Fuji explains why they stick with the APS-C format

[Jan Anne]

Amazon Japan met with Optical Device & Electronic Imaging Products Manager Takashi Ueno to follow up a previous interview, and talked about the reason why the X series will not go for the full frame format.

The short answer:
We gave a lot of thought to this, and reached our conclusion that APS-C is the best format for the optimum balance of body size and image quality.

The long answer:
http://fujifilm-blog.com/2015/06/30/interview-with-mr-takashi-ueno-from-fujifilm-tokyo-why-dont-fujifilm-make-full-frame-dslr/

Curious what our Fuji fans have to say about this, opinions of others are of course also appreciated

[HCS]

Amazon Japan met with Optical Device & Electronic Imaging Products Manager Takashi Ueno to follow up a previous interview, and talked about the reason why the X series will not go for the full frame format.

The short answer:
We gave a lot of thought to this, and reached our conclusion that APS-C is the best format for the optimum balance of body size and image quality.

The long answer:
http://fujifilm-blog.com/2015/06/30/interview-with-mr-takashi-ueno-from-fujifilm-tokyo-why-dont-fujifilm-make-full-frame-dslr/

Curious what our Fuji fans have to say about this, opinions of others are of course also appreciated

I'd say that we've heard this before, haven't we 

[Anthony]

As a long term and current Nikon user, I have to say that the image quality from Fuji is outstanding.  Except for action photography.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Glad to hear, Anthony. What part of this is due to the raw conversion software used - or are the files straight off the camera (jpgs) good on their own?

[tommiejeep]

Anthony, which Fuji(s) are you using?  I have a very strong, maybe irrational, desire to play with a Fuji .  Just want to check out the IQ.  For several reasons I do not plan on investing in a 'system' .  Often used XE-1's come on the market and some times with the Kit 18-55 f2.8-4.  I've thought about the X-20/X30 but have a feeling I want the larger sensor.  So I'm looking for the least expensive buy-in  .  The X100 series doesn't really suit my shooting and this would not be a primary camera.  I do have access to some very good photographers using Fuji for PP advice.
Cheers,
Tom
ps others are welcome to advise also 

[Gary]

I have a FF system (Canon 1Ds), an APS-C system (Fuji XP1, X100S, XT1) and a MFT system (Oly Em5/EM1). I'm giving my MFT stuff to my kids. My 1Ds are used to keep paper from flying around the room when I open the windows. I use my Fuji's for everything including action. It is a great compromise between the IQ of FF and the small size of MFT.

As to action, mirrorless sucks at tracking. (A recent Fuji firmware update may have improved the tracking, but I haven't tried it.) But, mirrorless does focus extremely fast in good light on SAF. The AF is fast enough to follow focus if you keep the subject in the focus reticle, you can capture sequential action shots. Is it as good as a pro level dSLR ... No. A dSLR will capture more keepers with less effort. But for many/most hobbyists, mirrorless is a good compromise.

XT1 w/Fujinon 55-200 & 18-55

[stenrasmussen]

I (almost) feel obliged to add my comments.
First, I totally agree with Anthony on the files coming from the Fujis. They are good and in my case, although I frequently worked with RAF (Fuji's raw format) files, the jpegs are so good I had a hard time producing better files via the RAF files.
Fujinon lenses are also very good and not short of anything from Nikon, Canon, etc.
Build quality of both lenses and camera bodies are very good apart from the "flimsy" doors on either side of the body (X-T1).
After FW 4.0 the AF saw a big jump in performance but it is still not an action camera. The eye focus is very handy though.
But I never took a liking to;
- the tiny buttons
- the dreadful position of the rear command wheel (X-T1). The X-E1/2 are better in this regard.
- the slow wake up from hibernation.
- the EVF's slow rendering and somewhat too contrasty appearance in strong sunlight.
- indoor, low light stage performance photography is ok but far behind the FX Nikons.
- the raw software issues (I know I am picky here but still...)

