X-E2 roundup: AmazonUS ready to ship it, owner’s manual available and reviews

 photo d_zps44437af7.jpg

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR) / AmazonUK (via DR)

1) FR-reader Roger informed me that he got shipping confirmation from AmazonUS for his X-E2.

2) The X-E2 owner’s manual is also available here (thanks Amnon).

3) Part III of soundimageplus review is online here. This time he looks into the video function on the X-E2. Click here if your wanna read part V: manuaf focus, EVF and more about the AF. In Part VI at soundimageplus it’s X-E2 vs GH3. And the winner is? Discover it here. And there is also part VII here (X-E2 with the 18mm and RAW processing).

4) Randall Cipriano went on vacation with the X-E2. Read his experience here: “Long exposures are still clean even after crossing the 2 minute mark. The shot above is 4 minutes long and the quality is just about the same as what I get from my D600 and leaps and bounds cleaner than my old APS-C dslr.  […] Pushing the exposure 2 stops and pulling the shadows 70% in this jpeg still resulted in minimal noise apart from the sky on the upper right where the ND grad filter was concentrated. The image is clear of any pattern noise or banding. […] For those who have used an X-Series camera, you probably know that these output fantastic high-ISO images out of the camera. It’s even hard to get the same level of jpeg noise processing the camera does for RAW files in post.”

5) Check out Ralf’s X-E2 review on his youtube channel here (German video). He says that the two problems with the X-E1 are solved: EVF is now smooth and focus is faster.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR) / AmazonUK (via DR)
.

Download now: PDAF & LMO Lens Firmware Updates

 photo asd_zpsdd211981.jpg

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR) / AmazonUK (via DR)

So here it is, the lens firmware update. You’ll now be able to take advantage of the PDAF and LMO on your X-E2… and to judge how fast and accurate the AF really is.

And if there is someone out there who can tell us about the AF-performance after the update (speed and accuracy), feel free to drop your impressions in the comments… and to spread the word via facebook and twitter.

Download it at Fuji’s global site here.

“The firmware update Ver.3.10 incorporates the following issues:  Addition of compatibility with “Phase Detection AF” function of FUJIFILM X-E2. Addition of compatibility with “Lens Modulation Optimizer” function of FUJIFILM X-E2.”

 

happy download ;)
 photo Patrick_zpse517a3cc.png  (google+, facebook and twitter)

NOTE: If you have problems to see the firmware ver. 2.00 then you probably have to clean the cache! The easiest way is described in Rico’s X-pert corner post “Tips for Updating your Firmware”: “just delete your browser cache or force your browser to reload and refresh the page by, for example, holding the Alt or Option key while clicking on Reload.

You will find tips like this and much more in Rico’s new book “Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 (use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30%!)

 photo Banner30_zpsfee84a6c.jpg

X100 firmware ver. 2.01 available!

 photo up_zps4c1e7d76.png

A couple of weeks ago Fuji released a major firmware updated for the three years old and discontinued X100. Now the next update is available, ver. 2.01, at Fuji’s global site here, and it’s going to fix a bug. Download, test it and share your findings on Fujirumors… and spread the word via facebook and twitter.

“Detail of the update: The firmware update Ver.2.01 from ver.2.00 incorporates the following issue The phenomenon is fixed that in Manual Focus mode, repeated pressing the shutter button halfway or repeated recording images could move focus position and the distance indicator to near side.”

Patrick (google+, facebook and twitter)

NOTE: If you have problems to see the firmware ver. 2.00 then you probably have to clean the cache! The easiest way is described in Rico’s X-pert corner post “Tips for Updating your Firmware”: “just delete your browser cache or force your browser to reload and refresh the page by, for example, holding the Alt or Option key while clicking on Reload.

You will find tips like this and much more in Rico’s new book “Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 (use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30%!)

X-shooter Edric: “Never look back to DSLR. Fuji has made everything so affordable for such a high performance system.”

 photo GizaLagarceXF60mmEXP1-640secf40ISO200_zpsf629780d.jpg

Edric: “I attached 3 photos. These shots give me the confidence to never look back [to the DSLR].”

You can share your stories via email at fujirumor@gmail.com, anonymously via rumor box and also via google+, facebook and twitter.

have a great Sunday
 photo Patrick_zpse517a3cc.png  (google+, facebook and twitter)

by Edrich Chen

(http://theedricchen.com/)

Hi Patrick,

I switched from a [shoplink 13457]Canon 5D Mk III[/shoplink] earlier this year and have not since looked back.

A lot of cameras are fun to play with but sometimes, one simply cannot unconditionally trust them. I switched from a full-frame Canon system to the Fuji XPro-1 earlier this year. As much as I can trust the Canon in almost every circumstance, my back and shoulders couldn’t take the weight especially since I loved wandering in the streets for extended periods of time. That all changed when I started using the [shoplink 12882]X-Pro1[/shoplink].

I know I am a latecomer to the X system but reading all those slightly negative to downright negative reviews really worried me at first. I shopped around to be sure. Personally, I can say that the X-Pro1 has the most tactile response out of all the other MILCs in the market. It is not as fast as a DSLR in terms of autofocus and card write speed but I learned to accept those constraints. The biggest plus was that I became really careful with every shot, not as careful as with a film camera, but definitely more intentional with every click of the shutter.

The small but solid construction of the camera helps my human subjects be less intimidated with being photographed. It also makes other people, especially security, less interested in what I’m up to when I shoot. I do still get kicked out of certain areas but for the right reasons. I have to admit that the X-Pro1 has made me more adventurous as a photographer.

 photo MoshXF35mmEXP1-2200secf14ISO400_zps4326d897.jpg

I am not qualified to add more to the technical discussion of the X cameras but I can assure that anyone who embraces its quirks will have a good time with it. One thing I cannot entirely wrap my head around is how beautiful the colors are with the Fuji. I do shoot RAW and process files in [shoplink 17566]Lightroom 5.2[/shoplink] and [shoplink 17567]Photoshop CC[/shoplink] but I can’t understand how easy it is for me to achieve the colors I want. It’s almost magical.

I own the [shoplink 12888]XF 14mm f/2.8[/shoplink], [shoplink 12891]XF 18mm f/2.0[/shoplink], [shoplink 12889]XF 35mm f/1.4[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 12890]XF 60mm f/2.4 Macro lenses[/shoplink]. More recently, I acquired an [shoplink 12881]X-E1[/shoplink] as a backup body and also the wonderful [shoplink 12887]XF 18-55 f/2.8-4.0 lens[/shoplink]. Honestly, Fuji has made everything so affordable for such a high performance system.

My only wish is for a fast, native optic 85mm or 90mm lens. That’s about the only focal length where the Fuji X system cannot replace my Canon except when you consider the [shoplink 12892]XF 55-200mm zoon lens[/shoplink]. It also won’t hurt to get a built-in ND filter like the [shoplink 12883]X100S[/shoplink].

Cheers to Fuji for listening to what people have been longing for in digital cameras! Everything so far has been well worth the wait.

You may check out some of my X system shots on my photo blog. Almost all of the recent portraits and street shots were taken with the XPro-1. The biggest job I’ve ever shot with the X was for the local edition (Philippines) of Esquire Magazine a few months ago [link here]. I have since done more with the X for the same magazine but I haven’t had the time to post them up.

I’m honestly addicted to your site and have also bought Rico’s book on the X-Pro1 and X-E1 [Patrick: use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30% on Rico’s book].

Thank you for keeping the site very updated and very informative!

Cheers,

Edric
 photo JessiMBengueXF60mmEXP1-850secf56ISO200_zpsdf7552d7.jpg