miXed zone :: Fuji X-Pro2 & X70 First Looks :: XF100-400 Samples & more

kel

by Kelvin ON2

I just launched KLIKPRO, a marketplace for professional photographers to buy and sell their used gear… KLIKPRO is currently in Beta for desktop and laptop with mobile versions coming soon. Please test and provide feedback via the support page on how I can improve KLIKPRO…

My goal is to make KLIKPRO a unique platform for enthusiasts and pros to buy and sell pre-owned photo gear… To test, users can either sign up as Buyer or Seller. In the beta phase, testers are not required to provide any CC information, this will be enabled on launch.

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Hands-On: Fujifilm X-Pro 2, X70 and XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 at admiringlight:

“The new Acros black and white film simulation is incredible. It produces black and white conversions that show punch, contrast and subtlety at the same time, while really capturing the feel of high-end black and white film. It’s outstanding, and I was instantly jealous that it isn’t available on my X-E2 or X-T1.”

Revitalisation of 18 at jonasraskphotography:

“On the X-Pro2 the 18mm f/2 receive an even faster AF. I was really surprised by this. Its now super precise and super-fast. No hunting, no nothing. The added resolution of the X-Pro2 also seem to do something good for the lens performance.”

b&w straight out of camera at fauland-photography / On Assignment With Fujifilm’s X-pro2 Under Tough AF and Lowlight Conditions at John & Jeong youtube / Fuji X-Pro2 real world gallery images at imaging-resource / On Assignment: Mum for Fuji at strobist /

MUST READ: X-Pert Corner X-Pro2 First Look

New X-E2 Firmware

The New Fuji X-E2 Firmware Update – A Review at colinnichollsphotography / The XE 2 Firmware Update: “Kaizen” Is Not Dead at henrysmithscottage /

Fujifilm X70
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

MUST READ: X-Pert Corner X70 First Look

Sleepless in San Francisco: my photo-diary with the Fujifilm X70 at bjornmoerman / Fuji X70 – 1st shots with a production camera at imaginegnat / X70 at the Japanese site dc.watch (translation) / X70 initial thoughts at keegansreviews youtbube / Fujifilm X70 Shooting Experience: Taking it to the streets at dpreview / Review of the Fujifilm X70 For Street Photography at erickimphotography / First Impressions: Fujifilm X70 at phoblographer /

Fujinon XF100-400
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

0Jk1bP

Rico’s Samples at Flickr /

Jpeg / RAW / Converters

Darktable 2.0.1 released, fixes red/blue interpolation for X-Trans at darktable / Photo Ninja adds Partial Support for Fuji X-Pro 2 Files at thomasfitzgeraldphotography / Fujifilm’s In-Camera Raw To JPEG Conversions; Is It Something That You Might Find Useful? at thewanderinglensman /

_ _ _

Other X-series cameras

_DSF4734

X-T1: 72 Hours in Istanbul at jonasjacobsson – Follow Jonas Jacobsson on Instagram

X-Pro1 or X-T1… can you tell the difference at robvisualfuji / Fujifilm X-T1 VS Leica M9 (35mm, 50mm, 75mm) at seattlesteve / What’s In My Bag (Fuji X-T1 Location Photo Shoot Gear) at tavphotography / X-T1: A Bangkok Train Station Never Looked So Film Noir at wired / Fuji X-T1 vs. Leica D-Lux Typ 109 ISO Comparison at findingrange / Northern light Lofoten at flipbook / X-T1 best APS-C camera at thetechnofile / Long live XPro1… welcome XPro2 at igormotl / Fujifilm X-Series Overview Part 1 – Cameras at admiringhlight / Fuji X-T1 (or any Fuji really) Are You Shooting RAW or JPEG? at tavphotography /

X100/S/T + TCL/WCL

Fuji X100T Street Photography Review – There’s A Lot To Like at streetshootr / One Week in India with the X100T at Guillaume facebook / Our X100T photo gets featured at imidg / Fuji X100T, Osaka! at nicolaslambert /

Lenses

X-mount lenses / Teleconverter

90mm review at the Italian site instantart (translation)

