Saying Farewell to Fujifilm: My Journey of Departure and Exploration

Reflecting on the past decade of my photographic journey, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and nostalgia.

Today, I am at a pivotal moment as I bid farewell to Fujifilm. This brand has been integral to my professional life since my first encounter with the iconic X100 over ten years ago. With mixed emotions, I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to Fujifilm for its incredible and transformative journey. However, the time has come to explore new avenues, as recent experiences have left me yearning for a fresh perspective.

Throughout the last 10 years, Fujifilm has played a significant role in shaping my artistic vision, allowing me to capture moments of beauty and emotion with unrivalled precision. I started with the X100 then the X-Pro and XT1 passing through the XH-1. finally, the XT-4, among other models, accompanied me through countless assignments and personal projects, each lens capturing a unique facet of the world around me. I often owned 4 Fujifilm cameras at any given time and at least ten lenses from 10mm to 400mm. Together, we created what I hope is a lovely body of work; I am forever grateful.

However, as an artist, I believe it is vital to listen to the inner voice that propels us forward, urging us to explore new territories. Despite my deep-rooted appreciation for Fujifilm's commitment to excellence and innovation, I have found myself increasingly dissatisfied with the latest offerings from the brand.

The creative fire that once burned brightly within me began to flicker, prompting me to seek inspiration elsewhere.

It is essential to acknowledge that this decision was not made lightly. The process of bidding farewell to a brand that has been integral to my professional and creative journey is bittersweet. The memories we have shared, the images we have crafted together, and the growth I have experienced through these incredible tools will forever remain cherished.

Yet, as I embark on this new chapter, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. The world of photography is vast and ever-evolving, with numerous brands and technologies awaiting exploration. I look forward to discovering new tools that will invigorate my passion, challenge my skills, and enable me to capture moments in ways I have yet to imagine.

In bidding farewell to Fujifilm, I thank the brand for over a decade of support, partnership, and relentless pursuit of photographic excellence. Through this profound journey, I have grown as an artist and honed my craft. As I navigate uncharted waters, I embrace the opportunity to expand my artistic horizons, confident that this departure will begin a new chapter in my photographic narrative.

The path ahead may be uncertain, but one thing remains constant—I am ready to seize the future and continue my pursuit of capturing the world's beauty through a fresh lens.

PS. I have decided for the time being not to make public the brands I have adopted to avoid comparisons and sterile discussions.

My Favourite Fujifilm JPEG Settings

One of the reasons I fell in love with the Fujifilm X-Series was because of the great jpeg processing software that was placed into every camera. I shoot with an XT-3, I am afraid I do not like the latest XT, and I prefer shooting instead with my Leiucas or Sony!

I tend to shoot nowadays mainly in jpg,m I know many people only shoot RAW, and that is absolutely fine of course.  This article will hopefully help the ones of you that do shoot JPG or that want a starting point for JPG settings of your own.



Fujifilm JPG Settings

To create your own JPEG settings, go to Edit/Save Custom Setting in the IQ section of the menu.  From here you can save up to seven different settings.  To make it even easier to switch between settings, you can change one of the FN5 buttons to ‘Select Custom Setting.’  In this way, you can quickly and very easily change presets.

I like to title my Custom Settings with names that I will recognise fairly quickly. 


Colour Fujifilm JPEG Settings



Velvia Landscape

For landscapes, if I like a punch picture I often use Velvia which really brings out the colour in every scene. Velvia is one of my fav Film!

  • Dynamic Range: 100

  • Film Simulation: Velvia

  • Grain: Off

  • WB: Auto +1 Red

  • Highlight: -1

  • Shadow: +3

  • Colour: +3

  • Sharpness: +2

  • Noise Reduction: -1

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Astia Countryside

One of my favourites right now it is the one I use most of the time living in the countryside

  • Dynamic Range: 100

  • Film Simulation: Astia

  • Grain Off

  • White Balance (WB) Auto +1 Red

  • Highlight -1

  • Shadow +2

  • Color +1

  • Sharpness -1

  • Noise Reduction: -2

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A day in the City

The Classic Chrome. This is the one that I switch to for street photography. 

  • Dynamic Range: 100

  • Film Simulation: Classic Chrome

  • Grain: Off

  • WB: Auto +1 Red

  • Highlight: 0

  • Shadow: +2

  • Colour: +3

  • Sharpness: +3

  • Noise Reduction: -2

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Portraits Pro

My favourite for portraits with muted tones and super gentle on skin

  • Dynamic Range: 100

  • Film Simulation: Pro Neg High

  • Grain: Weak

  • Highlights: -1

  • Shadows: +1

  • Colour: -2

  • Sharpness: +1

  • Noise Reduction: -2

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Monochrome Fujifilm JPEG Settings

Acros I

I simply love Black and White I shot as well with a Leica Monochrom and this is the setting I like

  • Dynamic Range: 100

  • Film Simulation: Acros Red

  • Grain: Off

  • WB: Auto +1 Red

  • Highlight: -1

  • Shadow: +3

  • Sharpness: +1

  • Noise Reduction: -1

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Acros II

Another black and white setting with Acros a bit more gentle and subtle

  • Dynamic Range: 200

  • Film Simulation: Acros

  • Grain: Off

  • WB: Auto +1 Red

  • Highlight: +2

  • Shadow: +2

  • Sharpness: +2

  • Noise Reduction: -2

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Portrait

It’s a little softer, less aggressive and because it uses the Green filter on Acros it’s more pleasing for portraits on the skin tones .

