Tests of the Fujifilm X-T3 camera body with Fujinon MK 18-55mm and MK 50-135mm zoom lenses

By Stéphane Cami, AFC
Fujifilm allowed AFC to test out its new Fujifilm X-T3 camera body with two new Fujinon MK 18-55mm T:2.9 and Fujinon MK 50-135mm T:2.9 zoom lenses. Eric Guichard, AFC, Maryline Touret (assistant camera), Léa Charnier (intern), and I tested out the video capacities of this camera body. Panavision supplied the accessories we needed for the tests.

The ergonomics of the Fujifilm X-T3 are immediately noticeable, the main controls are directly accessible by dials, like on film cameras. The menus are intuitive and when we leave a page in the menu, we return to that same page when we reactivate it, which we discover is very useful. Many settings can be programmed to be accessed by a simple button (e.g. peaking, zebra). The touchscreen allowed us to access the histogram on the level of the horizon by a simple finger swipe, and by a simple tap on the screen, we could zoom in on the image to check the focus.
The possibility of saving the image in F-Llog/4 K/10 bits 4:2:0 on an SD card or in 10 bits 4:2:2 via the HDMI port ensures good dynamics and sampling of the image in H265 Codec. The data transfer rate can reach up to 400 Mbps. The speed at which images can be saved enables shooting up to 60p in 4K and 120p in Full HD. The APS-C format sensor has a sensitivity of 640 ISO to 12,800 ISO in video mode.

During our tests, noise began to noticeably increase from 1,600 ISO without activating the camera’s noise reducer. This choice would probably be made in postproduction.
Slow-motion up to 120p in Full HD, tested on cascading water, are very fluid and flawless. In 25p at 1/50, we didn’t note any “rolling shutter” effect.
The two Fujinon zoom lenses (X mount) are lightweight and have a good definition. The zoom lenses, manufactured for film shoots, are equipped with notched rings that can be hooked up to a motor. The focus ring rotation is 200°. We didn’t notice any loss of focus during zoom movements. The back focus can be calibrated by simply rotating a ring at the back of the lens.
We were disappointed not to be able to view a format other than 16/9 in the viewfinder, and we hope that a firmware update will soon offer the possibility of showing other formats (1.85:1, 2:1, Scope).

The images were colour timed by Dan Cohen of Grade, and they allowed us to take full stock of the definition and colorimetric rendering of both the locations and skin tones. The quality is comparable to images shot with “classic” cameras. The Fujifilm X-T3 can take its place on our sets as a lightweight second camera or on shoots using small equipment. A presentation of our tests is going to take place at Cannes at the CST stand. We will soon publish these tests online on the AFC’s website.

  • Watch the full test and comments by Stéphane Cami.

(Translated from the French by A. Baron-Raiffe)