The Fujifilm X-T20: 125 X-Pert Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Camera

Rico Pfirstinger studied communications and has been working as a journalist, publicist, and photographer since the mid-’80s. He has written numerous books on a diverse range of topics, from computing technology to digital desktop publishing to sled dog racing. He worked as the department head of special assignments for Hubert Burda Media in Munich, Germany, and he also served as chief editor for a winter sports website.

After eight years as a freelance film critic in Los Angeles, Rico now lives in Germany and devotes his time to digital photography and compact camera systems.

Rico writes the popular X-Pert Corner blog and leads workshops called Fuji X Secrets where he offers insights, tips, and tricks on using the Fujifilm X-series cameras.

Rico Pfirstinger

The Fujifilm X-T20

125 X-Pert Tips to Get the Most

Out of Your Camera

The Fujifilm X-T20: 125 X-Pert Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Camera Rico Pfirstinger

www.fuji-x-secrets.net

Project editor: Maggie Yates

Project manager: Lisa Brazieal

Marketing manager: Mercedes Murray

Copyeditor: Maggie Yates

Translation: Rico Pfirstinger

Layout and type: Petra Strauch

Cover design: Rebecca Cowlin

Indexer: Maggie Yates

ISBN: 978-1-68198-282-3

1st Edition (1st printing, July 2017)

© 2017 Rico Pfirstinger

All images © Rico Pfirstinger unless otherwise noted

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Table of Contents

1.YOUR X-T20 SYSTEM

1.1THE BASICS (1):

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CAMERA

TIP 1:RTFM! Read The Fuji Manual! It is included with your camera

TIP 2:Get a few spare batteries. You can buy suitable batteries from Fujifilm or from a third party

TIP 3:Get a suitable battery charger and a travel adapter.

TIP 4:Make sure that your camera and lenses are running with the latest firmware

TIP 5:Things to remember when updating your firmware:

TIP 6:Use fast memory cards with at least 80 MB/s write speed

TIP 7:Your camera is automatically numbering your images. With this little trick, you can reset the frame counter and even assign a new starting number

TIP 8:Use High Performance mode!

TIP 9:Keep the camera sensor clean!

TIP 10:Do-it-yourself sensor cleaning for tough sensor spots

1.2THE BASICS (2):

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR LENSES

TIP 11:XC or XF? Zoom or prime?

TIP 12:X-mount compatible Samyang lenses are just like adapted lenses!

TIP 13:Zeiss Touit lenses

TIP 14:Decoding XF18–135mmF3.5–5.6 R LM OIS WR

TIP 15:The optical image stabilizer (OIS) has its quirks!

TIP 16:OIS and motion detection: what’s going on?

TIP 17:The XF23mmF1.4 R, XF16mmF1.4 R WR, and XF14mmF2.8 R are different beasts!

TIP 18:Use the Lens Modulation Optimizer (LMO)!

TIP 19:Things you should know about digital lens corrections

TIP 20:Use the included lens hood!

TIP 21:Lens protection filters—yes or no?

TIP 22:39mm filters can be tricky!

1.3THE BASICS (3): USEFUL ACCESSORIES

TIP 23:Optional handgrips

TIP 24:Off-camera TTL flash with a Canon OC-E3 TTL extension cord

TIP 25:Possible issues regarding Canon TTL flash devices

TIP 26:Remote shutter release: three options for the X-T20

2.USING THE FUJIFILM X-T20

2.1READY, SET, GO!

TIP 27:AUTO mode: two cameras in one body

TIP 28:Scene Position modes comparison—ready-to-use recipes for less experienced users

TIP 29:Recommended settings for your X-T20

TIP 30:Avoiding the camera menus: practical shortcuts for your X-T20

TIP 31:Suggested Fn button assignment

TIP 32:Recommended My Menu and Quick menu configuration

TIP 33:Always shoot FINE+RAW!

TIP 34:Compressed or uncompressed RAW files?

TIP 35:Pick a suitable image format!

TIP 36:The magical half-press

2.2MONITOR AND VIEWFINDER

TIP 37:Make use of the eye sensor!

TIP 38:Instant review

TIP 39:The DISP/BACK button can be tricky!

TIP 40:WYSIWYG—What You See Is What You Get!

TIP 41:Using the Natural Live View

TIP 42:Using the LCD touchscreen

2.3EXPOSING RIGHT

TIP 43:Choosing the right metering method

TIP 44:Linking spot metering to AF frames

TIP 45:Using the live view and live histogram

TIP 46:Auto exposure (AE) with modes P, A, and S

TIP 47:Using manual exposure M

TIP 48:Using aperture priority A

TIP 49:Using shutter priority S

TIP 50:Using program AE P and program shift

TIP 51:Playing it safe with auto exposure bracketing

TIP 52:Long exposures

TIP 53:Long exposures in bright daylight

TIP 54:ISO settings—what’s the deal?

