Available soon: X-T1, 56mm and 10-24mm (56mm in stock at WexUK)

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X-T1: The light leak is fixed and the X-T1 is shipping again! AmazonUS expects to have both, the body and the kit, in stock within the next couple of days. Check it out here. And also Adorama is shipping the X-T1 (thx for the screenshot, Gordon). Adorama and BHphoto offer 4% reward at the purchase of an X-T1. You’ll find the X-T1 available at [shoplink 21553 ebay]ebayUS[/shoplink]. And lemme know what you think about the d-pad buttons on this new bunch of cameras.

XF 10-24: Always according to AmazonUS, the 10-24 will be released on March 31 (check it out here).Also BHphoto expects to have it available by the end of March. It’s in stock, but more expensive than normal, at Digitalrev.

XF 56mm: The XF 56mm is in stock at WexUK here.

Fuji X-T1: [shopcountry 21553] Fuji XF 56mm: [shopcountry 21554] Fuji XF 10-24mm: [shopcountry 20414]

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RoboSHOOT – TTL Remote Flash and Timing Controller

X-shooter John dropped me this email:

“I have an X-E1 and love it. I fact, I sold all my Canon gear as a result of my experience with it. But, some of the shots I like to take are not so easily done with the X-E1: like water drops in mid air, multiple flashes with TTL metering, and time-lapse (I have an after market intervalometer, but, half the time it’s batteries are dead or I couldn’t remember how to program it!). So, I decided to make a product that does all this, in a compact form and which is easy to operate. There were quite a few hurdles to overcome, but, after more than a year of effort and three prototype generations, this is the result.”

It depends on you if this product will really go to the market. As the ISO-unlocker (now at 53% of required sales) a minimum first production run is required in order to keep costs reasonable.

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RoboSHOOT – TTL Remote Flash and Timing Controller

The Serene Automation RoboSHOOT© remote trigger modules provide a cost effective way to remote your Fujifilm X series XF flashes while preserving true TTL control. The system is usable with or without user configuration. For simple TTL remote flash, just attach it to your camera, attach your flashes, and take a shot! For more advanced capabilities the units are controlled via an intuitive user interface right from your phone (initially Android© only). In addition to remote flash triggering, the modules provide advanced functions suited to a wide variety of artistic and technical photography.

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RoboSHOOT with Fujifilm X-E1 and EF-X20

The RoboSHOOT© series is designed specifically for the Fujifilm X-series cameras to keep your system compact and lightweight, without adding a bag full of additional equipment! The same devices are used whether taking portraiture with remote flashes, a spurious event such as glass shattered by a bowling ball with TTL flash, a ‘bracketed’ multi-shot sequence employing varied flash levels set by keyframe, or multiple long-duration shots of a globular cluster*.

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Production plans are pending, but, are possible even with low order volumes due to the use of an off-the-shelf case for the units. As a result, only around 60 orders are needed to bring it to production. Considering the near custom product volumes and that the unit supports a multitude of functions beyond TTL flash triggering, an estimated production price of $290 and $255 respectively for the Master and Slave, while not for everybody, is not unreasonable.

*Depending on your needs, slaves and flashes may or may not be used. Likewise, an optional sensor may be desired for certain types of triggered photography. The RoboSHOOT master supports all these configurations and more.

For more information visit: www.sereneautomation.com

X-T1 roundup: very likely the first magazine cover ever photographed with a Fuji X-T1, walk in Paris and more.

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image courtesy: modabambinimagazine (facebook)

– Pro photographer Sinjun shared the image above with FR via email. I told him that finally the X-T1 could be the camera that lets many Pros like him get rid of their DSLR. He answered:

What? are you suggesting we trade a 4 pound DSLR and 8 heavy lenses for a 1.5 pound mirrorless and 3 lightweight Leica comparable lenses that we could put in a coat pocket and shoot anywhere in the world without having to lug a big camera case around?  ;-p

what we have experienced so far: IQ on the XT1 is comparable to pro DSLR’s up to about 1600 ISO, X series lenses are as good or better and the X series IQ at higher ISO’s will only get better with time so we will very likely go all Fujifilm mirrorless within the next year or so.

