>
14 minute read
Quick Start Guide FUJIFILM X-T30 III
Congratulations on your new FUJIFILM X-T30 III! This quick start guide introduces your camera’s features and functions to help you make the most of your photography
Contents
- Features common to all X Series cameras
- AUTO mode
- Personalising your camera
- Focusing modes
- Film Simulation dial
- Image stabilisation
- Recording video
- Connecting to your smart device
Features common to all X Series cameras
The MENU/OK button is used to access deeper levels of camera functionality beyond what is offered by function buttons, dials and switches.
Note: On the FUJIFILM X-T30 III, MENU/OK options will change whether you’re in Stills or Movie mode – this is also applicable to the Q Menu options.
- Named menu tabs are used to change imaging settings. Press left on the Focus Lever to scroll by tab (you don’t have to scroll through every function to get to the next page) and press right on the Focus Lever to access the desired feature, then MENU/OK to select.
- The wrench icon indicates SET UP and features settings including POWER MANAGEMENT, BUTTON/DIAL SETTING and SCREEN SET-UP.
- Finally, MY MENU is a customised menu that you create based on your most frequently accessed menu items. Add and rank to move them in any order you like and remove them under USER SETTING in the SET UP menu.
The Drive settings give you access to high-speed burst modes, bracketing, single frame, panoramas and more. On the X-T30 III, Drive functions are accessed using the DRIVE/DELETE button, located on the top-left of the back of the camera.
The AE-L/AF-L buttons allow you to lock exposure and autofocus in a scene, then recompose while maintaining these settings. Autoexposure lock and autofocus lock are also linked to the shutter button, but can be unlinked in MENU/OK > SET UP > BUTTON DIAL SETTINGS under SHUTTER AF and SHUTTER AE.
Pressing the DISP/BACK button allows you to select how you’d like information displayed on the LCD. You can customise the information being displayed in SET UP > SCREEN SET-UP > DISP. CUSTOM SETTING.
AUTO mode
The X-T30 III features an AUTO mode for simplified use. To access it, move the AUTO Mode Selector Lever, under the Shutter Speed dial, to the AUTO position.
In AUTO mode, the X-T30 III uses advanced scene recognition to select a full suite of camera settings including exposure and white balance. Autofocus is also enabled, with a choice between single and continuous focusing – selected using the Focus Mode Selector on the front of the camera.
Personalising your camera
Many aspects of the X-T30 III can be customised to suit your preferences, such as controls, displays and imaging modes.
Controls, swipes and dials
Customise the behaviour of the camera’s controls and touchscreen swipe gestures.
- In imaging mode, press and hold the DISP/BACK button to go straight to the FUNCTION (Fn) SETTING customisation screen.
- Scroll through the various options, scrolling right to change the default behaviour of each control or swipe.
- Those functions controlled by gestures on the touchscreen will require TOUCH FUNCTION to be enabled. To confirm that it is, press MENU/OK, go to the SET UP menu, access the BUTTON/DIAL SETTING menu, then select TOUCH SCREEN SETTING. Ensure TOUCH SCREEN SETTING and T-Fn TOUCH FUNCTION are both set to ON.
Customise the behaviour of the camera’s Front Command dial.
- Hold down the Front Command dial.
- Push right on each setting to change its behaviour.
- The dial can cycle through different functions by being pressed.
Customising LCD information
The information you see when you compose a scene can be changed so that only the data you need is shown.
- Press MENU/OK, scroll down to the SET UP menu and access SCREEN SET-UP.
- Scroll to DISP. CUSTOM SETTING.
- Scroll through and choose the items you’d like to see on the camera screen.
Customising the Q Menu
The Q Menu gives you information at a glance and quick access to camera settings. You can also change what’s on the Q Menu screen to suit your way of working.
- Hold down the Q button for a couple of seconds; the customisation screen will appear.
- Choose the menu item location you want to customise and press MENU/OK.
- Find the function you’d like to appear in this menu location and press MENU/OK.
- Repeat the above steps for each menu location you want to change. Press DISP/BACK to finish.
Focusing modes
Focus point location and size
The size of the active focusing area used by the X-T30 III can be changed in size and moved around the frame. In the camera’s Q Menu, you’ll find the AF MODE. Using the Rear Command dial, choose from Single Point (highly selective), Zone (for erratically moving subjects) and Wide/Tracking (uses the whole frame and includes Subject Detection modes).
The AF MODE can also be set to ALL. This allows you to scroll through all modes while changing the position of the active focusing area as described below.
