Saltwater is a great enemy for all electronic devices. James Mahrer (Click here) had an accident and the X100 got washed by seawater. The camera didnt’ work anymore so he ripped the camera in 1000 pieces to see what’s inside 
Now you know it…use dry bags when you go on sea!!!
Fuji (Click here) posted the first image samples taken with the new 0.8 converter. You can preorder the converter at Adorama in silver (Click here) and in black (Click here).
Marc sent me this: “Just though you may like to see the quick video I just put together for my friend over at the MyX100 blog on tumblr ( http://myx100.tumblr.com/ ). In the video I talk about a technique of using the moire and aliasing present in the EVF as a kind of focus peaking, greatly simplifying manual focusing with either the Fujinon lenses or third party lenses.“
Finally some rumors for us! Samyang will release the first lens for the Fuji X system in June!!! There is no info about the lens specs yet but I like the manual focusing Samyang lenses a lot! usually they have a very high image quality and a very low price. Samyang already makes lenses for the Sony NEX and Micro Four Thirds system. The image on top shows the 7.5mm fisheye for m43. Don’t know if that is one of the lenses they will offer for the X system or if the coming lenses will have a complete new design. Let’s see…June is no far away!
You know how it is with those wide angle converters…they usually look really bad. But today Fuji once again proved that you can do it differently. That 0.8x adapter looks damn good on the X100 (see image on top) and transforms your 35mm lens in a 28mm equivalent. It has “Super EBC coating”. The WCl-X100 (that’s the official name) will ship in June for $350. At the same time Fuji announced firmware 1.30 that brings support for the converter. Here is the download: http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/finepix_x100/index.html
I have been on holiday for five days with my family. I am finally back and catching up with Fuji news! The famous korean company Gariz announced the new X PRO 1 half leather case (Source: DC.watch). You can right now found them on eBay (Click here). there are three different colors!
Finally Dpreview (Click here) updated their studio samples database by including Fuji X PRO 1 images converted via Adobe Camera Raw! You can finally play around with their tool to see if the Fuji beats the rest of the world or not
Cnet UK (Click here) posted their X PRO 1 review: “The X-Pro1 lets you revel in the very essence of photography, and it encourages you to spend more time thinking about your shot before you take it.”
New ste of images samples with Skopar lens by John Smith (Click here).
And our reader Fred sent us his X PRO 1 imrpession report (Thanks!):
“I would say that 80% of the pictures were taken with auto-focus; I used both the 35mm and the 60mm; Multicoated UV Filter from B+W on both lenses; I took RAW’s and converted later in-camera (yes, Fuji and Adobe could REALLY work that out, it would help a lot, but the JPEGs are really beautiful); I also used the OVF for most shots, although after one month I just realized I’ve been using the EVF more and more (I never had a camera with one before, so it’s an adjustment, no questions about it); A lot of these JPEGs have the VIVID film simulation, so a few are a bit strong color-wise.
Did I miss shots because of AF speed? DEFINITELY. Did I wish I had not lost them? Certainly. Did I curse the X-Pro, Fuji, or wished I had my D-700 back with me? NOT FOR A SINGLE MINUTE! Are there some quirks and things that could be improved? yes, there are, but with a new camera – and a new system and sensor at that – I think it is to be expected. The pros and cons, for me at least, still point solidly towards the X-Pro 1.
Perhaps if you make a living out of photographing skydivers or weddings were you can’t miss THE moment, period, unfortunately this may not be the perfect camera yet. And as some have stated, people don’t even look twice at you with the X-Pro, something I suffered with in the past, doing my work on the streets with the D-700. As a “pro-sumer” and after one month with my X-Pro, now with the 60mm, I’m finding that I’m loving it more each day. Especially as I and her get properly acquainted. I’m looking forward to see were Fuji takes this system.
Here’s the link to the gallery: http://www.fredjunqueira.com/ppg”
In stock status check:
Fuji X PRO 1 body is in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Jessops UK (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 18mm f/2.0 in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 35mm f/1.4 in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Fuji X 60mm macro f/2.0 in not Stock at Amazon (3-4weeks) but is in Stock at Digitalrev (Click here). Mike Kobal made a short NEX-7 versus Fuji X PRO 1 comparison.
Fuji announced the new XP170 camera that is: 1) Waterproof to 33ft (10M) 2) Shockproof to 6.5 ft (2M) 3) Freezeproof to 14°F (-10°C) and 4) Dustproof!
Below you can find the video presentation of the camera:
via ThePhoBlographer
Novoflex (Click here) announced 16(!) new adapters for the X system. Here is the screenshot of the full list taken via the German website:
Huge!
Soundimagesplus (Click here) made a new Fuji X POR 1 versus Olympus E-M5 and Sony NEX-5n High ISO comaprison: “Firstly, using the same Nikon lens on the Fuji and Sony the Sony has purple fringing and the Fuji doesn’t. Secondly, while the Fuji is clearly the best at ISO 3200, just look at how close the Olympus OM-D gets to this much praised Sony sensor at that setting.”
Also the well known Photographyblog (Click here) Highly Recommends the Fuji: “Thankfully the X-Pro1′s innovative image sensor and lack of low-pass filter lives up to all the hype and more, delivering truly excellent image quality. Noise is noticeable only by its almost complete absence throughout the ISO range of 100-25,600, while the Dynamic Range function helps to boost contrast and detail.”
P.S.: A new Low Light image sample by Alan Smith (Click here).
The very likely best of the three new X lenses is now in Stock at Amazon (Click here to grab the 60mm macro lens). As you know Brandon Remler (Click here) said about the 60mm: “The sharpness is great and it’s a terrific lens to own.” and ePhotozine (Click here to read it): “Sharpness is excellent from corner to corner, CA is pretty much non-existent, and other optical problems like distortion and falloff are also very well controlled. Unfortunately those wishing to use this lens primarily for macro work may find the issue with internal reflections a little too frustrating. The price is about right for the excellent build quality and features, but this lens will really sell itself on its near-perfect optical performance.”
Get it!
