Wildlife on Fuji X

Jelster

Jelster

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Steve
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I am at a major crossroads with my kit. I'm currently running two systems, Canon & Fuji X.

Although I like to shoot a number of genres, my passion is wildlife, and my present set up is based on a 7D2 with the options of a Sigma 150-600 Sport, or a 300 f4L and I have a 1.4EX that I can use on both.

It does produce very good images, but it's just so heavy, and I find it difficult to hand hold for BIF. In November we went to the Cairngorms and I hired a 100-400 with a 1.4TC to fit on my X-T2 which I found much easier to handhold all day, but I struggled a little as the camera was new and I wasn't used to the settings. It did result in some excellent 4k video footage as well, which wasn't why I bought it, but it was an added bonus.

I'm now considering selling or P/X'ing all of my Canon kit (including my 6D and other lenses) and move solely over to the Fuji, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea. The only serious telephoto for the X system is the 100-400 which is f5.6 at the long end. If I were to put a 2X TC on this I would be at f11, which would leave me needing a lot of light, although the Sigma & 1.4TC are similar in terms of aperture.

I enjoy using the Fuji bodies (I have an X-T1 as well) but as I have shot Canon for the last 30 years, it's a big leap of faith for me to jump ship completely.

Does anybody else here shoot wildlife on Fuji, and if so, what were you using before and how does it compare?
 
Interested in seeing what others have to say about this as I am in the same boat as you. I do use my Canon gear for weddings, so doubt I would get rid of it entirely, but it would be great if I could reduce the weight of the kit I am using when out and about for wildlife and landscapes.
 
I don't have a Fuji but I do shoot wildlife and some of my kit is heavy e.g. 500mm f4 VR and I can't handhold this now.
When I use it, it's always either on a beanbag or a tripod and gimbal, though I have used it on a monopod once with the disadvantage of just being able to leave it on its own for a while.
The problem with wildlife is the need for reach, unless you have great stalking skills or remarkable opportunities, and 400mm even with a 1.4 is limiting.
Could you cope with a beanbag or tripod?
 
Tim, thanks for the links, I'll give them a read.

Gramps, it's not just the shooting, it's the carrying around for hours that doesn't help. I've got a dodgy back and sometimes it just kicks in and I can 30 minutes or even more from the car, so I have to carry it back anyway. Beanbag is a good idea for places like hides though, and I have used a monopod extensively before, but for some reason I can't get into it since I've had the Sigma. Not sure if that's the weight distribution or just the sheer bulk!
 
what is interesting Is that Fuji in now talked about as a serious alternative.
Though I suspect it need some thing with even more reach to suit the specialists.
 
I can't say about Fuji specifically but IME, unless you compromise significantly on sensor size or lens capabilities/IQ you aren't going to save all that much weight/bulk. But, that doesn't mean you necessarily have to compromise for less than you need. I have a Nikon1 kit w/ the 70-300 (~ 200-800 equiv.) which I will use when I want to drag along a complete kit that's small/light/versatile. And for posting images on the web and most other average uses the results can be more than good enough. But it can also be very limiting/demanding.
 
I believe wildlife and sports photography is possible with the Fuji XT-2 and Power Grip (Boost Mode) but it is very much dependent on using the right AF mode and individual abilities/technique.
As mentioned, the main limiting factor which will put-off DSLR professionals switch over for this kind of photography is the lack of longer telephoto lenses / telephoto primes.
 
sk66 said:
I can't say about Fuji specifically but IME, unless you compromise significantly on sensor size or lens capabilities/IQ you aren't going to save all that much weight/bulk. But, that doesn't mean you necessarily have to compromise for less than you need. I have a Nikon1 kit w/ the 70-300 (~ 200-800 equiv.) which I will use when I want to drag along a complete kit that's small/light/versatile. And for posting images on the web and most other average uses the results can be more than good enough. But it can also be very limiting/demanding.
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I think this is where I am going.... Buy the 100-400 / 1.4TC combo but also keep my 7D2 and longer Canon fit lenses. Maybe I'll out the 6D, 7D Mk1, and a few lenses to pay for the Fuji glass so I have the best of both worlds. The image quality of the T2 is superb, and the Fuji glass is good too, if only I could get an additional 20mm..... :)
 
Does the XT10 focus correctly with the 100-400 + 1.4x TC?
 
Jelster said:
Gramps, it's not just the shooting, it's the carrying around for hours that doesn't help. I've got a dodgy back and sometimes it just kicks in and I can 30 minutes or even more from the car, so I have to carry it back anyway.
Click to expand...

I have a similar issue but affects me more when stooping forward ... I always have my Lens backpack with me and carry the kit in there if I'm feeling a bit fragile, though much depends on the nature of the back trouble.
 
Cra
bumper said:
all xp2 with the 100-400 and 1.4tc. I love using it for wildlife. No tripod needed and it's all I carry with a couple of spare batteries.


















