miXed Zone: look through the X20 OVF with digital Trans Panel… and more

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image courtesy: riflessifotografici

X-PRO1, X-E1 and X100

Massimiliano and Donato from riflessifotografici.it posted some nice shots. The first one, Massimiliano, took his X-PRO1 and walked through the streets of Naples (translated version), while Donato, with the X-E1, shot some portrait images using ambient light (translated version)… and if you want become a better photographer, riflessifotografici offers some courses (in Italian). Choose the course you’d like (basic, advanced or workshops). Start to learn more about photography and to shoot even more beautiful images.

Visit Sean Lee’s website to see his shots with the X-E1 and the X-100.

X100s (AmazonUS)

“It’s a wish list come true!” Focus peaking, Split image focusing, the AF button on the right side… and one desire: let a magic firmware swap all this improvements to the X-E1 / X-PRO1. It’s like Fuji’s next generation cameras. “An X-Pro2 with this new hybrid phase/contrast AF system has the potential for serious disruption. I’d most probably sell the X-Pro1 in a heartbeat for this upgrade.” This are just some thoughts extracted from laroquephoto.com (read here)

XF14mm

Now that he sold the looser of his trinity comparison (the X-PRO1), Alexander put the brand new 14mm on his X-E1. Here are his first impressions.

Here is the link to Roel’s 14mm test. Lot of PROS and very very few CONS… and he confirms what Rico already said in here: almost distortion free!

Will it be wide enough? Mike Kobal’s answer can be read here. Distortion free, fast but the image stabilisation could be better. This are just some of the PROS and CONS he noticed.

Speed Booster

Metabones Speed Booster adapter gives lenses an extra f/stop and nearly full frame focal lengths on APS-C sensors. Mat Gallagher explains how it works and posted some sample images here at dslrnewsshooter.com.

MJR linked this site in the comments. Metabones Speed Booster + FujiFilm X-E1 + Zeiss CP.2 35mm T2.1.

Best at CES / X20

Which was the best digital camera presented at the CES this year? techradar has no doubt. It’s the X20! See it here. And for the first impressions click here.

X20: OVF and Digital Trans Panel

Jump over to minute 35:30. CameraDiner introduces the X20 and X100s. And if you want to look through the OVF with the Digital Trans Panel (an ultra-thin LCD that provides some shooting information), go to minute 38:50. (Thanks Rob for the link)

Readers Lens Reviews Round-Up (Fuji 35mm f1.4, XF 60mm)

The first review, about the [shoplink 384]Fujinon XF60mm (price & specs)[/shoplink], was made by George Greenlee. He used a X-Pro1. The AF speed of the XF60mm has some controversial reviews. George writes:

The Fujinon XF 60MM focuses quickly in when there is lots of contrast even in low light like the night shots below, not DSLR speed but fine for candid work and I would have no hesitation in recommending it for that purpose.

He also has a tip to avoid AF hunting in low light:

There is just not enough data for the AF system to make a decision […] Fortunately the solution is quite simple, just use more focus points and make sure to fill the frame. You do this by hitting the AF button and rotating the selector dial left to increase the number of focus points. For night time candid photography I have found that rotating it two clicks left from the single focus point setting works really well.[…]Overall I am really enjoyed using this lens. It does not deserve a bad rep, you just need to find your own rhythm with it.

His review comes with a good selection of sample shots. Check them out.

Image courtesy: George Greenlee

The short video review below, about the [shoplink 386]Fuji 35mm f1.4 (price & specs)[/shoplink], was made by Adam (YouTube user FuzzyWasHeBear). He writes:

After a few weeks with the lens I show you my results and thoughts on this beautiful lens.Link to flickr images:http://www.flickr.com/photos/adampiper/

He also made a video with an in-depth look at two 35mm lenses on the [shoplink 6136]Fuji X-Pro1 (price & specs)[/shoplink]. Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R and Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton (price & specs).

Fuji X-Pro1 price check: [shopcountry 6136] Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton price check: [shopcountry 6437] Fuji 35mm f1.4 price check: [shopcountry 386] Fujinon XF60mm price check: [shopcountry 384]

 

The Fuji X-E1 Is The One

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Sometimes it is good to read someone who confirms what you already were thinking.

I am talking about the [shoplink 678]Fuji X-E1 (price & specs)[/shoplink]. Got an email by Fuji Rumors reader Rey Spadoni. He pointed me to a review he wrote about the X-E1. And he writes:

The newest X-mount body from Fujiflm is a dream come true.  It solves just about every problem I encountered on the X-Pro 1 and then, for kicks, goes even further up the tickle-my-fancy meter.  This is the camera I had been waiting for.  This is The One.

And the auto-focus…?

Much, much improved.  That’s a function of some software updates along with a built in motor within the exceptional, and I mean exceptional, kit lens.  It’s faster and sharper than any other kit lens I’ve used […]

Yes, the lens is a so-called “kit lens”, but it is fast and sharp, and you can control aperture on the lens. Ok, let’s see what Rey thinks about the image quality:

The image quality is indistinguishable to me from the X-Pro 1 and that’s a very good thing.  It seems to be the latest fad for manufacturers to remove the anti-aliasing filter  and Fujifilm’s sensor array seems to prevent moire and other concerning artifacts completely.  I saw no such problems.

Jump over to Rey’s review (click here) to see sample pics and get all of his thoughts about the X-E1.

Fuji X-E1 price check: [shopcountry 678]

Image courtesy: Rey Spadoni

More Fuji X100S And X20 First Impressions

Quick post to feature a X100S and X20 first impressions by Laura Hicks over at digitalcamerareview.

About the Fuji X100S:

At CES I had the opportunity to check out the X100S. It has a retro body design that is pleasing to the senses. Whether you are holding the texturized body or touching the cool metal, the X100S is the embodiment of a tactile experience. It is also solid and well-built. The camera responded quickly and had very good image quality. The f/2 lens was crisp and offered a great depth of field. But one of the most amazing parts of this camera was the electronic view finder (EVF). It was one of (if not the best) EVF I have ever held to my eye.

On the X20:

I was also able to spend some time with the X20 at CES 2013. My first impression of this camera is very good. The body of this camera looks strikingly similar to the X10 with only a few minor changes. The f/2.0-2.8 lens has a fantastic minimum aperture. The X20 has a lot of physical buttons and dials which feeds my need to have control over my camera. The mode and exposure dial are my favorites. The camera has a built-in flash as well as a hot shoe. And for those of us that can’t seem to break away from holding a camera to our eye, an electronic view finder is present.  Both the LCD screen and OVF are bright and crisp.

Fuji X100s pre-order options: Amazon | B&H | Adorama
Fuji X20 pre-order options: Amazon | B&H | Adorama

[via digitalcamerareview]

Fuji X Speed Booster adapter works miracles?

You really gotta read the two Metabones Speed Booster reviews at EosHD (Click here) and Lensrentals (Click here). Both Andrew and Roger are extremely surprised by the terrific image quality they can get through this adapter! As you know this lens increases the speed of a Full frame lens by reducing the image circle projected on the APS-C sensor. At the same time the lens also gets wider. The first two adapters for the Fuji X mount will be sold in February. There will be a [shoplink 6387 ebay]Leica R (lenses here on eBay)[/shoplink] and an [shoplink 6386 ebay]Alpa (lenses here one Bay)[/shoplink] adapter.

Preorders on Metabones website. Save this search on Slidoo to get notified when it will be available on eBay too!