The Fuji 90mm f/2 lens – a versatile performer at aboutphotography-tomgrill / Taj Mahal III – Love Letter to the Fuji XF 14/2.8R at littlebigtravelingcamera / Fuji XF 10-24mm: The Essential Lens for Real Estate & Architecture Photography at eyebeamimages / XF16-55 review at photozone / Winter Photo Walk with the Fujinon 18-55 at photo.stjeanm / Fujifilm 35 f/2 At The Beach at jordanmay /

Fuji XM-FL vs XF 23mm: The most fun you can have with your lenses on at macfilos /

other lenses / Adapter / Extension Tubes

Using Manual Lenses With the Fuji X System at blog.roycruz / Skink Pinhole Pancake lenses for Fujifilm at skinkpinhole /

Travel X / Switch (or not) to the X / Fuji X for Weddings

Fuji X – 3 kit options for weddings at ehnamour / Travel Gadget: What Makes Fujifilm X-T10 a Perfect Camera for Travelers? at outoftownblog / Marrakesh ; Beautiful and Chaotic at vopoku / Travelling Through Vietnam with the FujiFilm X-Series and the XF35 F2 at caveiraphotography /

Acessories / Flash / Bags

X Series XT1 & Xpro2 FLASH TALK on and off camera flash options Part 1 at John Armstrong Photography youtube + follow up here / Fuji X100T plus—real-world enhancements and accessories at macfilos / Flashguns and Fuji X-T1 at robgrayphotographer / 360° virtual panorama tour inside super narrow space of luxurious motor-home. Used equipment X-E1, Samyang 8mm F2.8 Fisheye II, and Pannomax (panorama head) at adphoto /

a bit of everything

X-Do Yourself :) – Meet Mister Ferri at ivanjoshualoh

Are Full Frame Digital Cameras Better Than APS-C or M43 Cameras? at thewanderinglensman / Three reasons to shoot jpeg + raw with Fuji at zonefocus / The beauty of vintage, or why I use Fuji at insigniachiaki / A year with Fuji at scottwilliamsphotographer / Couples Portraits Barcelona at vopoku / Photographing the city shadows – Classic Chrome on the Fuji X-T1 at aboutphotography-tomgrill / Order our new Street_Spot magazine! at robvisualfuji / What is in your bag, on your shoulder, in your pocket, at your hand, in your mind? at photodanielm / Photography and fruit: apples and oranges are not exactly the same at the Spanish site fujix-perience (translation) / My Gear Shift at davidduchemin /

COMPARISON :: Fujifilm X-Pro2 Vs. Fujifilm X-T1 @ High ISO (up to 25,600) :: And the Winner is….

ISOISO

image courtesy: billfortney

In my article “10 Reasons Why the Fujifilm X-Pro2 Surprised Me” I’ve placed the High ISO performance on the first position. The first High-ISO Samples looked just great, and according to focus-numerique, the X-Pro2 has the same performance of the Full Frame 24MP Sony A7II at ISO 6,400

Well, this time it’s billfortney, who compares the Fuji X-T1 (X-TransII) with the Fuji X-Pro2 (X-TransIII). His conclusions:

“My evaluation is that the X-PRO 2 shows significantly more detail in the fine detail areas, no surprise with a 33% increase in mega pixels.

I would have thought that noise would remain stable, but it has improved dramatically.

The X-PRO 2 is at the very least 1 stop better than the X-T1, maybe stretching to almost 1.5 stops. Look at the black scissors, the X-PRO 2 not only has deeper black within noise to speak of, but much better texture detail as well. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think I might actually rely on 25,600 if I had to, it looks remarkably good!”

For those who already used the dpreview studio shots and imaging-resource comparometer to compare X-Trans1/2 cameras with the X-TransIII X-Pro2, this will not be a surprise.

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

George Clooney takes Selfie with a Fuji :: Hear the X-Pro2 Shutter Sound (& more) :: DENOISE PRO Deal X-tended (72% off)

The cool X-shooter, the sexy X-camera… and that guy on the red carpet

Ok… let’s end this hard week of work with a curiosity spotted by an FR-reader (thanks).