TIP 55:What you should know about extended ISO

TIP 56:Auto-ISO and minimum shutter speed

TIP 57:Auto-ISO in manual mode M: the misomatic.

TIP 58:ISO-Bracketing: it’s just a gimmick!

TIP 59:Extending the dynamic range

TIP 60:Extending the dynamic range for RAW shooters.

TIP 61:JPEG settings for RAW shooters

TIP 62:Extending the dynamic range for JPEG shooters.

TIP 63:Using the DR function for high-key and portrait photography

TIP 64:Creating HDR images with the X-T20

TIP 65:HDR: the handheld way

TIP 66:Using the electronic shutter

2.4FOCUSING WITH THE X-T20

TIP 67:CDAF and PDAF: what’s the difference?

TIP 68:AF-S or AF-C?

TIP 69:AF modes: Single Point AF vs. Zone AF vs. Wide/Tracking AF

TIP 70:Selecting an AF frame or AF zone

TIP 71:Choosing a suitable AF frame or AF zone size

TIP 72:Manual focus and DOF zone focusing

TIP 73:Manual focus assistants: focus peaking and digital split image

TIP 74:Focus check: use the magnifier tool!

TIP 75:One-Touch-AF (Instant AF)

TIP 76:Using AF+MF

TIP 77:Pre-AF: a relic of the past

TIP 78:Using face detection and eye detection

TIP 79:Using AF-Lock

TIP 80:Using AF-ON (back-button focusing)

TIP 81:Focusing in poor light

TIP 82:Macro: focusing at close distances

TIP 83:Focusing on moving subjects (1): the autofocus trick

TIP 84:Focusing on moving subjects (2): the focus trap

TIP 85:Focusing on moving subjects (3): autofocus tracking using Single Point AF, Zone AF, or Wide/Tracking AF

TIP 86:Using AF-C Custom settings

TIP 87:Focus priority vs. release priority

2.5WHITE BALANCE AND JPEG PARAMETERS

TIP 88:Custom white balance: a little effort can go a long way

TIP 89:Infrared photography

TIP 90:Changing color tints with WB SHIFT

TIP 91:Film simulations: it’s all about the look

TIP 92:Using the GRAIN EFFECT

TIP 93:Contrast settings: working with highlights and shadows

TIP 94:Skin tones: smooth or with texture?

TIP 95:Color saturation

TIP 96:Choosing a color space: sRGB or Adobe RGB?

TIP 97:Using custom settings (usage profiles)

TIP 98:Working with the built-in RAW converter

TIP 99:Comparing RAW converters

Fujifilm film simulations

Extended dynamic range (DR200%, DR400%)

Digital lens corrections

TIP 100:Displaying EXIF metadata

2.6BURST MODE, MOVIES, MOTION PANORAMA, AND THE SELF-TIMER

TIP 101:Using burst mode

TIP 102:Shooting motion panoramas

TIP 103:Shooting video with the X-T20

TIP 104:Using the self-timer

2.7FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

TIP 105:Flash photography in modes P and A: slow shutter speed limits

TIP 106:Controlling the surrounding-light component of flash photography

TIP 107:Controlling the flash-light component

TIP 108:Rear curtain flash synchronization: what’s the deal?

TIP 109:Flash synchronization: where’s the limit?

TIP 110:Red-eye removal: a two-step affair

TIP 111:Using TTL-Lock

TIP 112:Little slave: the Fujifilm EF-X20

TIP 113:Big master: the Fujifilm EF-X500

TIP 114:Great alternative: the Metz M400

TIP 115:Generic third-party flash units

2.8USING ADAPTED LENSES

TIP 116:Finding the right lens adapter

TIP 117:Adapting third-party lenses: here’s how . . .

TIP 118:Exposing with adapted lenses

TIP 119:Focusing with adapted lenses

TIP 120:Using the Fujifilm M-mount adapter

TIP 121:Quality considerations

TIP 122:Speed Booster: miracle or trick?

2.9WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL

TIP 123:Using the Camera Remote App

TIP 124:Streaming the live view via HDMI

2.10ANYTHING ELSE?

TIP 125:Forums, blogs, and workshops: be a part of it!

ONLINE REFERENCES

1. YOUR X-T20 SYSTEM

To start off, here’s a brief overview of the buttons and controls on your Fujifilm X-T20:

Fig. 1: X-T20 frontal view: front command dial with integrated button (1), AF assist lamp (2), X-Trans sensor (3), electronic lens contacts (4), lens release button (5), focus selector (6)

Fig. 2: X-T20 top view: on/off switch (1), shutter button with mechanical cable release thread (2), Fn Button (3), exposure compensation dial (4), shutter speed dial (5), AUTO switch (6), hot shoe (7), DRIVE dial (8), flash release switch (9)

Fig. 3: X-T20 rear view: delete (trash) button (1), playback button (2), diopter adjustment dial (3), electronic viewfinder (4), view mode button (5), AE-L button (6), rear command dial with integrated Fn button (7), AF-L button (8), status indicator lamp (9), Q (Quick menu) button (10), MENU/OK button (11), selector keys (also rear Fn buttons) (12), DISP/BACK button (13), tiltable LCD touchscreen (14)

1.1 THE BASICS (1): THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CAMERA

In case you have misplaced your user manual, or if you want to update to a newer edition of the manual, you can obtain downloadable PDF versions [01] in all supported languages. You will also find supplementary material that covers new features and changes based on firmware updates.

