On the road with the FUJIFILM X-T50
Posted on Oct 6, 2024
Join travel and lifestyle photographer Tun Shin Chang as he explores the historic streets of Durham, taking the FUJIFILM X-T50 for a spin
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“I’ve always had a passion for photography, ever since I was young,” begins Tun Shin Chang, a UK-based photographer specialising in travel and lifestyle images. “When we went on family holidays, I was the person taking charge of the camera and creating all the pictures for the trip.
“I bought my own camera around the age of 20 – an SLR – and since then, I’ve always been making photos whenever I get the opportunity.”
FUJIFILM X-T50
Fujifilm reached out to Chang to get his thoughts on the FUJIFILM X-T50, which he brought along on a recent trip to Durham – the idea being that the extremely lightweight 438g body would complement his repertoire of travel photography.
“If you’re on the road from morning to evening, or walking around a city, you want something light, convenient and easy to carry,” notes Chang. “When you want to photograph people, a camera of this size is much less intrusive as well.
“If you take the lens off and just hold the body, you can feel how lightweight it is. I was wearing a pouch and could slip it in there to carry because it’s so thin and light – it’s just less hassle. You really can use it for any occasion because of the high specs.”
Indeed, decked out with the latest 40-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor and X-Processor 5, the X-T50 can photograph with the same level of quality and accuracy as professional X Series cameras like the FUJIFILM X-T5, X-H2 and X100VI.
“The details you can retain are extremely crisp,” Chang remarks. “I was standing on a bridge in Durham, photographing a patch of summer foliage and trying to find all the different shades of green.
“I made one image and, when I zoomed into it, I could get right into looking at a single leaf – it was still incredibly clear. The shutter speed is also so fast, I can depict movement quickly. With the pairing of these two elements – you have sharp photos.”
Chang has always been drawn to Fujifilm cameras for their handling, and the X-T50 continues the trend. Its top-plate hosts tactile dials for quickly adjusting shutter speed and exposure compensation, while the handgrip has been remodelled for improved ergonomics.
“I like how simple the dials are and how easy the camera is to hold,” Chang enthuses. “Everything is there on the camera and easy to access – not hidden in menus – so you get used to making adjustments quickly.”
The X-T50 is also the first Fujifilm camera to feature the Film Simulation dial, allowing users to rapidly switch between unique looks based on analogue film stocks.
“I found there are some that I really like, depending on the light and environment,” recalls Chang. “I’m drawn to Classic Chrome in particular; it fits my style very well. I also like Velvia – when I’m working in green areas, it makes leaves and grass appear much more vivid.”
In addition to the default profiles, users can assign custom Film Simulations to the dial, fine-tuning unique aesthetics that can be accessed with ease. “Then, there’s less editing work as the base filter is already there,” points out Chang.
Completing the package are vast options for connectivity, boasting native Frame.io Camera to Cloud functionality plus slick Bluetooth integration with the FUJIFILM XApp.
“The app is easy to pair with,” describes Chang. “If I want to create a picture of myself while travelling alone, I can simply set up the camera and look at the scene through my phone. You can easily see what you need to make adjustments to, how the lighting looks or if you need to change your pose.”
With the FUJIFILM XApp also providing a quick and simple way to transfer photos from camera to phone, the X-T50 has brought Chang full circle, back to the playful style of photography that drew him to the art form in the first place.
“I started an Instagram account around 12 years ago,” he recalls. “I wanted to find a platform to showcase my photos – and my friend told me about this app where you make a picture, apply a filter and upload the photo straight away, sharing it with the world. Back in those days, uploading pictures was a lengthy process compared to what we’re used to now.
“I started posting pictures online, following people, and discovered a world of photography. Then, as my pictures started getting traction, people began to follow me. When I reached a certain number of followers, PR organisations and brands started to approach me about collaborations.”
From there, Chang carved out a niche photographing restaurants, hotels and more. “It’s a wide range,” he explains. “Travel, food, interiors and lifestyle. But when you think about it, it’s all travel. You travel to a place, stay at the hotel, go out to eat and so on.”
Across these subjects, Chang began to establish a distinctive style.
“I always endeavour to find my own angle – I don’t want to do something obvious. For example, if I go to London, I don’t want to just photograph Big Ben. I want to think, ‘What does London mean to me? How do I feel about this place?’
“I want to tell a story and romanticise my pictures with warm tones and darker palettes. I want people to feel the pictures.”
Equipped with a high-spec camera that easily fits in a jacket pocket – with which he can quickly trial filters before transferring images for upload in the blink of an eye – the FUJIFILM X-T50 makes photography seriously fun, effortlessly creative and beautifully uncomplicated.
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This feature was first published in Issue 117 of Photography News.
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