George Clooney hesitantly approached a very cool X-shooter and kindly asked her if he could take a Selfie with that awesome camera (a Fujifilm X20 I think). The Camera has no Selfie Flip Screen, but as you can see, Mr. Clooney framed it perfectly anyway. Is this Selfie reason enough to add George Clooney to our famous X-shooter collection? – via Fuji X Forum via Spiegel.de

Fujifilm X-Pro2 Shutter Sound & More
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Of course the usual list of X-Pro2 first looks/reviews can’t miss in this mini miXed zone. This time you’ll also have the opportunity to hear the shutter sound of the X-Pro2.

Fuji X-Pro2 Weather Sealing & Shutter Sound at f16.click / Venice, a tourists view with the X-Pro2 at prophotonut / First Look at billfortney / X-Pro2: Six Days in Tokyo | Bleeding, Lights & Wilderness at laroquephoto / X-PRO2, Acros & SOOC… at laroquephoto / Photographic Retreat with the X-Pro2 or: How to choose a camera? at olafphotoblog /

MUST READ: X-Pert Corner X-Pro2 First Look

Denoise projects Professional

The huge rebate on the DENOISE projects professional software has been extended until February 29. You save 72% on it (pay only $35)!

This software, 100% developed in Germany, removes all forms of image noise: luminance noise, colour noise, banding, hot pixels & more. It can be used as a stand-alone Program or Plug-in (on both, Windows or Mac).

You can buy the software here and learn more about the software here.

dddenoise

10 Reasons Why the Fujifilm X-Pro2 Surprised me… and Why the ACROS Film Simulation will (sadly) never go to X-T1 (& Co)

My girlfriend is now officially addicted to my Fuji X-T1… what do you think, time for me to buy the X-Pro2? ;)
FR-facebook

_ _ _

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

_ _ _

Note: this list is entirely based on feedback we got in reviews so far.
I’ve never seen an X-Pro2 in real life… and it seems it will take very long before I’ll ever see one

1. Amazing High ISO – ISO 6400 on a par with Full Frame Sony A7II!: The high ISO performance seems to be really really good. According to focus-numerique, there is no difference at ISO 6,400 between the APS-C X-Pro2 and the Full Frame Sony A7II. Also, go throught the Full X-Pert Corner X-Pro2 First Look and click the high ISO series – Acros at ISO 25600.

2. Blazing fast AF in low light: At the end of January, Fujifilm release a new beta-Firmware for the X-Pro2… and I heard that this firmware turned the X-Pro2 into a AF-speed monster in Low Light. This was confirmed by lab test of lesnumerique, that show how the X-Pro2 beats any other mirroless camera (and not only mirrorless) to what belongs AF-speed in low light. It also outperforms some DSLRs (focus-numerique)! Another Review that confirms the fast AF in low light at cruz.ae: “the Fuji X-T1 post firmware 4.0 is already quite fast and reliable, but the X-Pro2 takes it to another level, specially in low ligh“.

3. Fantastic Dynamic Range: The challange for Fujifilm here was to improve, what was already so great on the current X-series cameras… and it seems they succeeded. Once again, I invite you to go through Rico’s excellent X-Pro2 First Look to know more about it. And check out also Kevin Mullins youtube video here… 5 stop shadow recovery!!!… it’s X-Trans Magic!

4. “Impressive” Video Quality: It’s not 4K, but according to videographer eoshd, the video quality is “seriously impressive“. Also dpreview is very happy with the X-Pro2 Video capability. They call it “a new era of video for Fujifilm” and say here: “The X-Pro2’s headline video specs are broadly unchanged compared to previous models but the quality has moved forwards dramatically. […] Add in the ability to apply Film Simulations to your shooting and video becomes another storytelling tool in the camera’s arsenal.” More that enough for me. However, if you look for 4K and S-Log, then the X-Pro2 is not for you.

5. Turbo Boost with X-Processor Pro: the new processor not only makes the camera super-snappy (fastest AF in low light & writing speed amongst all mirrorless cameras – src lesnumerique – quick start up time and overall responsiveness) but also improves the overall image quality. It seems to be extremely efficacious.

6. No Waxy Skin Tones at High ISO in jpeg: According to jonasraskphotography, the waxy skin tones at High ISO in jpeg’s are gone… so if I buy the X-Pro2, I’ll shoot even more in JPEG than I already do!

