Fujifilm Cameras and Lenses

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I should probably have put the background out of focus for this capture. I might also experiment with a black and white version. But this will do for the day. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-09-21 16:55:26, Voigtlander 18mm, 1/2400sec, f/5.6, ISO-400, light editing.

A favorite content creator, Dan Bailey, is a long-time Fujifilm user, professional photographer, and teacher. I think I started following him about 10-years ago.

He recently resent one of his blog posts about his favorite Fujinon lenses and I reviewed his site. He has some good picks on the list that reflect his approach to photograph and his style. Even if my style is somewhat different, there is knowledge to be gained from reviewing his reasons why he chooses what he does.

I have three Fujifilm cameras in my inventory that see significant use. They are 1) X-Pro3, 2) X100vi, and 3) X-T5. The latter two have the 40MP IBIS sensors that are fifth generation. They are exceptionally capable cameras with different use-cases. The X-Pro3 was a curiosity purchase because I am interested in the rangefinder mystique. I have never owned a rangefinder camera1 that received significant use. In particular, Leica rangefinders have an almost cult following. So, I rented one and then kept it.

X-Pro3: The X-Pro3 is getting a lot of carry time. I have a small kit of prime lenses that match the form factor. This makes for a small kit that is readily carried. That is the primary advantage. The secondary advantage is that the camera is less obvious when out and about. It is small, black, and the lenses are also small and unobtrusive. It is a capable camera even if it has a known flaw, which is the ribbon cable that connects to the swing out rear screen2. But perhaps my favorite part of the camera is its size and tendency to be overlooked when I am out and about.

A part of this is use of the smaller lenses. That currently limits me to a longest focal length of 50mm (the Fujinon 50mm f/2 XF WR). That gives me a 35mm equivalent focal length3 of 75mm and I think that the maximum focal length used on classic 35mm rangefinder cameras is in the 90mm range. Beyond that, the frame lines in the viewfinder are just too small to be useful.

I have a Fujinon 90mm f/2 in my inventory and it is a great lens! It is nearly the perfect short-mid telephoto lens I have that fits my Fujifilm cameras. But it is fairly large and heavier than the remainder of the kit.

X-T5: The X-T5 is the goto camera whenever I am using what I call the Big Glass. That would all of the fast zoom lenses (the 100–400mm in particular), and whenever I want more grip than the X-Pro3 provides. My X-T5 is equipped with the Smallrig grip and base and that provides a lot of hand purchase on the camera and a Arca Swiss tripod compatible base on the bottom.

It is a different camera for a different use case than the X-Pro3. It fits into my use whenever I need the longer reach or the in-body stabilization. I put together a small X-T5 kit last year when I travelled east for one of my grandson’s weddings. I took the 16-55mm zoom, the 35mm f/1.4, and the 70-300mm zoom. I used the fast 16-55mm zoom the most because of what I was doing (spending time with my kids). But, the 35mm provides wonderful portraits and the long zoom has a lot reach for wildlife or telephoto landscapes. It has a lot more reach when mated with the XF TC1.4 teleconverter.

X100vi: Last is the X100vi. Many denigrate the camera as an influencer point-and-shoot for the follower crowd. I suppose that it is, but that is not the point. This is a grab-and-go camera that is quite capable with and excellent lens, solid feature set, and that 40MP IBIS sensor and processor. If I do not want to think about kit, I take this camera. If is a solid general purpose camera that produces wonderful images if I do my job.

Now I have to laugh at myself! What started as a rumination on Fujinon lenses turned into said on Fujifilm cameras! I think that I will revisit the topic again, later, and talk about the lenses I specifically carry in my kit that are actually used.

The X-Pro3 and X100vi get a lot of carry time. I will sling the Domke bag with the X-Pro3 and a few lenses over my should or put the X100vi strap over my neck every time I head out the door. I almost always carry a camera along. It is part of how I look at the world. The X-T5 comes along when I have an objective to accomplish — a specific photo shoot that I am working on.

Of course, if I travel, then the X-T5 kit I mentioned above, or a variation thereof, goes with me.

This is a second instance of the capture at top, rendered in black and white. The background is a bit blinding and might need some burning in. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-09-21 16:55:26, Voigtlander 18mm, 1/2400sec, f/5.6, ISO-400, light editing.