Street Looks a Go Go on facebook / Moda Bambini on Twitter / the digital version of the entire first issue of Moda Bambini Magazine can be seen here

Fuji X-T1: [shopcountry 21553]

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image courtesy: Sabino Parente

– A walk in Paris with the Fuji X-T1 at sabinoparente: “Just few days before my long trip to Japan and to improve the confidence with the new Fuji X-T1, I’ve got a nice weekend in Paris, a walk between the “bistrot” and “patisserie” of the “rive gauche” and with a visit to the extraordinary photographic exhibition of the master Henri Cartier Bresson at the Centre Pompidou. I did pure street photography, a great workout in view of the intense japanese days that has improved the feeling with the X-T1, the perfect camera for travel photography.” And if you wanna see what gear Sabino put in his bag for his Japan trip, check out this article here: “The purpose is to travel as light as possible and also don’t appear as a tourist photographer, full of gears and big heavy lenses. This is where the magic of the Fuji X come

– X-T1 Shooting from the hip ~ A day at the races at the-owl: “I decided to shoot entirely from the hip, pretty much most of the time without the flip screen deployed either.  I used a zone focusing technique and added a little bit of hope to the mix. You know what, it was a bit of fun but I’m happy with a selection of the images.”

– Maarten: “I’ve created an XT-1 firmware update wishlist. Everyone can add suggestions and vote for ideas. Please check it out! Thanks!” Vote the poll here.

– reiview at neocamera: “With its professional features and top-notch image-quality, the Fuji X-T1 is very promising. Those who are careful enough with its controls and do not shoot in the cold [with gloves] should find this an extremely rewarding mirrorless camera.”

– MrGecko: “I see you are posting a few pics shot with the new X-T1  You are welcome to post links to my shots (also X100) at 500px.com/thegecko/  If you would like me to send files of anything in particular I would be glad to.”

Sorry Fuji Fans, The X-T1 is Going Back at thewanderinglensman: “In the mean time, I can’t afford to have a great camera and 4 lenses sitting around not being used because of the aforementioned issues.  When and if everyone agrees the green foliage detail issues are solved, I will probably delve back into this system.  After all, it is a good system for photographers.”

– First session with the X-T1 at schwarzweissart: “What can I say after some portrait shoots with the X-T1. It is the right camera for my available light portrait work. I like the new view finder, my XF-60 is now focusing much faster. The files are superb, especially the jpg quality (my preferred film simulations are MONOCHROME+Ye and RO Neg. Std). Ok I need to learn again the positions of the buttons and I have to say I prefer the 4 way controller of the X-pro1.”

– Fuji X-T1 First Impression by Mike Villa at artoftheimage: “For me, it’s proof that mirrorless (and particularly Fuji) is serious about gunning for a spot in a professional photographer’s bag. As someone who doesn’t shoot sports very often, this little camera easily fills 90% of what I ask from my D800.”

– Review at flemmingbojensen: “In conclusion, there is no conclusion. It is an amazing camera with a truly outstanding viewfinder – and some other pros and cons. I shall be traveling the world and working the upcoming Copenhagen Summer festivals with both my X-pro1 and XT1 and post much more. Stay tuned.”

– Review at boxedlight: “But know this… it’s not perfect.. no camera is… but it is small, lightweight and is capable of producing some pretty amazing and detailed photographs at a price that most can afford. It holds its own against many more expensive cameras. The most important thing is this.. it is fun to use and you will never have an aching back or neck at the end of the day from carrying it with you… and you will have some outstanding photos to show for your efforts. Fuji’s lens lineup keeps getting better and you will be hard pressed to find lenses of Fuji’s quality at Fuji prices.”

– review at camera.itmedia (translation).

