit already.


There are speed boosters out there that will bring your lens closer to its 35mm equiv angle of view and increase the light by one stop, though you may loose quality. They are much more expensive.

Anyways, for $10 i would get one since you have a lens already.

A

Sounds like your subjects will be still and manual focus is acceptable. In that case, the cheapest option (with great image quality as well) would be to buy a quality vintage lens + appropriate adapter + extension tubes.

For example, I have this setup:

• Minolta MD 50mm f1.4 ($60). Fantastic IQ. Got a cleaned/lubed/adjusted copy off eBay, and even at $60 I probably overpaid. The 50mm f2.0 version is just as sharp, has similar bokeh, and you can get them as low as ~$30 on eBay. Here's a listing
  
  
• Minolta MD mount to Fuji adapter ($20). Paid a little extra for and adapter by a company called K&F, but you can buy this Fotasy adapter for $14.
  
  
• Any Minolta MD mount extension tubes. No electronic contacts for manual focus so they're just dumb tubes and very cheap, ~$10. Using all the tubes together gets you ridiculously close, you should only need to use the smallest tube, or just screw the two end mounts together for several millimeters of extension.
  
  Total, buying the items I linked? ~$60 for the whole setup. Example pic using 7mm tube at f/4 of the back of a single serving chip bag.
  
  Alternatively, you can buy a dedicated vintage macro lens, like the Minolta 50mm f3.5 Macro (more expensive), and skip the extension tubes. OR if you don't actually need macro but very zoomed in shots, pick up a telephoto like the Minolta 135mm f2.8 (<$50). You can look at other brands (e.g. Pentax Super Takumars are fantastic) but I'm not familiar with them like I am with the Minolta lineup.

Are you wanting something full height, or would something like a Joby Gorillapod SLR fit your needs? That info might help to point in a better direction. Also, is there a certain head format you are wanting, or do you plan to attach the camera directly to the tripod itself?

You can find similar things to this on amazon for sub 50 dollars.
https://smile.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Complete-4-section-Tripod-Quick-Release/dp/B004XWIT04/ref=sr_1_42?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1494446035&sr=1-42&keywords=camera+tripod&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A3495707011%2Cp_36%3A1253504011

It'll probably work in a pinch if you bring plenty of batteries (or use rechargeables), but it might be worth researching to see if you can get something more like a GPS logger (as opposed to a navigation unit). Maybe something like this, that just logs GPS data and spits out a GPX file, but I don't know much about it or how well it'll work.

I'm in the UK so I don't know about specific products available there, but personally when I went to Australia I bought a USB charger for the battery and then a multi USB wall charger with changeable heads (which I now use at home as well)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014L5WZ16
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UYEE73I

You can of course just get a normal travel adapter but having everything USB on one socket saved me a lot of hassle and packing space on a long trip. I bought them far in advance to make sure they all worked first though!

I love that new toy honeymoon stage where you are obsessively researching everything about it. I highly recommend this book

The Yongnuo RF-605 will do it—$33 for a pair. Hook up the 2.5mm cable to the trigger and XT-2, then hold the other trigger in your hand and fire away.

The bonus is they will also fire the YN560IV flash if you put the trigger on the hotshoe. (but LMK if you end up doing that as there is a small mod you need to do)

Pretty much any wireless trigger that uses a 2.5mm connector should work because it's a simple "connection" signal.

https://www.amazon.com/2-4GHz-Wireless-Shutter-Release-Control/dp/B01IJZKCSC/
https://www.amazon.com/Pixel-TW-283-DC0-Wireless-300series/dp/B004BZMGMA (E3 version)

I've had good luck with this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IJZKCSC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

FujiFilm compatibility isn't usually listed clearly; as long as the output is a 2.5mm plug it will work with FujiFilm.

Fotasy FD to X

These are the best bang for your buck. I have a couple of them

I use this one, works great: https://www.amazon.com/Fotasy-AFFD-Fujifilm-Camera-Adapter/dp/B007YPVVES

I bought one of these recently! It’s basically the definition of a dumb mount but it works just fine as long as your lens has manual controls.

Fotasy Canon-FX Canon EOS (EF / EF-S) DSLR Lens Mount Adapter, compatible with Fujifilm X-Series Mirrorless Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YPWT8A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fbcSAbRP1SQN4