ONLINE! X-M1 impressions of Max Angeloni (riflessifotografici) with 27mm samples

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image courtesy: Max Angeloni (RiflessiFotografici) Fujifilm X-M1 Fujinon 18-55mm
[definitely, the “soul” is in the photographer]

Max Angeloni of riflessifotografici just posted his first article about the X-M1 here (English version). Who’s the target group of this camera? Why will photographers who are coming from a DSLR feel right at home with the X-M1 (more than those coming from the X-PRO1/X-E1)? And do you want to enjoy some beautiful shots taken with the [shoplink 13828]X-M1[/shoplink] and the following lenses: [shoplink 13829]27mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12887]18-55mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12888]14mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12892]55-200[/shoplink]? Then check this article out here (English version).

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm)USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

image courtesy: Max Angeloni (RiflessiFotografici)
Fujifilm X-M1 Fujinon 27mm 1/4000, f/2.8, Iso 200

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X-M1: high demand and limited supply + leave the point and shoot world behind

The X-M1 is scheduled to be released on July 29. But now AmazonUS says: “Due to high demand we anticipate being unable to fulfill all customer orders with our first allocation. Product supply from Fujifilm is very limited“.

I really hope that people who purchased the X-M1 won’t have to wait for their camera as long as those who bought the X100S (and are still waiting!).

The X-M1 is tailored to those point and shoot customers who want to “upgrade“. Fuji now delivers them a user-friendly camera where they can experience a touch of professionalism: a great image quality in one of the smallest cameras with APS-C sensor, easy to use, tilt screen, face detection, fast processing times (EXRII), focus peaking, WiFi, mode dial and still the opportunity to adjust shutter speed and exp. comp. (and aperture) through the dials (depending on how you set the mode dial).

Sure, no viewfinder (and no option to add it as accessory!!!) can be a deal breaker for enthusiasts and pros. But the X-M1 is more something for those who want to step-up from a point and shoot camera, leave the “automatic snapshot world” behind and turn photography into a real hobby (but it could also be a fine camera for those who look for a small, compact backup camera that deliveres the same image quality and colours of the X-PRO1.)

And if the X-M1 sales well Fuji will have more resources to speed up the development of their high end models. So, Fuji, after “conquering” the mass market with the X-M1 (and the upcoming X-A1), please go back to the roots and focus again on the high end models.

And to what concerns the “X-soul” debate, at the FR-facebook page Matthew said: “It’s a camera, a tool you can use or not. Pretty sure the “soul” is in the photographer.”

Now, it’s up to you to see if the X-M1 fits in (or not) with your needs.

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm)USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

New Fujifilm factory in the Philippines: 18 million lenses a year by FY2015

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Fujifilm just announced at their global website here that because of the “increasing demand for high-performance lenses” they now started the operation of a new optical lens factory in the Philippines. The goal: “the production to 18 million lenses a year by FY2015, […] The total investment for the new factory is 2.3 billion yen.”

After the X-M1 and the XC 16-50 / XF 27mm (produced in Thailand and China) Fuji now expands also in the Philippines. It seems that Fujifilm products will be less and little “made in Japan”. But I hope that now the company won’t annoy customers with long waiting times anymore (a lot people are still waiting for the X100S and XF 55-200. Bad news for aficionados to the “made in Japan”, but good news for all those who switched to the X (or plan to switch) and do not want to wait eternally for new cameras or lenses.

miXed zone: The Valley of Ghosts, X-talk, X-reviews and Iridient Developer

Iridient Developer

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image courtesy: soundimpageplus (in the middle Iridient, at the bottom Photoshop)

1) Now also soundimageplus joined to the group of photographers who use Iridient to process their X-Trans RAF files (click here). [check also this FR-post here and vote the poll] Among the others he says that:

“You will clearly see how much more detail and sharpness there is in the Iridient Developer version, which is just from the X-E1 preset. The ACR file has sharpening added but still produces a softish ‘smeared’ result. The advantage of Iridient Developer over Aperture is that it is slightly sharper and still keeps the colour noise and moire under control. If you have a Fuji X camera and a MAC,, give it a try. I think you will be impressed.”