7. ACROS: From the samples I could see so far, I’d say that this is another Film Simulation that just looks great. Bad News: it seems it will never come to the X-T1/X-E2 & Co, since “Acros is an X-Processor Pro thing“! This actually doesn’t come surprising, since Fujifilm already officially said regarding the Classic Chrome Film Simulation, that due to the different processor (EXR1 Vs. EXR2), the CC film simulation can’t be implemented in the X-E1/X-Pro1. Same story with Acros.

8. Optical Viewfinder – now more versatile (up to 140mm): A feature that is sometimes overseen is the ability of optical magnifications. Now, with the X-Pro2, Fujfilm expanded its reach to 140mm, making the OVF more versatile (previous limit 60mm). As written in Rico’s First Look, “this means that primes like the fantastic XF90mmF2 R LM WR become even more attractive, but also zoom lenses like the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR or the razor-sharp XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR.”

9. Reliable Battery Indicator: This was not part of the rumors… so it was definitely a welcome surprise for me. Kudos to Fuji, who was able to finally make it reliable after 5 years of hard development ;)

10. Centered tripod mount: I know, that’s a little detail for most out there, but I’m that kind of guy, who appreciates these apparently small improvements. As explained at cruz.ae: “Centering offers 2 things, (1) When doing a Panorama or even a 360 pano, a centered tripod mount lets to find the nodal point so much easier. (2) You don’t need to remove the tripod plate everytime you have to change batteries, which can really put you in sh*t mood in an instant, believe me.”

I guess that’s more or less it… for now…

cheers,
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

X-Pro2: “A new video era for Fuji” (dpr) :: Fuji’s SOOC Vs. Lightroom Film Simulations :: X-Pro2 IR Comparometer & more!

Fujifilm X-Pro2
USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

_ _ _

MUST READ: X-Pert Corner X-Pro2 First Look

X-Pro2 & Video

After eoshd here, now also dpreview confirms: for Fujfilm, the X-Pro2 marks a huge step forward. No 4K, no S-Log, sure, but what it does, it seems to do really good. Here is what dpreview says:

“Video has previously been one of the great weaknesses of Fujifilm’s X-Trans cameras but that’s all changed with the X-Pro2. We’ve shot our test scene, pounded the streets of New York and captured all the visual clichés we could, to show you what the X-Pro2 can do.

The X-Pro2’s headline video specs are broadly unchanged compared to previous models but the quality has moved forwards dramatically. It’s still not going to be the first choice for professional use but it’s now more than competitive amongst its 1080-shooting peers. Add in the ability to apply Film Simulations to your shooting and video becomes another storytelling tool in the camera’s arsenal.“

Film Simulations: SOOC Vs. Lightroom 6.4

X-Processor Pro Film Simulations: SOOC vs. Lightroom 6.4 at fujixsecrets – looks like Adobe worked to match Fuji’s film simulations… now please also the promised “detail rendering and overall edge definition.”

IR Comparometer… and more

Fuji X-Pro2 First Shots: Flagship Fuji rangefinder-styled body struts highest resolution X-trans sensor. See the comparometer studio shots at imaging-resource

The X-Pro2…Finally! at neillsoden / X-Pro2 + XF100-400 @ hi-ISO at fauland-photography / Fujifilm X-Pro2 in 15 Minutes at jordanmay / ArcaSwiss L-Plate for X-Pro2 at Really Right Stuff / Long Exposure Landscapes with the X-Pro2 at macleancomms / Fujifilm X-Pro2 in 15 minutes at agentlemansword / X-Pro2: The Dream of all Photographers? This camera can do a lot, but not everything. Video at by chip.tv (translation) / Fuji X-Pro2 Review Part Two: Low light autofocus and high ISO performance at ianmacdonaldphotography / X-PRO2 : Remder My RAW ™ at petebridgwood / X-Pro2 test at the Polish site fotopolis (translation) / X-Pro2 review at whitecubestudios / I cancelled my Fuji X-Pro2 order and bought a Canon 7D Mark II at bershatsky / Thoughts: Switching from Fuji X-T1 to X-Pro2? at tavphotography / New Fuji X-Pro2 or Wait for X-T2 at ricklewisphotography /

Video: X Series 5th Anniversary Event / FUJIFILM