miXed zone: X-T1, 56, 10-24 reviews, new Fujifilm Magazine (no.3) and more

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Fuji X-T1: [shopcountry 21553]

kit in stock at BHphoto

– low light AF and EVF test on youtube here.

– My Fujifilm Love Affair – a X-T1 & XF56mmF1.2 R two week review at jkspepper here: “Why am I calling this a love affair?  Perhaps it’s because this best sums up the experience I have for the Fujifilm devices, both the newly released X-T1 and the aging X-E1 before it. […] The biggest change however is not with the technology of X-T1 AF system but rather my own perception of it; I no longer seem to worry about focus anymore.  With my other cameras (the new Sony A7R included), I always have an expectation of AF failure which is one of the reasons why I set my cameras to back button focus and DMF; I never rely on AF and can manually override as necessary.  Shooting the X-T1 over the last few weeks I have realised I no longer assess a scene with the same mentality as when I shoot with the RX1, X-E1 or A7R, I haven’t even used MF.  I’m not saying it’s perfect or even close to a dedicated PDAF system but it’s definitely more usable in many more situations than before.”

–  Talking about Fujifilm’s X-T1 with an Australian Fuji rep on here.

– X-T1 + 60mm focus speed test here on youtube.

– review at nikonglass here: “Other reviewers are noting how the X-T1 is merely an evolution of the XE2 but for me a diehard DSLR user, the X-T1 is actually a game changer that has the potential to shake Nikon and Canon so hard that they will be forced to answer back sooner than later.” For AF tips and setup suggestions click here.

– Fuji X-T1 the pro’s and con’s thebigpicturegallery here: “So a big question I have heard alot of people asking, is how is the AF and focus tracking, well put it this way, my Nikon D3 bodies are totally redundant now. The af and focus tracking speed of this camera is fantastic. I shot an event yesterday where fast camera reactions were needed, shooting with the 55-200 zoom I captured frame after frame of in focus shots, its that quick at focus and tracking,I was also shooting the X pro 1 with the 14mm attached, the speed difference is quite amazing, where the X pro 1 has a little think before shooting, the Xt1 is pretty instant. As good as a DSLR maybe not quite but its a smidgen difference.”

– Fuji X-T1…. a quick 1st impression at tonysweet here: “The autofocus is a quantum leap from the Xpro 1 and the XE-2, which is to be expected as the technology advances.”

– 10 First Impressions on the Fuji X-T1 at bcapphoto here: “The depressed buttons on the directional pad will take a bit of getting used to. They aren’t as easy to press as with the X-E2 and other models.

– First impressions at jekuarce here: “Earlier this week I had a chance to touch, taste, smell, and feel the new Fujifilm X-T1. I’m trying to lighten my load of camera gear. My Canon 5DMIIs are just too heavy for me. They pack weight when traveling. I’m a small guy so I can’t carry much with me. I was hoping to switch over completely to Fujifilm with this camera (I do own a x100s).”

– First Long Exposures with the Fujifilm X-T1 at stephenip here: “As you can see, the good for me outweighs the bad. While the X-T1 isn’t perfect, it does offer several improvements for long exposure photography over the X-Pro1. The biggest ones being the new EVF and tilting LCD. Are these must have improvements, not by any means. But since I was in the market for a new camera, they are certainly welcomed.”

– Fuji X-T1 + 23mm – Sony A7 + 35mm – Panasonic GX7 + 17mm Comparison at soundimageplus here: “So what does this prove? Well to me it proves firstly that differences between camera / lens combinations aren’t as great as often stated and secondly, apart from the odd exception, camera and lens choice for me is as much about handling, design, ease of use and enjoying the process as it is about marginal differences in image quality.” Further comparison between these cameras here: “A sensor / camera combination with the image quality of an A7r, the high ISO performance of the Fuji X series and the video quality of the GH3 would be something to behold, but we will have to dream on for that.”