2) FR-readers Olaf and Kasia visited the Valley of The Ghosts with the X-PRO1 and X100S… don’t be scared, if you click here, you’ll just see some beautiful shots. All images were processed with Iridient 2.1 and LR: “Iridient Developer is new software, which supports the X-Trans files really well (the best demosaic so far?). We will share more about this in the upcoming posts.”

image courtesy: Olaf & Kasia

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X-talk

– The Lens Wipe contacted me at the FR-facebook page and told me: “We did an interview with Kevin Mullins who uses the X-series cameras extensively in his wedding photography. Though it would be interesting for you guys. The Lens Wipe is on iTunes or just use this link.”

X-M1

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm)USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

– Ahead of their full review ephotozine published some samples shot taken with the X-M1 using the 16-50 lens here and the 27mm lens here.

– A 2 minute X-M1 preview video at the digital camera world here.

X100S

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– X100S and infrared at digitalrelish here. “With the release of the X100S and its enhanced high ISO performance offering the possibility of going tripod-less whilst using an IR filter, I set off for a week away in the English countryside.  I wasn’t disappointed with the results from the camera. The combination of a higher resolution 16MP X-Trans sensor for more detail, the improved high ISO performance for less noise […]”

Matti Sulanto was on the streets of London with his X100S and XF1. The text is in Finnish, but the images are universal… see them here.

 X20

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image courtesy: eyalg

eyalg posted his well made X20 review here: “Autofocus in most conditions and situations is very fast. Instantaneous almost. Even in low light, the X20 manages to lock focus better than I expected, even when taking into account that it’s a high-end compact. In macro mode, AF is generally to slow to catch an insect without effort. I had to make several attempts to shoot a bee or a spider up close. […] Battery life is surprisingly better than advertised. I was able to take about 600 shots before having to charge the battery – that’s more than twice the official number.”

– Read thephoblographer‘s review of the X20 here: “The Fujifilm X20 is a great choice for the discerning street photographer and photojournalist. Despite its diminutive size, it packs a punch that shows itself in post. With a beautiful design and powerful innards, the X20 will get you the images you need. Just remember to get your mind out of manual focusing with this, but if you find that you absolutely have to, a tripod would be a good thing to have on hand.”

– X20 or X100S: “As you can see, the X20 and X100s are very different cameras, even though they share many similarities when it comes to design and technology such as the X-Trans Sensor. The diverse lens system and a different sensor size are the key elements that separate these two cameras from each other. It goes without saying that the X100s has been designed with professional photographers in mind, while the X20 is aimed more at the amateur/enthusiast who wants upgrade from a simple point-and-shoot.” Read it all here at mirrorlessons.

karimhaddad posted his thoughts about the X20 (or “X-junior“) here. The conclusion: “Even though I didn’t really need it, I’m still happy I bought this fun camera. It’s portable, although not small enough to fit in your pockets – unless you have some really big pockets. For you ladies, it’s small enough to fit in some of those purses you use. Most importantly, it takes some very nice pictures and gives the photographer many options to choose from. There may be some similar sized cameras that take better pictures, but I haven’t used them. I’ve played around with the X20 enough to know that it’s a great piece of kit. In many ways, the X-junior is my new walkaround.”

image courtesy: karimhaddad

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lenses

admiringlight tested the 12mm Zeiss Touit lens. The eternal question, Zeiss 12 or Fuji 14? And it’s again the Fuji! Read the whole review here.

– the German digitalcamera.de tested the new Zeiss Touit lenses. Read it here (translated version).

– Fuji 55-200 mm on a 720nm IR converted X Pro 1 at markhilliardatelier here: “As you can see as you get to f/11 we start to develop a small hot spot, but nothing that cannot be fixed.  Above f/11 the lens becomes unusable at the wide end.”

– Hand on the 55-200 at mirrorlessons here:In short, the 55-200mm is a very nice lens but I would never buy it. If you, however, feel it is the kind of lens that could meet your needs, you can check out additional photos below and the first article I wrote about his lens.

– A car race and the 55-200. See the results here at nicolaslambert in French (translated version). From the verdict: “Is it possible to take pictures of sports with its new Fuji telephoto? Yes, but …I think that to make a bet at the correct point, one must understand how the work of AF Fuji and therefore target areas with a contrast. For example, in this case here, a sticker with the lettering, the number …

FinePix HS50EXR

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Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR review at photographyblog. “As Fujifilm make a big play of in their marketing, the HS50EXR really is an all-in-one camera that will cope with virtually everything that you can throw at it, from macro photography to extreme close-ups of sports and nature. It also successfully mimicks the handling of a typical DSLR camera, with the obvious advantage of not having to carry several big, heavy and expensive lenses to achieve anywhere near the focal range that the HS50EXR offers out-of-the-box.