Photography and gear reviews focused on the experience, design esthetics, and usability. I love Fujifilm cameras for the colors, film simulations, smaller footprint, and customization options. It inspires me to be more creative in all my endeavors.
About me: As a former User Experience designer, I love technology, gear, and photography. While I am not a professional photographer, I've used cameras for the past 20 years. I started with a point-and-shoot film camera and then a digital Sony camera, then on to Canon, and now using Fujifilm. I'm a Texas A&M Aggie with a degree in Horticulture! That’s for my other channel.
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Years ago, I had decided to subscribe to Dropbox (3 Tb Plan) as an offsite backup to allow me to work on my content wherever I was. Since Adobe only allows catalogs on internal, or external drives, I relocated everything to my D:\Dropbox folder and went about my work. Six months later, my D:\ drive failed. After 1 hour of panic, I realized all my photos were on Dropbox. Installing a new drive and restoring everything from the cloud was easy (it took two Martinis to fully restore equilibrium. Now, I have an 8Tb Western Digital external that is USB-C connected for real-time storage and a dual disk NAS where I image the photo drive 3x/week using Acronis Cyber Protect and Dropbox. Whatever this strategy costs, it is far less expensive than losing all my collected works.
No USB-connected device, even SSD, is reliable for long-term storage of critical data. I cannot tell you how many Photographers I know that have lost everything because of a removable drive failure.
Time Machine sounds terribly unreliable. Why not just use rsync or deduplicated apfs snapshots locally and gzip the disk image directly over the network? Apfs is a bootleg fork of zfs iirc, so it should have some util for making snapshots. Or, zfs and snapshot versioning on the nas for rsync backup. I wouldn't trust anything that forces you through proprietary blackbox software to save and restore data, as it's just adding more steps, which is more steps that can go wrong.
Here's another thing to consider... You mentioned incidents like a fire. Will you be able to access your off-site backups and all your accounts if your phone also gets destroyed ?
It would take a little bit of time, but I definitely would be able to. I would just get another iphone and then restore my data from iCloud. From there, I could get another computer and have a drive sent to me from Backblaze.
Great video! Just wanted to mention that you don't have to pay for good backup software. There is a great open source tool called "KopiaUI". It also has a tutorial by "Jarek Kowalski" on how to use it
So, i just got a digital camera to make videos with better quality as my phone camera is not that good. Will a capture card allow me to use my laptop as a monitor when my digital camera is connected through a capture card? Thank you for the video
I am able to connect my camera to my computer via the capture card and I used QuickTime to View and record the feed. I’m on a Mac. I have no idea if that would work on PC. Thanks for watching.
@@JackieDElia thank you for replying so fast 😊 I think I will have to use OBS as I use Windows. Thank you for clarifying this to me. I'm glad I found your video as you explained it simple but I'm new to all this and I was a bit confused. Keep up the good work!
nice video and channel. I'm strongly considering buying the x-s20, primarily for filming pickleball tournaments, hoping autofocus will be good enough in video mode. I believe I heard that x-s20 had gotten a firmware update months ago to give a touch-tracking feature. Have you tried that? I'm very curious real-world if it's good for video. I'd love to be able to somewhat reliably click lcd screen on a moving player and have autofocus follow that player. doesn't have to be perfect, but hopefully at least somewhat reliable. thoughts?
I have not tried the touch tracking yet. I mainly using the X-S20 for my in studio RU-vid videos. To be honest what I’ve heard from others so far here on RU-vid is the tracking is not up to par yet, even with latest updates. It’s not Fuji’s strong suit.
@@JackieDElia appreciated. one last question for now... how much better do you find x-s20 video autofocus in general over the x-t3(which I have). x-t3 doesn't have ibis, battery not great, and overheats too quickly, these are reasons I'm heavily considering the x-s20, and if autofocus is considerably faster and more reliable, that'll help me choose x-s20
I actually really like the X-S20. Love the battery! I’ve had the X-T3 and think the X-S20 is better with focus. I’ve taken it out for a photo walk with my 23 mm lens LM 1.4 and it was very quick focusing. I use single point focus though so bear that in mind.