– Gid Ferrer: “Just want to share some photos using the XT1 with the 18-55, 14mm, and the [shoplink 12946 ebay]Samyang 8mm[/shoplink] Fish eye.” See them on his Flickr here.

 XF 56mm f/1.2
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– The Dream Team – Completed! Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R review at olafblog here: “I could write a lot more but I would probably lose all my credibility as a lens reviewer – that’s how much this lens has impressed me. After using this lens on numerous assignments I decided to share with you more images than usual over the next few weeks. They include landscape shots, street photography, portraits and weddings.”

– X-T1 + 56mm model shoot at f-sunny here: “The lens reminds me of my Canon 85mm f/1.2L – another portrait specialist – it has that smooth bokeh and wonderful contrast – it just makes people look gorgeous!”

– A day with… Fuji 56mm 1.2 R at sebimagery here: “The build, the feel, and the optical quality of the Fuji 56mm 1.2 R are simply top notch.  You toss in the fact that it’s under $1000!!!  Unbelievable!!

– Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 lens – Hands on review at aboutphotography here: “Let’s just get this out of the way up front: This lens is sharp. It is sharp in the corners, sharp in the center, even sharp in the corners wide open at f/1.2. On top of that it has no discernible distortion, and internal focus is fast and quiet.”

XF 10-24
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EYES WIDE OPEN – First Thoughts on the XF 10-24 F4 R OIS at olafblog here: “I have spent the weekend shooting almost all my imagery at the wide-end of this lens, 10mm. What an impact it creates! While it is too early to evaluate all the technical attributes and write a full review of this lens, I can say with full confidence that if you are a serious landscape photographer, this lens should find its way into your bag.”

 X-E2
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 – Omar Barcenas: “Hey Patrick, Just letting you know I’ve shot my first wedding with a XE 2 (with a 23mm 1.4 and a 35mm 1.4) and D700 combo. What I found was that the XE 2 had really beautiful color that hardly needed work, where as the D700 took a lot more effort to get pleasing colors and skin tones. The bride getting was shot with the XE 2 and 23mm, while the ceremony was the D700, because I needed the fast AF. What I found was that the D700 colors needed a lot of work to get pleasing colors, where as the XE 2 was 90% there and just needed a little tweak… But with the XT 1 coming, all my gear will be Fuji in the future, I won’t need the AF from the D700 anymore. http://www.omarbarcenas.com/projects/commercial/jonathan-yvonne/

– Dustin: “Not sure if this is the right way to contact you about this but I thought you might be interested in some photos I made with my X-E2 and 23mm f/1.4“. See them here at dustinfranzphotography.

X100S
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 – John: “Hi, I’ve followed your site for a while and wanted to share with you and your readers a recent photo project I completed with the X100S while also challenging myself to use it as my primary camera for three months.  Hope you enjoy: see it here.”

– Fuji X100s Review: Awesomesauce at theglezzdaily here.

– The x100/x100s must have accessory at sebimagery here.

– Made with a X100S at furfur here (translation).

– Review: Fujifilm x100s – The perfect Image at doublexposurephoto here: “If it wasn’t obvious thus far, I LOVE this camera. After waiting a long while for it and reading so many positive reviews I was wondering if the it could stand up to my overblown expectations of it. Turns out it easily does! The camera never leaves my sight. I can take it everywhere I go and not be burdened by it. In fact, I rarely use my Canon any more. I was looking for a smaller camera to go along my DSLR and ended up finding a whole new photographic experience.

X-E1
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 – Richard Hinton “I started shooting with a Fuji X-E1 last summer, and I am hooked on Fuji. I plan on building my Fuji system, and stop building my Nikon system. I even revived my website. Thought maybe some people would like to see my images.” Visit his blog imbuedimages here.

