Um, Sorry FujiFilm...

[@gerardneedham]

Hey guys, Thanks for the support in 2024 and moving into 2025. What’s are your predictions for Fujfilm in 2025? A new XE5 or Xpro4? Updated 16mm f1.4 or the 27mm f2.8? Also if you like my editing style check out my Pastel Film Lightroom Presets here - gerardneedham.com/en-au/collections/presets

[@AdventuringWithNala]

you two are a power couple! I appreciated the input on this. I have dabbled in Fuji but I think a lot of the issues you discussed here have prevented me from diving all the way into the ecosystem, as much as I love the physical aspect of using the camera

[@gerardneedham]

Yeah it’s unfortunate, but you can always buy a cheaper older Fuji and some cheap lens and still have a good time, the AF will be the same 😅 But if I didn’t have a KZbin channel I would just use my Sony A7IV and a few compact primes

[@CristovaoCorreia-vh6ec]

Yes man... I gave up... Had two disappointing sessions and I quitted going pro with Fuji... But for street Fuji is still good... But in terms of money making forget it too stressful to work with

[@williamsolis1]

Leaving Fujifilm for me was such a relief because i could actually rely on my camera The problem is that Fujifilm have actually never improved on those core issues. It was like leaving an abusive relationship where i stopped justifying the problems and saw them as they were

[@gerardneedham]

Yes that’s a perfect analogy

[@Marki_media]

Found your channel because of Fujifilm, staying because I support you for your work and perspective on photography. No matter what system you shoot 👏 also hoping for a xf 16mm 1.4 update soon!

[@awake780]

You should watch Cam Mackey’s latest video on Nikon picture control customization if you want to get a finished look in camera. Nikon has the capability to create “film simulations”, you just have to dig a little deeper.

[@bsalvis]

I think you really summed it up best when you pointed out the idea that Fuji is focusing on the creator crowd instead of the prosumer photographer that made them who they are today. Unfortunately the needs of the users they are trying to attract today may not be the type that can sustain them long term. It's a shame, but it appears to be their new reality. My recent experience with upgrading was not very positive. My 8 year old Fuji X-T20 and X-t3 are much more reliable in my experience. Their focus the 'influencer' crowd instead of sticking to their roots may eventually bring an end to a historically great camera line. In my case, I wound up returning my X-T5 and purchased an A7Cii. So far the switch has been positive for me with very few exceptions.

[@aerialfilm1]

I never really embraced processing the x-trans. I tried Fuji three times. First an X100s, then an XT-1 and finally an XT-2. Even though my disconnect was with the sensor, Auto focus was just fine with all of them for my use. I wish now I had kept my XT-2 simply for OOC JPEGs and recipe experiments. I will agree with your sentiment about the charm. It’s real. But if it’s performance you need with the aesthetics, Nikon nailed it with the ZF. I got influenced and bought one a several weeks ago. The whole time I was awaiting its arrival I was having second thoughts. It’s a little chonky by comparison, but absolutely zero regrets.

[@ayim01]

nasty negative comment

[@awake780]

👌

[@CristovaoCorreia-vh6ec]

Fujifilm is not for professionals... Fujifilm has great potential but this autofocus stuff is really messing things up... Pros don't want to be always anxious if they nailed focus or not... Eye af is nailing 3 out of 10 shots and this is not professional... Fujifilm makes photography fun and artsy but in a fast pacing professional world of weddings, events, sports and wildlife Fujifilm is not there to perform. I do agree with your assessments. Keep up man

[@TampaTomorrow]

Don't think we'll see dramatically improved autofocus from Fuji that could rival Sony/Canon until they introduce their 6th generation processors. There have been talks that the current gen just can't handle the higher mp sensors the way they want them to with the current algorithm. Hoping they come this year but probably not until 2026...

[@gerardneedham]

Yeah that’s it, I’m sure the hardware can’t handle the software. They need to make a deal with canon or Sony or something to use a different internal hardware ect

[@SummersSnaps]

Your first point at 3:35 cannot be understated. I am of the similar camp, shoot Classic Chrome, edit RAW. It might not always be CC as a Profile, it might have quite strong shifts in Calibration or HSL, but to have 'a look' on the shooting experience is really invaluable feedback to the process.

[@RWAquariumPages]

great video! i just picked up a x-t5 last week and loving it so far. Much more fun to shoot with than me r6mk2

[@gerardneedham]

Oh epic man, coming from a pro camera to a fun camera is so fun!

