Short-term Review of the Fuji X-T4 Camera

As I write this article I have now owned my Fujifilm X-T4 for just over three months, I’ve used it a lot mainly for photography but also for creating video too. It seems like the perfect time to sum up my initial thoughts and experiences with the camera so let’s get started…

Out of the box the newer model still feels very well made but also feels more comfortable to hold in the hand due to subtle size and design changes. The familiar Fuji dials on top for changing ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation are still present and I appreciate the new switch which enables me to change between shooting stills and video quickly and easily. A high degree of customisation is possible allowing the photographer to specify which action various button presses on the camera perform, and also actions can be assigned to swipe gestures on the rear screen.

The New Rear Screen

A new feature on the X-T4 which has proven divisive is the rear screen which is now fully articulating. I can definitely understand the mixed opinions on this…

My Fuji X-T4 with the new design rear screen

I really liked the screen design on the X-T3, I felt it was perfect for photography. However it is important to me that I am able to use my camera to record video too, and because some of that is recording myself it is a significant benefit to be able to see the screen and my composition, exposure etc. when I am facing the camera. With the X-T4 that is now possible. So for that reason alone I do prefer the new screen design over what was previously available on this line of Fuji cameras. In addition to this the screen itself is better, although I could not compare it side by side with the X-T3 I feel the higher resolution is making it easier for me to check my photographs are in focus and to see finer details when looking at a composition.

BUT it is not all perfect… A common problem with this design of screen is that their range of motion can be restricted when using a L bracket. Many landscape photographers use a L bracket and they work much better alongside the type of “tilt” screen found on the X-T3. As I write this a few companies are selling L brackets but I have not yet found a X-T4 specific one that is the ideal solution - manoeuvrability of the rear screen is restricted to some degree on all models. This is definitely a drawback and a frustration but not a fault of the camera itself. L bracket issues aside I really like the new screen for my needs.

IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation)

Another new feature on the X-T4 that I am finding really useful is IBIS. As someone who spends most of his time capturing landscapes with my camera on a tripod I don’t think this is an essential feature, but I’ve definitely used and benefited from it over the last few months. I’ll continue to use my tripod the vast majority of the time but having IBIS has encouraged me to take a few more shots (when suitable) handheld. I have made a few videos on my YouTube channel Wayne Robertson Photography testing IBIS on the Fuji X-T4, and also one discussing how IBIS helped me in two ways to capture a specific photograph. Feel free to watch those to get a lot more information on this topic.

IBIS Videos:

Fuji X-T4 IBIS Test For Photography - How Good Is It?

Fuji X-T4 IBIS Test For Photography With Fuji XF14mm Lens

How IBIS on the Fuji X-T4 Helped Me Capture This Photograph

Fuji X-T4 IBIS Video on my YouTube Channel

Autofocus

I’m finding that autofocus on the Fuji X-T4 works very well for me when taking photographs but I would like to see a performance improvement when I’m in front of the camera recording video of myself. The X-T4 offers both face detection and eye detection which have the potential to be very useful for people like myself when recording video, however I find they are currently (at the time of writing) not working quite as well as I’d like. When using continuous autofocus the camera seems to have a tendency to occasionally lock onto a subject which is not a face or eye. Fuji has released a number of firmware updates for the X-T4 which appear to have improved the autofocus in this type of situation, and it’s certainly not bad, but if it could be improved just a little bit more I’d be delighted. As is it still performs well and the X-T4 is an excellent camera for producing high quality video.

Final Thoughts

Prior to purchasing the X-T4 I used the X-T3, the experience of using both cameras is very similar but I feel the X-T4 is definitely an improvement overall. How much of an improvement it is depends on your own individual needs but for mine (using it mainly for photographing landscapes and wildlife and video creation) it was definitely a worthwhile upgrade. I’ve been getting some great results when photographing wildlife (more of that to come in future videos on my YouTube channel) and the overall size and weight of the X-T4 partnered with a suitable lens makes it a great and manageable setup for wildlife photography.

Some Photographs I’ve Captured With My Fuji X-T4:

The improvement in battery life over the X-T3 is noticeable and very welcome. Although the sensor has not been upgraded for the X-T4, image quality when partnered with my Fuji lenses remains excellent and it takes photographs that I am very pleased with. I find the look and feel of Fuji cameras to be very welcoming and it makes them a pleasure to use and in that respect the X-T4 is no different - it is an excellent camera which helps produce fantastic photographs and video and lets us enjoy the experience while doing so.

Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters Professional Kit Review

When heading out to take landscape photography images I always take some filters with me, I don’t always use them but they have a permanent spot in my camera bag. Some scenes may not require the use of a filter, but often a scene and the resulting image can be enhanced by the use of appropriate filters. Recently I’ve wanted to reduce the size and weight of the filter kit that I carry with me, I hoped to find some filters which were compact and light but offered high optical quality.

I decided to purchase the Kase Wolverine Magnetic Circular Filters Professional Kit. This small and lightweight kit comes with a carry pouch, polariser, ND filters (3, 6 and 10 stop), adapter ring and a lens cap. The beauty of this kit is that the filters are magnetic - once you attach the adapter ring to your lens the filters simply clip on and are held by magnetic force. This, and the fact they are stackable, makes them very easy to use and saves a bit of time over other filter designs.

Recently I headed out to the coast to try out these filters, what better way to test them than take a few pictures? You can see one of my first images taken with the Kase filters below. I am very impressed with their optical quality, ease of use, and the small compact size of the entire kit. The short version of this story is that they have earned a spot in my camera bag. If you want to see my full review and demonstration of the Kase Wolverine Magnetic Filters, and some more images taken with them, then you can watch my review video on my YouTube channel here.

#kasefiltersuk

Captured using Kase Polariser and 6 stop ND filter.

Wildlife Photography with the Sigma 150-600 mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens

I spend the majority of my time doing landscape photography but over the years I have spent a lot of time doing wildlife photography. It is something that I have a love for and for a few months now I’ve felt the urge to get back out and capture some wildlife images. Recently while doing some woodland photography I was visited regularly throughout the day by a Robin (watch the video here). The Robin is a beautiful small bird with its vibrant red breast and seeing one up close that day inspired me to return with a suitable lens to try and capture one out in nature in the woodland. That lens is the Sigma 150-600 mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary (affiliate link to lens on Amazon) which I use on my Canon 5D Mark IV. I really like this lens, the only drawbacks for me being the size and weight but it’s certainly manageable. I made a video which you can watch here and in it I show a number of wildlife images I’ve captured over the years, and also the images I captured that day of a Robin. I also discuss why I switched to the Sigma lens when I previously had the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM lens (Amazon affiliate link).

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Lens - Testing and Review

I recently purchased the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM lens (affiliate link to lens on Amazon https://amzn.to/2UiTwjV) and decided to make a video discussing why I bought this lens and also to review it. I travel to a couple of different locations including up a mountain in tough conditions to test this lens thoroughly. If you want to hear my thoughts on this lens you can watch the video here.

The Canon Nifty Fifty - Why It’s Great for Woodland Photography (Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens)

In this weeks vlog I discuss the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens (affiliate link to the product on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2Wy0FdB). I think this is an excellent lens and offers fantastic value for money, I also find that it works really well for woodland photography. To hear my thoughts on this and see the images I capture with this lens on a recent woodland trip, click here.