image courtesy: myself (Facebook – Twitter)

Iridient Digital has released Iridient Developer 2.1. diglloyd says “Iridient Developer has some very nice facilities for raw conversion including some specialty black and white conversion modes and deconvolution sharpening. It is a handy tool to have around, even if Lightroom is your mainstay. Recommended. And there is a demo version available. Note the support for the Fuji X-Pro1, X-E1, X100S (XTrans sensor).”

You can download it here (demo version available. Not time limited, but all your exported images will be watermarked.) You can purchase it for $75.

“This release introduces 3 all new noise reduction methods which greatly improve the high ISO noise processing while retaining excellent detail and reducing color smearing along object borders! This release also brings support for using Apple’s RAW processing as an alternate demosaic option and to enable support for some camera models like the Fuji X-trans which may not yet be supported by my own demosaic processing. In addition this release includes an updated ICC color management processing which now offers support for both Apple ColorSync and LittleCMS v2.4 and black point compensation as well. A new “RAW Color Channel Mixer” monochome conversion method (now with 6 in all) provides direct access to the RAW sensor color channels direct from the demosaic stage with no prior color processing. Other bug fixes and improvements as well!” […] Fuji: X-Pro1, X-E1, X20, X100S, F900EXR, HS50EXR, HS35EXR and SL1000. The X-trans based cameras require Apple RAW v4.05 or conversion to DNG Linear format.

best
Patrick

Did you read the last “switching to the Fuji X” post (read here). Still not convinced to switch? So here is part II of this mini-series. And if you also have a “switch story” to tell (or rumors ;)), just share it with Fujirumors.

have a great weekend
Patrick

P.S. Rico is waiting for the Zeiss lenses and the Silkypix update to come, and he’ll write about it in the next X-pert corners. Mastering the FUJIFILM X-Pro1” (Kindle Edition) (Apple iBook Store) (German version).

– Vincent:

Hey Pat,

I wouldn’t say I have a “switching to Fuji” story but rather I made a discovery – I discovered a gem and that happens to the [shoplink 11923 ebay]X-Pro 1[/shoplink].
My Nikon set up was stolen around 10months ago, and during that period, I couldn’t find the passion to shoot unless it was a commissioned job.
For those jobs I borrowed friends Canon‘s ([shoplink 11332]5D2[/shoplink]) whilst I kept my eyes on the latest Nikon offering ([shoplink 11833 ebay]D800[/shoplink]), but none of them excited me in the slightest – I know that the DSLR’s would get the job done but after about 10months out of the game, I wanted something that would excite me, something that was different, I wanted a new challenge.

Whilst looking into the [shoplink 11923 ebay]X-Pro 1[/shoplink], I can recall thinking, “I am about to do something that could go amazingly well or horribly wrong” I shoot weddings full-time!
But I like taking risk – that is just who I am – if what you want to do doesn’t excite & scare you at the same time, then it is probably not worth it.
So I pulled the trigger and now I shoot fuji exclusively.

With these, I can go back to basics ; To learn more about this craft that we all love, to learn more about composition, framing, reciprocals etc.
With these I can shoot, shoot, shoot, make mistakes, learn, make more mistakes, learn, grow and develop.
If I am going to develop to become a good photographer, these will be the tools that will aid me to do so; they make we want to explore and take images; Photography is fun again!

As stated above, I am not sure it is a “switching to Fuji” story but I am glad I am now on Fuji and I am also glad that I cam across FR.

You probably help more people than you know! The X-PRO 1 is awesome, FR is awesome and I think you are awesome too (Maybe not as much as the X-Pro) Haha.

Feel free to stop by the blog: http://vopoku.com/mariage-en-france-isabelle-florent-preview/

Regards,
V.

Vincent

– Matti:

“Hi. I made the transfer to the Fuji X series when the X100 first was introduced promting me to soon switch entirly from using Nikon full frame and have a wonderful photography life finally compatible with my reflexes and third eye.
I travel a great deal to Japan and also run an exclusive book publishing label producing limited edition photobooks on subject matters like Irezumi (traditional Japanese tattoos) and Zen buddhism. I apply a zen outlook towards photography and have a blog where I write about it. The Fuji X-PRO1 is the ideal camera system for a person like myself and since I made the switch a few of my colleagues have done the same. I am currently working on a photobook showing my Fuji X work and will be heading back to Japan in October in order to document further for this project. I follow Fuji rumours on a daily basis and value Your work greatly! If interested you can have a look at my Fuji X work at www.senjuphotography.com
Kind Regards
Matti

Matti

– Josh:

“First of all, I love your blog! I check it several times a day, as I have become a complete Fuji X-Series nut. I just wanted to send you links to a couple galleries of photos I took with my X-E1 on a weekend in San Francisco. I used both the [shoplink 11322]35mm[/shoplink] f/1.4 and the [shoplink 11339 ebay]14mm[/shoplink] f/2.8. All photos were shot in RAW and processed in LR 4.4. San Francisco in Color and San Francisco in Black & White.
FYI, I sold all my Nikon gear for the Fuji X-Series, and I couldn’t be happier.
Thanks!