To move or change the size of the active zone:
- Press the Focus Lever to select the active point.
- Move the Focus Lever to shift the focus point/area up, down, left or right.
- Rotate the Rear Command dial to change the size of the focusing point.
- Press MENU/OK or half-press the shutter release button to confirm.
Did you know that pressing the DISP/BACK button while you’re adjusting the focus point moves it back to the centre of the frame?
Switch on Subject Detection
The X-T30 III includes several advanced Subject Detection modes. These can be activated from the Q Menu and AF/MF SETTING menu. Subject Detection can be set to ANIMAL, BIRD, AUTOMOBILE, MOTORCYCLE & BIKE, AIRPLANE or TRAIN.
To choose a mode, highlight the Subject Detection icon in the Q Menu and use the Rear Command dial to cycle through the options. Alternatively, in the AF/MF SETTING menu, choose SUBJECT DETECTION SETTING, scroll right, pick SUBJECT DETECTION ON and scroll right again to choose a specific mode. Press MENU/OK to select the mode you want.
Custom AF-C modes
The way the X-T30 III tracks and focuses on moving objects depends on the kind of focusing behaviour specified in continuous AF-C mode.
- Put the camera in AF-C mode using the Focus Mode Selector on the side of the camera.
- Press MENU/OK and go to AF/MF SETTING > AF-C CUSTOM SETTINGS, then choose from presets 1-5 based on the action you’re documenting.
- Alternatively, try setting 6 to specify your own focusing behaviour.
Making the most of manual focus
When you’re focusing manually, the X-T30 III offers all kinds of focusing aids to help you nail critical sharpness.
- Put the camera in manual focus using the Focus Mode Selector, then press MENU/OK and navigate to the AF/MF SETTING menu.
- Scroll down to MF ASSIST and choose from DIGITAL SPLIT IMAGE, DIGITAL MICROPRISM or FOCUS PEAK HIGHLIGHT. In DIGITAL SPLIT IMAGE you can specify COLOR or MONOCHROME, and in FOCUS PEAK HIGHLIGHT you can choose a colour and intensity that show up best against the subject.
- Switch on FOCUS CHECK from the AF/MF SETTING menu and the camera will enlarge a central portion of the scene when you begin to focus manually.
Switch on AF+MF from the AF/MF SETTING menu and you’ll be able to focus manually just by turning the lens focus barrel while set to AF-S or AF-C – no change of focus mode necessary.
Film Simulation dial
The X-T30 III features a Film Simulation dial, offering you quick access to your favourite in-camera looks. Simply rotate the dial to one of the six marked positions for PROVIA/Standard, Velvia/VIVID, ASTIA/SOFT, CLASSIC CHROME, REALA ACE or ACROS.
Customising the Film Simulation dial
Three more positions on the dial – FS1, FS2 and FS3 – can hold your preferred Film Simulations. To set your preferences:
- Press MENU/OK, enter the IMAGE QUALITY SETTING menu, then select FILM SIMULATION DIAL SETTING.
- Push right on one of the three slots, then select Film Simulation and select your preferred option.
- Exit the menu to confirm your selection.
In this menu, you can also set the ACROS setting on the dial to use either standard ACROS, ACROS+Ye, ACROS+R or ACROS+G.
When a Film Simulation has been selected using the dial, the camera is effectively locked into that profile and cannot be changed using any menu options.
The Film Simulation dial’s final C position – Custom – allows the camera to switch between Film Simulation modes without adjusting the Film Simulation dial. This can be done using the Q Menu, the Front Command dial or from the IMAGE QUALITY SETTING menu.
Customising Film Simulation recipes
Slots FS1-FS3 on the Film Simulation dial can also store custom Film Simulation recipes – combinations of image quality settings that help to create characterful images straight out of camera. To set up a custom recipe on the Film Simulation dial:
- Enter the IMAGE QUALITY SETTING menu, then select FILM SIMULATION DIAL SETTING.
- Pick any of the three slots, push right on FS RECIPE, then select ON.
- You will enter a menu in which you can choose your recipe settings.
Custom settings
If you want to store Film Simulation recipes using the CUSTOM SETTING slots on the X-T30 III, you can still do so. For more information, read the Film Simulation quick start guide here.
When using custom settings, keep in mind that the camera will prioritise using the Film Simulation and recipe settings dictated by the Film Simulation dial. Setting the Film Simulation dial to C allows the camera to freely change all settings to those stored in your custom setting slots.
