Ohhh wow that is cleaver, i never thought of putting my camera focus on manual mode and use the AF-L button to make it back focusing, this is awesome, thanks!
Hi Ming, I am extremely impressed with your videos. You provide the information in a clear and precise way that makes it easy for new photographers like me to understand and practice the techniques. I own a X-T3 and look forward to your continued efforts to present information that will inspire us to become better photographers. Thank you, Dennis from Vancouver, Canada
I've only recently found your channel but I've learned a lot already. I've recently been using the split screen focus method for landscape and have been amazed at the improvement in sharpness. I admit I'm a pixel peeper and it's easy to think I need a camera upgrade when really it's me and my technique. You've saved me some money I think. Great job.
Really great advice for manual focusing. I am going to do some landscape shots in Glacier and Grand Teton NP’s in America with a X-T2 and 10-24 lens. I will try using this technique. Thanks
Ming Cai They were absolutely amazing. Check out my shot on my Instagram account @julesgpt. I’ve been using back button focusing on most of my shots when using a tripod. Thanks
@@MingCai got your follow thanks. Glad you like the shot in the Tetons. Used back button focusing and the image looked really sharp. Our dog is a 1yr old border collie and he is lovely. Very photogenic!! Thanks again
For landscape photography, with a wide angle lens, I've found that using a high f-stop number (f-11 or above), by focusing about a third of the way up from the bottom of image, most things are in focus. Even at f-22, I haven't noticed any diffraction with my ACP camera and a 16mm lens.
I’m considering upgrading to an XT-2 and really liked your clear and concise explanation on how to get the best out of this camera. Thanks for providing some good pointers ; now getting excited at the prospect of purchasing this camera!
Hi Ming! So happy to have stumbled onto your channel. My 1st Fuji, the X-T2, will be here tomorrow. I rented one two weeks ago and it was love at first sight. So much so that I have already sold all of my Nikon gear (D4, D800E, D750, D500, and 13 lenses) Your video is superb to others I have been watching as it is very informative, with concise & clear explanations. I hit subscribe @1:33 into this video. Looking forward to watching your channel. Thanks so much!
Great tips! As I am a novice / hobbyist photographer, I appreciate the many detailed explanations you put forth in your videos. Thanks, and keep up the good work, my friend!
Excellent video as usual, some of the best content on UA-cam for Fujifilm products. You pointed out you use red for focus peaking and I tried it. Does work better then white, Thanks.
Great list of tips! I am already using back button focus but I didn't know about using the split screen. I also didn't know about the ability to preview jpegs at a higher magnification....Thanks again for taking my question and providing such a good tutorial! As always, I look forward to more of your videos.
Ming, this video was so enlightening!!!! Thank you!! Quick question! How would you ensure sharpness during a wedding shooting? Still, using manual? I was relying on automatic focus because everything happens so fast, but I realized my pictures don't look sharp.
Hi Ming. Thanks for your always comprehensive and well-done videos! Regarding sharpness, I too, take great pride in producing images with superb detail and sharpness. I thought I had adequate tripods, until I recently came across a unique and Extremely High-Quality travel tripod...the FLM "CP26 Travel Tripod". It has super-strong 10x Carbon Fiber legs (26 lb load capacity!) with well-made twist locks, and a ball head that has several unique features that I've not seen in my 35 years of photography using tripods...For example, the "Pan" function permits butter-smooth normal panning, but in addition, adds a 15-degree ratchet function that is fantastic for us landscape/panorama photographers! There is also a "Tilt" knob that locks the ball head so that only one vertical/up/down plane is available. And finally, there is a "lock" function that locks the ball head from panning/turning, so that it can easily be unscrewed and/or mounted solidly. The kit comes with very well-made screw-on metal spikes, and folds up to a compact 15.5" for travel. Quite ingenious and precision design overall, and highly recommended for travel (and in studio)!! Bottom line: This FLM CP26 Travel Tripod simply exudes Quality and precision construction. FLM-Canada supplies them, along with excellent customer service. Thanks again, Ming! Regards, Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for sharing this. It does look like a very good tripod. For me now I have three Benro tripods and I also like them very much. I think Benro also makes good tripods and ball heads, especially for a good value.
Well explained. Nicely done. 👍 As to the reviewing of photos and the problem with zooming in on the results, you can shoot in RAW+Fine mode, which then allows you to access the jpeg image created in camera from the RAW and zoom in closely, right on the review screen. No need to put jpegs on one card and RAW files on the other.
