First job with my Fuji X Pro 1 and 18-55 zoom

Our traditional “self timer pose” that will be our Christmas card portrait

Some of the concerns I’ve read about are focusing in low light.  This was a very dark corner of the room, in fact this is a 1/4 second exposure to get some light from the tree lights to show up, ISO 400 and f9.  I won’t say that the camera didn’t struggle, but I would also say this is a very extreme situation!  I literally unboxed  my camera at 2:00 in the afternoon and was shooting this event with it at 7:00 that night.  OK, so I never said I was smart.  I typically adopt a “burn  the bridge” attitude when I buy new equipment.  No way to retreat!  I will make it work no matter what.  This event was a Christmas party for an investment firm, they are giving these portraits to each of their clients.  What a great way to say “thanks” for your business!

My lighting set up was simplicity at it’s best.  One Quantum Q Flash T5dR with my favorite modifier the Harbor Digital Design, flash set to manual and rocked the set all night long.  I use Pocket Wizards as my trigger of choice with this lighting set up.  They are bullet proof and work every time.  My Multi Max’s are over 10 years old and they still work like a champ!

Look at the incredible detail in the blacks

Since this was the maiden voyage of the camera and lens, I shot in RAW + JPEG, just in case.  As it turned out the exposures were OK, but I didn’t like the look of the JPEG’s out of the camera.  So I post processed these in Lightroom 4 and am super pleased with the results.  I will tweak the many optional settings on the camera and come up with a look I like.  The X Pro 1 has parking spots for 6 Custom Settings.  At the push of a few buttons, you can alter the “flavor” to be exactly what you want it to be!  Now that is professional control at it’s best.  I am not delusional, there are some shortcomings in the system, but it is very early in development.  I’ve had a few questions for the folks at Fuji and they are some of the most supportive support people out there.  If they don’t know the answer, they will tell you so and get back to you.  I can live with that.

Bottom line, this was a great decision and I am super stoked to see what I can do with it next.  I am planing on attending a concert Saturday to see how it does at high ISO’s and tricky lighting.  Then, all the family will be here for Christmas.  My sons are all into photography so that means we will be making some intentional outings to see what we can come up with.  I don’t know how quickly I’ll get them up here on my blog, but I’ll do the best I can.