Rico’s Fuji X Secrets Ultimate workshop in Phuket is Open for Registration

dscf5267Fuji X Secrets Ultimate is a unique workshop experience for Fujifilm X-series enthusiasts from all around the world. This workshop will be conducted by Fuji „X-Pert“ Rico Pfirstinger in English and takes place from Nov. 12 – Nov. 19 in Phuket (Thailand). A second workshop from Nov. 19 – Nov. 26 will be available in German.

A Stunning Place for Sharing X-Secrets

We have rented one of Phuket’s most beautiful villas exclusively for our small group of delegates and their respective guests – a beautiful place where we, a fellowship of like-minded X enthusiasts, will have ample space for photo shoots, training lessons and informal discussions. It’s a place where we can not only learn from each other, but also relax, enjoy great food, refresh in the infinity pool, sip a cocktail at the bar or simply have a great time.

Daily Training Segments and Excursions – and Bring Along a Friend!

02-pool-terrace-level-4-1030x684In addition to daily seminar segments, we will also offer daily photo excursions in and around Phuket in cars and drivers that belong to our villa. Also, each delegate can share his or her room with one guest, such as a friend, family member or loved one. So there’s no need to leave your partner behind.

Fuji X Secrets Ultimate is an unforgettable “X-perience” for everybody who wants to live and breathe the spirit of the Fujifilm X-series together with a small group of like-minded fellows in a unique environment. This comprehensive workshop will be truly special, and it will certainly tell you Everything You Always Wanted to Know About X, But Were Afraid to Ask.

Please click here for more details.

First Look Review: Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm X-T2USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Vertical Booster Grip: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

New NP-W126S Batteries: BHphoto / Adorama /

The Complete Camera

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Books at Rocky Nook * Fuji X Secrets Workshops * Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-T1: 111 X-Pert Tips * The Fujifilm X-T10: 115 X-Pert Tips
*** NEW *** The Fujifilm X-Pro2: 115 X-Pert Tips *** NEW ***
(use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

The X-T2 may be Fujifilm’s most important product launch since the introduction of the X-Series. Building on the best features of the X-T1 and X-Pro2, can this richly featured workhorse convince enthusiasts and pros to consider the X-Mount as a universal go-to system for all their photographic needs? Let’s find out in this first impressions review.

Getting serious: The X-T2 is Fujifilm’s high-powered successor to the X-T1.

Please note: This carefully researched and ridiculously comprehensive First Look Review of the Fujifilm X-T2 and Vertical Power Booster Grip is based on three different X-T2 pre-production models and more than ten different (and continuously evolving) beta firmware generations. The final hardware and firmware are expected to ship in the first half of September 2016.

***

Fuji X Secrets Ultimate workshops in Phuket, Thailand
From Nov. 12 – Nov. 19 and from Nov. 19 – Nov. 26, I am going to entertain a unique Fuji X Secrets workshop experience in Phuket, Thailand. We have rented one of Thailand’s most stunning villas as our base for an exclusive group of X-afficionadoes. The first week on offer will be for English speaking participants, and the second week for German speaking delegates. This exclusive event is designed for only seven participants per workshop week. However, each delegate is invited bring along a non-participating friend or loved one to share this wonderful experience and location. With daily photo excursions and the full curriculum of our popular multi-day Fuji X Secrets Weekend and Fuji X Secrets RAW workshops, this will be an unforgettable week of living and breathing the Fujifilm X spirit in a collaborative group of like-minded enthusiasts. Once you get there, everything will be taken care of—welcome to X-Paradise! The information and registration site is now open. Click here for the English and here for the German workshop weeks.

The Fujifilm X-Pro2: 115 X-Pert Tips is available
Please click here to order the printed edition or your ebook copy in three different DRM-free formats (all for the price of one), including a 40% discount if you use coupon code XPERT40. German readers can click here to order the German edition.

***

In  September 2016, the X-T2 will be available in black (and eventually perhaps also in silver).
In any case, a matching camera-powered EF-X8 mini flashgun is included.

About two and a half years after the introduction of the successful X-T1, Fujifilm is getting serious with taking the X-series into “we can do everything” territory. At first glance, the X-T2 looks very much like its predecessor—why change a concept that stood behind Fujifilm’s (so far) most successful X-series camera? However, it’s a different story on the inside. At several global launch events, Fujifilm has made it very clear that the X-T2 is supposed to address all photographic needs, including sports and action shooting. It’s supposed to be a “complete mirrorless camera”.