[@notarealperson2001]

Those Porsche shots using the Viltrox 27 1.2 are 🔥

[@van-gabondramblinrose6398]

I have the X-H1 and can't say it's really been such a great problem for me. Once in a while it'll refuse to focus, but I found that reducing the size of the auto focus square solved that and/or pushing the camera forward slightly. It just motivates me to know the camera better, so I don't have those stressful moments and I'm sorry, but no matter how good the auto focus is on a Sony, I can't stand their colours! I do think it's a shame Fuji have moved production to China though. There has definitely been issues with build quality that were never there with the Japanese produced cameras.

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

One of the fea things that make me love my X-Pro2 so much (which surprisingly isn't something that happened on any of my otehr Fujifilm cameras) is that the custom JPEG recipes profiles (that you can get from like Fuji X Weekly, or straight up make yourself) are applied to the RAW files when I import them in Capture One. I do not remember my X-T2 or my X-H1 doing that, in fact all the photos I imported from those cameras always looked like a standard Provia film sim, even if I was shooting black and white. It might not sound like much, but the fact taht the X-Pro2 keeps the custom JPEG color profile and everything to the RAW image that I import (for some reason, I have no idea why it does this but I'm not complaining !) means that I can shoot my camera like I was shooting JPEG, keeping allthe color grading that happens in camera, keeping the black and white tones I selected, keeping the custom film recipes I entered in the custom profiles, but I can also do adjustments if I want to, with the full flexibility of a RAW file. Previously, I would have loved to do that, but being limited to JPEGs, I would have had to content myself with the flexibility of 8bit JPEGs (which I'm not willing to do at all). This single handedly changed the way I take photos with that camera and I can say with confidence that I'm never selling that old little guy

[@fredbour.230]

Every fujis keep the recipe applied to the raw when you import the image. it's an option in LR

[@matthieuzglurg6015]

@@fredbour.230 well mine definitely didn't lol. Maybe they added that in X-Trans IV cameras? It's been years since I've used Lighroom (cause fuck Adobe) so I wouldn't know

[@JoseViegas]

A couple of months ago I moved from Fuji with the XT5 and several lenses, to the sony A7CII. Couldn't be happier with the move. Even the JPG colors from these new Sonys is great, no regrets!

[@gerardneedham]

Epic probably wasn’t much of a lose considering the price of the XT5 and the lenses

[@JoseViegas]

@ in total it was about the same amount. And I got several lenses including the Tamron 17-28 and 28-200. Also the Sonys 40mm 2.5 G and 24mm 2.8 G for street.

[@anthonystonehouse]

I’ve shot Fujifilm cameras since 2015 but sold it all except one body and one lens in 2022 for all the same reasons. I use Sony and Nikon most of the time but the xt30ii is still around with a 35mm f1.4 as a toy.

[@gerardneedham]

It’s nice to have a toy camera to mess around with!

[@Thirsty_Fox]

Always tough to decide. May I recommend giving an a6700 a try? It's the first (possibly only) Sony mirrorless that I think has excellent colours -- I'm hoping the others will follow. The autofocus and sharpness is incredible, especially with Viltrox Pro or Sigma lenses. Small and light with APSC lenses. I think it's a bit of an unsung hero because so many people write-off anything that isn't full frame. I think your shots will look great no matter what you use, but you may enjoy that obscenely good, almost cheating, autofocus.

[@gerardneedham]

Yeah I brought and sold the a6700 for the XT5, I feel the XT5 is more a photography camera

[@Thirsty_Fox]

@@gerardneedham Right, my mistake I forgot that's how I even got to this channel. Every camera is a compromise, which is how we end up with so many!

[@FoodTechLife]

Cool - I hope FujiFilm can improve things in 2025. I have an X-T3 and it's hard to resist GAS 😄

[@gerardneedham]

Yeah I have failed to GAS too many time and probably including now 😅

[@virgtrademark9719]

Idk what it is but I love Fuji jpeg so much it’s hard to not shoot jpeg

[@gerardneedham]

Yeah that have a good formula for sure

[@LouisLuzuka]

I get sad from missed focus and hardware issues 😢❤

[@jackweta]

Try the canon 85 f1.2 for zero editing needed, the 35 f1.4 is also outstanding.

[@gerardneedham]

Oh yeah it’s a classic!

[@alanjcravophotography4149]

I shoot professional, all with Fujifilm… no issues at all

[@gerardneedham]

That’s epic 😀

[@rmcf4life]

I am an owner of xs-10 and while other Fuji cameras have that retro look, I still think it’s a good option for that price segment - good grip and IBIS (I switched from Canon).

