TESTED: Third Party Fuji Batteries? “Inflated capacity values. Some batteries almost Fraud!”… and the Winner is…?

There are many cheap alternatives to the original Fujifilm NP-W126 battery… but which one is the best between the following ones?

Photoprimus, 1300 mAh
Extreme Wolf, 1250 mAh
Patona, 1100 mAh
Synergy Digital, 1500 mAh
ChiliPower, 1350 mAh
Original Fujifilm, 1260 mAh

The French site tirages-pro tested them all, and their conclusion is (google translated):

In general, the announced capacity values ​​are fetched and widely inflated. More than 30% error, some almost fall announced capacities of fraud.

In batteries tested, only Patona branded batteries and original batteries Fuji stand out and respect the advertised capacity.

So, the choice is simple. Either we research the best capacity/price and only Patona tested batteries meet this criterion. Either the capacity is favored without looking at the price and in this case, the Fuji batteries are the right option.”

Patona batteries: AmazonUS (for X100 series) / AmazonDE / AmazonUK (for X100 series) / AmazonITA / AmazonFRA / AmazonESP

You might be missing the Wasabi 1400 mAh batteries and the Watson 1120 mAh battery in this list. These batteries are very popular in America, but are not sold in Europe, at least not under this name. I believe (but please correct me if I’m wrong) that Wasabi and Patona are made by the same manufacturer, so the quality of the product should be the same. [UPDATE: You can find Wasabi batteries also in Europe]

Of course there are even more batteries on the market. Feel free to share your experience in the comments. I’m very happy with my Patona’s.

Behind the X-Gear: A talk with Fuji X Forum member & official Fujifilm X-photographer Mehrdad

Hi X-folks

Let’s take a short break from the usual rumors/news stream and focus on the real heart of the X-system, which is you.

In this “Behind the X-gear” episode, official Fuji X photographer & Fuji X Forum member Mehrdad presents himself to the X-world, talkes about his photography and shares his thoughts about the X-system… plus: he unveils what you have to do to become an official Fuji X Photographer ;) .

If you also want to have the opportunity to be interviewed & featured on FujiRumors, all you have to do is to join our Fuji X Forum Community, share your pics & thoughts there, and you might be the next one :) .

Previous Episodes: Milandro / Trenton /

X-Shooter MEHRDAD

Tell us something about you

Professional Photographer or Amateur or something in between?

Something in between? I am more a professional traveller who is serious in taking pictures. But I work professional as well but not for living.

What is your kind of photography? (Motives, Approach …)

My big love is landscape- and streetphotography. Due to my civil engineer education I am somehow vulnerable to architectural photography as well.

My approach depends on the genre and changes from time to time. Sometime I try at least to plan everything up to the last-minute only to realize that most things turn the other way around and sometime I just let me lead through mood, weather and the people around me.

While taking landscape photos I often just sit there and enjoining the scene by myself without pushing the trigger every second the light or scenery changes. Just soaking it in to me enjoining the beauty mother earth is offering me in that moment.

When shooting street for example I am 100% concentrated, my eyes are searching and my brain is trying to abstract what could happen the next second…all the time the camera ready in my hands near my right eye.

Where can we find more about you on the web (website, Flickr, Facebook, portfolio)

A lot of my work can be found on my website (www.mehrdadabedi.com) The more actual stuff and photostories of mine can be found on my blog (www.qimago.de) I also do like Instagram a lot where I can be found @qimago (instagram.com/qimago/)

What’s your favorite image taken with a Fuji?

That is a hard question. Almost every image means a lot to me. I am very bad in remembering things so every photo I take is not only a photograph of a beautiful or interesting scenery, it is a part of my memory my inner is displayed on a photograph. I can not tell you which one is my favorite but which one was the one picture where I knew Fujifilm x was a good choice.

mehrdad

I took this photo in New York with my very first Fujifilm x-camera, actually it was my first Fujifilm camera ever. It was in August 2011 with the X100. I bought it a few weeks before as I was looking for a small and light weighted camera beside my Canon 5D MkII. It is not because it was better quality or something like this. It was just because from this day on I realized that I now will have always a small lightweight camera with me which don’t let me down when I need the quality similar to my dslr.

Your Move to Fuji

What’s the main reason for you to own a Fuji?

The main reason why I own Fujifilm x-series cameras is their small size, their light weight and their beautiful lenses. And yes: I love the rangefinder style of design of the X100-Series and the X-PRO1.

Is there something you miss from your previous system?

Yes! Fujifilms flash system is kind of not existent. I know how to get my results. But I often don’t like it that way and especially my X-PRO1 is driving me crazy here sometimes. My previous system had nice and powerful (as powerful as system flashes could be) flashlights but Fujifilm does only offer more or less better fillflashes. Not a real system. Luckily the Fujifilm x-series are good at low light but sometimes on events I do wish my old Canon flash system back.

What’s your favorite lens?

Easy one! the XF14mm, the XF35mm and my X100T. The XF56mm is nice too. But usually comes only on jobs in to play.

What’s your favorite camera bag?

That’s like asking a women for her favorite handbag. Well, I don’t have a favorite camera bag. There are plenty of good option to choose from. I’ve tried a lot of them: from Lowepro to ThinkTank and finally ended up with a Billingham. I use the Small and the Headley Pro. But as said, that’s just “a” bag for me, and not “the” bag.

During travel I take out the insert and put it with all my lenses and bodies into my flightkit. They are perfect for me. Friends of mine ar kidding sometime telling it looks like the Queens Purse but hey: Everyone has a another taste ;)

What’s in your bag?

My X100T is always with me. Even when I am going for shopping in the supermarket. And the rest depends on location/destination. Sometimes my X-PRO1 with the XF35mm and the XF14mm and quite often lately my Leica M6 with the Zeiss Biogon 25mm f2.8 zm and/or the Voigtländer Skopar 35mm f2.5 P II

Your Advice to Fuji

Which lens, that is not yet in the roadmap, would you like Fuji to make?

I would love to see a wide-angle tilt and shift lens in Fujinon quality. Yeaah! I know: Dream on! But hey, you asked!

Tell Fujifilm what’s the main thing they should still improve in the X-series system via Firmware and/or Hardware

Flash, flash, flash, flash…..ooh, and please don’t forget flaaaaaaaaaaaaash!!!! Hardware and firmware wise yes!

Decisive Questions

OVF, EVF or Display?

EVF! I love to see the photo already before pushing the trigger.
OVF I use where I have no choice: On my Leicas!

But, psssst: I still would like the OVF on the X100 and X-PRO Series…it just looks so beautiful ;)

Rangefinder style or DSLR shape?

Rangefinder! Right eye to the viewfinder, left one for the scene = Perfect!

RAW or JPEG?

I shoot both but mostly only use the RAW file. The jpgs are beautiful and for my family photos I almost always use the jpgs.

Curiosity & Customize you X

You most & you least used feature in Fujifilm cameras (like film simulations, build-in RAW converter, Extended DR(100-200-400), advanced filters, panorama, digital split image etc…)

The panorama function is great! I love Fujifilm x-series cameras for this feature. It comes in quite handy to get a very good result in capturing nice panoramas. Sometimes when I shoot jpgs or do know that I will use the jpg over the raw file I use the the DR 400, in special light conditions this can be the difference between gold or rubbish file ;)

Oh, and what I really love is the electronic shutter. It is so nice to photograph at f2.8 on a bright sunshine day without fearing to get a totatlly overexposed file. For the X-PRO1 one I would wish that sometimes. So I am a little envy on the X-T1 holder…..but only on this issue ;)

The least ones? Well the advanced filter I only used once. At the very first time I hold the camera in my hand to see what it is about. I can achieve these results in much better quality via post production. So definitely my least used feature.

Which functions did you place on the FN-buttons of your camera?

The down-pointing arrow buttons to move the af points, the left one for changing the exposure measurement, the right one for ISO, the upper one for enabling or disabling the preview pic. effect. I put Face detection on the FN Button near the trigger of my X100T and the ND-Filter is on the FN button with the trash symbol.

What’s Your favorite film simulation

Whenever I need to use my jpgs I prefer Astia on my X-PRO1 and Classic Chrome on the X100T

Your favorite photography quote.

If you can smell the street by looking at a photo, then you know it’s Streetphotography” Bruce Gilden

How do you became an official X-photographer? What should people aspiring to become one, do to become a Fuji embassador?

I am not sure if there is the one way to become a X-photographer. I guess at the end your photo work must convince your local Fujifilm press representative? At least that worked for me. I concentrated on my photography, working on my own style and at the end contacted my local press representative and he must have seen something in my photographs he found worth calling me a Fujifilm X-photographer. At the end it is only a word, a beautiful one ;) but only a word.

Go out and have fun shooting the stuff you like, this is the most important I guess, isn’t it?

miXed zone: Mitakon 35mmF0.95 review :: Fuji X in North Korea :: From Nikon to Fuji… and more!

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UK DEALS

Hot Deals just started in UK. Complete overview here at AmazonUK. Up to £375 savings!

AmazonUK has also a good price on the X100T (£822). Check it out here at AmazonUK.

Valid until January 11. Purchase only via authorized dealer like AmazonUK.

GERMAN DEALS

Running until January 15:

Fuji X-T1 + 18-55mm + 55-200 for €1899 here at AmazonDE
Buy X-T10 with double kit and save get €100 Cashback – Details at AmazonDE
Buy an X-T1 and get a Free Vertical Grip – Details at AmazonDE

XF35mmF2 + 1.4x Teleconverter

XF35mmF2 WR: USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: PCHstore / AmazonUK / AmazonITA /
1.4x TeleConverter: USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: PCHstore / AmazonUK / AmazonITA /

FIRST LOOKXF 35mmF2 WR at the X-Pert Corner
FIRST LOOK1.4x TC at the X-Pert Corner

X-T10
USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama EU: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonFR / WexUK / PCHstore / AUS: Camerapro

Fujifilm X-T10 Review in New York City’s East Village at TheCameraProject youtube / Review at photoreview / Review at imaging-resource /

XF90mmF2 WR
USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama EU: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonFR / WexUK / PCHstore / AUS: Camerapro

90mm Review in German at qimago (translation) / Working with the Fujifilm XF90mm brandonremler / Japanese review at dc.watch (translation) / Review at amateurphotographer /

Fujifilm X-T1

Testing The Weather Resistance of the X-T1 at macleancomms / Pickering Wanderings With The Fuji X-T1 by Liam Shaw at yorkplacestudios /
My Fuji vs. Olympus catch-22 at eyesuncloudedphoto / The form factor at charlenewinfred / Jonathan Grado recommends the Fuji X-T1 at fastcompany / One Month with the Fujifilm X-T1: The Mirrorless Camera That Won My Heart at 500px /

X100/S/T + TCL/WCL

My Fujifilm X100T or rediscovering the joy in photography at billthornhill-photography / Streets of Philadelphia. A Visual Diary. Page 24. Street. Beating Complacency. Fuji X100s at streetshooter / Fuji x100T New Frames at shifter.media / An Ode to the Fuji X100s at seankellyconway / Can the Fuji X100 work as a wedding camera? at ianh / custom brass filter thread extender inverter for X100T at theevilwithoutonion instagram /

Lenses

X-mount lenses

Review of the Mitakon 35mmF0.95 in Italian at instantart (translation)
[shoplink 39690 ebay]Mitakon 35mmF0.95 on ebay[/shoplink]

Spanish XF16mm test at quesabesde (translation) / XF 16-55mmF2.8 review at ehnamour / Fujinon XF 56mm APD lens review at photoreview and 10-24 review always at photoreview / 16-55 review at macleancomms / 16-55 review at the French site focus-numerique (translation) / Two of my favourite images taken with the XF 35mm f1.4 at lensedbyoliver / Samyang 135mm f/2 (part 2) at eyesuncloudedphoto /

other lenses

Converting the Helios 44M-4 to fully manual aperture at richardwoodphotographer /

Travel X / Fuji X for Weddings

North Korea (X-E2/X100T) at inabyss / Traditional Bali Wedding at gusmank & Bali Wedding at Jeeva Saba at gusmank / Whats in my camera bag! – Weddings – Part 1 at ehnamour / Eva and Peng engagement at devinkhoblog / Into The Great White Open at littlebigtravelingcamera / Colorado’s Explosion of Colours (Part II) at olafphotoblog / Wedding Photography 2015 with Fujifilm X-T1, 35mm, and 56mm lenses at markhaddenphotography / The Brady Wedding at mattmccordphotography / All the Js at dearsusan

Switch to the X

From Nikon to Fujifilm. Switching to a Mirrorless system at billthornhill-photography

Jpeg / RAW / Converters

Going “light” – Mobile Post Processing without PC! at hendriximages /

Acessories / Flash / Bags

CLASSIC with ACHOR LINK at nucisleather / Fuji X-T1 (ver 4.0) how to set up your camera for studio lights (strobes) at Adam Panek youtube / 5 Cheap Accessories for the Fujifilm X-T1 at rivalsvs / Fuji X-T1 and Nikon SB600 or SB900 with Yongnuo RF605N at Rob Smith youtube / CosySpeed Streetomatic Review: A bag that helps you use your camera more at diyphotography / Off-Camera Flash Street Photography with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 at streethunters /

a bit of everything

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#BB 2016 Calendar / all shot with Fuji X-T1

Fast Cars… Why Wouldn’t You Use A Fuji? at buzword / Timelapse: ELMS Scrutineering in Estoril at macleancomms / Photographing Paris – A Study of Notre Dame at ianmacdonaldphotography / Camera, Tablet, Cloud, Done! My Fujifilm Workflow at photo.stjeanm / Christelle Rall – My journey to becoming an X-Photographer at myfujifilm / Long Exposure Tutorial at sebimagery /

The winning image for single image at the 2015 Lens Culture Awards by Sagi Kortler was shot with a Fuji X-T1 and 18-135 @ 18mm

RELEASED: New Firmware for X-series cameras and XF50-140 :: Support for XF35mmF2, 1.4x TC & Windows10

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Fujifilm just released the new Firmware for all X-series cameras and for the XF50-140. This firmware adds XF35mmF2 and 1.4x Teleconverter support. X-A1, X-M1 and X-E1 also get Windows 10 support. All download options here. Download the Fuji X-T1 Firmware ver. 4.10 here.

When updateing the XF50-140 FW here, upgrade the firmware of a camera to the latest version first and then upgrade the firmware of your lens.

XF35mmF2 WR: USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: PCHstore / AmazonUK / AmazonITA /
1.4x TeleConverter: USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: PCHstore / AmazonITA /

MUST READXF 35mmF2 WR X-Pert Corner First Look
MUST READ1.4x TC X-Pert Corner First Look

cheers
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, Google+, RSS-feed and Twitter

Latest Fuji Financial Report says: “Strong sales for Fujifilm X-T10!”

The latest Fuji financial report shows one more time, that it’s still the Fuji Instax world that keeps pushing Fuji’s imaging division into profits. Instax sells even better than expected, which is why “the targeted sales volume of instax for this FY has been raised from 4.6 million units to 5.0 million units.”

And what about the electronic imaging business (all kind of digital cameras & lenses)?

Overall the sales in the electronic imaging business decreaseddue to a decrease in the sales volume with the shift to high-end models […] in the optical device field, the overall sales decreased, due to weak sales of camera modules for use in smartphones

The report says the X-series sells strong, and a special mention goes to the Fujifilm X-T10.

The sales of premium digital cameras X-Series centering on the interchangeable lens camera,  FUJIFILM X-T10, launched in June 2015, were strong. FUJIFILM X-T10 can realize outstanding image quality and comfortable operability with a compact and  lightweight body.”

Good to know that I’m not the only one, who suddenly felt an unexpected attraction to the Fuji X-T10.

The reports can be found here at fujifilmholings.

The Real Winner for Fujifilm: the brand new Instax Mini 70... with Selfie mirror!