Different Twins: “King of Bokeh” XF 56mm f/1.2 APD VS classic XF 56mm f/1.2 (PROS & CONS)

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XF56 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Nathan Elson and Patrick La Roque tested the brand new XF 56mm f/1.2 APD lens. And what do they think about it? Did Fuji succeed in its difficult challange to improve a lens that is already almost perfect?

Keep in mind, both are testing prototypes… this means the overall performance of this lens can still be improved until its launch later this year.

Nathan Elson (first look) says in his first thoughts about this lens that “it’s not a huge leap […]  the original 56mm lens lets in roughly 1 stop of light more than the new APD version which could be a good or bad thing depending on the shooting situation […] the new APD version does have slightly more contrast […] slight improvement to an already awesome lens“.

Patrick La Roque (first look) thinks that “this filter [APD] adds a slight vignetting effect. And I do mean slight […] you’ll notice [with the APD] a bit more blurring breaking up the pattern. […] So given the slightly more pleasing bokeh, common wisdom would dictate that the APD is the better of the two right? Well, I’m sticking with different. Because there actually are trade-offs with the apodization process: Less light gathering capabilities & No phase detection AF, resulting in slower focusing. […] Does this mean you should immediately sell your 6 months-old standard 56mm? Well, I won’t — and I certainly won’t feel cheated. What this amounts to is choice, not replacement, upgrade or deprecation. As far as I’m concerned, neither can disappoint.”

Go for the 56mm f/1.2 APD if you need:
– improved bokeh
– slightly more contrast

Go for the 56mm f/1.2 if you need:
– faster AF (phase detection)
– more light gathering capabilities
– slightly less vignetting than the APD

This is just a very early PROS & CONS list. We will have to wait for more reviews and final production XF 56mm APD.

XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 56mm f/1.2: [shopcountry 21554]

miXed zone: more 56 APD samples, X-E2 or X-T1, switch to the X + X100S: “my creativity has grown because of it!”

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Pre-order
(& support FR. No extra cost for you, but a small comission is valued back to FR. Thanks to those who decide to support FR this way)

X100T: USA: BHphoto  / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
Graphite Silver X-T1: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
X-T1 + XF 18-135 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama /

XF 56mm f/1.2 APD
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

More samples at laroquephoto / Simple Comparison between XF56mm APD and XF56mm (exterior photo, lens construction, and MTF chart) at dicahub /

Fujifilm X-T1
[shopcountry 21553]

Fuji X-T1 or Fuji X-E2? And the winner is…. check it out in Spanish at Fuji-Xperience (English tranlsation) / Mein Resümee zur Fujifilm X-T1 in German at die-zeit-zeugen (translation) / Stéphane Monard: All albums except the Laos one is made with a fuji x system. Japan with an x-e1 and all Africa with X-T1 at smosvision / Fujifilm X-T1 Hints and Tips at photomadd / X-vinTage1: My Fujifilm X-T1 review part two at jonasraskphotography / Fuji X-T1 Review Follow-Up at masonmarsh / A day of sailing at doncraigphoto / A little taste of Icelandic B/W at jonasjacobsson / Fuji X-T1, My Thoughts at rf-photography / 30 B&W wedding pictures – Fuji X-T1 at leemeekphotography / Sean Marc Lee: My 3 page spread in September’s GQ Taiwan from the 9 page article “Girls We Love.” I wish they included all the details and closeups I took. All photos taken with the Fujifilm X-T1 and XF56mm. at seanmarc-lee / Fujifilm X-T1 Review: The RAF at danielkcheung / Lighting portraits with the Fuji X-T1 and natural light at iso1200 /

Switch to the X

Matt Russell: “Patrick, Well, I finally did it. I sold my Canon 5D Mark II with 5 lenses and bought a X-T1 with the 10-24mm, 55-200, and the 56mm. After having bought the X100s and been impressed with it, I can’t say how impressed I am with the X-T1 and the lenses. I’m starting to branch out in my photography (portraits, street, etc) which I felt inhibited by the size, bulk, and attention my Canon gear garnered. I would have to pick and choose which Canon gear to leave home as it all wouldn’t fit into my gear bag. I now carry all my Fuji gear (X-T1, 3 lenses, X100S) and have room to spare and less of a load. I couldn’t be happier with my decision. I will never go back to a DSLR.” mjrussellphotography.com/latest – mjrussellphotography.com/gallery/places/connecticu

– The Fuji switch part II: Weddings… at benjacobsenphoto / POV: The ‘Unbearable’ Lightness of Fuji X Series at thetravelphotographer / From Nikon DSLRs to Fuji X cameras ~ Reflections on the X-T1 at alexanderleaman / I fell in love with my X at wieselblitz / I sold all my gear for a Fujifilm X-T1 at russellfeatherstonephotography / A Fujifilm X-T1 Review Of Sorts VS Canon 5D Mark III & Olympus E-M1 at kithomasphotography / Should I sell my DSLR and buy a Fuji? at dougchinnery / Bye-bye Canon, hello Fuji (longterm X-T1 & X-system review) at juiceimaging /

Fujifilm X30
USA: BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / BestBuy / EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore

– more real world samples at dpreview / hands-on preview at kammah / X30 first look at dslrmagazine in Spanish (translation) /

KAIZEN

Chris: “I’d like to know more about Fujifilm plans for open source software. I’d like to be able to interact with my camera via an api, and create customizations/plugins that change the way the camera operates. There is Magic Lantern www.magiclantern.fm, which does this for Canon cameras, but the best option would be for Fuji to lead the charge.” /

X100S
[shopcountry 12883]

– Michael Falco: “I wrote a review on the X100S, I hope you find it valuable enough to share it. It came from my heart and my creativity has grown because of it.” Read it at michaelfalco / caving with the X100s at xexets / Fuji X100s at ianmacdonaldphotography / Here’s the iPhone 6 Plus Next to the Fuji X100S. Which is the ‘Pocket Camera’ Now? at petapixel /

other X-series cameras

– Tristan Williams: Just found out how well the X system handles shooting indoor concerts! Couldn’t believe the results. See here. / Hands On Review: Fujifilm X-E2 + Fujifilm 18-55mm at antonionunes / Fuji X-PRO1 in Bali at samburtonphoto / Photography of Marathon watches. Fuji X-E1 at simonpeckham / X-PRO1: photo shooting right before and after the sunset at wilsonchiew / X-PRO1: Suberashi Photo @ Morgan Motor Car Malvern at suberashi / Slowing Down with the Fuji X-Pro1 at kagecollective /

XF 18-135mm
[shopcountry 26452]

– Fujifilm XF 18-135mm, the “superb telephoto lens” review in Dubai at michaelrcruz / My thoughts on the WR 18-135 lens at jonasjacobsson / Weather-sealed Magic – FUJINON XF18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR at randallcipriano /

lenses

– Fuji XF 10-24MM f4: Shooting Architecture by Marco Sobrevinas at findingrange / Up Close? X-Pro1 Fuji XF 35/1.4 & Raynox +8 at roblowephoto /
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 & Testing New Fuji Glass at 35mmstreet / Movement. The essence of Old Delhi with the 56 and 10-24 at timsteadman / arch In August rally at Hyde Park, Sydney (with Fuji X-Pro 1 & 56mm f/1.2, 18mm f/2) at robertcatto /

RAW-conversion

– best X-Trans RAW converter at fujivsfuji /

Classic Chrome

Fuji’s Classic Chrome Film Simulation Brings the Magic of Kodachrome to the Digital Realm at petapixel /

Acessories

– New battery protection for the Fujifilm NP-W126 battery called Clip cap at ad-3d /

a little bit of everything

– X-to-iPad workflow at doncraigphoto / Paris street photography – traveling X-Photographer style at fujixfiles / My Gear / Fuji X Series Cameras at colinnichollsphotography / My love affair with EVFs at fujifilmblog / 500px has a new feature called groups. So far there are over 700 members to the fuji group https://500px.com/groups/fujifilmusers / Cambodia part 2 ~ Temples at prophotonut / Big Images and Small Cameras in the City at markschuelerphoto / with the Fuji X100s and the X-T1 at gaborimages / London and Fuji strike again, with an evening detour to the BWPA at lizzieshepherd / My dreamed Fuji XT on my next photo tour at nomadphotoexpeditions /

“This Fuji X30 is a great way to go… but the retro-cool factor is gone” (TheCameraStoreTV – VIDEO)

Unlike the just announced graphite X-T1 and X100T, which are respectively at the top positions of the overall CSC ranking and P&S ranking, the Fujifilm X30 pre-order start was rather disappointing. Sure, the camera features the same 2/3 sensor of its predecessor, but there are so many other improvements over the X20, that also Chris of TheCameraStoreTV appreciates: nice handling, the EVF, super-customazible camera, the control ring, the WiFi, the battery life, BUT…  it’s not nearly as nice as the Fujifilm X20… and I agree with that.

