Fuji X-T50, XF 16-50mm lens and the world we live in

Fuji announced a new X-T50 camera, a major update for X-T30II, as well as a new standard zoom lens, XF 16-50mm. The new camera can be pre-ordered at cost that is similar to the X-T5 price  (currently advertised in several shops at discount). Ted's Cameras offers X-T50 for AU$2500 and X-T5 for AU$2545. Fuji X-S20 is available at AU$2k. While X-T5 is listed at discounted price, some major local camera shops do not have it in stock. A local Camera House shop had no Fuji cameras at display, when I visited it a month or two ago. Apparently, Fuji is in high demand in Down Under, but I don't understand why Fuji cannot ship more cameras and lenses. 

X-T50 is packed with new features, like 40 MP sensor and in body stabilisation. It is powered by NP-W126S battery, the same as in X-Ex and X-Tx0 cameras.  

The new XF 16-50mm lens can focus at very short distance at the tele zoom end, a great feature for me. Close-up capability of the current standard zoom, XF 18-55, is not very impressive, and it was one of the reason, why I do not use it very often. Resolution of the new lens is better. After all, it is promoted as a standard zoom lens for cameras equipped with 40 MP sensor. It is wider, again, a great improvement for me. The price is high, if sold separately: AU$1182 at Ted's, special order, of cause. Even in kits it is expensive, for example, over AU$700 when sold with X-T5 (Ted's), but only AU$500 when sold with X-T50 in CameraPro. 

Spring Mountain Conservation Estate

 

Common waxflower, or waxvine, Hoya australis. Near the Balancing Rock.

Accidentally I discovered a hidden jewel in local bush: the Balancing Rock, Dragon Spine and Spring Mountain in the Spring Mountain Conservation Estate, Springfield, SE Queensland. The track goes on top of ridge, with nice rocky outcrops all along the way. It is bush, or eucalypt forest. The area has very little obvious signs of human activities, but occasionally you can spot a pole from an old fence or piece of rusty iron. 

The last several years were very wet, and the bush is green. I went on walk after three days of rains, including 122mm (4.8″) in one day. I don't know if rains played a role, but I found many Common waxflower vines with flowers. All pictures were taken with Fuji X-E1 & FX 10-24mm lens. 6th April 2024. 

The Balancing Rock. It made of couple boulders located on top of each other. 

Near the Balancing Rock. There are many small grass trees in the area, but I have not seen any grass tree with big trunk. 

Near the Balancing Rock. Wide lens definitely helped with this shot, because I was close to small abyss.

Taking pictures on a casual walk

 

Baby Red-belled Black snake, Pseudechis porphyriacus. Taken on a walk near Discovery Lake at Springfield Lakes, SE Queensland. 30 March 2024. Fuji X10. 

The snake was small, but I came across an adult snake several months ago. Red belled snakes are poisonous but apparently not deadly, at least, not for adults. I prefer a camera with longer zoom for situation like this one. Usually I walk in early evening, when the light is not great, so I am dreaming about a bright 28-200mm lens a la Minolta A2 with 1" type sensor. Canon G7X has bright 24-100mm lens, and it seems it is in very high demand. Sony RX100 VII is equipped with 24-200mm lens, which is amazing considering that the camera is very compact and very light, only 302g with a card and battery. However, the lens it is rather dark at long end, f2.8-4.5, plus it expensive. Panasonic TZ220 has dark lens, f3.3-6.4.

I like adjustable monitors (rear screens) on modern cameras. Tiltable monitors are very useful for near ground shots. Fuji X10 has a fixed screen.

New reality

 

Lesser Wanderer. Fuji X-E1 with 55-200mm lens, crop. Spring mountain conservation estate, 2 March 2024.

After several bushwalks I came to a conclusion that I want a little bit more focal length and better close-up capability compared to 55-200mm  lens. The obvious candidate is Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens. XF 100-400mm might have a better lens but it is too heavy for pleasant hikes, while 70-300mm lens weight is similar to 55-200mm lens. Every XF 70-300mm review talks about "near macro" performance. I reached for a credit card, but it turned out the lens is rather rare beast. I called couple local shops, and both don't have it in stock. Amazon Australia has "temporary out of stock" notice. In one place I was told the next delivery is expected in April, but the shop has many preorders. 

This is not a new lens. It was released years ago. It is listed as the second best selling Fujifilm lens for 2022 on the Shatter Muse site, but now it is 20204. Maybe the demand is still very high, or Australia is now a forgotten island. I was surprised that some other products, for example, Canon G7X, are also apparently out of stock, and shops ask for a deposit.

Back to Blogger

Balancing Rock in White Rock - Spring Mountain conservation estate, Ipswich. 3 December, 2023. Fuji X10
 

I was very busy for several years, with very little time spent on photos. I do not follow camera news anymore. Some images are missing in this blog: I was not keen to pay flickr subscription while not doing photography, and with the new flickr policy I was over the quota. In late 2023 photo hobby was revived as picture taking, with minimal post processing.

I still use Fuji X-E1 and X10 with the original sensor. On/off switch on X-E1 required some WD40 treatment after prolonged no-use period, but otherwise the camera is fully functional including the original battery. X10 is also mostly functional, except for one wheel: it does not change settings anymore. The second wheel around four buttons works just fine.

Fuji X-E1 is usually has XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 Lens attached, which is great for distant objects. I am keen to try XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR, as it is wider and longer and somewhat better with close up shots compared to XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS. Alternatively, I can take X10 with me.

Overhanging rock in in White Rock - Spring Mountain conservation estate, Ipswich. 10 December, 2023. Fuji X-E1 with 55-200m lens. Minor crop.