Image stabilisation
Lenses such as the FUJINON XC13-33mmF3.5-6.3 OIS feature Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), which helps keep still images sharp and video clips smooth when working handheld.
With an OIS-enabled lens equipped, in STILL IMAGE mode, stabilisation can be set to on all the time (CONTINUOUS), only active when an exposure is made (SHOOTING ONLY) or off entirely (OFF).
- Press MENU/OK and navigate to the SHOOTING SETTING menu.
- Select IS MODE and scroll right to choose the option you require.
- Press MENU/OK to confirm your selection.
In the MOVIE SETTING menu, IS MODE can be set to Optical Image Stabilisation only (OIS), Optical Image Stabilisation with added digital image stabilisation (OIS+DIS) or off entirely (OFF).
There is a further IS MODE BOOST setting, which should be chosen based on video recording style. Turn this setting OFF when recording with panning, tilting or other movements. Turn it ON to increase the effectiveness of the IS system when recording a static handheld frame.
Recording video
Picking the right settings
Press DRIVE/DELETE and select MOVIE, then press MENU/OK to access the Movie menu. Now, choose resolution and frame rate settings. You’ll find these options in the MOVIE SETTING > MOVIE MODE menu.
- 2K resolution offers the highest quality on the X-T30 III.
- 4K resolution offers a good balance between quality and storage size.
- FHD (1080p) resolution is great for web and other lower-resolution playback uses.
- In FHD, you can also access a 240p frame rate for slow motion. Choose HIGH SPEED REC within the MOVIE SETTING menu.
- 24p, 25p or 29.97p frame rates are fine for most normal applications. 24p is often favoured by creative filmmakers for its cinematic look and feel.
- 94p and 50p document motion more smoothly. Plus, when played back at normal speeds (29.97fps or 25fps), this can deliver a modest slow-motion effect.
Did you know that 25p and 50p frame rates are best for European countries, while 29.97p and 59.94p are more suited to the US? This is because of the different frequencies of mains electricity in these territories, which can cause lights to flicker at 50Hz or 60Hz, respectively.
Exposure settings for cinematic video
Here’s a group of standard settings you can use in manual (M) exposure mode that will create great-looking, cinematic-style video.
- Choose a frame rate – 24fps is a standard used in the movie industry and has a top-end look and feel.
- Select a shutter speed that is roughly half the frame rate you’re using, so each frame is exposed for 50% of the time. For example, if you’re recording at 24fps, pick a shutter speed of 1/48 sec or 1/50 sec.
- Select the aperture you need for the required depth-of-field.
- Adjust the camera’s ISO sensitivity to get the correct exposure.
Continuous focusing with video
Switch to AF-C using the Focus Mode Selector and the X-T30 III will adjust focusing as you film, tracking people or subjects around the frame if Face Detection or Subject Detection are switched on. You can turn either function on from the AF/MF SETTING menu. (You can also assign this to the Q Menu.)
Choose from three focus areas: MULTI, which uses the whole frame and focuses on the closest object to the camera; AREA, which lets you be more selective; and WIDE/TRACKING, which lets you lock onto a subject and track it through the whole frame. Find this in MOVIE SETTING > MOVIE AF MODE.
Connecting to your smart device
The X-T30 III can communicate wirelessly with your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you can transfer pictures to your device where they can be edited and shared with friends and followers online. You can also use your smart device to work remotely, controlling the camera via a remote live view, and even view a record of your experiences.
*Images are for illustrative purposes. FUJIFILM XApp functionality remains consistent regardless of the X Series or GFX System camera connected.
Linking to the camera for the first time
- Install the free FUJIFILM XApp on your iOS or Android device.
- Open XApp and select ‘Pairing a new camera’, then follow the initial instructions on the screen.
- Please wait until pairing is completed.
- Within XApp, tap Register.
Transferring images to your device
- Open XApp and select Image Acquisition/Photography.
- Tap the small circle in the top-left corner of each image you wish to transfer. A green check mark will appear in each.
- With all your desired images selected, tap ‘Transfer the selected image’. The process will automatically proceed.
Remote control
- Open XApp, tap the Image Acquisition/Photography icon, then select the camera icon at the top of XApp’s display.
- Your smart device replaces the camera’s LCD. You’ll see a view that emulates the camera display, including a live image.
- Tap the image to change your focal point. Select S.S., F and ISO icons to adjust exposure settings. Press the Film Simulation or WB icons to control the in-camera look. You can release the shutter by pressing the circular button at the bottom of the screen.