I bit the bullet on the M4 after this video. I need it to remote into my work server. I'm using Splashtop and the nano display is fantastic. Replaced a 1st Gen M1 (Gen 5?).
i am planning a holiday in tanzania and Zanzibar in september. i need reliable autofocus by then. if Fuji doesn't give us a fix til then, i will also downgrade my firmware. what good is reala ace if the fotos are put of focus? shame on fuji, its just frustrating and tiring. again and again.
It’s funny how quirky us humans can be. I upgraded to the Air because of new camera placement, new pencil, AND because I wasn’t forced by Apple to buy a new keyboard. The icing was that I wasn’t also forced to have to use Face ID 😂😂😂. I now rarely use MacBook. This iPad Air is now my work and personal partner. Great video. New sub.
Hi .. Thanks for your review.. I cant seem to find anyone that talks about the guideline options I'd like to shoot widescreen 16:9)on my camera but have portrait guidelines lines 9:16 over my horizontal content on the monitor .. So i can possibly reuse content if I decide . Does it have that option? Thanks
I do see the option when you are viewing 16:9 from the camera to add vertical 9:16 lines. I think that would be helpful if you’re trying to center yourself for later reusing vertically. I hope that answers your question.
i don’t believe you can use CamX with the iPhone. I don’t have a way to test that as my iPhone 13 Pro does not have a USB port. I can hook up my iPhone to my iPad and use the CamX on the iPad to Capture video from the iPhone. I have a Lightning to HDMI adapter that I plug into the iPhone.
Just replaced my 2017 Gen 2 iPP 12.9 with an Gen 5 M1 iPP. The Gen 2 cost nearly half the money than the Gen 3 in 2019 and the Gen5 cost nearly half the money of the M4. For me the M1 iPP is a much bigger upgrade to the Gen 2 than the step from M1 to M4. The extra $1000 is simply not worth it….
Hello . Thanks a lot for your videos. I have that Laowa 65 and it's hard to use. I think it's good for ultra macro with more tubes and a focus rail, for bee 🐝 s eyes etc. so o ordered the 80mm from e infinity I buy lots from them. 800€ it didn't arrived yet. ALSO I ISE CAPTURE ONE I think you did not noticed buy C1 as a focus mask button that shows you exactly the focus peaking in camera 😅you can had the shortcut on top right where you have the tools exp. warning ,grid etc. Just right click THERE. hugs 🤗
For 3D modeling I use Blender (open source) now because Autodesk Maya and Zbrush both are subscription only now. For 2D art I use Clip Studio Paint EX (the first one) and for seamless textures I use Krita (open source) because no other drawing program has the wraparound mode. I refuse to use subscription models because i dislike rent seeking behaviour and the costs are way higher than with software you actually get to own. (Then again I am the kind of person who also buys their phones contract free at full price because thats cheaper in the long run)
I think the issue with subscriptions is something the owner of BlackMagicDesign mentioned: if you don't pay you don't have access to your work - hence they have the free Resolve version. With Affinity suite I have absolutely now objection for paying for the software (as I have) and not get new features (bug fixes yes please) until V3. Then maybe have the option of a small subscription to get the newest features - which from a business point of view makes little sense cause new features only become required if the lack of them prevents you from doing a job, or, the lack of them is costing you more time than necessary by simply getting the new feature (like going digital because your turn around times are faster as a journalist). Maybe, like Resolve, Canva might introduce a subscription model that offers additional benefits to Affinity users, like for example, some A.I. time saving features, or ability to sync across multiple instances for when multiple creatives need to work on a project at the same time (Resolve offers the subscription model specifically for this - shooting a movie, get 100 licenses for two month, or 9 months and as parts of post-production completes, a seat is removed and costs reduced and no need to try and manage licenses).
I’m planning on getting the 13” M4 iPad Pro. I currently have an iPad Air. It’s about 3 years old. My nephews want to get a RU-vid channel and they keep using my current tablet so I thinking the pro will allow me to give my current tablet to them while I keep the new one for myself and it’ll help me get them on RU-vid. I can use it to edit their videos it plays current AAA games. I also keep telling myself I want to get into art. Learn how to draw, paint. The extra real estate will come in handy for that. I had no idea it did a Face ID so that’s news to me. The point to my rambling is to thank you for the Face ID information.