– Ray Wong: “I just recently spent a month in India with my X-E1 and three XF lenses.  I’ve written about my experience with that kit and have included a link to some photos.  If you think it’s worthwhile sharing on your blog, feel free.” Ray Wong’s Flickr / travel photography Flickr:Body: Fujifilm X-E1. All black with electrical tape covering the logo. I’m very pleased with how it performed. It’s discreet, durable, and light weight. I definitely did not baby this camera. I used it in the Indian Himalayas where it was constantly exposed to below freezing temperatures, the deserts of Rajistan where sand was the main risk, and in the dense urban areas where it was consistently bumped around. Not once did it give me any trouble. It’s light weight was important. I spent hours climbing around the different monasteries at high altitude in the Himalayas. The weight never burdened me even in that environment.”

– Bristol in February at fujiphotographer here: “Quality is terrific straight out of camera, I’m always enjoying the experience of picking up my X-E1 and just taking photos.”

– Jeremy: “Hi Patrick, I’ve been a follower of your blog FujiRumors.com for some time now, probably since the rumors of the X-E1 started circulating.  I probably visit your blog twice a day on average.  I am a huge fan of Fuji cameras and have owned an X-E1 for well over a year now.  I don’t shoot exclusively Fuji; most of the time I mix it up with a D800 and a Leica M9.  But there are a few occasions where I only take out the Fuji.  I have listed couple of blog posts of my own below that are where exclusively shot with the Fuji X-E1 and the 35mm f/1.4. I hope you find them a testament to the creative possibilities these cameras can open up for a photographer/artist. From my photography site (Attending a concert with the X-E1) / From my personal site (Ukraine the beautiful).

X-PRO1
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– Michael McQueen: “So my trip is coming to an abrupt end in the coming days but I was able to witness the showman ship of the Uruguayan Carnaval.. the longest carnival in the world.. lasting 40 days. This photo essay was shot on just one. Check it out.”

– March 3rd, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 and 35mm 1.4 … Kills The Fuji XT1…) for Me! at streetshooter here.

– A wander around Lincoln to test Fuji X-Pro 1 settings at patrickstubbs here.

– An Afternoon in Paris at danielincandela here.

– Fuji X Pro 1 and VSCO pack 05…street photography Liverpool at ianmacmichael here.

– Travel Photography With Fujifilm X-Pro1 | Destination : Nepal | Doors of Nepal at shukurjahar here.

– Ground Level – Fujifilm X-Pro1 & XF 60mm 2.4 R Macro at roblowephoto here.

X100
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– Street Photography with the Fuji X100 at colinnichollsphotography here.

lenses

– Fujifilm 16-50mm Lens Review: This lightweight and budget-friendly Fujinon kit zoom shows impressive image quality at imaging-resource here.

RAW-conversion

 – Create your own Lightroom Plug-ins with Photoshop Droplets at thomasfitzgeraldphotography here: “To start, as part of my on-going quest to get the most out of Fuji X-Trans files, I had been working on a way to clean up the weird edges that Lightroom can give with x-trans files. I ended up with quite a complex photoshop action, which actually works quite well (more on that in a future post) and also adds some sharpening and a few other things.”

a little bit of everything

– Why WiFi or How the Fujifilm Camera App saved me at doncraigphoto here: “Nice to have the engineers of these cameras developing technology that I don’t think I need until, well, I need it. And, it just works. Great.”

Why do we like black and white photographs? at stockografie here.

– New FujiFilm Magazine is out! issue no.3! Read it here.

lens deals (great also for EU-citizens)

BHphoto: New Benefits for International Customers: PayPal now open to all countries!

XF 14mm: $200 off (price $700) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 18mm: $200 off (price $400) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 23mm: $150 off (price $750) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 27mm: $250 off (price $200) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 35mm: $150 off (price $450) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 60mm: $250 off (price $400) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline
XF 55-200: $200 off (price $500) at BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / Pictureline

German FR-reader Luzu explains how to order from Europe: “Choose UPS for international delivery, their option “UPS Super Saver” for around 45$ is the cheapest anyways. If you “pay on delivery”, UPS will handle all the customs work for you and deliver the item home to you where you pay the customs costs directly to the mailman. No going to customs office needed! Declaration of the deliveries from B&H is made very professionally by them and UPS, so I guess German customs are seldom stopping them. I already ordered two lenses this way (the 27mm and the 55-200mm) without problems! Btw.: The delivery is by plane and super fast … around two days only!