I can backpack with a lighter tripod by slinging my camera bag over the legs of my tripod to add weight and stabilization. With my film cameras I always used mirror lockup and cable release or timer.
Hi Ming... I have been watching your youtube channel for a couple of months and quite interesting and very informative. I would like to ask whether you have a video explaining how to take group of people all in sharp focus in the eye or face? Thanks ... Salam from Indonesia 🇮🇩👌
Muhammad Ikhwan I have not done a video talking about that topic yet. I would recommend shooting around F/4 or f/5.6 on a crop sensor to get the depth of field needed. That probably means you need to bump up ISO a bit higher to maintain the shutter speed.
Hi and thanks. Hey I see that my pictures doesn't look too sharp when I zoom in . How much do you think I should zoom in at the computer to check and still have a good res and focus? 100, 200, 300?
Great points, Ming! Besides my tripod tip mentioned earlier, I wanted to say that the focus stacking method you talked about for your FF work, is also excellent for product photography with the Fujifilm XT-2, or in my case, the X-Pro2. I use this technique when shooting small products, to obtain maximum image sharpness and detail. (Of course, I also employ good technique in shooting, using a moderate aperture, tripod (the superb FLM CP-26 Travel Tripod mentioned earlier), and good post processing. I use Affinity software for the focus stacking/merging, and then Photoshop for final edits. Have you found any additional software for the focus stacking part of your workflow? Thanks, Steve
Hi Ming. Speaking of tripods, in addition to that FLM CP-26, I also came across another fantastic tripod for travel...the Leofoto LN-254CT Carbon Fiber Tripod. It's lightweight, 10x carbon fiber legs, and includes quite nice metal interchangeable spikes.However, what really grabbed my attention, is that the Awesome ball head includes a built-in Panoramic head! So, needless to say, it makes a superb landscape tripod, plus, the pano head, when swiveled into the drop-down notch, now turns it into a Gimbal Head! The build quality, IMHO, is up there with Gitzo and RRS, for a fraction of the price. Obviously, I highly recommend it!
I have a X-T20 and the 16mm 1.4 attached to it for landscape photography but I want to know what is the sweet spot aperture to get everything sharp in frame? Any help would be amazing!
Ming Cai i am new in photography. What would you suggest for a begginer to use?raw or jpeg? I used camera for traveling and daily use and hobby.any suggestions????
Ming Cai that's amazing ... I have clicked all the buttons n tabs on ur channel to get the updates when u will upload a video ... 😃 And thanks for ur reply
As I recall they give you two choices for the DOF indicator. One for pixel level DOF and another more traditional one that is more generous with the DOF. I will look at my settings and post where it is in the menu. I have it set on my xt2 and it was very handy especially at night, you just put the lens in manual and focus and use the zoom, if you are using a zoom, until the DOF indicator is where you want.
Actually, I tried it again on wide shot of a house with a tree line and when I was about to shoot I noticed the house had been bulldozed and a lumber company had removed most of the most picturesque trees. I remain, however, undaunted. Tomorrow I plan to shoot an enormous piece of granite that hasn't moved for several million years. Wish me luck.
Smart fellow. I am a bit late to the party but appreciate this information in 2022.
I bought a used T2 in mint condition and appreciate your video(s).
Ohhh wow that is cleaver, i never thought of putting my camera focus on manual mode and use the AF-L button to make it back focusing, this is awesome, thanks!
Jimmy Harvey You are welcome. 😄
I have just started with my xt2, I'm already loving it. your videos are really great, thanks!
Hi Ming, I am extremely impressed with your videos. You provide the information in a clear and precise way that makes it easy for new photographers like me to understand and practice the techniques.
I own a X-T3 and look forward to your continued efforts to present information that will inspire us to become better photographers.
Thank you,
Dennis from Vancouver, Canada
I've only recently found your channel but I've learned a lot already. I've recently been using the split screen focus method for landscape and have been amazed at the improvement in sharpness. I admit I'm a pixel peeper and it's easy to think I need a camera upgrade when really it's me and my technique. You've saved me some money I think. Great job.
NICE TUTORIAL ADVICES.
Really great advice for manual focusing. I am going to do some landscape shots in Glacier and Grand Teton NP’s in America with a X-T2 and 10-24 lens. I will try using this technique. Thanks
Julian Taylor Thank you very much! Glacier and Teton are beautiful national parks!