  • Dynamic Range: Auto

  • Film Simulation: Acros + G

  • Grain: Off

  • Highlights: -1

  • Shadows: +2

  • Sharpness: +1

  • Noise Reduction: -1

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Berengo Gardin

This is probably my favourite custom setting at the moment.

I’ve called it Berengo Gardin to honour the great Italian photojournalist Gianni Berengo Gardin

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  • Dynamic Range: 100

  • Film Simulation: Monochrome + R

  • Grain: Strong

  • Highlights: 0

  • Shadows: +2

  • Sharpness: +1

  • Noise Reduction: 0


Post Processing

I mainly use Photoshop but my favourite piece of Software is produced by Skylum and is Luminar Neo.

It has a powerful engine for higher performance and flexibility. It also packs exciting and innovative tools that let you fulfil your vision.

Channel your creativity with the infinite possibilities of the new Layers feature. Relight an image that lacks lighting sources based on image depth.

35mm equivalence of native Fujifilm X lenses


I am often asked about the correspondence focal length for the Fujifilm X lenses

This table will help you find the true 35mm equivalence of native Fujifilm X lenses.



Native Fujifilm X lenses

Name Focal Length (35mm) f-stop (35mm) Aperture Size

XF14mmF2.8 R 21mm ƒ/4.2 5mm

XF16mmF1.4 R WR 24mm ƒ/2.1 11mm

XF16mmF2.8 R WR 24mm ƒ/4.2 5.7mm

XF18mmF2 R 27mm ƒ/3 9mm

XF23mmF2 R WR 35mm ƒ/3 12mm

XF23mmF1.4 R 35mm ƒ/2.1 16mm

XF27mmF2.8 41mm ƒ/4.2 9.6mm

XF33mmF1 50mm ƒ/1.5 33mm

XF35mmF1.4 R 53mm ƒ/2.1 25mm

XF35mmF2 R WR 53mm ƒ/3 18mm

XF50mmF2 R WR 75mm ƒ/3 25mm

XF56mmF1.2 R 84mm ƒ/1.8 47mm

XF56mmF1.2 R APD 84mm ƒ/1.8 47mm

XF60mmF2.4 R Macro 90mm ƒ/3.6 25mm

XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro 120mm ƒ/4.2 29mm

XF90mmF2 R LM WR 140mm ƒ/3 45mm

XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR 300mm ƒ/3 100mm

XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR 12-24mm ƒ/4.2 2.9-5.7mm

XF10-24mmF4 R OIS 15-36mm ƒ/6 2.5-6mm

XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR 24-83mm ƒ/4.2 5.7-20mm

XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR 24-120mm ƒ/6 4-20mm

XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR 27-200mm ƒ/5.3-8.4 5.1-24mm

XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS 27-83mm ƒ/4.2-6 6.4-14mm

XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 75-210mm ƒ/4.2 18-50mm

XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS 83-300mm ƒ/5.3-7.2 16-42mm

XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR 150-600mm ƒ/6.8-8.4 22-71mm

Touit 2.8/12 18mm ƒ/4.2 4.3mm

Touit 1.8/32 48mm ƒ/4.2 11mm

Touit 2.8/50M 75mm ƒ/4.2 18mm

12th Annual International Color Awards

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LOS ANGELES 12th March 2019

Professional photographer Marco Secchi of Hungary was presented with the 12th Annual International Color Awards Nominee title in the category of Fine Art at a prestigious Nomination & Winners Photoshow streamed Saturday, March 9, 2019.

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The live online gala was attended by 11,829 photography fans around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the industry's most important event for color photography. 12th Annual Jury members included captains of the industry from Sotheby's, New York; Benetton, Ponzano Veneto; The Art Channel, London; Kolle Rebbe, Hamburg; Droga5, New York; Preus Museum, Norway; Art Beatus, Hong Kong; Forsman & Bodenfors, Gothenburg; Wieden & Kennedy, Portland; Fox Broadcasting Network, Los Angeles; Gallery Kong, Seoul; and Phillips, New York who honored Color Masters with 761 title awards and 1,032 nominees in 37 categories.

"Winning awards is an endorsement that you are doing something right in your craft. I am delighted to win Merit of Excellence in the Food category and have another 8 nominations... a huge thank you to you and your support of photography," said Hugh Johnson, 2nd Place Winner in Food. Leigh Miller, 1st Place Winner in Aerial added, "Wow, I'm over the moon with pride and joy at getting 1st place and honourable mention in the amateur Aerial category. I'm privileged to have my work showcased alongside such talented and creative people. Thank you International Color Awards for the chance to show our work on an international stage and big thanks to the judges for their time."

