Fuji XA2 & Instax Printer

Currently I have a wide range of lenses from 12mm,27mm, 35mm to 55-200mm and a classic body Xpro1. There are times when I need to go compact, I will be lusting for the X100 which I sold and replaced it with the Xpro1 & 27mm combo.

In December 2015, I got myself a Instax wireless Printer from Qo10 at an offer price. As the Xpro1 do not have wifi connection, I will use the wifi SD card to transfer to my iphone before I use the Instax app to print from my iphone. As this is quite slow in process, in the end, I used my iphone to direct snap the photo and transmit the image to the Instax printer.

The Instax printer is a fun tool to have. I have use it for my son's party where I print for his guests using the instax printer. It's good small token of gift for guests. After printing, I still get to have the soft copies in my digital camera. I uses the Instax printer for my own print too. The print quality may not be as top quality as a normal colour ink jet print, but it has it's own style and feel.

Then in Jan 2016, the news of the XPro2, XE2S and X70 came, my buying instinct came again, The Xpro2 is too expensive for me now and it has all latest stuff we need. The XE2S will not be in my list as I used a XE2 before and do not like the handling. The X70 was tempting as the size is small and the handling is like a X100 without viewfinder. However, after handling in the showroom, I felt the knobs and rings are way to small for frequent handling. The fixed 28mm f2.8 lens on the X70 is kind of wide for general use in my own opinion.  I have 5 batteries for the Xpro1 and if I were to get the X70, I will have another type of batteries and charger.  XA-2 uses the same batteries as the Xpro1 and even the newer bodies XT1 & Xpro2 are using the same as Xpro1. This is a good thing too.

I have thought of getting a used XT1 body to replace the Xpro1 which is sold widely by Xpro2 upgraders but I think the XT1 looks too professional and not to my taste.

Looking at the XA2 specs, it has the Classic Chrome film simulation and wifi connection. It's size is also small and looks like a harmless compact like the smaller sensor XF1 compact. It also has a tilt screen. The design of the XA-2 is for people who just want great picture in auto mode although there is still a aperture, shutter priority mode. There is no manual focus switch like my Xpro1. It can shoot RAW and be able to use my RR-90 remote cable which I kept after selling my XE-2.

The images are as good as the Xpro1 although it is not using a Xtrans sensor. It has the same size  APS-C sensor like most DSLRs.

The XA-2 to me is a great companion for my old Xpro1. It uses the same batteries and same lenses for my main Xpro1. For simple, fun and  go everywhere, XA-2 is a fun camera to go with especially when attached with the 27mm pancake lens . For passion and handling of  a classic camera, the Xpro1 is the one.

Colourful Little India in Singapore

This is my favourite hunt for street photos in Singapore. Colours and photo opportunities are easily found there.

This area has the charm that is not found in other parts of Singapore. The rest of Singapore seems too neat to have any character.

Today, I tried to ask strangers for a photo shot and they agreed readily. One of the photos with a blue wall & a lady with umbrella was my favourite shot of the day.

All done by Xpro1 and 35mm.

Lady with umbrella- I was attracted by this blue wall on the street. The first few shots was mess up with lots of people and later was blocked by a delivery lorry. I went around the area to continue to shoot and went back the same place. The 2nd round, the lorry was gone, and I saw this opportunity. Snap one shot only and the place is fill with other pedestrians already.

Upgrading the old shophouses.

Selling Iphone accessories on the street

No thrill shop

Back lane

Having a nice tea and chit chatting away at a cosy corner of a coffee shop

Contrasting colours

Delivery men in action

Panorama shot

Last few "Mama" convenience shops in Singapore.

Construction worker in Singapore

Pushing a dead lorry

BarberSHop

Selling colours flowers

Shop assistant

Friendly shop helper

Another lane 

A cow signboard 

Singapore Chinatown quick shoot

I had short walkabout in the area of Chinatown today. The place is colorfully decorated with Lunar New Year theme. The Lunar New Year will be around the corner on Monday. I ended my work for the day and headed out to shoot with Xpro1 , 12mm and 35mmf1.4. The secret weapon is the Gorillapod focus tripod. Without it, some of the shots will not be possible. Here is the link on the Gorillapod-lflex-king-joby-gorillapod-focus

The small flexible tripod save the day. I placed it on the road, on railings on top of the building and took the shots fast. As the good lighting don't stay long and time is tight, it is essential to be familiar with your equipment. The Fuji X series, the main controls are the aperture ring on the lens, and changing iso is easy using the Q button. RAW image capture is now my usual setup. For low shutter speed shoots, I will always set the ISO at 200 and aperture F8-16 depending on how slow I want the speed to create light trails etc.

I also ensure my gears I bring out is kept minimum. 1 body with 2 lenses is about just right. Limiting myself with less choice makes me think harder for the angle shot and experimenting things which I learnt from using the X100 classic.

Here are some of the shots captured.

12mm mount on Gorilla Focus. Low level shot.

Climbed onto the 9th floor of the public housing to capture it. Gorillapod on the wall.

35mmf1.4 handheld

12mm. Gorilla pod on the wet dirty floor.

12mm w Xpro1 handheld

12mm handheld

35mmf1,4 w Xpro1 mounted on the rooftop (Gorillapod)

Friends. Xpro-1 w 35mm

35mmf1.4, dark corner 

35mmf1.4, Xpro-1 , Cardboards collector at Duxton road