There are probably some other ±'s I've forgotten about but to me I finally gave up and went back to the Df. Actually, my dealer asked me yesterday if I thought I'd made the right decision...I nodded yes without hesitation. However, if Fuji in the future presents a new, improved version of the X-T1 I am more than willing to check it out.
 

[Anthony]

Bjørn, you are right to ask about the software.  I use Photo Ninja, which is excellent for rafs.  Lightroom and ACR do not do a good job, and even Adobe has admitted it has not yet cracked the problem.  http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2015/06/camera-raw-9-1-is-now-available.html

Fuji jpegs are good, but I get noticeably better results with Photo Ninja, so I do not bother with the jpegs.

Tommie, I have the X-T1.  I do not like the rangefinder style, so there was never a chance of me getting an X-Pro or X-E.  I was looking for something smaller and lighter than my DSLR gear and tried both the EM1 and the X-T1.  I simply preferred the feel of the X-T1 in my hands, so purely a personal decision.  I really enjoy using it for most of my photography.  The X-E1 is reported to have poor AF, so I would not recommend picking up a used model.  It would probably put you off the Fuji system.

My main gripe is that it is not an action camera, so I have kept the D3s for this.  As Fuji does not currently have any lenses longer than the consumer 55-230, I still need the longer Nikon lenses anyway.

I have not yet tested the latest version of the firmware, which is supposed to have improved the AF.

My other gripe is that it is too easy to nudge the controls while carrying the camera, so I always have to check the settings (not just the aperture and shutter speed) before shooting.  This may not be an entirely bad thing, as it forces me to think about what I should be doing.

The buttons and command wheels, and the other issues mentioned by Sten, do not bother me and I have adapted to them.

[Gary]

Bjørn, you are right to ask about the software.  I use Photo Ninja, which is excellent for rafs.  Lightroom and ACR do not do a good job, and even Adobe has admitted it has not yet cracked the problem.  http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2015/06/camera-raw-9-1-is-now-available.html

Fuji jpegs are good, but I get noticeably better results with Photo Ninja, so I do not bother with the jpegs.

Tommie, I have the X-T1.  I do not like the rangefinder style, so there was never a chance of me getting an X-Pro or X-E.  I was looking for something smaller and lighter than my DSLR gear and tried both the EM1 and the X-T1.  I simply preferred the feel of the X-T1 in my hands, so purely a personal decision.  I really enjoy using it for most of my photography.  The X-E1 is reported to have poor AF, so I would not recommend picking up a used model.  It would probably put you off the Fuji system.

My main gripe is that it is not an action camera, so I have kept the D3s for this.  As Fuji does not currently have any lenses longer than the consumer 55-230, I still need the longer Nikon lenses anyway.

I have not yet tested the latest version of the firmware, which is supposed to have improved the AF.

My other gripe is that it is too easy to nudge the controls while carrying the camera, so I always have to check the settings (not just the aperture and shutter speed) before shooting.  This may not be an entirely bad thing, as it forces me to think about what I should be doing.

The buttons and command wheels, and the other issues mentioned by Sten, do not bother me and I have adapted to them.

Anthony and I share similar thoughts. I also just shoot RAW. I wish I was good enough to shoot JPEG. RAW just gives me a little more adjustment room when I mess something up. I convert from RAW to JPEG via Aperture (Aperture is experiencing a slow death with me). I have both PhotoNinja and Capture 1. PhotoNinja does a great job with Fuji RAW, but it slows down to a snail's pace when processing large numbers of files. C1, isn't quite as good as PhotoNinja for some things, but I found the differences, at least for me, for what I shoot and how I shoot, to be insignificant between the two. Due to PhotoNinja being unable to handle a large number of files efficiently ... I will probably process my RAW files in C1. After RAW conversion and global manipulations I polish the final image in PhotoShop. 