Remainders 26 September 2026

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One evening, after work and supper, The Girl and I drove south from Denio Junction toward the hot spring. This was one of our views on the way home. Captured with X100VI, 2026-08-25 19:50:17, 23mm, 1/30sec, f/8, ISO-320, light editing in PhotoLab7.

The previous week was too busy to make note of interesting websites that I visited. I started a remainders to hold those few and elected to delay a post for a week.

  • My Zoom subscription is scheduled to renew in November. Given that it is not a cheap service, I started investigating an FOSS alternative. Jitsi came up as a possible. I might want to self-host this software. More work is required to determine what is needed to self-host or if a third party host could be used.
  • I suppose I should list the source that pointed me toward Jitsi. I found a resource at GetVOIP.
  • I have followed Thomas for a long time. In a recent post, he talks about The Uncompromising Compromise. After reading his post, I realized I could have written something very similar.
  • I am a bit of a sucker for cool \TeX things. This web page is an interesting implementation of several TeX-related tools in a browser. Cool.
  • Uninstalling software can be a pain either because no uninstaller is provided or because it is complete. I use AppCleaner on my Mac, but searching for an alternative turned up a manual procedure. It might be old, but it remains a breadcrumb.
  • I am enjoying the Jack Reacher books by Lee Childs. I caught wind of them via the Prime series, which I enjoy. But I readily turned to the books. And here is a list in chronological order, rather than publication order.
  • Jason, KM4ACK, recently pushed this 450w bifacial solar panel for portable charging. The 450w is a lot of power and it is a big panel. I do not think this is for me at this time, but it might be later.

Happy Fall 2026

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While out for an early medical test, I stood looking east from the third-story window. I like how the contrast implies anonymity to the city from this location. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-08-21 07:29:51, 35mm, 1/5400sec, f/8, ISO-400, Ilford Pan F 50 Plus film simulation via PhotoLab7.

At the time this posts, it will be officially Fall 2026. (That would be 1705h local time.) This year the equinox occurs at 00:05Z on 23 September 2026. It is one of the oddball years.

Happy Fall.

About the image: One morning in August I was out early for a routine medical test and was waiting in the assigned area for my technician. As I looked out the third-floor window to the east, I noticed that the morning Sun pushed the structures in north Carson City into a somewhat less intrusive mass of rough shapes. I had the Fuji X-Pro3 with me and a Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 lens affixed to it, so I made a few captures while I stood there like an oversized cat, soaking up some morning Sun.

Zuiko 90mm f/2 and Tamron 90mm f/2.5 Comparison

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This is a test frame from an Olympus Zuiko 90mm f/2 macro lens wide open (f/2). Captured with ILCE-7M3, 2026-08-14 16:39:26, 90mm, 1/30sec, f/2, ISO-400, light editing with PhotoLab7.

Earlier this summer, I took a fancy to my small Olympus film camera collection. Last year I carefully traded out an Olympus OM-2n for an Om-4Ti and then picked up a user-grade OM-3. The OM-1MD was also serviced when I found it had a frozen shutter.

When I bought the Olympus kit from an old motorcycle friend, it came with a small collection of lenses. They were the usual suspects and a mix of OEM and third-party glass. The Tokina zoom was surprising good, certainly better than I expected. But I do not generally use zoom lenses, particularly on vintage film cameras. The prime lenses are generally much better and certainly far more interesting from a image quality perspective.

Over the last few months I carefully curated a small collection of Zuiko prime lenses. I carefully picked those with the best reputation for image quality. I think my collection is complete and I have a few samples to sell.

One of the lenses with a better than average reputation is the Zuiko 90mm f/2 macro lens. It is fast, particularly for a close-focusing lens. It has a reputation for being sharp, even wide open, and sharp across the field (even wide open).

I also have a Tamron 90mm f/2.5 macro lens in my collection that uses the Tamron Adaptall-2 mounting system. The Olympus adapter(s) were purchased last year (or before). During my research I noted that there were two instances of the adapter with the later unit being adjusted to fit the OM-4 bodies. The earlier version would sometimes lock to the body because one particular screw was in slightly the wrong position for the mount. So, I made sure I have only the later copies in my collection. The early version of the adapter was set aside.

A number of the Tamron lenses are rated superior in image quality to the general population of third-party glass. Tamron’s designs were good, particularly their 90mm, 70-210mm zoom, and 17mm lenses. All of my samples are from the SP line with the BBAR coatings. They are also in good condition.

