Fujifilm X-T4 First Impressions

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[TJ-pool]

1:27 everyone in Canada wears lumberjack shirts. Photographer and subject both in them haha.

[mexps]

@10:35 I'm in love with the way this camera handles the low light situation in this clip. It's still giving nice light gradient on the face with almost no grain or noise! well done fuji

[tomaszstramel]

With so many people gushing about the X-T3, its color rendition, the film simulations, great SOOC jpegs, the brilliant WYSIWYG EVF experience and, finally, the amazing 26 MP X-Trans sensor—I really need to believe I must have had a dud. In the four months of owning an X-T3 (purchased new), I could never get myself to loving the colors I was getting from the camera. It would always take a lot of post-processing to make the RAF files look tolerable in my eyes. And even then they'd leave me with a feeling that there was something intrinsically weird about not only the unworldly hues but the texture of the photos and the way they interpreted rather than reflected reality.


When I saw SOOC jpegs from this camera on my PC on the first day of shooting, my heart sank. Muddy all over, with unapologetic blacks taking over even when there was only a bit of shadow in front of the lens (the 18-55 kit; I later bought the other two of the "lesser trinity" in a desperate attempt to prove myself wrong); contrast reminiscent of pictures taken with cellphone cameras fifteen years ago. I had purchased this camera with a view to switching to a jpeg-only experience and the results screamed a big "No!". I had also downloaded several sample raw photos to see what I was getting into, and even though I didn't particularly like what I saw, I thought "I can surely do better, " and "there's no chance of this not being an awesome camera, it's getting rave reviews everywhere."


People say the X-Trans sensor is great for producing sharp images. With all the obvious caveats (overall lens quality, camera movement, shutter speed, the right aperture) out of the way, I must say "not necessarily so." Whatever happens at the in-camera image processing level, it seems to be applying a luminance contrast-based algorithms with a bias towards increasing contrast between neighboring pixels wherever the difference in luminance is within, say, the 60-99 percent range, decreasing contrast wherever the difference is 1-30 percent, and leaving it as is for the middle, 31-59 percent range. I often take woodland photos and what I've just described is particularly noticeable there: individual blades of grass can get razor-sharp delineation when they are set against a background that is much darker or lighter, whereas a presence of a low-contrast backdrop results in the subject apparently merging with it. Individual stones on a footpath may be given sharp edges but the tinier nuances of the grit that forms most of the path are smoothed out to a plaster-like uniformity. (From what I've heard, this has actually proved to be a real boon for portrait photographers as the effects I am referring to reduce the time spent on blemish- and wrinkle removal.) This can also be noticed in the out-of-focus areas in any photo in which the background includes many objects of varying shapes, sizes and luminosity. The camera may seem at a loss as to whether or not it should apply contrast boost (which takes the form of apparent sharpening) to the edges of a contrasty shape which happens to be out of focus ("maybe it's blurry due to camera shake, so let's recover some detail") even though it is further away from the plane of focus, while blending the contours of objects which are more in focus but lack luminosity contrast. While this is not readily perceived in photos where there are many naturally defined lines (man-made structures, rocks, people, faces), any environment filled with discrete, significant details will inevitably suffer from this type of processing. On top of that, it looks like it is well-baked into RAF files. Any tweaking performed later using editing software may only mitigate that effect but not eliminate it.


As to the WYSIWYG... Let me put it this way: What I saw with my naked eye was not what I saw through the EVF, was not what I saw on the rear LCD (using Natural LV or the Simulations mode), was not what I previewed later either on the EVF or the back LCD once the photo had been taken, was not what I saw on my PC, and it was not what I got printed. The EVF AUTO brightness mode proved tricky in my woodland environment: fickle, mottled lighting made my eye hurt after a while and confused me as to whether what the EVF was showing me was how the sensor was reading a scene or it was just a momentary spike in display brightness due to the camera figuring it should help me see the little screen properly, after I stepped into a patch of light or perhaps when trees swayed, revealing more of the sky. I didn't use the option to have live histogram displayed. After watching so many reviews touting the capabilities and advantages of the EVF, I thought it should do the trick without a pair of crutches. But hey, I did have the exposure meter right there all the time, didn't I? Yes I did. But—and here come a few "buts": first, my X-T3 seemed to be routinely underexposing by two-thirds to one and a third of a stop, and, with the EVF living its own life in terms of brightness, there was no telling what was happening before I actually transferred the picture to my PC and reviewed it there. But (the second "but"), sometimes the camera would assume the scene was so awfully dark that it dropped the meter to make me believe the sensor needed more light, and... the photo would end up OVERexposed by two-thirds of a stop. Matrix metering appeared to be the least reliable, Average—the least UNreliable. I believe the metering system was simply geared to prioritize highlights protection. I didn't manage to get used to it until the last; with some cameras you do get a "highlight priority" setting; here it was a default setup—in my experience. Again, it is true that I could have customized the screen to display live histogram; however, I am not a fan of cluttering my vision and, at the time, I still believed I could figure the EVF out. (Never happened.) I also tried to set the EVF brightness manually, but soon ran into situations where I couldn't see anything through the EVF after entering an area with a lot more light than before (coming out on a glade from a dense thicket).