"It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 7,241 entries we received this year," said Basil O'Brien, the awards Creative Director. "(Name)'s "(Title of Photograph)," an exceptional image entered in the (Category) category, represents contemporary color photography at its finest, and we're pleased to present (her/him) with the title of Nominee."

INTERNATIONAL COLOR AWARDS is the leading international award honoring excellence in color photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in color photography. www.colorawards.com

  • Camera Fujifilm

  • Model XT2

  • Lens 16-55 f/ 2.8

Chromatic Awards

Very happy to share that one of my images has won second place, in the Professional Category of the Cityscape category, in the 2019 International Chromatic Awards

Many congratulations on all the other winners and nominees and my thanks to the judges for their hard work.

It was shot on

Camera Make FUJIFILM

Camera ModelX-T2

Focal Length 42.7mm

Apertureƒ/8.0

Shutter Speed1/350s

ISO400

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Fujifilm X-E3 my review

Fujifilm designed the new X-E3 to be an ultra compact rangefinder-style mirrorless camera you can slip in a pocket and get professional-quality results with. The idea seems to have been to craft a super-portable point-and-shoot that even casual users can carry anywhere, without sacrificing the image quality X-series users are accustomed to. If that was the intent, then Fujifilm has hung the moon.

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Fujifilm X-E3: Specifications

  • 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor
  • X-Processor Pro engine
  • Fujifilm X mount
  • ISO 200-12,800 (ISO 100-51,200 extended)
  • 4K UHD video recording, 30/25/24p
  • 325 AF points, upgraded tracking capabilities
  • 0.39in OLED viewfinder, 2,360,000 dots
  • 3in fixed touchscreen, 1,040,000 dots
  • Focus lever
  • Film Simulation modes
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy
  • SDHC/SDXC card slot (inc. UHS-I)
  • 350-frame battery life
  • 121.3x73.9×42.7mm
  • Approx. 337g (without lens, inc. battery and card)

Look and Feel

As a physical object, the Fujifilm X-E3 is a thing of beauty. Measuring just 4.8 x 2.9 x 1.7 inches, it's significantly cut down in size from the other X-E series cameras, and running your hand over it gives you nothing but flat planes and smooth curves. There's almost nothing on the surface of this camera to snag on your pocket if you're grabbing it in a hurry, and at just a whisper less than 12 ounces, it's clear Fujifilm was thinking more about pockets than gear bags when they designed it.

User Interface

One of the ways Fujifilm got this economy of size was by getting rid of the pop-up flash and eliminating the bulky EVR hump over the sensor aperture. The design team also made the radical (for Fujifilm) decision to eliminate the D-pad control switch in favor of a surprisingly intuitive touchscreen swipe control with all the same functions. This works surprisingly well, and after a little practice thumb-swiping while peering through the viewfinder it feels as natural as the D-pad ever did.

Ease of Use

The X-E3 is almost embarrassingly easy to use. Basically, this camera has two modes: automatic and manual. All the custom settings a professional photographer could want are there in manual operation, which lets you control every detail of the shutter speed, depth of field, and other factors that affect an image. Or, you can switch it over to automatic and the X-E3 will handle all of that for you, remembering to restore your settings when you switch back out of automatic mode.

Accessories

The Fujifilm X-E3 retains the X-mount front of the other models in its line, so it works seamlessly with around two-dozen official Fuji lenses that are already on the market. If you happen to have a lens already, you can order the X-E3 as-is, without the two available kit lenses. Lacking a built-in flash, your only option for lighting up a scene is to mount the included EF-X8 flash on the X-E3's flat top, though its hot shoe works just fine with whatever aftermarket lighting rig you feel like putting up there.

Image Quality

Image quality doesn't seem to suffer at all with the X-E3. It uses the same sensor as the other X-E-series Fujifilm cameras, and nothing has changed about its broad dynamic range and super-sharp resolution. Colors are vibrant and rich straight out of the camera, whether you're working with jpegs or RAW files, and relatively little touch-up is needed, even for professional-quality images.

Walking the dog...early morning...in Venice (Fujifilm XE3)

Walking the dog...early morning...in Venice (Fujifilm XE3)

Fujifilm clearly intended the X-E3 to be a lightweight, versatile lifestyle and travel camera that anybody could use to get great results, even if they know next to nothing about digital photography when they pick it up. By cutting away most of the distractions from the already-slim X-line of cameras, and by combining a sleek, intuitive user interface with an automatic mode that does the much of the thinking for you, they have made something close to the ideal casual carry camera for professional and amateur photographers alike.

Fujifilm XE3 final verdict

The Fujifilm XE3 is a very satisfying mid-range mirrorless camera it will suit anyone entering the World of interchangeable lens photography. For the seripus amater or professional I would suggest to stick to the XT-2. For sure the XE3  feels responsive, handles well, and delivers great-looking 24 Megapixel photos and 4k video with minimal effort. It features a built-in viewfinder, touchscreen with clever gesture controls, an AF joystick for those who prefer a more conventional touch, and Bluetooth to aid with Wifi connections to your phone.