[@ericperlett8100]

out of curiosity which firmware version did you find the most reliable for autofocus on your XT5?

[@gerardneedham]

I’m not sure the name but I was what ever was load in the camera at the start of the year, I never took a note of it sorry

[@paulm8157]

Best for the new year, Gerard. My guess is that Fuji will try to replicate their X100v type camera. For livelihood work reliability is topmost - fun takes a back seat, IMO. Poor AF just not sustainable for Fuji in the long term. Nice sweep effect in vid. Were the crowds on the same cliffs as the sign that warned of “unstable cliffs”?😊 Kinda like using Fuji gear.😊 Cheers!

[@lordmonkey3285]

Wasn't you shooting with the gfx ?

[@gerardneedham]

No I haven’t used one yet 🥹

[@lordmonkey3285]

@@gerardneedham amazing cameras but the autofocus leaves a lot to be desired

[@MrKeith57]

Sorry to see you give up on the X-T5. I follow a number of X-T5 shooters on KZbin and a couple of them are wedding photographers. There is something about the Fuji look that I love. I hope to see Maria take that gift and run with it

[@SkyEst98]

i've seen manny you-tubers use the fuji xt5 for photography and videography and the results they get is out of this world, i even have one myself and love it, the only thing id say is it isnt good with lowlight videography so i am looking into getting a fullframe for that reason however ill be keeping the xt5 for different shoots. do you know a good hybrid full frame camera for $1400 ?

[@TedNghiem]

My GFX 100s and XH2s, constantly froze. While I kept my GFX set, I sold off the xh2s and X series lenses.

[@_brushie]

XH2 owner with too many lenses. I'm waiting to see about the next gen bodies if anything is said or done about the autofocus before I think about switching systems. Probably sell my kit to move to a z7/z8 and only keep three of my favorite primes for an XPro 2/3.

[@gerardneedham]

I feel that, I think we all are 🤣 Maybe it’s a chip issue and the new cameras have a solid processor

[@joshrosales]

I bought your preset its amazing. I even use some of my Sony Photos and it's working as well.

[@juanmm9297]

I shoot Sony, but want a fun camera to have in my pocket, thank you for you review 🙏

[@gerardneedham]

You me and the rest of photographers 😀

[@patrick_stewart]

i have an X-Pro 2 i've all but stopped using since the beginning of 2024 - the auto-focus is absolutely terrible. might buy an M to XR mount adapter to shoot manually on with some Leica lenses, but Fuji is overhyped imo

[@gerardneedham]

Yeah last year there was a massive hype and then the cracks started to appear I’ve been using M mount lenses on my Nikon zf and the adapter is so small

[@patrick_stewart]

@@gerardneedham sounds dope, Nikon really hit it out of the park with the zf. the camera looks excellent and I've always loved their colors SOOC but made the switch to Canon a few years back for the R5. definitely enticed to reenter their system!

[@carlosquijano2827]

No camera is perfect. I love my Fuji gear, so: goodbye!

[@phoebelee555]

Where did you get your green rope for your camera from?

[@stayuntilforever]

Get the XT2 instead and a manual vintage lens. Cheaper, nicer files, better built. I get more keepers with MF than AF.

[@rokoro34]

I kinda love and hate that all major camera brands are Japanese. On one hand you know they'll have a high build quality, but on the other hand Japanese corps are notorious for not listening to their communities and taking a long time to make needed changes. I think the issues you're having with Fujifilm would be similar in other brands, so no matter where you go there will always be annoying issues. I reckon just stick with what you've got and hope that change comes.

[@OhsnapPhotographs-b6t]

Great vid man. I'm a Fuji shooter on the Gold Coast also. Would love to do a shoot together and learn some of your amazing skills 🙏🤘.

[@gerardneedham]

That would be awesome! DM me

[@CristovaoCorreia-vh6ec]

People always speak about sony and canon af and that Fujifilm should reach their levels... So let me tell you one thing i have used z50 some years ago and its af is much better and i was using without any firmware update almost 4 years ago... Z50 was nailing a child that couldnt stand still and shots were sharp wide open... So i dont know why people continue bashing nikon...

[@hfvhf987]

Umm, can i be a tart and ask who makes your T-shirts please? They're a great looking shirt!

[@flol3266]

I am so happy about your shift and I think a lot of the Fuji products are overpriced. I re-subscribed as soon as I saw you were switching to Nikon.

[@PotatoSoKawaii]

Sold my X-T5 days ago got a Nikon ZF and X100VI. I can’t live without Fuji 🥲