Ming Cai They were absolutely amazing. Check out my shot on my Instagram account @julesgpt. I’ve been using back button focusing on most of my shots when using a tripod. Thanks
Julian Taylor Hey man, I just followed you. I am @mingcai_photos I like your recent shot in Teton, looks dramatic! I also like your dog lol
@@MingCai got your follow thanks. Glad you like the shot in the Tetons. Used back button focusing and the image looked really sharp.
Our dog is a 1yr old border collie and he is lovely. Very photogenic!! Thanks again
Excellent video. Would you please give details about the instrument used to trigger the shutter remotely. Thanks
Your videos are so great! Helps me a lot to get better everyday
For landscape photography, with a wide angle lens, I've found that using a high f-stop number (f-11 or above), by focusing about a third of the way up from the bottom of image, most things are in focus. Even at f-22, I haven't noticed any diffraction with my ACP camera and a 16mm lens.
Thanks taking the time to make this video - very clear and helpful.
Phil Brown Thank you for your comment 🙂
I’m considering upgrading to an XT-2 and really liked your clear and concise explanation on how to get the best out of this camera. Thanks for providing some good pointers ; now getting excited at the prospect of purchasing this camera!
Eric Gayler hey Eric thanks for watching. Glad this can help.
Thanks Ming, i lean new things every time i watch your video. It really helps me a lot on my XT2
You are welcome. I am glad this can help :)
Hi Ming! So happy to have stumbled onto your channel. My 1st Fuji, the X-T2, will be here tomorrow. I rented one two weeks ago and it was love at first sight. So much so that I have already sold all of my Nikon gear (D4, D800E, D750, D500, and 13 lenses) Your video is superb to others I have been watching as it is very informative, with concise & clear explanations. I hit subscribe @1:33 into this video. Looking forward to watching your channel. Thanks so much!
Kat Grant thank you very much for subscribing. Hope you enjoy all your Fuji gear! 😄
Ming Cai I am thoroughly enjoying our videos. They’re brilliant.
most impressing... no better tutorial on focussing fuji than this!
Di Ba thank you😀
Excellent video Ming. Thanks!
Great Video. Thank you. I have learned a couple of new tricks from your video.
Great tips! As I am a novice / hobbyist photographer, I appreciate the many detailed explanations you put forth in your videos. Thanks, and keep up the good work, my friend!
John Condor Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you, sir Ming Afría.
I knew all the tricks, sometimes I use them but not always for landscape photography, so very informative and well explained video
Thank you for the tip about the manual focus !
Bill Zidis You are welcome!
@@MingCai I switched from Nikon full frame to fuji and i love the camera! Make more tips :)
Excellent video as usual, some of the best content on UA-cam for Fujifilm products. You pointed out you use red for focus peaking and I tried it. Does work better then white, Thanks.
DIY-FIXIT you are very welcome 😄
Simple and solid method, explained well - thank you!
Jon Grönvall you are welcome!
thanx ming
enjoy every minute of it
well explained
Very complete info 👍
I just subscribed to your channel. What a wealth of information you shared. Thank you
PT76251 You are very welcome
Thanks for the detailed explanations! Excellent video!
Olivier Ansaldi thank you Olivier :)
Two thumbs up! Very useful. Thx
Frankie Lee you are welcome
Thanks for the helpful tutorial - the split-screen in manual mode is a new discovery for me! Greetings from Germany
Thank you for watching and commenting. Have a wonderful day!
Great list of tips! I am already using back button focus but I didn't know about using the split screen. I also didn't know about the ability to preview jpegs at a higher magnification....Thanks again for taking my question and providing such a good tutorial! As always, I look forward to more of your videos.
Jim Kirkpatrick you are welcome! Glad this can help :)
Thx for this video, very nice explanations.
Very helpful. Thanks
Some great tips there, Many thanks, Ming .
Graham Goddard you are welcome! 😀
This was very helpful. Thank you!
My videos you are very welcome
Ming, this video was so enlightening!!!!
Thank you!!
Quick question! How would you ensure sharpness during a wedding shooting? Still, using manual? I was relying on automatic focus because everything happens so fast, but I realized my pictures don't look sharp.