I don't think so necessarily. I'm thinking on the knowledge that developers know many people dislike subscriptions, they may make it so that only the AI components need a subscription, but the rest of program could work without it, so this would be a good balance for both parties -- those who want the AI can pay extra for it, and those who don't, can avoid it (it would be disabled then and they just don't pay the fee). I think this is somewhat how Luminar works. It has AI functions but some of them require the subscription plan. I believe Adobe's is also the same but it's somewhat included with your existing subscription (things like generative fill that is) so Adobe is probably not a good example though). However, we do need to clarify that perpetual and subscription just determines how you pay for the software. It's not a guarantee for life, as some developers have terminated their license agreements with customers after a period of time (when products become obsolete for example) and you never own the software you are paying for.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree there is no real forever license. At some point, all software becomes obsolete. I mentioned that in my video. And regardless what you choose, there is a monthly cost for software no matter how you look at it.
I value perpetual licenses especially when they offer discounted upgrade costs for existing customer. I don't mind paying every few years if its a worthy upgrade. Screw subscriptions!!
I am using the affinity series, for 7 years now, back when you could still buy adobe programs (or at least the old versions were on sale without the creative cloud stuff) my main reason wasn't even about the subscription, just because I liked the optimization of affinity products over adobe resource intense and "heavy" way of working. I think you raised a great point in companies getting lazy with their updates, since you can't switch easily without serious effort in learning a completely different workflow. I like the idea of a company having to "sell" me on the newest creations or updates. when affinity 2 came out I bought it on day 1 because i felt like my expectations were met. but its my choice to do so, so they can't be lazy and take my money anyways. paid updates is something I support 100%, but renting to use seems unreasonable to me.
Perpetual always, even if that is perpetual license is not lifetime updated. That's why, as an amateur, I'm going for Photomator or InShoot & LumaFusion instead of Capture One/Lightroom or CapCut. And Topaz Photo AI, that I love it.
I purchased TWO Viltrox DC-550s (NOT the PRO version) from B&H! I love the form factor, great sun hood, amazing BRIGHT image! However, I may have to return both due to ZERO customer support from Viltrox! Firmware updates are nowhere to be found and all contact with VILTROX is in Chinese! I failed to research this aspect online before ordering!
One thing i like though i don’t use much is there key boards because they have a charging port,this IPad Pro I’m on now wouldn’t work were it not for me getting the Magic Keyboard,the charging port on my i pad got so plugged up with lint it stopped working even apple couldn’t get it to work, if i get the new 13 inch I’m going to plug the charging port( rubber port covers on Amazon ) and just use the key board port though i know 300 is a lot for a key board, cheaper to get a new apple keyboard then replace a whole ipad👍
Great video and explanation Jackie. I have the m2 iPad pro and love it but I cracked the screen (it still works perfectly) but unfortunately I don't have apple care. Oh well. I recently picked up the m3 max 16 inch MBP, my first Mac. Love that computer so far and yes I made sure to put apple care on it. I hope to have the computer for at least 5 years. I've owned my m2 ipad pro since Oct 2022 so it's almost 2 years old and I hope to go at least another 3 or 4 years on it.
I just got my IPad Pro M4 and my very first Magic Keyboard, I was amazed about how well the trackpad and keyboard worked vs my previous blue tooth keyboards, it is expensive but it is a whole new experience just like my MacBook.
Interesting I must say. You started having issues with your iPad about 6 weeks ago. Mmmmmm. Isn’t that just around the time Apple announced their new iPad Pro M4 and Airs M2’s? How convenient for Apple. I’ll add that I had both the new Air M2 and Pro M4. My time with both I can say the Air noticeably more buggy than the Pro. The Pro was NOT necessarily fast than the Air, just less buggy. This was the same for the older vs newer Magic Keyboard. Mmmmmmm!
I loved your articulate, very humorous at times review. I’m trading in my M1 IPad Pro for the new M4. I’m very much looking forward to that OLED screen, lighter and thinner. I doubt it will be much faster, but hey, take my money. 😅 Cheers.🥂
One thing I used to troubleshoot was to connect my camera to the Capture card into my computer to see if I was able to receive the HDMI signal. I’m on a Mac so I used QuickTime. That will at least let you know if the HDMI output is working on your camera.