Light Leak Problem: Fuji GER says “just a few X-T1 affected and repaired within 10 days”

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Light Leak

A German FR-reader asked Fuji Germany for a solution with regard to the light leak issue on his X-T1 (I’ve reported about this problem here). They said that the problem affects just a few cameras (“es sind einige wenige Kameras betroffen“) and they will take the camera via UPS, fix it within 10 days and sent it back to him.

[UPDATE: The German FR-reader just told me that his local reseller replaced his X-T1 (so no need to go through the repair service), but the new camera suffers from light leak too… I don’t know how reliable Fuji is when they say “just a few cameras” are affected by the light leak]

Also my buddy Andrea of sonyalpharumors writes about the light leak… but on the [shoplink 19559]Sony A7[/shoplink] (read here)… it occurs when you use flash and the light filters into the camera even when all the doors and covers are closed. But the A7 light leak is a non issue, accoring to imaging-resource. They say that the [shoplink 13457]Canon 5D Mark III[/shoplink] leakes even more (as other Nikon and Canon cameras).

And what’s your experience with the Fuji service?

P.S: TJ Donegan via fujirumor [at] gmail.com : “Just wanted to let you know that we put up a nice article explaining the X-T1’s light leak issue, where it comes from, how it compares to other cameras, and how to fix it. The secret is pretty simple, as you’d expect: Gaffer’s tape. Anyway the link is here, feel free to grab the hero image or any of the shots from the post, we just ask that you credit Reviewed.com.

First Impressions

X-shooter Sabino did the upgrade from the X-E1 to the X-T1… and he seems to enjoy it. You can read his first impressions in English here, or here in Italian: “Well, let’s start with the only thing that i would like to change on this new Fuji camera: the 4 selection buttons on the front side are definitely to small… but I will get used to… Apart from this, the X-T1 it’s one step more in the photographer’s paradise!!”

In Stock Check

the kit is in stock at Amazon and the body at Adorama

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

X-T1, 56 and 10-24 roundup: more awards, light leake and more!

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X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

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bokeh-monster posted the X-T1 review here and 56mm review here:

“[X-T1 review] The gap between optical and electronic view finders has finally been closed! The massive view finder on the XT1 even puts my old Canon 5D mrk iii to shame, bright and detailed with almost nonexistent low light flicker, it is capable of turning night into day and tackles manual focusing with ease. […]”

[XF 56mm review] Everyone who is familiar with large aperture lenses will know there are tradeoffs, nothing comes for free! Typically these lenses when shot at their maximum aperture (sucking in as much light as possible, hence helping make exposures in dim surroundings), 1) Do not have the best centre sharpness (corners of the frame are typically even softer) 2) Exhibit low contrast throughout the frame 3) Suffer from bad CA (chromatic aberrations)… Examining one of the street portraits captured with this lens […] illustrates perfectly how the wizards at FUJINON have overcome some colossal challenges. […]. The 56mm at F1.2 has maintained beautiful blacks and brilliant sharpness throughout the frame at the same time rendering true to life skin tones.

– Fuji X-T1, XF 10-24mm F4 OIS & XF 56mm F1.2 reviews at work at olafphotoblog here: “We have already started shooting with this gear. […] Stay tuned for full reviews of the X-T1, XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS and bitingly sharp XF 56mm R F1.2. In the meantime, here are our first images shot with the Fuji X-T1 and the XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS.”

– How fast is a SDHC UHS-II card in a Fuji X-T1 at aboutphotography here: “My older SanDisk Extreme rated at 80MB/s took 15.46 seconds to write the images to disc. The newer SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-II did the same thing in 8:49 seconds – almost twice as fast.” [The UHS-II SD-cards are now available at BHphoto here and Adorama here.]