Great video thank you , i just got a xh1 and its my first fuji camera, really would love to see a video about focus stacking
Hi Ming. Thanks for your always comprehensive and well-done videos! Regarding sharpness, I too, take great pride in producing images with superb detail and sharpness. I thought I had adequate tripods, until I recently came across a unique and Extremely High-Quality travel tripod...the FLM "CP26 Travel Tripod". It has super-strong 10x Carbon Fiber legs (26 lb load capacity!) with well-made twist locks, and a ball head that has several unique features that I've not seen in my 35 years of photography using tripods...For example, the "Pan" function permits butter-smooth normal panning, but in addition, adds a 15-degree ratchet function that is fantastic for us landscape/panorama photographers! There is also a "Tilt" knob that locks the ball head so that only one vertical/up/down plane is available. And finally, there is a "lock" function that locks the ball head from panning/turning, so that it can easily be unscrewed and/or mounted solidly. The kit comes with very well-made screw-on metal spikes, and folds up to a compact 15.5" for travel. Quite ingenious and precision design overall, and highly recommended for travel (and in studio)!! Bottom line: This FLM CP26 Travel Tripod simply exudes Quality and precision construction. FLM-Canada supplies them, along with excellent customer service. Thanks again, Ming! Regards, Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for sharing this. It does look like a very good tripod. For me now I have three Benro tripods and I also like them very much. I think Benro also makes good tripods and ball heads, especially for a good value.
How much is it?
Naqiuddin Hashim Hi! Please check the link www.flmcanada.com.
Thanks for this great video! I love the in depth explanations, it helped me so much! This was the second video of you that i watched. I subscribed!
Thank you for watching and subscribing, have a wonderful day :)
Well explained. Nicely done. 👍 As to the reviewing of photos and the problem with zooming in on the results, you can shoot in RAW+Fine mode, which then allows you to access the jpeg image created in camera from the RAW and zoom in closely, right on the review screen. No need to put jpegs on one card and RAW files on the other.
Paulo Furtado thanks Paulo nice tip
Perfecto 👌🏼
Very useful video, thanks. Please can you make a Video about the new focus bracketing and how to combine the photos in post process?
Aline Kalleicher yeah I'm thinking about that too. Please stay tuned.
I can backpack with a lighter tripod by slinging my camera bag over the legs of my tripod to add weight and stabilization. With my film cameras I always used mirror lockup and cable release or timer.
Good video
Thanks Ming, very informative and explained very well!
TerjeAudio hey you are welcome!
Why do you focus at a different aperture
good technique
Thanks Ming, appreciated.
You are welcome!
thank you. very useful
Brilliant explanation can you discuss in your next vlog dof techniques - thanks great work
Great stuff Ming !
primiq Thank you!
Excellent.....
Thank you :)
Hi Mng; great tutorial. I have tried everything I can think of, but I cant move the focus point in the SPLIT SCREEN mode. How to I access this?
You just need to press the DISP BACK button on the back of your camera until you'll see the double screen
Do you use the smartphone app to trigger the shutter ..... removes the need for the cable release?
Grant Newton I use the timer
Well done! thanks
ianfelix thanks for watching:)
Hi Ming... I have been watching your youtube channel for a couple of months and quite interesting and very informative. I would like to ask whether you have a video explaining how to take group of people all in sharp focus in the eye or face? Thanks ... Salam from Indonesia 🇮🇩👌
Muhammad Ikhwan I have not done a video talking about that topic yet. I would recommend shooting around F/4 or f/5.6 on a crop sensor to get the depth of field needed. That probably means you need to bump up ISO a bit higher to maintain the shutter speed.
Awesome video! Subbed!
Spike Spiegel Thank you!
Thanks for an excellent video Ming. Has a firmware update fixed the zooming issue with raw files?
This is really awesome!
Do you have any tips for action photography like mountain biking? Cheers!
Don't get too close to the bears.
Panasonic makes the best auto photo stacking I´ve ever seen, the only thing I miss... wish fuji had this too...
Please do another Video on Fockus Stacking!!!
yeah, what about greater distances that you can not see?
There is a faulty of Fuji xt2. I shows focus when it has not at greater distances.
When do you focus infinite?
Hi and thanks. Hey I see that my pictures doesn't look too sharp when I zoom in . How much do you think I should zoom in at the computer to check and still have a good res and focus? 100, 200, 300?
How to focus on infinity on fuji?
Thank you so much!
You are welcome! Thanks for watching!
Great points, Ming! Besides my tripod tip mentioned earlier, I wanted to say that the focus stacking method you talked about for your FF work, is also excellent for product photography with the Fujifilm XT-2, or in my case, the X-Pro2. I use this technique when shooting small products, to obtain maximum image sharpness and detail. (Of course, I also employ good technique in shooting, using a moderate aperture, tripod (the superb FLM CP-26 Travel Tripod mentioned earlier), and good post processing. I use Affinity software for the focus stacking/merging, and then Photoshop for final edits. Have you found any additional software for the focus stacking part of your workflow? Thanks, Steve
Yeah, focus stacking is also often used in macro photography to extend the depth of field. I usually do it in Photoshop.