From his conclusions:

“Overall, if you consider the price point of the Fuji X30, we get a pretty amazing camera. $650 [admin: price in Canada] roughly, the RX100MKIII is pushing $900 bucks. And if you look at the camera like the Panasonic LF1, yes, it’s quite a bit cheaper, but, much worst viewfinder, I mean it’s not even close to this [X30], the sensor is smaller. The X30 really does represent good value. My only real complaint, honestly, is from a visual/esthetic… I just think it’s not as pretty as the X10/X20. They just had a great retro-cool factor, and this camera I’m not so exited to carry around in a visual way. But, if we keep it practical, if we think of value for dollar and photographic features, this Fuji is great way to go, guys.”

For a more comprehensive first look, read Rico’s X30 XPC special here and check out also his updated flick X30 images here (over 200 shots now).

Fujifilm X30: USA: BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / BestBuy /   EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore

X100T: USA: BHphoto  / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
Graphite Silver X-T1: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
X-T1 + XF 18-135 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE:

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VIDEO: Fuji Guys FIRST LOOK at the X100T and Silver Graphite X-T1 (+56mmAPD and 50-140)

The Fuji Guys just published their First Looks at the X100T and silver graphite X-T1. They also confirm the electronic shutter firmware udpate for black & silver X-T1.

They also talk about the new lenses. Especially the XF50-140 f/2.8, which, says Billy, really gives prime quality in a zoom lens: “it’s gonna be a very legendary lens, for sure!”

And check out how awesome the new X100T HVF is :-)!!!

Pre-order
(& support FR. No extra cost for you, but a small comission is valued back to FR)

X100T: USA: BHphoto  / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
Graphite Silver X-T1: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
X-T1 + XF 18-135 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE:

MASSIVE Fuji-X announcements: X100T, XF 56mmAPD, XF50-140, silver X-T1 (LIVE BLOGGING, refresh this page)

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refresh this page for the latest updates

PRE-ORDERS

X100T: USA: BHphoto  / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
Graphite Silver X-T1: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / WexDE /  AUSTRALIA: CameraPro
X-T1 + XF 18-135 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE:

 

FUJIFILM PRESS RELEASES

Fujifilm X100T / Fujifilm Graphite Silver X-T1 / Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 APD / Fujifilm XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR

 FIRST LOOKS and SAMPLES

FUJIFILM X100T: Dedicated Fujifilm Website / Fuji’s sample images / Zack Arias first look at dedpxl / First look at the-owl / Promotional Video /

FUJIFILM Graphite Silver X-T1: Promotional Video /

FUJINON XF 56mm f/1.2 APD: Dedicated Fujifilm Website / Fuji’s sample images / Nathan Elson image samples / Patrick La Roque image samples /

FUJINON XF 50-140 f/2.8 WR: Dedicated Fujifilm Website /

DECEMBER FIRMWARE

10 further improvements coming soon via a planned firmware update*** [ELECTORNIC SHUTTER: This functionality will be installed via a firmware update planned for December, 2014, for both the X-T1 Black and the X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition.]

  1. (1) Direct selection of AF Area
    The update will let users select the focus area using the 4-way controller, without pressing the Fn key.
  2. (2) Unlocked AE-L/AF-L buttons
    The function of the AE-L/AF-L button is currently locked, but will be interchangeable, depending on the user’s preference.
  3. (3) Variable Focus Area during MF
    When working in Manual focus mode, the update will enable changing the size of the focus area during Instant AF with the AF-L button.
  4. (4) Direct selection of Macro mode
    In Autofocus mode, the update will enable the Macro function to be turned on or off, without accessing the pop-up menu screen.
  5. (5) Q Menu customization
    To make the Q Menu (used for quick access of frequently-used items) even more efficient, the update will allow its items and layout to be changed to the user’s preference.
  6. (6) New video frame rates
    As well as the existing 60fps and 30fps selections, 50fps, 25fps and 24fps options will be available with the update. 50fps and 25fps allow video editing in the PAL regions, such as Europe, without converting the frame rate. 24fps offers a cinema-like view.
  7. (7) Manual shooting in Video mode
    The update will enable ISO sensitivity selection prior to shooting videos, as well as the ability to adjust aperture and shutter speed during movie recording.
  8. (8) Phase Detection AF support for Instant AF
    In Instant AF mode, which is operated by pressing the AF-L button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF, providing faster focusing speeds.
  9. (9) Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas
    Users will be able to interlock the AF area position with the Metering area when Spot Metering mode is selected.
  10. (10)   Expansion of shutter speed in Program Shift mode
    In the current Program Shift mode, the slowest-speed setting is 1/4sec, but this will increase to a maximum of 4secs.