Why the Fujifilm XT series is the best for Learning Manual Mode
Photo by Fujifilm North America
Making the decision to take photography more seriously means you’ll have to dedicate your time to learning the technical aspect of the craft. That means educating yourself on how to get out of auto and into manual mode - I’m here to explain why the Fujifilm XT series offers the best system to help you with that.
My Love for the Fujifilm XT series
This isn’t a sponsored post, Fujifilm has no idea I’m writing this article. However, I do use a Fujifilm XT2 and will likely use this line of cameras for many years to come. Essentially, I’m a fanboy and I’m here to wax lyrical as to why the system can help you get to grips with manual mode.
To be clear, you don’t need to specifically use the Fujifilm XT2, the newer XT3, XT4 and XT5 are all great options. If your budget is tight, you can pick up a used XT1, which despite being almost 10 years old, is still a fantastic camera.
This article isn’t designed to teach you how to shoot in manual mode or to help you understand the exposure triangle, there are plenty of articles online for that. Once you have a basic understanding of that, here’s why the Fujifilm XT series will help you implement what you have learned.
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Why is the Fujifilm XT series the best option?
The build of the XT cameras is modeled on old school analog cameras. In fact, those who are not in the know tend to mistake my XT2 for a film camera and are surprised when I tell them it’s digital.
If you’re a visual learner, the reason Fujifilm’s flagship series is so useful is because you can see (and change) the three elements that make up the exposure triangle; shutter speed, ISO and aperture on both the camera body and your lens.
For the latter, you will need to invest in a Fujifilm lens that has a manual aperture ring. I own the Fujifilm 35mm f2 and it’s one I recommend for anyone getting started in photography.
Most other camera systems don’t have this same type of build for their hardware. Instead, you must go through the menu settings to change ISO and scroll a non-marked wheel on your camera body to change the aperture and shutter speed.
This subtle difference means you’ll have to think a little longer, which in turn will disrupt your flow. When you’re starting to learn the basics of photography, you want to keep the learning curve as gentle as possible.
Make learning easier
Removing the need to go through all your settings to make adjustments and instead simply looking down at your camera makes things that little bit easier and it’s one less obstacle in the way of you getting the right exposure and aesthetic for the type of photo you want to create.
You can also change your settings without moving your eye from the viewfinder. Once you get used to the physical feeling of adjusting your ISO and shutter speed dials, plus the manual aperture ring, things will become second nature much quicker.
Combine that with the exposure preview that Fujifilm offers (although this isn’t an exclusive feature) you’ll be able to set your exposure triangle and get the look you want in no time at all.
Other cameras are still good options, however, if you want to get to grips with the technical part of the craft, the Fujifilm XT series is the way to go.
Check out this video below for a more visual explanation of this post.
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