Ready for business

Compared to the X-T1, the X-T2 features dozens of changes and improvements. Here’s an overview in 40 bullet points:

  • 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor (Sony-built with 14 bit readout) with no anti-aliasing filter
  • X-Processor Pro is four times as fast as the EXR II processor used in the X-T1 and offers improved image quality, better noise response and higher dynamic range
  • improved ISO performance (about 1 stop better than the previous generation) with native ISO covering 200 to 12800, and extended ISO settings of 100, 25600 and 51200 (all with full RAW support)
  • 100% faster sensor readout, resulting in improved AF tracking performance, a dramatically reduced minimum blackout time of only 114 ms, and a high 100 fps EVF refresh rate
  • 0.005s display lag, 0.06s max. AF speed, 0.17s shooting interval, 0.045s shutter lag
  • configurable AF-C modes to adapt the AF system to different sports and action shooting scenarios
  • up to 11 fps burst speed in boost mode (14 fps when using the electronic shutter) with AF tracking
  • 3, 4 or 5 fps slow burst mode (CL) with full live-view and CDAF support
  • improved user interface and a new menu structure, including a custom My Menu with up to 16 entries
  • DSLR-style “AF-ON” option and new settings to individually engage/disengage focus and exposure lock when the shutter button is half-pressed
  • more tactile dials and buttons and a new push-button lock mechanism for top-plate dials
  • better grip and improved standard eyecup
  • convenient focus stick to quickly move the autofocus frame or zone (with up to 325 AF frames to choose from)
  • articulated rear screen works in landscape and portrait orientation
  • new Vertical Power Booster Grip with two additional battery slots for extended shooting (1000+ images) and duplicate controls
  • weather sealing with protection against rain, dust and freezing
  • improved 0.77x electronic viewfinder with better image quality and twice the brightness of the previous model, now also featuring an auto brightness mode
  • low-vibration 1/8000s mechanical shutter with 1/250s flash sync (supplemented by an electronic shutter with 1/32000s), rated for 150,000 shots
  • new flash system offers high-speed sync, wireless TTL and multi-frame shooting (in concert with compatible flash units such as the new EF-X500)
  • dual SD card slots (both support the ultra-fast UHS-II standard)
  • improved hybrid autofocus system with pro-level subject tracking, a larger phase-detection area and more focus points (7 x 13 or 13 x 25 focus points, including either 7 x 7 or 13 x 13 phase detection points)
  • automatic pixel mapping (to map out dead pixels)
  • improved JPEG quality and new ACROS film simulation with ISO-controlled film grain and noise shaping
  • expanded JPEG settings with additional options for contrast, noise reduction, sharpness, color saturation and film grain simulation
  • broader ±2 EV bracketing and ±5 EV exposure compensation (along with expanded Push/Pull options in the camera’s built-in RAW converter)
  • lossless RAW compression cuts RAW file size in half
  • improved battery life indicator for up to three batteries at once (including a 1% accuracy display)
  • enhanced electronic depth-of-field and distance scale with either pixel-based or film-based precision
  • new center-weighted metering option
  • WYSIWYG simulation of fixed dynamic range settings (DR200%, DR400%) in the live view and live histogram of the EVF and LCD, and enhanced highlight DR in Natural Live View mode
  • dedicated video mode on DRIVE dial replaces video record button
  • high-quality 4K video and HD video with 100 Mbit/s and oversampling (to minimize moiré and artifacts)
  • vastly improved video focussing
  • HDMI output to mirror EVF and LCD displays on monitors and HD beamers, or to record the live view with an HD frame grabber
  • uncompressed 4:2:2 HD and 4K HDMI output to external recording devices, including “F-Log” flat gamma 4K recording with expanded dynamic range
  • threaded cable release option, fast USB 3.0 interface, 3.5mm mic input, 2.5mm remote control input, 3.5mm sound/headphone output (in the Vertical Power Booster Grip)
  • USB charging for the in-body battery
  • Vertical Power Booster Grip includes an external power input to power the camera and charge batteries inside the grip (2 hours charging time for two batteries)
  • new NP-W126S battery with reduced heat dissemination (old batteries remain fully compatible)
  • USB and wireless tethering options (after a future firmware update) with new and improved plug-ins for Adobe Lightroom
** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

X-E2 vs. X-E2S: Ending the Confusion

oia

Fujifilm X-E2s
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

_ _ _

X-E2 vs. X-E2S: Ending the Confusion

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Books at Rocky Nook – Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-T1: 111 X-Pert Tips2nd edition (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

The Fujifilm X-T10: 115 X-Pert Tips (use coupon XT1050 for a 50% discount)

By upgrading your Fujifilm X-E2 with firmware 4, you are giving up the camera that you knew: Your X-E2 will turn into an X-T10—only with a rangefinder design. However, on the inside, both the X-E2v4 and the new X-E2S offer (almost) the same features, the same menu options and the same graphical user interface as the X-T10.