Update: the rear buttons and X-T1 light leak

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Limited number of bodies available at [shoplink 23037 ebay]top rated ebayUS reseller kenmorecamera[/shoplink]

Fuji X-T1: [shopcountry 21553]

D-pad buttons

Officially Fuji seems to deny that there is any fix or improvement for the X-T1 D-pad buttons. But some FR-readers say that the new camera they have received after sending back the “old” one because of the light leak, has better buttons. One of these is Nick:

“Patrick, I recently received a replacement X-T1 (for broken rear command dial issues) and can indeed confirm that the rear D-pad (and other rear buttons) have better tactile response. I am unsure whether or not Fuji actually did a tooling change, as I didn’t whip out my micrometer before I sent the old one off”

FR- reader Jon said in the comments:

“[…] when I swapped my X-T1 for the light leak, the new unit I got with the safe serial number (above what Fuji said was not affected by the light leak), I noticed that not only was the light leak not present, but the 4-way controller buttons on the back of the camera were more firm and much easier to activate when pressed. They had a distinct click whereas the previous unit I swapped it for had more mushy buttons that seemed to depress too far when pushed, making them less easy to use/activate. […] I had both cameras in front of me at the store and it was very obvious that the higher serial number unit I got as a replacement was better as far as the buttons go. Whether they’ve changed something or simply corrected an error at the factory at some point, I have no idea. All I can say is that in MY case, the difference is real and I like the new camera’s buttons better than the other one I had. Ultimately, it’s not a big deal though. I could live with the way they were on the other unit, but if I had my preference, obviously I’d pick the one I have now, as far as the button feel/operation goes

So what’s going on? Placebo effect?

Light Leak

Grittymonkey has it again. Fujifilm took his light leaking X-T1, fixed it, cleaned it and sent it back to him within 10 days (with a letter of apology included in the package). Read his experience here. Pretty fast service!

But FR-reader Larry spotted this thread on dpr, where RicksAstro complains about the light leak through the assist lamp. Others don’t have this problem at all or, like Daniel, “can only provoke the issue with at least Iso1600 at 30s and the LED from iPhone more or less pressed against the Focust Assist Lamp (FAL). When I move the LED of the iPhone about 5-6cm away from FAL, there no issue anymore. Even at ISO25600 and 30s. So I wonder if this topic is relevant even for longtime exposures with NDs during daylight.” This video shows Karin pointing a flashlight directly into the assist lamp. Looks a lot like something that 99+% of photographers shouldn’t really worry about.

 

And if you wanna see a nice light-leak gallery, check out imaging-resource here to see some light leak images taken with the [shoplink 19558]Sony A7r[/shoplink], the [shoplink 21555]Nikon DF[/shoplink] and [shoplink 14518]D800[/shoplink] and more. Also Canon cameras like the [shoplink 13457]MarkIII[/shoplink] have light leak problems. It seems to be pretty hard for camera manufacturers to block every single photon of light.

X-T1 body in stock at pictureline

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X-T1 and sports, first impressions and “Under Review” at AmazonUS (only the kit)

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Amazon says that the X-T1 is  “under review”, but only the kit version. So there will be some delays for those who are waiting for the pre-ordered camera to be shipped. I don’t think it’s because of the light leak, because the body is not “under review”.

Item Under Review: While this item is available from other marketplace sellers on this page, it is not currently offered by Amazon.com because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it’s described here. (Thanks for the tip!). We’re working to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

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Yesterday I invited you to post your favorite X-shots at the FR-facebook wall. Many of you accepted the invitation and shared their images with the FR-community. As to expect, the number of X-shooters with an X-T1 is quickly growing. I’ve selected some shots, all taken with the X-T1, to show that there is no way you can shoot sports with it ;-). But read and see more by yourself at the FR-facebook wall.

And if you like first impressions with a few words and many nice shots, then check out “My hot date in Dubai: Fujifilm X-T1” at pavels.cz here.

Fuji X-T1

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / PicturelineeBay / digitalrev / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore / eBay / digitalrev
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / PicturelineeBay / digitalrev / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore / eBay / digitalrev

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Nir Leshem (X-T1 + 14mm)

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Kartal Kendirci (X-T1 + 56mm f1.2, ISO 1.000, f1.2, 1/1000 sn, SOOC)

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Steve McEnroe (X-T1 + 55-200)