Josh

– Devin:

“Hi Fuji Rumors, Thank you for this amazing and informative site. I’ve been following every updates ever since i have ordered my X100s. I have been shooting Asian wedding professionally for the last 5 years. My current equipments are the Canon 5dm2 with some of the L lenses. But now with the X100s, i could totally use it as a 2nd camera at a wedding. And never again will I need to bring my dslr to a vacation. The X100s is totally my first choice for travel photography. Just wanna share some pics taken at a friend’s wedding with the X100s. It will be awesome if you think my shots are worthy to be shared on your site. To me, the X100s is not only built for street or travel photography, it’s also built for wedding photography :) Thanks, Devin” See Devin’s wedding shots here.

Devin

Important recognition for Fujifilm. TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) assigned awards to X-E1, X20 and XF 14mm. Read the award winner list here.

“The annual meeting of the Technical Image Press Association to vote for the best photographic and imaging products in 2013 was held on 20 April 2013 in Hong Kong. This year at the TIPA General Assembly 27 member magazines and the Camera Journal Press Club (CJPC) of Japan voted for the best product in each category. The General Assembly selected the best photo and imaging products in 2013 in 40 categories. TIPA has member magazines from nine European countries plus Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and the USA.”

Best CSC Expert: [shoplink 11888]Fuji X-E1 (specs&price)[/shoplink]: “The APS-C CMOS sensor-size16MP Fujifilm X-E1 harkens back to analogue design and handling with, for example, actual engraved number dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation control. The exposure modes are photographically oriented with a few rendition presets, but there is no emphasis on scene modes. Inside the magnesium die-cast top and front cover body sits a sophisticated X-Trans CMOS sensor with the ability to record up to ISO 6400, with up to +2 “push”, as well as stills in RAW format and H.264 (MOV) video with stereo sound. One of the most impressive features is the brilliant 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder.” (see here)

Best Expert Compact Camera: [shoplink 11890]Fuji X20 (specs&price)[/shoplink]: “The Fujifilm X20 features a 12MP, 2/3-inch CMOS sensor with ISO sensitivity up to 12,800. The camera’s Fujinon 4X zoom (28-112mm equivalent) starts at a fast f/2 and only loses one stop to f/2.8 at the maximum focal length, plus allows for focus as close as 1 cm. The X20 allows for manual zoom and manual focusing during video recording and numerous user controls as well as 8 “advanced” filters plus a “Motion Panorama360″ function. Hybrid AF is fast and reliable plus there’s a Focus Peak Highlight function on the 2.8-inch LCD screen. Lens shift image stabilization is built-in, as is a handy pop-up flash.” (see here)

Best CSC Prime Lens: [shoplink 11339 ebay]Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R (specs&price)[/shoplink]: With equivalent coverage of 21mm (35mm format), the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R is built with 10 elements in 7 groups and includes 2 aspherical elements and 3 extra-low dispersion elements, plus incorporates a 7-bladed diaphragm. Designed with Fujifilm cameras in mind, the lens has a short back focus distance which helps eliminate vignetting and delivers a bright, high-resolution image to corners. The lens barrel features distance and depth of field scales to aid in pre-focusing and hyperfocal distance techniques. Stops are in 1/3EV increments (19 in all) with a minimum aperture of f/22, and focus can be made as close as 0.18 metres (0.6 ft).” (see here)

Fuji X-E1: [shopcountry 11888] Fuji X20: [shopcountry 11890] Fujinon XF14mm [shopcountry 11339]

BHphoto expected availablity for the 50mm f/2.8 Zeiss lens is October 01 (click here). The price is not yet available.

Pre-oder the 55-200 at BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS, DigitalRev, PictureLine (USA), PCHstore Brussel

Pre-order the Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 lens (Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / PictureLine (USA) / PCH Brussel)
Pre-order the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 lens (Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / PictureLine (USA) / PCH Brussel)