@@JackieDElia Thank you for taking the time to respond Jackie. I have my Nikon D810 connected to the capture card and the USBc port on my iMac running Sonoma 14.5. When I open quick time player The only recording I can do is with the iMac camera. When I connect to my iPad Air I will see a little cable icon on the top right part of the screen but it shuts off after about 3 seconds Thanks for any ideas, Greg
@@nopriors it sounds like either the Capture card is defective or your camera is not outputting an HDMI signal. I don’t have an icon camera, so I’m not sure what settings are required to enable the output. I do know when I was troubleshooting my issues with the iPad when I did connect it to the computer instead, I was able to select the input from the camera with the capture card attached. That way I knew the Capture card was working properly. I don’t have any other suggestions, but hopefully someone else will be able to answer here in the comments.
@@JackieDElia Thank you Jackie. I have tethered the camera to my MacBook Pro with HDMI using Lightroom. The fact that the little icon on the upper right screen in CamX app shows up but then goes away may mean the capture card is suspect. What's really weird is the camera will just take a photo for no reason at all. Oh well I love trying to figure this stuff out. I didn't buy the same brand capture card you did so maybe I'll do that and see if it helps. If it does I'll send the one I got back . Take care
Enjoyed the video. I was really interested in the Zugu case vs ESR. I just bought a M$ Pro 11". The ESR has some pluses but I've read of issue with auto wake/sleep. Still, your review was honest and I've decided to give it a try and canceled the Zugu order. It wa going to take a week to arrive anyway.
Thanks for watching. I hadn’t heard about an auto wake/sleep issue. What exactly was the problem? I haven’t experienced any issues with the ESR case so far other than things I mentioned in my video.
@@JackieDElia Some reviews say it didn't work or was inconsistent. Each also said ESRs customer service was excellent and did resolve the issues with refunds and/or replacement and in some cases, both! One tip I read was to put post-it notes in the lower right corner (I think it was) of the case to push up the iPad's corner a fraction. Others said you push harder on the cover - but not too hard.
i upgraded from 2020 to 2024pro 11 , the display plus other hardware upgrade left me no way out but to buy this , display alone worths it,, true review thnx
updating with the reddit file doesn't work for me either. It's a shame since the monitor itself seems really well thought, but the product support... what the hell is wrong with them?
Of all the M4 presentations I have viewed on RU-vid this month, especially the most well known and well subscribed, I thought this one was more valuable to the casual viewer normally overwhelmed by the posts oriented to the professionals. You well point out that the background and skills of the user is important to the buying decision. For example, Chef Ramsey, while a serious microwave critic, can nonetheless get more out of a simple microwave than the regular housewife. May I suggest that the ESR case that has the risk, when folded, may introduce contaminants to thee M4 screen that ESR makes a magnetic removable reusable display protector that eliminates that risk. Also, one can still buy the old separate Apple Bluetooth keyboard as well as the recent one adding the Apple Bluetooth mouse as a far less expensive solution that the new Magic Keyboard/trackpad. Being a lawyer I use the M4, and previous iPads, as a means of court filings of documents in PDF format that I have made interactive by programming them in JavaScript. I can be at the beach with my documents and can do everything I can do in the office. For my private flying hobby the M4 displays in beautiful colors the Navigational charts for the low and high altitude maps not to mention the official approach charts. One can annotate them with the pencil. The magnetic back is golden. Lots of uses for this beast limited only by the imagination and skill set of the user.. Well done, Jackie.
Thank you very much for the kind words and suggestions. The iPad is truly an amazing device. JavaScrip is my old friend. I’ve written a lot of JS in my life. Cheers!
You're an amazing video presenter, very enjoyable to listen to. Very practical, articulate and thoughtful perspective on an iPad review/overview. Thanks for the video. I was wondering about the new M4 chip and about how it would be in the context of the new iPads. That case looks really cool with the different viewing angles of the stand built into the case. Very convenient. Please don't stop making content - I have no doubt you will be very successful with this channel. Apparently there's a widespread convincing rumor that Apple will put OLED displays into their MacBooks in 2026. I think the M6 will be out then! I can't wait for that. Until then, I will be happy with the OLED that's in the M4 iPad!
Nice video! 👍 Just as a side note, if at some point in the future you decide you might want to include a keyboard case for your iPad Pro, may I suggest ESR’s Magnetic Keyboard Case 360. It’s a third of the price of Apple’s Magic keyboard and it functions in the same way with a few added benefits, like a flap that secures your Apple Pencil when it’s closed. It also has a protective case for the iPad as well. I have one for my M2 iPad Pro 12.9 adn it works great. Thanks for your content! 🙂