– Shared on FR-twitter: “This camera is amazing, it really is, FUJI hit it out the park with this one. it was really a joy to shoot with, its light weight, unobtrusive and completely gets out the way and help you make beautiful photos, all these are just my first day impressions of this camera.” Read more at itsneilb here.

– Fuji or Olympus? joshmcleodphotography has the answer here: “…the Fuji X-T1 is almost the perfect camera (for my needs). Shooting with it is an absolute pleasure… it is small, lightweight, inconspicuous, feels great in hand, extremely well built, has a great lens line up and is capable of producing beautiful images. I am so confident in the Fuij X-T1 that I believe it will meet if, not exceed, nearly every photographic need/expectation I can throw at it. Even if some say that the price is a little on the high side I think the Fuji X-T1 actually represents good value. In my opinion you have to spend a lot more money to get a camera that offers any real advantage in terms of Image quality, build quality and overall shooting enjoyment.”

Here is what lighttraveler thinks of the X-T1: “Fuji have changed the way I think about my craft and taken me back over 40 years and made me want to start all over again.They have given me my passion back by putting all the passion they have for photography and film in to these little cameras. At last a company that are doing things for the right reasons and not just mass producing cameras for profit.”

phoblographer X-T1 review here (and another award for the X-T1): “What the X-T1 really does is make the case for mirrorless cameras as worthy options for serious photographers. There have been strong mirrorless options before the X-T1, but none have looked so good. Sony’s done well with its NEX-now-alpha line, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Fujifilm in terms of design. Fujifilm pays just as much at to the outside of the camera as it does the inside. […] The X-T1 can bend to nearly any photographic need in my estimation, save for sports and wildlife photography due to Fujifilm’s lack of fast telephoto lenses.

admiringlight full review here: “The X-T1 is an immensely enjoyable camera to shoot with.  The grip is comfortable, the major exposure controls are all easily accessed and constantly visible.  The EVF is, in my opinion, the best on the market currently (though the one in the Olympus E-M1 is close).  Fuji has also made the X-T1 a responsive camera.  Everything reacts quickly, write speeds are blazing and all the delays that plagued early X-series cameras are now gone.  The X-T1′s continuous autofocus is something for Fuji to be proud of.

trustedreviews full X-T1 test here: “The X-T1 combines excellent design with a specification that makes it great value even at its circa-£1000 price tag. Above all, it produces breathtaking images and can be relied upon whatever the conditions, making it perhaps the best CSC on the market.”

Fujifilm X-T1 Review: Feast for the Eyes, Frustration for the Fingers at gizmodo here: “LIKE: Looks can take a camera further than most photographers are willing to admit, and the X-T1 is exquisitely beautiful. It’s an all-around speedy camera in AF, startup time, and burst rate. Image quality is terrific and the lens selection is becoming more robust with high-quality options. The great build quality and weather sealing will keep the camera safe from jostles and the elements. NO LIKE: The controls on the X-T1 are a mess. They go too far into analogue nostalgia at the expense of simplicity and speed. The EVF, while big, is very noisy in low light.”

– X-T1 review at flixelpix here: “Does the X-T1 deserve the hype? Definitely. The X-T1 is a powerhouse that delivers stunning, pin sharp images with the almost breathtaking dynamic range we have grown to associate with the Fujfilm X-Range. I struggle to find fault and I hope you understand what I mean when I say I could look at it for hours, it is a remarkable piece of technology. The controls are extremely accessible on the body of the camera and there isn’t hardly an aspect of the device that isn’t customisable or adjustable. The viewfinder and LCD screens are stunning and if that isn’t enough you can even control the camera via live view on a mobile device

Fuji X-T1, Nkon 50mm f/1.4G, Metabones Speed Booster – Is this the answer to low light shooting? at soundimageplus here.

– First Impressions at thewanderinglensman here: “The “four-way” buttons that surround the menu/enter button aren’t very well designed.  I almost have to use my fingernail in order to push them.”