Hi Ming. Speaking of tripods, in addition to that FLM CP-26, I also came across another fantastic tripod for travel...the Leofoto LN-254CT Carbon Fiber Tripod. It's lightweight, 10x carbon fiber legs, and includes quite nice metal interchangeable spikes.However, what really grabbed my attention, is that the Awesome ball head includes a built-in Panoramic head! So, needless to say, it makes a superb landscape tripod, plus, the pano head, when swiveled into the drop-down notch, now turns it into a Gimbal Head! The build quality, IMHO, is up there with Gitzo and RRS, for a fraction of the price. Obviously, I highly recommend it!
Hi! Where is macro mode setting in the fujifilm x-t2 or have macro mode setting for Xt2?
很少看到华人youtuber啊，内容很棒，加油老哥！
xinyun liu 谢谢啦🙏
How often do you need to focus stack with your 10-24?
Hi why is it that I cannot see the square focus box in manual focus and when I go onto the split screen I can see the focus box but it won't move??
I have a X-T20 and the 16mm 1.4 attached to it for landscape photography but I want to know what is the sweet spot aperture to get everything sharp in frame? Any help would be amazing!
Did you watch his video here just now?
Thanks!
Banky Bankyy you are welcome
How do you move the focus point when in Manual focus mode. My joystick doesn’t move it in this mode
Nigel Austin uh, the joy stick works for me. Could you please let me know more about your setting? Are you using zone tracking or single point focus?
Thank you thank you
Ma. Rita Parungao you are welcome
Ming Cai i am new in photography. What would you suggest for a begginer to use?raw or jpeg? I used camera for traveling and daily use and hobby.any suggestions????
I don't know it's old video. now there is a DOF scale when we have focus mode set to M. That alone enough.
Mahinthan So Yeah DOF scale certainly helps, and it works most of the time. but I found it's not 100% reliable though, so I always double check.
The X-T2 and XH1 are still an entirely relevant cameras in 2020.
What lens is on your camera in this video?
I think it's the 10-24 F4
When I raise my Aperture to F8, the picture gets really dark. Is this normal?
MrObvious is the shutter speed or ISO changed accordingly?
@@MingCai Oh I don't know, i'm new to photography. Do you have a video explaining this?
plz do a comparison of 10-24 and samyang 12mm
Hi Babar, thanks for letting me know, I will consider doing a video about that in the future. Please stay tuned. Thanks.
Ming Cai that's amazing ... I have clicked all the buttons n tabs on ur channel to get the updates when u will upload a video ... 😃
And thanks for ur reply
Ming Cai and greetings from Pakistan 😉
5:07 that’s a very handy layout! How do you set that? Thanks
Please check out at 6:29
Thank you Ming, it must be an X-T2 option only because on my X-T20 it doesn't work.
Why not use the built-in depth of field indicator?
John jon oh right forgot to mention that, I do use it and it can be helpful as well.
Is it in the xt20 as well?
Cubalibre never used X-T20 before, but I believe so
Could you please tell me where is in the menu in t2 so i can check in my t20
As I recall they give you two choices for the DOF indicator. One for pixel level DOF and another more traditional one that is more generous with the DOF. I will look at my settings and post where it is in the menu. I have it set on my xt2 and it was very handy especially at night, you just put the lens in manual and focus and use the zoom, if you are using a zoom, until the DOF indicator is where you want.
10:22 shoot RAW + Jpeg
I tried your focusing technique, but the bird flew away before I could finish.
This is for landscape photography
Actually, I tried it again on wide shot of a house with a tree line and when I was about to shoot I noticed the house had been bulldozed and a lumber company had removed most of the most picturesque trees. I remain, however, undaunted. Tomorrow I plan to shoot an enormous piece of granite that hasn't moved for several million years. Wish me luck.
@@avarmadillo 🤣🤣
First you have to shoot the bird with a gun. lol
If by "British humor" you mean "common sense" then, yes, it is British humor. ;-)@Didier Karibian
I always shoot raw +jpg, that way you can always zoom in 100% to check focus.
Thanks for the tips.
Really wish they could have a firmware update to allow 100% review on RAW.
i think u should use your phone as a remote so u don't need to press the shutter
I do this a lot, but it burns a lot of battery. Both on the phone and the camera.
You could use the interval timer too...but a remote can be had for about $30 👌🏼
Tripod tip and cable release work for every camera not necessarily with xt2
How do I ensure sharpness on Fuji X-T2?
put it on Auto