It took Amazon a while, but the Fujinon XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR is now available for pre-order also at AmazonUS here. Shipping is expected to start on November 30.
And this happened, despite talented “internet reviewers” showing us with their stunningly artistic test shots that only full frame can produce professional results.
And honestly, I totally agree for example with Sir. Jared, who delivered this very in depth and elaborated answer to a guy, who wanted to switch to Fujifilm: “Fuji, LOL?”
I mean, how can you argue with that?
And yet, despite all the effort reviewers put into telling us that only full frame can deliver professional results, it keeps happening!!!
It keeps happening that Fujifilm X shooters out there win prestigious photography awards.
In fact, the The Royal Observatory Greenwich assigned the Astronomy Photo Award2021 to Shuchang Dong, who took this wonderful image with his Fujifilm X-T4 in Tibet during a total solar eclipse in mid-2020. Here is what the Royal Greenwich Observatory had to say about the image:
This image demonstrates both the beauty and simplicity of an eclipse, but also the science behind this astronomical event. Our sun can still be seen as a ring circling the Moon as it passes in front of the Sun, and mountains on the lunar surface can be seen hiding some of this light on the lower righthand portion of the image. This is a stunning achievement!”
For a moment I had a doubt, that maybe it’s more important to spend time to go out and take pictures, trying to be in the right moment at the right spot. But no, definitely not. All that matters is the gear you use ;).
Anyway, if are like Shuchang, if you also do astrophotography with your Fujifilm gear, then check out our astrophotography facebook group.
P.S.: X-Trans cameras are fantastic for Astrophotography ;)
But the delivery bottleneck is definitely not yet over. The camera remains out of stock at BHphoto here and AmazonUS here, and once they are sold out at Adorama, who knows for how long it will remain on back-order again also there. Last time I found the GFX100S in stock was 1 month ago at Moment. It sold out within minutes and has been unavailable since then.
Reminder: Skylum announced the new “Neo” software will arrive this winter. They also launched a special offer on current Luminar (Click here). It runs only for the first 30k preorders and you will get the new “NEO” software for free once it’s released. It’s their lowest price ever on Luminar!
And today they unveiled the list of new features you can expect to get:
Layers : We know you love Layers. Creators will be able to combine multiple images as layers on a single canvas including RAW images for maximum control over colour and light. Blending, masking and opacity can be used to create collages, double exposure effects and other powerfully creative interactions between layered photos.
We will include a library of overlay content that will help users quickly explore layers and their creativity a step further.
Users will be able to easily move the elements on a layer, rotate and flip them freely.
Mask AI: The perfect companion. Upon opening an image, Luminar Neo can identify hundreds of items like skies, bridges and flowers. These help calculate accurate AI-powered adjustments. AI-powered masks offer precision without tedious manual efforts.
RelightAI is a lighting tool that uses the 3D Depth Map in a whole new way. RelightAIprovides discreet and creative control to artists:
Independently adjust lighting in the foreground and background to recover detail and color.
Fix a portrait where the foreground subject is underexposed.
Enhance a landscape photo, where the background is overexposed.
Portrait Background Removal AI: Human aware AI in Luminar Neo allows users to cleanly isolate the subject and remove the background altogether with just one click. Coupled with layers, Portrait Background Removal AI enables creators to build unique compositions using multiple photos without the tiresome manual process of masking found in traditional image editors.
Luminar Neo engine: After evaluating the needs of the most-demanding creative artists, Luminar Neo is builtaround a new, robust and powerful engine which marries the speed and efficiency of sequential rendering to the creative flexibility of parametric editing.In traditional editors, sequential rendering stores modified pixels at every step of the edit, which can make rolling back changes more difficult. Parametric editing previews changes but does not apply them until the image is exported. This approach makes rolling back changes simple and fast but requires much longer render times, particularly with tools built with AI technology.
Luminar Neo takes a hybrid approach. Changes are rendered as the edit progresses. In addition, a smart edit history provides infinite levels of undo for every image. As a result, the overall editing environment is faster and more stable. This approach allows users to selectively remove and reorder the application of tools and effects then quickly render these changes with the flexibility of a parametric editor.
For new users:
1-seat license for Luminar Neo : 65 $/€
2-seats license for Luminar Neo: 76 $/€
1-seat license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI : 94 $/€
2-seats license for Luminar Neo+Luminar AI : 115 $/€