– Doring: “Here is a little piece on the pixel-level file quality from the new Fujifilm X-T1. It may be of interest to those who depend on good per-pixel quality for largish prints.” Read it at doeringphoto here.

– Review at fotodesign here: “Well, it’s fairly simple to summarize my findings about the X-T1. In the end it’s rather an evolution of the X-E2, wrapped in a different body, than a game changer taking over the camera world. For me, the biggest advantage is the new high-res viewfinder, which I would love to see in a X-E3. The autofocus is improved, but still lacks responsiveness compared to the competition. This might not be true for AF-C performance, but that is something I don’t care much about. The image quality hasn’t changed at all and is still very good. Video quality is still poor, so nothing has changed there either.”

– first impressions at photomadd here: “Yes!  I think it would be hard to argue that this was a bad camera.  It is a very good camera.  I’m not convinced that it is the revolution many were billing it as though.  I think a lot of people missed out on just how good the X-E2 really is with their bias still in place from the X-Pro1 and X-E1 with the early firmware.  The reality is that the X-T1 is an X-E2 bundled up differently to make it look like something else, but same sensor, same processor, with just a few tweaks and natural improvements here and there to give it better dSLR style AF tracking and a faster frame rate.”

– Further toughts at luminous-landscape here: “Fujifilm’s X-T1 has been a very eagerly awaited device. I know that I was eagerly waiting to get my hands on one ever size I saw its first announcement. Why? Because it appeared to offer the design ethos of another era. A look at the top panel tells the story. Nice solid mechanical wheels and levers for all of the cameras major functions; ISO, focus mode, metering mode, shutter speed and exposure compensation. And, if you have a lens with an aperture ring, such as one of Fuji’s XF primes, you even have direct manual control of that.”

– Should I sell all my Nikon gear for a X-T1? at ohm-image here: “I am ecstatic about the X-T1. It shows Fujifilm improving on most things. But the X-T1 is in no way a replacement for a DSLR in the arenas where DSLRs reign supreme. A great mirrorless camera is still a not equal to a great DSLR of any stripe unless weight, size, lens selection (this refers to APS-C DSLRs), are the deciding factors.”

– “I noticed a light leak on the new FUJI X-T1.  When using the cable release during long exposures I had a streak of light enter the sensor.  The light leaks when using long exposures and light hits the microphone jack and the HDMI ports“. Check it out on youtube here. Trenton suggested the following temporary solution for this problem in the comments: “use mobile app to trip the shutter by WiFi, without exposing the ports. Oh, and it would be fantastic if Fuji updates the app with timers and intervalometers.” Rico said: “Those who are affected by this light leak might want to have their cameras serviced by Fujifilm. Fuji knows about the issue, and a service directive has been in place for several weeks. It’s an easy fix.”

– first impressions at peterlangfelder here: “Overall, it is lightweight and super-fun to use

– high ISO performance test at f8blog here.

– Fujifilm BLC-XT1 Leather Case for Fujifilm X-T1 at larsauthen here: “I’m not 100% percent happy with this leather case. It doesn’t fit as tight as I would like it. And it’s a bit unpractical to unscrew the bottom screw to remove it when you need to change memory cards. Of course, it’s nice to be able to change the batteries when needed with the case still on.”

focus-numerique full review here (translation).

– Had a fantastic weekend up in the dales with a friend putting my new Fuji XT1 through its landscape paces and checking the area out for one of my up and coming landscape walking tutorial days. […] Here are a few photos from the weekend.” See more at lightgazer here.

XF 56mm f/1.2
USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / – EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore / DigitalRev

– XF 56mm test at pchome here (translation): “[google translated:] Maximum aperture edge quality is slightly lower compared to the center of some of the meat received significantly enhance the rate after F1.4, F4.0 and F5.6 until it reaches the maximum value. A conclusion can be: the overall level of sharpness and excellent performance of the central portion, and the edge portion of the central portion so although not eye-catching, but within the acceptable range.”

