Derrick Ong
When it comes to wedding and portraiture photography, simplicity is key to letting the moment shine through. The act of capturing such simple pure beauty and emotion so evidently requires skill and artistry.
Derrick’s meticulous approach to his craft has won him over 100 international wedding awards from ISPWP, WPJA, AGWPJA and PDN Top Knots. He has been ranked Top 20 international wedding photographer 3 times by AGWPJA for his striking and heart-warming images. Derrick is also the only Singapore wedding photographer who has been invited by Cambridge University in the United Kingdom to present a workshop twice in the campus to the Cambridge University Photography Society (PHOCUS). Derrick’s strength dwells in creative composition, framing, black and white photography, creative use of lights and shadows, and photo storytelling.
With a record of winning over 80 international awards, Derrick Ong is an award-winning member of the ISPWP, WPJA, AGWPJA and PDN Top Knots
In the Fujifilm camera lineup, the Fujifilm X-T series is my favorite and the Fujifilm X-T3 and Fujifilm X-T4 are my work horses. Over the past few years, these two cameras have gone to many places with me and have become a creative extension of my vision helping me create photographic memories at many weddings and pre-wedding for my client. And some of these images have helped me win many international awards.
X-T5 & XF56mmF1.2 R WR
It’s been two year since the launch of the Fujifilm XT4 in April 2020. When Fujifilm passed me the prototype of the Fujifilm X-T5, I was happy when I held it in my hand. First impression, it looks exactly like the Fujifilm X-T3. As a Fujifilm X-T4 user, I always prefer the size of the Fujifilm X-T3 because it’s smaller and lighter. However, I prefer the Fujifilm X-T4 NP-W235 battery as it lasts much longer than the NP-W126s. So now with the new Fujifilm X-T5 which uses the NP-W235 battery, I am having the best of the both worlds from the Fujifilm X-T3 and Fujifilm X-T4.
X-T5 & XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
The X-T line of camera has come a long way and the retro style design that resemblance a film camera is one important key factor why there is such a huge following and fan base for XT camera; the aperture ring on the lens, the X dial for the ISO setting and shutter speed setting makes the camera a charmer and it doesn’t just look good. It’s a small camera packed with lots of power.
X-T5 & XF56mmF1.2 R WR
The Fujifilm X-T5 comes with a new generation 40MP X-Trans 5 CMOS sensor. This is happy news as I have the power to capture more details in a frame and I have more room for cropping if needed in post production and if my client wants to have their photos print big, I will be able to achieve big print. And with the Pixel Shift Multi Shot capability, now I can create 160 Megapixel images which means even larger prints sizes are achievable. Fujifilm created a new low ISO setting of 125 with this new sensor and though from Gen 4 sensor lowest ISO 160 down to the latest ISO125 might not seem a lot but no one knows when you will run into a situation that this might help in making the best photo.
X-T5 & XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
While most new camera’s direction of improvement focuses on the ability to shoot better video, the Fujifilm X-T5 is more photography centric and focuses more on how a photographer takes photos with the camera. While everyone might have their own preference on the camera’s design, I am happy to see that Fujifilm put back the 3-Axis Tilt LCD instead of the vari-angle LCD which the XT4 carries. I believe there will be 2 camps of people with different preferences and I think it’s up to the individual. I am happy with the Tilt LCD mainly because I hardly shoot selfies or Vlog.
X-T5 & XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
One fascinating feature the Fujifilm X-T5 shares with the recently launched Fujifilm X-H2 is the staggering shutter speed of 180,000 of a second in Electronic Shutter Mode which is something previously unheard of, coupled with the subject detection setting, it makes this camera one that is versatile in shooting pets, birds, wildlife or bike sports etc. I think this extreme shutter speed can shoot and freeze a flying bullet, something I hope to have a chance to shoot one day, but this is definitely very good for high speed action sports photography.
While working on the project, I toggle using the eye detection Auto Focus and it tracks the person’s eyes throughout, even at low light situations. Shooting in low light or dark environments is part and parcel of my job and very often, some of these lighting conditions are tricky but the camera functions perfectly how I like it to be, focusing lock onto the subject everytime.
X-T5 & XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
Like many Fujifilm user, I am a big fan of the Fujifilm Film Simulation and the color science on Fujifilm camera is something we don’t see in any other camera brand, though there’s no new film simulation for the Fujifilm X-T5, the current comprehensive 19 mode selection already enhances my work in many different environment and with the many film recipe one can find on the internet, I am enjoying and producing Jpeg images straight from the camera. With the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2s launched recently which features PASM dial design, the Fujifilm X-T5 follows the predecessor X series design having 2 SD card slots which I really prefer to the new CF express card. With the line up of the new XF lenses, XF18mm, XF23mm, XF33mm and the new
XF56mm mark 2, it’s all well thought of by Fujifilm to have created these new lenses to harvest the best quality and details from the new 40 MP sensor.
X-T5 & XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
Overall conclusion, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the X mount and the X-T1 was launched 10 years ago on 28 January 2014, I am really happy to see the progression of the XT camera and Fujifilm continues to listen, getting feedback from photographer and pays attention to what we want and need in a camera and this Fujifilm X-T5 is perfected from everyone’s effort. Brings us back to a good photography experience again.
X-T5 & XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR