3 Years of Wedding Photography with Fuji XT4 & XT3 + Lenses: Why It’s Been a Game-Changer

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Why I Switched to Fuji XT4 & XT3

  3. 9 Reasons Fuji is Perfect for Wedding Photography

    • 3.1 Lighter Gear

    • 3.2 Ease of Use (Controls)

    • 3.3 Image Quality

    • 3.4 Silent Operation

    • 3.5 Timeless Style

    • 3.6 Fuji Lenses

    • 3.7 Third-Party Lenses

    • 3.8 Ultra-Wide and Manual Lenses

    • 3.9 LCD Screen and Battery Life

  4. Conclusion

  5. Extras: Quick FAQs

    • Has the battery ever failed?

    • Has the card ever failed?

    • Has the camera ever failed?

    • Does it overheat?

1.Introduction

Hey there, lovely couples and photography enthusiasts! I’m RJ, a Melbourne-based wedding photographer with over a decade of experience capturing candid, poetic, and cinematic moments. I specialize in intimate weddings and love telling love stories through my lens. Three years ago, just after the pandemic, I made the switch from my trusty Canon gear to the Fuji mirrorless system, and today, I’m sharing-

2.Why I Switched to Fuji XT4 & XT3

Whether you’re a fellow photographer considering the switch or a couple curious about the gear behind your wedding photos, this post is for you. Let’s dive in!

3. 9 reasons why this move has been nothing short of incredible.

3.1 Lighter Gear

The Fuji XT3 and XT4 are half the weight of most professional full-frame systems like Canon or Nikon. As a wedding photographer, this is a game-changer. Carrying lighter gear means less fatigue during long wedding days, allowing me to focus on capturing those precious moments without worrying about sore shoulders or wrists.

3.2 Ease of Use (Controls)

Fuji cameras are designed with photographers in mind. They come with more control buttons than any other brand, meaning I don’t have to constantly dive into menus or fiddle with the LCD screen. Dedicated buttons for shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, white balance, and focus make adjustments quick and seamless. Plus, you can customize spare buttons based on your preferences. How cool is that?

3.3 Image Quality

The image quality from Fuji cameras is on par with Canon and Nikon, and in some ways, even better. The color rendition is stunning—rich, natural, and cinematic. Every image on my website is shot with the Fuji XT3 or XT4. Despite having a smaller sensor, there’s no compromise on quality. I shoot in RAW on the primary card and high-res JPEGs on the secondary card for added reliability.

3.4 Silent Operation

The silent shutters on Fuji cameras are a blessing for wedding photography. They’re so unobtrusive that I can capture candid, in-between moments without drawing attention. This is especially helpful during ceremonies or intimate moments when the couple wants to stay in the moment, not distracted by the sound of a shutter.

3.5 Timeless Style

Fuji cameras are designed to resemble their classic film cameras, and they’re a hit with clients and fellow photographers. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been complimented on my gear—people often mistake it for a film camera! The lenses even have aperture rings, adding to that old-school charm.

3.6 Fuji Lenses

My go-to lenses are the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 and 23mm f/1.4. The 35mm has been my workhorse for over 15 years—it’s lightweight, sharp, and creates a divine bokeh at f/1.4. The 23mm stays on one of my cameras all day, capturing over 60% of the wedding shots. Both lenses deliver incredible colors and perform flawlessly in various lighting conditions.

3.7 Third-Party Lenses

I also use Sigma 16mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4 lenses, which are fantastic additions to my kit. The 16mm is perfect for dance floor shots and interior getting-ready photos, while the 50mm is my go-to for bridal portraits. The sharpness and clarity of these lenses are unmatched.

3.8 Ultra-Wide and Manual Lenses

I recently added the TTArtisan 10mm f/2 manual lens to my collection, and it’s magical. Fuji’s focus peaking system makes manual focusing a breeze. This lens is perfect for wide landscapes, architecture, and creating cinematic, larger-than-life shots. While manual lenses aren’t ideal for fast-paced wedding moments, they’re great for engagement sessions or portrait shoots where you have more time to compose.

3.9 LCD Screen and Battery Life

The articulating LCD screen on the XT4 is a lifesaver for creative angles, especially when shooting from above or below. As for battery life, I carry 3 batteries for the XT4 and 4 for the XT3, which easily lasts me 8-10 hours. I also keep a 5000mAh battery pack as a backup, though I’ve never needed it.

4. Conclusion

Switching to the Fuji XT3 and XT4 has been one of the best decisions I’ve made as a wedding photographer. The system is lightweight, powerful, and stylish, with no compromise on image quality. It’s even outperformed my previous Canon 5D Mark IV in terms of ease of use and reliability. If you’re considering the switch, I highly recommend it!

5. Extras: Quick FAQs

  • Has the battery ever failed? Nope, never.

  • Has the card ever failed? Nope, never.

  • Has the camera ever failed? The XT4 occasionally hangs but works fine after a quick restart.

  • Does it overheat? The XT4 struggles in temperatures above 30°C, but the XT3 handles heat like a champ.

ABOUT  RJ  PHOTOGRAPHY

RJ is a Melbourne based Wedding and Elopement Photographer who passionately documents love stories in the most intimate, fun and candid way. He enjoys being in nature and looking at things with wonder and new eyes each day. His photography is primarily driven by a deep sense of adventure, alchemy and being present. He aspires to capture the true essence of your intimate love story and to present it in a raw and candid manner.

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