XF 10-24
USA. AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / DigitalRev / EUROPE: DigitalRev / PCHstore / WexDE / WexUK

michaelrcruz tested the XF 10-24. Read his impressions here: “I really had a great time using this lens. This is the lens that I always wanted for my X-series system. The focal length is very useful for photographers who shoots landscapes, architecture and even street photography.  I don’t really have any negative comment about this lens, I know others would have wanted a 2.8 lens but it might have made this lens bigger and I think, the current size is just perfect for the X-Series cameras.  And to be honest in landscape or architecture photography which this lens will be most used, you will use high aperture values anyways and at f4.0 it is by no means a slow lens.”

– X-T1 and the 10-24mm Lens impressions at getdpi here: “I personally think it’s a great performance at its widest angle. Please note there was a million people around me and I was just snapping away so I could look at the overall quality and distortion control. In a couple of photos, the Fuji staff member looks a little distorted but for the most part, I’d be happy with these images in regards to distortion.”

It’s Gold Award: X-E2 review at dpreview!

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The X-E2 is now $100 off at several stores. Check it out here at AmazonUS, BHphoto, Adorama and Pictureline. Adorama offers also 4% reward on any combination, while BHphoto only on the silver body at the moment.

_ _ _

It was a long wait, but it’s finally here: the X-E2 review at dpreview. It gained the “Gold Award” with an overall score of 80%. They say that “the X-E2 is a highly capable enthusiast-focused camera capable of producing excellent images. Direct control dials and plenty of customization make for an engaging shooting experience, and its output is impressive. Wi-Fi and in-camera Raw conversion make it easy to share images. It’s only really the lacklustre video that disappoints.”

miXed zone: X-T1, why DSLRs sell better than mirrorless systems and more

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As you know, a new source told me a while ago here, that the new tele converter lens (TCL) for the X100/S will be available in late April / May. Now it is already listed at BHphoto’s website here. There is still no information about the price and release, yet.

With the [shoplink 12893]WCL-X100 ($300)[/shoplink] and TCL, X100/s owner will have a three-lens mini system (28mm, 35mm and 50mm) with leaf shutter, fast aperture and terrific IQ.

X-T1

– fuji x-t1 review #1: body & controls at f8blog here: “My first impressions are as positive as I anticipated they would be. Fuji has done a fine job designing this camera. The camera controls are very logical, and since there is a dedicated knob/switch for everything, you hardly need to dive into the menu at all.”

– Fuji X-T1 Review: 8 Hours Later at danielkcheung here: “Having now fumbled my way with the Fuji X-T1 at a wedding, I have a much better understanding of the X-T1′s strengths and weaknesses as per to the context of my specific experiences and usage of camera equipment. My main gripe is with the 4-direction pad and ISO dial locking mechanism. With time, I will overcome these I suppose. […] I’m not ready to say that the Fuji X-T1 is ideal for wedding photography; it is still early days. But I am happy to say that with more practice, I will get used to the quirks of the Fuji X-T1. I may make some modifications to the rear 4-direction pad. I will probably invest in faster memory cards. I also will need to wait for my XF14mm and XF56mm to arrive to do a thorough wedding test with a complete X-series camera set up. For now, I am satisfied.

XF 56mm f/1.2
USA AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / – EUROPE: wexUK / wexDE / PCHstore / DigitalRev

– Review at dcfever here (translation).

XF 10-24
USA. AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / DigitalRev / EUROPE: DigitalRev / PCHstore / WexDE / WexUK

– First Impressions Fujinon XF10-24mmF4 R OIS Lens at bertstephani here: “Great lens and I wouldn’t hesitate to highly recommend it to Fuji shooters who like it really wide. I’ll probably stick to the 14mm but that has nothing to do with the quality of the 10-24. It’s just that I don’t shoot a lot of wide angle pictures and for the few that I do, the 14mm is a better choice to me because it takes up less space and weight in my bag. But if I shot a lot of wide angle work, I would definitely add this lens to my collection.”