When my Zuiko 90mm arrived, I collected it, the Zuiko 85mm f/2, and the Tamron 90mm lenses and played a little at my desk. My Lucas plushie often serves as a test subject for my playing and he did well this time around. I also keep the living room lights on because they can provide an interesting bokeh if that is part of the lens’ attraction.

The Zuiko is quite good. I do not see any bloom in the out of focus background light and the light from my desk lamp (that illuminates Lucas) does not cause any significant loss of contrast in the image. The lens is plenty sharp wide open.

For comparison, I shot the same image with the Tamron 90mm. Both were affixed to my Sony A7iii and shot in raw format. I made a few minor edits to the images to adjust contrast and saturation slightly1. The Tamron performs well in comparison to the Zuiko. Both lenses are a good match for the OM bodies, with the Zuiko being just a little smaller.

This is not intended to be a scientific test of the optics of my two samples. There are plenty of in-depth studies of the lenses on the Interwebs. My comparison between two legacy lenses that both have solid reputations is intended to provide a quick answer to the question “Are they any good?”. From my limited experience, those reputations are deserved.

I might do a three-way comparison and include the Zuiko 85mm f/2 in the lineup. That lens is slightly smaller than the 90mm f/2 macro.

This is a test shot from a Tamron 90mm f/2.5 macro lens wide open at f/2.5. Captured with ILCE-7M3, 2026-08-14 16:34:28, 90mm, 1/30sec, f/2.5, ISO-500, light editing with PhotoLab7.

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1The Sony cameras are solid, particularly at the Rev. III level. They have in-body image stabilization that can be adjusted for unchipped manual lenses using the menu system. However, I do not care for the image quality straight out of camera. While the adjustments I make are generally subtle, I find SOOC Sony colors not quite to my taste.

Secured, Mostly

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Similar to the light on the vans, the light on this sign was definitely special. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-08-14 18:57:20, Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2, 1/22000sec, f/2.8, ISO-800, in-camera Kodachrome film simulation.

I did a lot of work on my websites this weekend. For a long time (years?) I knew that both my weblog and professional landing page needed the security of a SSL certificate. My browser has had a red flag for both forever. When that change was generally implemented across websites a few years ago, I was on notice that I needed to upgrade mine.

I made an attempt two or three years ago. I installed a free certificate, given neither website generates direct income. I did not want to pay for that security.

In addition, renewal on my business email service was fast approaching (expired today). I use a couple of specialty email services as of the beginning of this year in an attempt to reduce my exposure to data scraping by Big Tech. It is not that I think email will be secure; it in inherently insecure for most applications. I know that most of my correspondents will not use PGP or GPG to encrypt/decrypt email traffic. Nor am I convinced that is absolutely necessary with some exceptions. There are alternative private/secure means to pass that traffic anyway. But, part of my objective is to reduce exposure.

That meant moving away from Apple and GMail services to the extent reasonable. And I wanted my business email away from my hosting provider, which is not particularly interested in privacy.

Yesterday, with the help of an AI robot I was able to edit the DNS records for my work website/email such that it could be routed through one of my specialty email services. This particular service does not store my traffic. That is private. (Neither does the VPN from that provider store data passed through their servers.) So, the expiration of my hosting service email today is of no consequence. My business email traffic is being properly handled.

That left dealing with the SSL certificates for this site, my weblog, and my business landing page. The latter was also in need of an update and a cleanup to eliminate reference to my address, phone, and email. After taking care of The Girl this morning, I started a new chat with an AI robot and work began there.

It turned out there was a configuration problem with my hosting provider that prevented application of AutoSSL to both of my domains. I attempted to contact GoDaddy support through a chat window, but that service was not available. The alternatives were to use a different mode of contact or use a third party to provide/implement the certificate. I elected to use text messaging, which was quite unsavory to me since I really do not care to type on my phone. Yet, I did it and support was able to validate my identity and then fix the problem. After an hour or two, both sites had working SSL certs and the “Not Secure” flag was no longer displayed by my browser (Brave).

I had some lunch (leftovers) and then asked the robot to review my website. It informed me that my site “was solidly in mid-90’s style and content”. It took my data and redeveloped content in my voice and style that convey my expertise and experience. I had it write the code in my style with the new content. I also asked it to create a contact form that would allow potential clients to send me an email without revealing my email address. It included a captcha trap to reduce the ability of bots to spam me.

