This is a continued post from Part 1 – Who Needs Carrots When You Have A Fujifilm X-Pro 1?
“You don’t need carrots to see in the dark – you simply need a Fujifilm X-Pro 1. Hopefully the photos and story show just how this camera performs in low light when using high ISO – no need for those carrots anymore!”
PART 2:
Motionless, beat up and lost the door stood as a gateway into a darker world. The urban rustic weathered paint was a reminder of the harsh abandoned life this building had become custom to. The distant street light shed new life on the neglected doorway. My X-Pro 1 picked up the little available light with ease. ISO 5000 had never looked so clean against a decrepit dirty background.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 5000 – f1.4- 1/40 second
Continuing my stroll down heritage surrounds my camera was drawn to a light like a moth to a flame. The building before was bathed in an iridescent glow. Bold straight architectural lines gave form with a modern twist.
Double doors centred as a focal point balancing the two outer archways. Caged vertical bars broke horizontal lines. Interior warming light shone juxtaposed against the outside cool colour temperature. All I had to do was simply lift the camera, look and click. The magic light danced around my viewfinder and instantaneously the camera showed off its work on the back LCD. Impressive!
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 2500 – f2.0 – 1/125 second
Street art always intrigues me. Fremantle is not really renowned for the modern art form so it was a breath of fresh air coming across it. The intricate detail of pen on textured walls stood proud. I was impressed at the quality both of the artist and camera’s reproduction alike. Smooth tones and noiseless photos proved the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 had been a perfect choice. ISO 6400 had never looked so clear before. Maybe it was down to the amazing sensor or just the sharpened glass present on the robust camera either way I was happy the X-Pro 1 was in my hands and my Canon Pro body was at home.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 6400 – f1.4 – 1/25 second
Eyes attuned to detail my legs trekked down the road stopping momentarily at a nearby notice board. Full of interesting events I focused my attention toward the centre of the board and set the lens to a shallow depth of field. Posters hung carelessly fighting for space. People hurried past ignoring the abundant plethora of words and information. Noticing the lack of interest my eyes lost focus and blurred the swamp of dictation before me. Briefly all I could see was vibrant colour – words became a jumbled mess.
I wanted to recreate the vibrant colour I had seen briefly so dashing through the menu, Velvia film simulation mode was locked and loaded. Colours popped and vibrance shone, E6 processing without the chemicals was proven to be the perfect combination. Slide film was reborn. Digital had finally made its modern move. The debate of film was no more.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 1200 – f1.4 – 1/50 second
By now the light was falling into a darker trance. Contrast and shadows filled every space the moonlight burned textures reflecting an eerie glow. Gathering clouds surrounded the ball of light above. My camera pitched into the darkness. The frame was set, ticking time detailed the foreground as my camera’s ISO was pushed to capture the remaining light. The clouds formed clean white streaks which brushed the blackened sky. The halls magnificent towering peak almost formed a pirouette in the night sky as the clouds danced behind, stars twinkling in delight. The night show had begun.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 5000 – f1.8 – 1/125 second
Walking along a busy Queen Street I felt like a photographic King as I noticed the printed word Queen on a window pane. Bathed in a strong red backlight (from an interior sign) I lined up the text to fill my viewfinder. The text stood strong with hardened edges as a the lens depicted the scene without colour bleed. I was more than impressed.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 2500 – f5.6 – 1/220 second
Amassing on the monument of Fremantle’s heritage I found myself among the buildings that time forgot. The worn, cracked weathered limestone reflected the hastiness of the surrounds. Windows bound in formality repeated along the structure. Shadows formed across the strewed masonry filling shadows with amazing hues. My camera picked up the contrast with ease and the final shot stood still, the way time had left it.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 1000 – f1.4 – 1/105 second
The detailed attention of the master sculptor filled my frame. His eyes fixated and focused at the sculpture at hand. Street light hit the bronze statue highlighting the shapes of his worn jacket and combed hair. Standing as still as the statue I locked focus, held my breath and proceeded to push the shutter. The almost depressing light engrossed the frame. Beautiful golden bokeh broke the scene into two as the emerging human shape jumped from the foreground. It was almost as the statue had come to life.
Fujifilm X-Pro 1 – 35mm – ISO 2500 – f1.4 – 1/15 second
Steps filled with a hurried pace as I travelled on my homeward journey. The chilled cold night air had won. The quest to test the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 was over. I didn’t need to eat any carrots as the camera was able to see into the darkness for me. High ISO and low light noiseless images had made this camera one of the best in my collection.
I hope you have enjoyed this two-part test. If you would like to see some more of my work be sure to subscribe to this page.
If you have any questions on the camera or any of the images feel free to ask them here or on my new collaborated website – F Stop Lounge – a site made by photographers for photographers.
Until next time – Happy Shooting
LEIGH DIPROSE 