Interview with Kayce Baker, marketing director at Fujifilm North America

Here’s what Kayce Baker, director of marketing for professional digital cameras at Fujifilm North America, says in his interesting interview with IR founder and editor-in-chief Dave Etchells.

You’ll find some surprising infos, like the fact that Fuji sells more X-E1 body only versions than the kit with zoom lens. And that they are selling more 35mm prime lenses than all of the X-PRO1 bodies in the market so far.

She also gives some news about Fuji’s roadmap where some lenses are slated for early 2013. “We’re looking at around April to May availability for the 55-200mm, as well as the 27mm pancake. For the 10-24mm and 23mm f/1.4, more towards the end of the year or the beginning of 2014.”

She explains how Fuji worked to improve lens flare on the X100s and also that”… together [X-Trans II and no low-pass filter], those allow a 30% improvement in signal to noise over the previous model, and a 25% increase in resolution.”

And what about Adobe and Apple? “As far as I understand it, we have given each company all the algorithmic information that they need, and which they have requested to be able to make a more powerful and accurate RAW converter process.”

Read the whole interview at imaging-resource here.

 

[UPDATE] Firmware Update available (X-E1 Ver.1.04 and X PRO 1 Ver. 2.03)

update photo update_zpscfe1d950.png

[UPDATE] Many of you could not notice a slower AF and noisier lens. So also Einar, who posted his findings here. “I think the camera seems more responsive, faster. The autofocus too, seems better on all the lenses. I have only tried in good lighting conditions, still some hunting in low contrast areas, but overall I would say this is an improvement.” I got more emails from readers telling me that the improvements of the AF (35mm lens) in low light conditions are impressive! And Rico anticipated his X-Pert Corner post from friday to today.

[Original Post] Finally, here it is! Click here to go to the download page (for X-E1)… But, maybe it would be wise to wait until tomorrow to update the firmware, when Rico will give you some useful tips in his X-Pert Corner article about how to do it. (For the X-PRO1 firmware update click here)

In the meantime I’ve received some first impressions from Fujirumors Readers. They are reporting some problems with this new firmware.

“The lens firmware may update, but the version number remains 2.01.  An oversight on Fuji’s part, possibly. I see the issue, and so do others… the other thing is they may have improved accuracy of focussing with the 35mm lens… but it has slowed down and become MUCH noisier.”

“…focussing speed has definitely slowed down considerably compared to the last update, but may still be slightly faster than original. Noise is an issue.  When the XP1 first came out it was quiet, the only issue being aperture chatter.  Now the 35mm lens, in particular, is a VERY noisy lens, and it’s not a nice noise.”

So, just install the firmware update, as soon as Rico posts his article, and then share your findings in the comments.

Here are the details of this update:

The firmware update Ver.1.04 from Ver. 1.01 incorporates the following issue

1.    Adding the compatibility with “XF14mmF2.8R”.
You will get the full performance of “XF14mmF2.8R”, including Manual Focus function.

2.    Newly added function
Shutter release button can be active even if an external microphone or a remote release is connected to USB mini terminal or MIC/REMOTE terminal (Φ2.5mm) of the camera.

3.    Improvement in performance
(1)Accuracy of auto focus performance has been much improved under a various shooting condition.
Shooting with XF35mm lens, Shooting for the target with relatively high frequency, One-push AF by pressing AE-L/AF-L button,

<Notice>
To enable more accurate AF performance with XF35mm lens, please update the firmware of your Fujinon XF35mm lens at the same time. Firwware version must be Ver 2.02 or later.

(2)Audio performance has been optimized for Stereo Microphone MIC-ST1 (sold separately.)
(3)Improvement of unexpected pixels recorded in the top far-left taken with XF18-55mm Lens under the condition of middle range focal length.

[Update] One XF14mm in stock (sold by third part reseller)

 

[Update] The 17th Street Photo lens has been sold. By clicking on the link you will be redirected to the 14mm lens sold by willoughbys through AmazonUS, but you have to pay $100 extra. So preorder the lens at the other shops linked at the bottom of this article.

[Original post]: 17th Street Photo is selling the XF14mm lens through AmazonUS (click here). There is only 1 lens in stock right now at Amazon, so hurry if you want to grab it!

Thanks again Roger for the link!

XF14mm in stock status at B&H / Adorama / Amazon GERMANY / Amazon ITALY / or on ebay worldwide via slidoo

Fuji Japan announces the new X100s and X20 release info.

Fuji Japan (translation here) announced that they delayed the official X100s and X20 camera release from February 16th to  February 23th. Not really a big delay. It’s is interesting to hear that Fuji said that the cause fo the delay is the unexpected high demand for both cameras. Good news for Fuji :)

Fuji X100s preorder search links at [shopcountry 6127].
Fuji X20 preorder search links at [shopcountry 6687].

And by the way, if yous till care about the “older” Fuji X100 you can grab it for $842.07 at [shoplink 6691 ebay]BigValue (Click here)[/shoplink].