Please do yourself a big favor and thoroughly study this manual to get acquainted with the different functions of your X-T20, and don’t forget that your lenses come with a user manual, as well. This book doesn’t replace the X-T20 camera manual; it serves as an enhancement to the manual, and offers valuable tips and background information about how to use the various features and functions of the X-T20 and make the most of your equipment.

The X-T20 is a very compact camera, which means that the rechargeable battery is also rather small. Depending on how you use your camera, a fully charged battery will last for 250 to 400 shots.

I recommend setting the camera to High Performance Mode (SET UP > POWER MANAGEMENT > PERFORMANCE > HIGH PERFORMANCE) in order to secure the best autofocus and overall performance.

Please note:

Unlike previous models, the X-T20 features an accurate battery indicator with five bars and a percentage display.

In shooting mode, the percentage display is only available in the INFO display of the LCD monitor. To activate the INFO display, (repeatedly) press the DISP/BACK button until the INFO display appears on the monitor. In playback mode, the percentage indicator is also available in the INFO display, which can be accessed with the DISP/BACK button or by pressing the upper selector key to cycle through two extended image information pages.

When the battery indicator shows one remaining red bar, it’s almost time to replace the battery.

Your X-T20 is using NP-W126S rechargeable batteries. This type of battery is also used in Fujifilm’s X-Pro1, X-Pro2, X-E1, X-E2, X-T1, X-T2, X-T10, X-M1, X-A1, X-A2, X-A3, X-A10, and X100F cameras, and can be interchanged between these models.

You can also use older NP-W126-type batteries. The difference between the regular and the S-type batteries is their ability to manage heat. For high-performance applications such as long 4K video recordings in a hot environment, the newer NP-W126S type, which is more efficient at managing heat, may be favorable. However, if you already own a bunch of older NP-W126 batteries, there’s no reason not to use them in your X-T20.

You can obtain NP-W126S batteries from Fujifilm, or you can use compatible products from a variety of third-party vendors. Sadly, not all aftermarket batteries offer the same quality, safety, and capacity as the more expensive Fujifilm batteries. You are likely to experience inaccurate battery life displays with third-party offerings, and the camera may unexpectedly switch off with an empty battery even though the indicator shows there was some power left. To avoid such trouble, use original Fujifilm NP-W126 or NP-W126S batteries.

If you store your camera for a longer period without a charged battery, the X-T20’s built-in emergency power source may run out of juice, and all camera and user settings will reset to factory conditions.

Fig. 4: Fujifilm’s original NP-W126S battery is without doubt the safest and best performing choice for your new X-T20. It’s also the most expensive.

Along with spare batteries, the aftermarket also offers chargers that work with regular power outlets, USB ports, or a car’s cigarette lighter jack. This way, you can charge your batteries not only at home or in your hotel room, but also on your computer’s USB port or when you are traveling in a car or plane.

While traveling, don’t forget that different countries use different formats for power outlets, so you may want to carry a suitable travel adapter. A particularly small and practical solution is the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit [02]. It contains adapters for North America, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, and Hong Kong. The adapters connect directly to the charger that comes with your X-T20 (no cable required). You can also use them with chargers for your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, MacBook, etc.).

Fig. 5: Some third-party chargers can get their power from more than one source, such as power outlets, USB ports, and car cigarette lighter jacks.

As an alternative to external battery chargers, the battery can also be charged inside the X-T20 via the camera’s USB port. Use a USB 2 micro cable to connect the X-T20 to pretty much any power source with a USB port, such as your laptop or your cell phone charger.

Fujifilm keeps improving the firmware of the X-T20 and XF/XC lenses.

To check which firmware version is installed in your camera and lens, switch the camera on while pressing and holding the DISP/BACK button.

Find and download the latest firmware versions [03] for your camera and lenses. While you are there, can also download current versions of Fuji’s application software, such as RAW File Converter EX.

A step-by-step video guide illustrating the firmware upgrade process is available online [04]. At this Fujifilm support website, macOS [05] and Windows [06] users can also find detailed firmware download instructions for their operating systems.

If you can’t find a new firmware version on Fuji’s firmware update page, there’s a good chance that your web browser is still caching an older version of this page. In this case, either delete your browser cache or force your browser to reload the webpage from the server.

Make sure that your computer doesn’t change the name of firmware files you download due to naming conflicts caused by previous firmware versions that are still residing in your download folder. The correct file name of the camera firmware for your X-T20 is always FWUP0013. DAT.

Make sure your battery is fully charged when updating your firmware.

Always copy new firmware