FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO2500)
Last week we visited Munich to watch an Adele concert. Before the concert we went sightseeing. Here is what we visited.
The Münchner Residenz. It is the biggest castle within city limits in Germany with 40.000m2 of space. A very fancy home of the past is now an important museums with 150 rooms. It sounds impressive but then I compared that to the Hofburg (the castle within the city limits of Vienna): 300.000m2 and 2.600 rooms. Emperor beats king.
But back to the Münchner Residenz. Yes it is much smaller but there is still a ton to see so you better get here early to beat the crowd.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO5000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250)
We were there when it opened at 10am and there was already a queue. And there was a large group of Chinese that entered right before us. That’s why we decided to start with the treasury before we proceeded to the castle. Right from the start it was clear why this place is so popular. There are a lot of rooms with true Instagram potential. The most important thing today. Above room was empty only because you could not enter it. It was just the last room in this wing of the castle. An impressive room where they used to store the China.
Another spectacular room after the ancestor gallery followed by a room where all the decor was made of seashells. But I think the next room is the reason why most are visiting: The Antiquarium, a 66 meter long room that just looks spectacular. Of course it’s Kitsch of the highest order but it’s so over the top that it is truly amazing.
This is the Instagram hotspot of the building and selfies and group shots were taken everywhere. People lined up to get their portrait taken which I found out only after I had taken my images from this vantage point. The room is truly impressive and even the crowds can’t spoil it.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO320)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1600)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO800)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/3.2, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250)
I just love to shoot castles, cathedrals or temples. Before digital cameras it was hard to do especially as tripods are not allowed for obvious reasons but now it’s a piece of cake. I didn’t even bring my new Nikon Z8 to Munich but opted for my trusty Fuji X-Pro2. A camera that I bought more than 8 years ago but it is still perfectly good to take those images. The Nikon Z8 would have been slightly better at high ISO values and the stabilised sensor would have helped to shoot at lower ISO values. And of course more details because of its 45 MP sensor.
But in the real world the difference is small especially if the images are used on this blog. The Nikon Z 20/1.8 S is a fantastic lens but so is my Fuji XF 14/2.8 R. The main difference is that I have a small camera around my neck instead of a boat anchor. And that’s why I brought the Fuji instead of my new Nikon gear. No camera is allowed at the concert of Adele in the evening so there was no reason to bring the big gear.
There is no question that I will take the Nikon on my next big vacation but for smaller events and short trips it will always be the Fuji. I have to admit that the Fuji X-Pro2 feels a little different now though. I got used to shoot Fuji. I shot nothing else for over 8 years. It’s a small, light and elegant package if used with smaller primes but of course there are some drawbacks. It’s amazing how fast we get used to something better. The Fuji makes noises. The XF 14/2.8 R is far from silent when focusing. Something that has not bothered me at all in the past but now it feels somehow strange. Even the shutter, which is rather subtle, feels kind of clunky now. It’s a strange new world: the big DSLR like camera is totally silent, the Fuji that looks like a range finder camera makes noise. Eventually I got used to it again and on the second day it already felt as good as it did before.
Guess now I need to get used to my big silent friend again.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO2500)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/3.2, 1/60 sec, ISO2500)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO3200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
When I started the tour I listened to the audio guide but I stopped after a couple of minutes. I simply can’t focus on two things. I either listen to the audio guide or I take images. For me that’s an easy choice. I will not be able to remember anything from the audio guide after a couple of days so what’s the point. I rather soak in the opulence of the castle and take as many images as possible.
Meanwhile it has become extremely busy and the only reason why there are no people in my images is because of the rope that cuts off access to the room. I guess otherwise bloggers would take images lying on those sofas and beds.
It’s funny but I never considered Munich to be a tourist hotspot so I was shocked to see so many tourists in the inner city and at the most important sights. But I have to admit that the city is really nice and attractive with tons of restaurants and bars. I used to come here often when I worked for a company which had their headquarter in Munich but I didn’t realise how nice Munich is back then. So either the city or I have changed. I guess we both changed.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/3.2, 1/60 sec, ISO3200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (23mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO640)
In this blog post I mentioned that the noisiness (in regards to sound) of my Fuji gear surprised me but there was one other thing I immediately realised. Fuji’s auto-white balance is still superior to Nikon. Nikon has improved a lot and the Z8 is really good but Fuji is on another level. It’s easy to get used to a good thing and you only realise how good it was when you change. The Nikon Z8 colours are great out of the box but sometimes WB is off and needs to be corrected in post processing. With Fuji that’s never the case. No idea how they do it but it really saves a lot of time.
My iPhone is the same but the images lack depth and I just don’t enjoy the picture taking process with my phone. So I will remain one of the dinosaurs lugging around a real camera when sightseeing.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (23mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)
The revisit of my Fuji X-Pro2 after shooting with the Nikon Z8 was very interesting. Obviously the biggest difference is size and weight. Size aside the Nikon Z8 has many advantages but the Fuji X-Pro2 is not far off regarding real world results. Its image quality is great too and auto-white balance is superior. There was no need to adjust the white balance on any of the images of this blog post. So if travel photography is your main area the Fuji X system remains are very good choice if not the best.
And last but not least: Visit the Residenz in Munich. It is definitely worth it. Just make sure that you come here just before 10am to beat the crowds.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/550 sec, ISO200)