In addition, I asked the robot to review my CV for exposure of my data and it flagged only a couple of places where redaction was needed. I edited my resume and then uploaded everything to my landing page. With some testing and debugging, it is now working and is much better looking.

There is only one more thing to do but I think I am done working on my websites for now. The issue is minor and noncritical, so it can wait for another session.

That was a lot of work done this weekend. It cleaned up a couple of items that were on my list for a long, long time.

Now I think I have a couple more things to look at today, although I should not do any real work. The week starts again tomorrow and I need a productive week.

I am satisfied, though, with what I accomplished this weekend. These were good, necessary tasks that are important. I am so grateful, even for the AI robot. They can be useful. But I think they are also dangerous. Nonetheless, Life is good.

Remainders: 05 September 2026

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On walkies a few evenings ago, I noticed that the light on these vans was almost perfect. So I made the capture. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-08-14 18:55:39, Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2, 1/2000sec, f/8, ISO-800, in-camera Kodachrome film simulation.

Last week I was out in the field overseeing construction of some stream restoration work. I was not much in the mood for Internet searching beyond tracking the news and keeping up with incoming email. The work was interesting and I was required to apply my engineering knowledge and experience to field fit the proposed amendments.

On return I was busy recovering from the travel (and long days). Of course, there were lots of chores and work-related tasks to catch up on. So, I did not spend much time surfing the WWW and reading.

  • My C.Crane Skywave SSB 2 arrived and is tested before I headed out for field work. The receiver works pretty well and the included wire is helpful for AM broadcast and shortwave stations. I pair mine with a small Anker amplified speaker through its auxiliary input port and it delivers a much more pleasant sound. This speaker also serves and an external speaker for my portable transceivers.
  • One of the radios in my inventory, and the only rig that is weatherproof, is the TX-500. That rig needs some love and might be the best candidate for an emergency communications radio that I have. It is small, makes about ten watts on its own, and I have a 50-watt amplifier to boost the output when needed. Although I have a Digirig configured for it, access to the Robust Packet Radio is not included the best I can tell. Oliver, DL4DK developed a device that implements the RPR protocol, the Link500. Packet is one of the digital modes used for digital communications via radio.
  • DL1GKK provides a lot of content on digital ham radio modes. If that is of interest, his site is worth a view.
  • I was reminded this week, again, of the need to remember the Serenity Prayer. It is, indeed, worth remembering and meditating on.

The Olive Garden Gaggle

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As I headed in to buy some supper, I noticed the light and the gaggle gathered outside. I stopped and made the capture. Captured with X-Pro3, 2026-07-08 19:02:32, Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2, 1/3200sec, f/8, ISO-1600, in-camera Tri-X film simulation.

A few evenings ago I drove over to Olive Garden for some supper. This time of year I sometimes do that to get into the cool. Plus, I eat well and have enough to make another meal.

On this evening, I noticed the light and the crowd gathered outside the door. That made me pause on my way in to make the capture. This is pretty close to street photography.

It was a good meal that fed me twice. I am grateful. Life is good.

Remainders: 22 August 2026

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This mess of disintegrating granite and other flotsam caught my eye. I paused and made the capture. Yeah, I am playing shadow peek-a-boo on the right. Captured with X100VI, 2026-08-07 09:45:27, 23mm, 1/120sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Kodachrome 64 film simulation, light editing with PhotoLab 7.

I began this entry on Sunday morning, 16 August 2026, while enjoying my first coffee and reading a little. I started lightly following Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings at least a decade ago, but never every day. Now and again something she posted would catch my eye (hat tip to Wife) and I would read. She is a combination of cerebral and emotional, an interesting combination. And her post for Sunday caught my eye and so I begin with that as my first remainder for the week.