Constant fidgeting with the small controls made my fingers itch, and what seemed an attractive retro body design when considered at first out of context, turned out a bit of a hindrance and nuisance in the field. I started missing the easier, more direct interaction and the straightforward output of my old D700, its simple button layout and meaty controls. And the OVF that I could look through without eye-strain, framing shots without having to switch the camera on (I rarely see this mentioned as a clear advantage in wildlife photography, when one can use the camera with a big lens as field glasses when waiting for birds, deer etc to enter the scene...). I truly wanted the X-T3 to work out for me. I liked its looks, the size, the build, the biaxially tiltable rear LCD; the weight was nice, especially with the kit 18-55 lens (the 10-24 and the 55-200 weren't too heavy either; by the way: I had to get a second copy of each as the first came defective: the wide-angle wouldn't establish connection with the camera, the telephoto had a grating zoom ring. They both got replaced without a problem). I didn't even mind carrying three spare batteries on a day hike. But what I was missing was the fabled ("legendary") Fujifilm image quality—I just wasn't getting it out of the camera. So the whole point of buying it and replacing the old DSLR had at that point been voided.


I often read that the sheer appeal of the X-T3 inspired people to leave their houses and enjoy the experience of taking photos. And I think it's great whenever creative joy is stirred that makes us lead a fuller life to which we contribute through our passion or just a pastime. But I hadn't needed that boost in the first place: all I was after was a camera that would deliver pleasing results, a camera more compact yet at least as capable as the battered gear I'd been using. It just didn't work. I embrace the possibility that I may simply be inept, that the camera was—maybe still is—way above my level. And I well know it works beautifully for so many people. I sometimes even get an itch and find myself considering buying a secondhand X-T3, maybe with a prime or two this time, to use it for photographing IDEAS rather than reality and detail, because I've come to think this is where it might excel, even in my hands.


So, to wrap up, I've spilled my guts here prompted by yet another wave of praise directed at a Fujifilm camera, this time the X-T4, coming from a pair of arguably the most likeable photo reviewers on YT. I thought it shouldn't do anyone any harm if I shared my experience. If you like this new camera, i.e. the X-T4, make sure you try it out for yourself first, if possible. Rental is steep where I live, ridiculously so; otherwise I'd have followed my own advice. Balance the pros and cons, make sure you know what you value the most out of the whole photographic experience, and take the plunge. Happy shooting! :-).

[dinagalall]

Cameras are driving me CRAZY! I want them all! 😂😂

[jimmyqballs]

Love that Fuji color, they really know how to render a nice image

[melodytalks]

This is one Camera that other manufacturers should take full notice on ...
From ergonomics & beautiful looks, fully articulating screen, easy still/movie switch, packed with Cinematic features, etc....
As Hughe Branson said quite correctly, " Boundary Busting, Headache inducing, & Jolt to rest of industry ", ..
I wish this was a full frame camera then it would have taken the Crown ....well done FUJI 👌👌👌👏👏👏

[MrBenthie]

I actually love the look of the Eterna Bleach Bypass.

[DennisLimCY]

Young Chris Is The Best Chris
Omg... Chris looked so good when shot with the FS700.

Still good now, but just... older (and more awesome).

[armaniusmaximus]

I love(d) the metering dial! I must be the only one that changes metering mode frequently! Otherwise, the XT4 is perfect for me. Can't wait to get one!

[smashexentertainment]

I hope X-E4 inherits a lot from latest Fuji models.

[abdullahishak]

Wow this Crazy, X-T4 slow motion In Full HD Until 240FPS Thats Real Slow Mo, I'm Exciting With This

[digitalddict]

7:05 - That's a harsh cut on the 'especially the videographers' lol.

[RadoslavSharapanov]

Outstanding handheld stability and sharpness! Hard to believe where prosumer is standing now. Would love to see 60fps video. Thanks!

[timhedrick]

Finally!! A fully articulating screen. Thank you, Fujifilm!

[mdrewpix]

That the camera didn't seize up when you shot the picture of me speaks well for the new Fuji's durability!

[timdilnutt]

No surprise that it doesn't add much for a stills photographer. According to the reviews of XT3, that didn't give much more either. As a stills shooter, there is no rhyme or reason to upgrade my XT2. I don't seem to be the focus of their R&D. It seems video is where the improvements are taking place.

[ismaeliribar]

5:55 ... you like the "carroteristics" well said. 😂🤣

[boris.dupont]

I understand the pre-production concept and the idea of being the first among the firsts but at the end of the day it's kind of frustrating as I never really know what to expect. Anyway thanks for sharing!

[ranch]

Really appreciate Chris Niccolls style - very informative and engaging/entertaining; also really appreciate Jordan's video insights...thank you all very much for these great, ongoing reviews!!

[VD]

Thanks for the video guys.. You're always my N1 ppl for these sorts of videos.
I understand it is a pre-production unit....and perhaps it is just me... _ as this is just a camera...but I thought you would be more excited. Again..maybe my expectations are too high.. I've been 'waiting for this camera' ever since I got my X-T20..
You mention the APSC Sonys .... and that this being their direct competitor . that's true..but I am VERY looking forward to get my hands on my X-T4...and put it aide by side with my A7III.
I'm pretty sure that the X-T4 will come out ahead in almost every aspect.
If the X-T3 was way up there on your awards...I'm pretty much convinced the X-T4 will win best camera of the year, now.
I'm pretty curious about Fujifilm having said they're very much considering a B&W sensor/camera, much like the new Leica you guys reviewed.
Cheers from Portugal