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Cracking set of wildlife images I don't know why people want anything longer ? It equivalent to a 200-600mm then you have the option of adding a 1.4x or 2x converter extending it to something like 1200mm ois lens
 
Cagey75 said:
Major difference being you had to be right up beside the bird you shot ;)

Great images in here, really makes me want that 100-400
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And a major difference in price........
And yes I could have touched it.
 
Jelster said:
The only serious telephoto for the X system is the 100-400 which is f5.6 at the long end. If I were to put a 2X TC on this I would be at f11, which would leave me needing a lot of light, although the Sigma & 1.4TC are similar in terms of aperture.
Click to expand...

IMO&E (opinion and experience), the 2x is a bit of an expensive luxury. Yes, it works with the X-Pro1 and X-Ts when behind the 100-400 but unless you need all the pixels, you're better off cropping into a 1.4x converted image than using the 2x. It's not too bad during the day in the Med but not ideal for UK use - and that's before the loss of sharpness is taken into account. An EFL of 840mm is plenty for all normal uses anyway!
 
You'll love it - it's a way of life!
 
Jelster said:
These were all shot on the X-T2 and hired 100-400 (some with the 1.4TC)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevejelly/albums/72157665115077959

I think the way forward is spend the £1500 on the lens & 1.4 TC and see how I go, but hang on to the 7D2 and Canon lenses "just in case".
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Seems reasonable, and I think it would do more than well enough for most slower situations. Particularly if you are downsampling the images heavily (i.e. 2048x or smaller web display and prints). Where I would expect it to falter is in the low light/fast action scenarios.
 
There is talk that Fuji are going to bring out a 200mm f2.0 next year.
So that's 305mm f2.8 in FF terms without the 1.4/2.0x TC.
A 300mm f2.0 would perhaps be a better option.
 
Fuguru said:
There is talk that Fuji are going to bring out a 200mm f2.0 next year.
So that's 305mm f2.8 in FF terms without the 1.4/2.0x TC.
A 300mm f2.0 would perhaps be a better option.
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It remains f/2.0 which is particularly important for exposing in poor light and/or keeping the shutter speed up.

Depth of field is less of a concern with tele lenses and often you actually want more.
 
Nawty said:
It remains f/2.0 which is particularly important for exposing in poor light and/or keeping the shutter speed up.

Depth of field is less of a concern with tele lenses and often you actually want more.
Click to expand...

The fact that I currently use an APS C body (7D2) renders means that it makes no difference on an X-T2. Fuji users get hung up on the 35mm equivalent, but seeing as most users migrate from an APS C body anyway, I don't see the point. To compete in real terms, I need in excess of 400mm @ f5.6 to compare. The 100-400 is approx f8 with the 1.4EX, my current set up is f6.3.

Anyway, I've dug out the boxes for the 6D, 24-105, 17-40, 70-200 f2.8 and my 430EX flash. Don't think I've used some of this kit in over 6 months, the 70-200 in over a year, so I may as well sell/PX them for something that's going to be used.
 
There's the usual ol' question when it comes to TCs, would not using one, taking advantage of the extra stop of light and post cropping not bring better results?
 
Cagey75 said:
There's the usual ol' question when it comes to TCs, would not using one, taking advantage of the extra stop of light and post cropping not bring better results?
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Potentially, but going from 600mm on 20MP to 400mm on 24MP, I still think the 1.4EX gives you the edge. I have found that, with any body/lens set up, the bigger the subject is in the frame the better the focus.
 
Hi, I'm just at that stage too after seeing my friend using his XT1, lovely images and I liked the size of the camera, I've now gone and bought one, always had Nikon before. I bought the 35mm lens to go with the 18-55mm kit lens. Can't wait to get out and about with it properly. I'm thinking 56mm next for me.
 
Cagey75 said:
There's the usual ol' question when it comes to TCs, would not using one, taking advantage of the extra stop of light and post cropping not bring better results?
Click to expand...
Typically, with long FL's I don't want an extra stop of light because I'm stopped down for DOF.
It is true that doubling the FL and aperture (using a 2x) results in a 50% reduction of DOF recorded. But if you have to crop the other image 2x as much, the net result is the same (DOF as displayed/viewed).
 
Some of the Canon gear has gone, and I've picked up a 100-400 with 1.4TC as a kit. Also bought a 10-24, and a 2nd X-T1, although this is for my son, as he was using one of the old Canon bodies I traded. Got to wait until next weekend to use the new telephoto, but I'll go and play with the 10-24 tomorrow :)
 
I made a big decision in December last year to sell my remaining Canon gear. I've used Canon for too many years to mention (AE-1) but the weight and the need to replace my ageing (still working) 1D MkIII made the decision for me.

I've had a Fuji X-Pro1 with a few lenses for several years now and have loved using it. So with the money I raised from the Canon PX I purchased a XT-2 with booster grip, 23mm, 56mm 100-400, plus the 1.4 TC. All that equals the price of the 1Dx MkII. It was a no brainer at the end of the day.
 
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