Rico_BannerThis is important. To begin with, it means that your old X-E2 user manual has become pretty much obsolete. That’s why Fujifilm has created an entirely new manual along with firmware 4. You can download it here as a PDF file. It also means that my eBook on the X-E2 doesn’t apply to cameras running firmware 4 or the new X-E2S. It’s still great if you don’t upgrade your X-E2, but users who have made the jump are now much better off with my book on the X-T10.

I am not kidding! As long as you can see beyond the different form factors (rangefinder style vs. SLR style), my X-T10 book is now almost perfectly applicable. It really is, because Fuji did a terrific job transforming the X-E2 into an X-T10 with camouflage. This means that my X-E2 eBook won’t be updated. It doesn’t have to, because the update is already here. To ease the transition, my publisher has created a coupon code that will give you a discount of 50% on all editions of my X-T10 book (printed, eBook and combined). Simply enter XT1050 in the coupon field when you check out (or use XPERT40 if you are too late and this code has expired).

Same Same, But Different

Okay, so your X-E2 is now a rangefinder-style version of the X-T10. Great! But what exactly are the differences between an X-E2 running firmware 4 and the new X-E2S? There seems to be some confusion, so let’s straighten it out.

X-E2

X-E2S_silver_back

X-E2 vs. X-E2S

On the outside, the differences are minimal. The X-E2S offers an “improved” hand grip, but to be honest, I can’t feel much of a difference. However, pressing the four selector buttons on the back of the X-E2S does feel better, so this may be another small improvement over the classic X-E2. With firmware 4, you can forget the MACRO and AF descriptions on two of the X-E2’s selector buttons, as all four selector keys now serve as Fn buttons, just like in the X-E2S. This gives both cameras a total of 7 Fn buttons!

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

First Look: Fujifilm X70

70

Fujifilm X70: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

First Look: Fujifilm X70

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Books at Rocky Nook – Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-T1: 111 X-Pert Tips2nd Edition (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

The Fujifilm X-T10: 115 X-Pert Tips (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

Rico’s X70 Full-Size Sample Images

Size Does Matter: The tiny Fujifilm X70 was inspired by the Ricoh GR II. Beyond their pocketable size and weight, both cameras share a Sony-built APS-C sensor with 16.3 MP, a 18.5mmF2.8 lens and plenty of street cred as premium compacts that you can carry with you all the time.

The X70 also incorporates the spirit of the X-series: a solid design with dials for everything, the functionality and image quality of the popular X-T10, and a very well-made lens. It also premieres a tiltable display with touch control for quick focusing, instant shutter release and intuitive image playback.

A black X70 (pre-production) pretending to be weather-resistant

Initially, the X70 was supposed to be introduced in concert with the X-T1 in early 2014, but Fujifilm shelved these plans in favor of the underrated X30. Of, course, the new X70 of 2016 embodies all the major goodies and features that have been developed in the past two years: the new AF system with more sensitive PDAF pixels, AF zones and “3D tracking”, Classic Chrome, a new and improved user interface and now even a touchscreen.

Click here for full camera specs and here for full-size sample images.

The X70 is available in black and silver versions

Main features include…

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

First Look: Fujifilm X-Pro2

skalier

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA
: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

 

 First Look: Fujifilm X-Pro2

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Books at Rocky Nook – Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-T1: 111 X-Pert Tips2nd Edition (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

The Fujifilm X-T10: 115 X-Pert Tips (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

Rico’s X-Pro2 Full-Size Sample Images (NEW: now also with Lightroom CC RAW samples)

A New Hope: The retro-styled X-Pro2 kicks off Fujifilm’s next generation of enthusiast X-series cameras, based on a state-of-the-art 24.3 MP X-Trans sensor and a much more powerful processor. At first, everything seems strikingly familiar, but a closer look reveals that quite a lot has changed.

A Fujifilm X-Pro2 after a few days of light use

Four years after the introduction of the X-Pro1, Fujifilm is finally ready to open a new chapter in their book of mirrorless cameras. At first glance, the X-Pro2 looks just like its predecessor. However, it’s a different story on the inside (click here for full camera specs and here for more than 150 straight-out-of-camera and Lightroom CC RAW conversion sample images).

X-Pro2 with XF35mmF1.4 R

New features include…

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **