Fuji x100s + Canon Speedlites?

[JohnDizzo15]

So I've taken the plunge and ordered a Fuji x100s which will be arriving tomorrow. The biggest factors for me that justified the price tag and stray from my Canon gear are the leaf shutter, built-in ND filters, and size/convenience factor.

However, to make full use of the leaf shutter and it's oh so awesome qualities, I need to now figure out what kind of wireless flash setup I will need.

I already have 580exII x 2 and a 430ex along with 2 sets of Yongnuo YN622 ETTL radio triggers. I just wanted to know if anyone else has used a similar setup with the x100s or whether you've tested it and had it not work out. If it's worked out well for you, how is it?

 

[Dylan777]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

They definitely do. I initially wrote off the whole concept a couple years back when the x100 first came out as just another hipster accessory piece. But when the x100s came out, my buddy preordered one and has been in my ear about it ever since. Upon checking it out, I must say that I was/am thoroughly impressed.

The thought of being able to have something that was an all in one package that would allow me to do things like 1/1000th flash sync while shooting wide open (and higher stopped down), accompanied by built-in ND filters was amazing. This, along with all the other awesomeness that I can't even begin to mention made the x100s a no brainer.

Have you shot it with offshoe flash at high synch speeds at all?

 

[chilledXpress]

I use Cactus V and PW MiniTT1 & FlexTT5... in addition to old skool ETTL cables. They all sync to 1/1000 at f/2. For the money and ease of use I stick with the Cactus V system. You can add many flashes (I've done up to 5 speedlites) and I have yet to run into any problems. The Cactus V's never fail and I can't say that for the PWs for both the X100s and my Canon gear. Your Yongnuo YN622 should work fine... that leaf shutter is a Strobist dream. I'd also suggest an extra 2 stop ND... you'll then get 2 stop, 3 stop and 5 stop capabilities to extend f/2 work. You will need to make a profile for the internal 3 stop and 2 stop combo to eliminate any cast from stacked filters. Easy though. I also tape a 1/4 CTO gel over the on board flash to help when I go with it alone. Enjoy the new acquire!

My standard street carry...

EDC Camera Bag... by David.K.M, on Flickr

 

[pulseimages]

I should rent a x100s to see what I'm missing. Wish Fuji would release a version with built in IS or a version with a zoom lens.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

I use Cactus V and PW MiniTT1 & FlexTT5... in addition to old skool ETTL cables. They all sync to 1/1000 at f/2. For the money and ease of use I stick with the Cactus V system. You can add many flashes (I've done up to 5 speedlites) and I have yet to run into any problems. The Cactus V's never fail and I can't say that for the PWs for both the X100s and my Canon gear. Your Yongnuo YN622 should work fine... that leaf shutter is a Strobist dream. I'd also suggest an extra 2 stop ND... you'll then get 2 stop, 3 stop and 5 stop capabilities to extend f/2 work. You will need to make a profile for the internal 3 stop and 2 stop combo to eliminate any cast from stacked filters. Easy though. I also tape a 1/4 CTO gel over the on board flash to help when I go with it alone. Enjoy the new acquire!

My standard street carry...

Awesome little walk around setup you have there. Thanks for the info re setup.

Which ND filter are you using and is it possible for you to post a pic of the CTO gel taped on?

 

[Eli]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

Did you sell your rx1?

 

[chilledXpress]

I use Cactus V and PW MiniTT1 & FlexTT5... in addition to old skool ETTL cables. They all sync to 1/1000 at f/2. For the money and ease of use I stick with the Cactus V system. You can add many flashes (I've done up to 5 speedlites) and I have yet to run into any problems. The Cactus V's never fail and I can't say that for the PWs for both the X100s and my Canon gear. Your Yongnuo YN622 should work fine... that leaf shutter is a Strobist dream. I'd also suggest an extra 2 stop ND... you'll then get 2 stop, 3 stop and 5 stop capabilities to extend f/2 work. You will need to make a profile for the internal 3 stop and 2 stop combo to eliminate any cast from stacked filters. Easy though. I also tape a 1/4 CTO gel over the on board flash to help when I go with it alone. Enjoy the new acquire!

My standard street carry...

Awesome little walk around setup you have there. Thanks for the info re setup.

Which ND filter are you using and is it possible for you to post a pic of the CTO gel taped on?

I use a B+W 2 stop... in the image I posted you can see that the onboard flash has the gel on it. Never take it off. Clear taped a 1/4 CTO over the frame. Works wonders. My Flickr page is for family pics and personal work but you can find many photos I took of my son testing out the leaf... also some street work with a single 580exII. After about 4 months I'd have to say it's my go to rig when going minimalist or out to hunt street shots.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

I should rent a x100s to see what I'm missing. Wish Fuji would release a version with built in IS or a version with a zoom lens.

I've only had limited experience with it as I've only played with a friend's (will have more to say about it after tomorrow). I can tell you though that it is absolutely awesome for what it is. I can't say that it is for everyone. But if you have a very clear understanding of what it is you like to do and the x100s meets those needs, it is hard to beat.

Again, leaf shutter (nuff said), built in 3 stop ND, super compact, best APS-C sensor to date (at least many believe it to be so), and great ergonomics (just to name a few).

The only real knock I had with it while playing was the video side (doesn't give you full manual control and options are limited). I personally won't be using it for any amount of serious video which is why it is still a perfect cam for me. The fact that I can do quick video captures in a pinch is sufficient for me. But I would say there are plenty of other options in this class if video functionality is something you are really concerned with.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

I use Cactus V and PW MiniTT1 & FlexTT5... in addition to old skool ETTL cables. They all sync to 1/1000 at f/2. For the money and ease of use I stick with the Cactus V system. You can add many flashes (I've done up to 5 speedlites) and I have yet to run into any problems. The Cactus V's never fail and I can't say that for the PWs for both the X100s and my Canon gear. Your Yongnuo YN622 should work fine... that leaf shutter is a Strobist dream. I'd also suggest an extra 2 stop ND... you'll then get 2 stop, 3 stop and 5 stop capabilities to extend f/2 work. You will need to make a profile for the internal 3 stop and 2 stop combo to eliminate any cast from stacked filters. Easy though. I also tape a 1/4 CTO gel over the on board flash to help when I go with it alone. Enjoy the new acquire!

My standard street carry...

Awesome little walk around setup you have there. Thanks for the info re setup.

Which ND filter are you using and is it possible for you to post a pic of the CTO gel taped on?

I use a B+W 2 stop... in the image I posted you can see that the onboard flash has the gel on it. Never take it off. Clear taped a 1/4 CTO over the frame. Works wonders. My Flickr page is for family pics and personal work but you can find many photos I took of my son testing out the leaf... also some street work with a single 580exII. After about 4 months I'd have to say it's my go to rig when going minimalist or out to hunt street shots.

Ohhhh I see it now. I wasn't looking very carefully. lol.

I have an odd feeling that it will also turn into the rig I reach for regularly on most days.

 

[Dylan777]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

They definitely do. I initially wrote off the whole concept a couple years back when the x100 first came out as just another hipster accessory piece. But when the x100s came out, my buddy preordered one and has been in my ear about it ever since. Upon checking it out, I must say that I was/am thoroughly impressed.

The thought of being able to have something that was an all in one package that would allow me to do things like 1/1000th flash sync while shooting wide open (and higher stopped down), accompanied by built-in ND filters was amazing. This, along with all the other awesomeness that I can't even begin to mention made the x100s a no brainer.

Have you shot it with offshoe flash at high synch speeds at all?

I don't own any flash. Just natural light

 

[Dylan777]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

Did you sell your rx1?

My wife took my rx1.

 

[Eli]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

Did you sell your rx1?

My wife took my rx1.

How do they compare with each other? What do you like more about the fuji or sony?

 

[JohnDizzo15]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

 

[Dylan777]

Just want to say CONGRATS on x100s

To me, Fuji makes great retro body style. You will fall in love with this camera. I did.

Did you sell your rx1?

My wife took my rx1.

How do they compare with each other? What do you like more about the fuji or sony?

I don't think it a fair fight between x100s vs RX1. The RX1 performs better in lower light or should I say in darkness

Still, I do find x100s is an excellent camera for indoor photo: http://dylanphotography.phanfare.com/6252127#imageID=198679037

If Fuji x100s has 35mm sensor built-in, I would take x100s over RX1 for two reasons. Retro body and better JPEP file straight out from camera.

 

[Dylan777]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

Awesome...post some pics

I bought this cheap silver hood + filter on ebay and it turns out great: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221279367022?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

BIGGER QUESTION - what are you going to do with crappy EOS-M? ;D ;D ;D

 

[JohnDizzo15]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

Awesome...post some pics

I bought this cheap silver hood + filter on ebay and it turns out great: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221279367022?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

BIGGER QUESTION - what are you going to do with crappy EOS-M? ;D ;D ;D

Will post some later when I get some time. No camranger support. Otherwise I would

I got a cheap adapter/hood combo off amazon. Need to figure out a cap solution now though. What do you use?

Just going to hold onto the m. It was cheap enough and I probably won't get a whole lot for it on the used market anyway. Will be nice to keep around in case I need a crop sensor for my tele canon glass.

Btw, which filter are you using in cam for the office shots you had in that link?

 

[chilledXpress]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

Fallin fast lookin forward to some new post! Never use a cap, just went with a B+W filter and hood... Works perfectly and quicker to shoot with. A thumb grip works nicely too, went and bought about 3 different ones... Finally found a good fit from Lensmate.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

Fallin fast lookin forward to some new post! Never use a cap, just went with a B+W filter and hood... Works perfectly and quicker to shoot with.

I had considered that option but shied away from it since I can't stand uv filters. Might have to go that route though since I can't have the adapter ring with hood any other way.

Tested out the trigger/speed lite combo. Works like a charm.

Just curious, any settings recommendations?

 

[chilledXpress]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

Fallin fast lookin forward to some new post! Never use a cap, just went with a B+W filter and hood... Works perfectly and quicker to shoot with.

I had considered that option but shied away from it since I can't stand uv filters. Might have to go that route though since I can't have the adapter ring with hood any other way.

Tested out the trigger/speed lite combo. Works like a charm.

Just curious, any settings recommendations?

Well, I've found I don't like the results as much when you let the X100S drive. So I use it primarily as a manual camera. Manual shutter speed, Ap, ISO and much of the time manual AF... mine tends to over expose too much for my taste. ISO 400 is pretty much my goto setting and I shoot in RAF(RAW) but many like the jpegs. I also switched the Fn button to quick access the ND.

It eats batteries, I have 4 when heading out for the day. Usually only go through 2 but have used 3 before. One second you have a full battery, next it's three bars, then instantly blinking red... at that point you got about 20 seconds left. It's the LCD on the back that does it. If you switch it off and access it when you want rather than let it choose you save power and it becomes frugal with the energy. I at first used the eye sensor but when using a strap, your body will keep it active.

Give that onboard some usage. It is really way more useful than any Canon I've used. It can provide a really nice fill without looking very "DMV" like. It's also surprisingly powerful with a leaf shutter.

Here is a shot with the sun behind, internal ND and only the CTO'd onboard...

A day in Santa Cruz...

I'll be keeping an eye out for this thread and see how it went this weekend... Have fun out there!