  • How to Read the Signal of Your Life is an excellent reflection on life and the writing of George Kubler. I think I need to get a copy of the book and read it.
  • I finished my first pass through Ryder Carroll’s The Bullet Journal Method this week. I use the approach to unload stuff from my brain (hat tip to David Allen) and to organize as well as a I can. It is definitely worth a look and a read. Note that the link is to Carroll’s website and not to Amazon. While there is nothing inherently wrong with Amazon and links thereto, I prefer to link directly to the author’s website when possible. They deserve the traffic for all the hard work that they do.
  • The physics of tsunamis is fascinating. Here is a link to a wave tank demonstration of the energy buildup and release that causes them.
  • I know I have posted this before, but Phillip Reeves’ site has an excellent summary of the Olympus Zuiko film era lenses. To date, it is the best site found and one that I hope is maintained for a while. We lost the Tamron Adaptall site to the Wayback Machine sometime over the last couple of years, which is a shame because it was excellent. I hope someone will resurrect that one. I might but do not have time invest.
  • Another source for Olympus film camera information is Olypedia. It is in German, but browser technology is sufficiently advanced that on-the-fly translation works well.
  • And the GAS-afflicted photographer in me loves reading about vintage glass. Aperturepedia is an excellent and previously unknown to me resource.
  • Why have I posted this mess of links associated with ancient Olympus film cameras? Well, a decade ago an old motorcycle friend offered to sell me his vintage kit for a reasonable price. So I found myself with a small collection of Olympus film gear. I have taken up with the tiny bodies and small lenses because I really do not care to carry big glass. I am learning my way around the Olympus system well enough to have a small, carefully curated collection of bodies and glass that do much of what I want to do.
  • It is now Saturday and this will post this evening. As I looked through my archive (on this day), I came across an entry where I reposted an image of Wife in an entry entitled More than a Decade. As I look back on that entry, I recall how I felt three-years ago about the life and loss of both girls. They look so young and vital. That would be true, because both of them are now frozen in time and no longer grow older. So they will forever be the age at which I made the images.
  • That entry pointed back to Seven Years, which was a reflection on Wife and Ki. Now it is six-years later and not much has changed. I still miss them both and few days pass without one or both coming to mind for a few minutes.

I will close this week’s remainders with those last thoughts. Tomorrow (maybe) I will start another remainders entry where I keep a running journal of what captured my attention (either because I was looking for something specific or just wandering the Interwebs). Who knows where I wander.

I remain grateful. Life is good. God is good.

Years ago I made an avatar selfie using my D300 and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 lens. With the addition of my Noct-Nikkor, I decided a fresh avatar was in order. Captured with NIKON D750, 2026-08-17 15:46:13, Noct-Nikkor 58mm, 1/40sec, f/4, ISO-800, post with DXO PhotoLab 7, Tri-X film simulation.

Resilience

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This beat-up old pine tree has seen some trauma, for sure. Yet, here it stands, maybe not tall, but resilient. Captured with X100VI, 2026-08-07 10:00:50, 23mm, 1/52sec, f/8, ISO-250, in-camera Kodachrome 64 film simulation, SOOC.

A couple of weeks ago The Girl and I were on our morning hike up near Spooner Summit. We were there maybe a little earlier than we are many times and I liked the light in the forest. I carried the Fujifilm X100vi that day, not wanting to deal with choosing a lens to affix to either the X-Pro3 or the X-T5. Sometimes not having a choice is the better way.

After recovering from the first climb up the old fire road, I felt pretty good and was looking around for a daily capture of some kind. I noticed this gnarled old tree that looked as though it was lightning struck sometime long ago. It certainly was subject to some trauma, given how two limbs had taken over the remainder of its growth.

Perhaps there is a life lesson in this… that sometimes life throws a bolt that is a terrible, but not fatal hit. A part that was the main line of growth is ended, but there are other branches remaining to take over. It might be a tough hit, but not life-ending. So, life moves forward, albeit in a different direction than before.

There are certainly elements of my own life that reflect this. Life still goes on, but not in the same direction as before.

It is good. I am grateful.

Noct-Nikkor Test Portrait

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My buddy graciously posed for my test shot using a new-to-me Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 vintage lens. I like it (and my buddy, too)! Captured with NIKON D750, 2026-08-08 17:04:31, 58mm, 1/15sec, f/4, ISO-800, and converted to a Tri-X simulation in PhotoLab 7.

Last weekend, a new-to-me Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 manual focus lens was delivered. This is a grail legacy lens for Nikkor collectors/shooters. It is relatively rare and expensive because of a hand-ground aspherical element in the design that eliminates (mostly) a spherical aberration called coma. Coma occurs at the edges of the image of lenses without correction and expresses small/point light sources as elongated blobs instead of points. The Noct-Nikkor was expressly design to minimize this distortion when shot wide open, such as in night/low-light shots or astrophotography.

I finally found a user-grade lens at a reasonable price. Mine will be used on my Nikon bodies.

I took it with me to supper with my buddy mounted on a Nikon D750. He patiently permitted me a test photo. He also was quite taken with the lens. It was the first of this model he ever handled.

I like the rendering of the portrait.

I am grateful. Life is good.