Anthony made another excellent point that Fuji doesn't have any long and fast lenses. That, for me is another big factor limiting the Fuji system for action photography. I do have the Fujinon 50-140 f/2.8, which is great for indoors ... but is very limiting for outdoors.

As to the dials and buttons, I found that I can easily adapt to most camera layouts. I have a 'It is what it is" attitude and adapt. I do wish the EV Comp dial locked. That is the one dial which does get nudged and the one dial I use the least.   

[pluton]

I've been using an XE1 for two years now.  Bought it with the Fuji 14mm, and 1.5 years ago added the Fuji 23mm.
Unlike Anthony, I strongly prefer the left side finder of the rangefinder style.  That's why, instead of getting the XT1, I'm waiting to see if Fuji will continue evolving/improving the rangefinder style body.
The picture/file quality is good with the XE1, no problems there.  Photo Ninja does a better job than Adobe, although for small prints/displays and certain subjects with larger displays/prints, the Adobe raw conversion can be fine. 
The XE1 is slower, in terms of being able to quickly, repeatedly press the shutter and get it to fire, than the newer XT1.  This would be my main gripe with the XE1.  Also note that due to focus-by-wire with the Fuji lenses, the lens focus is lost whenever the camera sleeps, or is cycled off/on.
Just recently, my XE1 has acquired two dust particles beneath the sensor cover glass, one of which shows in the sky area in a conventional horizontal landscape composition at f/8 or smaller.
I recommend the XE1 as the lowest cost way to get the Fujifilm X-Trans 16 megapixel sensor and it's charming image quality.

[Sash]

As to action, mirrorless sucks at tracking. (A recent Fuji firmware update may have improved the tracking, but I haven't tried it.)

Gary, you need to update to 4.0 and try the new Zone AF mode. Also, 35 mm lense is like a new lense in terms of AF with this update.

[Gary]

As to action, mirrorless sucks at tracking. (A recent Fuji firmware update may have improved the tracking, but I haven't tried it.)

Gary, you need to update to 4.0 and try the new Zone AF mode. Also, 35 mm lense is like a new lense in terms of AF with this update.

I have updated ... just haven't used the "Tracking" mode. I have to RTFM first.

[tommiejeep]

Thanks all, sort of a mixed bag  .  I am certainly happy with my Nikons and getting more comfortable with the EM1 for some shooting.  Anthony , I really did not like the ergonomics of the EM5.  Controls were tiny and not placed well.  The EM1 is much better and shooting with the grip makes it quite easy.  At the moment my Df is my favourite camera but actually have more clicks on the D750 (birds  ) .  The D3S, D700 and D300s are really only used for Sports with the D3S/Df being used in tandem for some Events.

I can use the EM1 for actions shots similar to the ones posted but not instantaneous , unexpected action and the keeper rate.... why bother when I can shoot the Nikons (same for BIF)  .  I am a left eye shooter so the rangefinder VF does give me a little more problem but can adapt.

Next time my buddy returns from Doha I'll trade him some help with his D4 BIF shooting in return for me shooting his X100T while we are out  .  That way I can checkout the hybrid VF and the IQ.  He also wants to be second camera when I shoot a soccer match .  He is thinking about an XT-1 so who knows, he might have one by the time he gets his next break . 
Tom

[bendle]

Gary, why do you say the Fuji 50-140mm is no good outdoors ?.

[Sash]

I do wish the EV Comp dial locked. That is the one dial which does get nudged and the one dial I use the least.

Interesting. Do you have an early X-T1 model ? They have stiffened it considerably later on. I use this dial a lot, as I often shoot high dynamic range scenes, and it never gets nudged, never. It is quite stiff on my camera, almost impossible to nudge accidentally.

I do press the front Fn button near the grip accidentally. I have programmed it for AF Mode now. 

Actually it would be interesting to see how T-X1 owners program those 6 Fn buttons.