X-E2
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– Read trustedreviews‘ review here: “The X-E2 doesn’t succeed in every area, failing to match competing models in terms of AF speed and Wi-fi performance. However, if you’re looking for a retro rangefinder-type CSC that delivers in terms of design and image quality, the X-E2 is a pleasure to use and one of the best on the market.”

– Duncan Foster: “You sometimes publish reviews of newer Fuji cameras. If you want another one of the X-E2 on a trip in Belize, the review is here. And more photos from the trip (all taken with the X-E2) are here.”

– Fujifilm X-E2 review at trustedreviews here: “The X-E2 doesn’t succeed in every area, failing to match competing models in terms of AF speed and Wi-fi performance. However, if you’re looking for a retro rangefinder-type CSC that delivers in terms of design and image quality, the X-E2 is a pleasure to use and one of the best on the market.”

– AF speed comparison X-E1 vs X-E2 on youtube here.

– Harland and Wolff at Night with the X-E2 at flixelpix here: “I packed the Fujifilm X-E2 and the 14mm and 23mm lenses. I suspected that I would concentrate on shooting with the 23mm f/1.4 to capture the lights from the rig whilst trying to keep the sky as dark as possible (which isn’t easy in any city). After a number of captures with the 23mm I discovered a rather large puddle so decided to employ the 14mm to try and capture the rig, the cranes as well as their reflection.”

Fuji X-E2 – Voigtlander 20mm – Fuji 55-200 – More beauty and the beast at soundimageplus here.

– Fuji X-E2 with XF 55-200mm vs Nikon D4 with 28-300mm at stanleyleary here: “If you are used to being able to shoot sports as I have with a auto focus system as quick as the Nikon D4, then you will be a little disappointed in the Fuji. However if you never shot with the best Nikon systems, then you might be OK and not notice the delay.” For his other post “Fuji X-E2 is great for meetings click here.

X100S
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– NYC Long Exposures with the Fujinon [shoplink 12893]WCL-X100[/shoplink] at stephenip here: “The good thing about the conversion lens is that the filter thread is the same size as the X100S. This meant that I didn’t have to buy an additional step up ring to use my ND filter. The bad thing is that you need to tell the camera the lens is mounted to get the right Exif data. Not a huge deal, but I did find myself constantly forgetting to switch this setting on and off during our trip.”

– Settings for Great Black and White with the Fuji X100s – Part II at outdoorimagesfineart here: “It’s a long time coming, but I wanted too finish the discussion I started about using black and white with the Fuji X100s. I extend this now to really include all the Fuji X series, including the X-Pro1 and the X-E2. If you recall from the first part I tried what others have used by increasing contrast using the red filter option. However, I didn’t like the grey rendering for some colors.”

– Food photography with Fujifilm X100s at pavels here: “Again, zero experience with paid food photography and Fujifilm X100s as my only workhorse camera.”

– One Week in the Field with the Fuji X100s at photographytricks here: “Put simply, the Fuji X100s made shooting with a DSLR seem soulless and disconnected. For the first time in a long time, I am using a camera that seems a part of me, yet connects me seamlessly to my subject.

– Wedding Photography with the Fujifilm X100S at rogerspictures here: “One of the things I love about using this tiny camera is the fast f/2.0 fixed 23mm lens. Because the sensor is smaller than a traditional 35mm DSLR, the equivalent focal length is 35mm, and the images have slightly more depth of field than a f/2.0 lens would have on it’s larger cousin. But for a camera this small, the shallow depth of field is still almost unique. I use that feature a lot in my compositions, framing the subject with natural elements, the depth of field drawing the viewers attention to the subject with less distraction.”

– review at michaelkircher here: “This is in no way the most comprehensive review of this camera you can find. For that you should check out David Hobby and Zack Arias and Kai Wong. What follows is simply a first impression type of review after a few days usage. No pixel peeping or tech talk is used…well, not excessively anyway.”

X-E1
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– A Dabble in Commercial Shooting with My X-E1 at adrielhenderson here: “My personal photography kit consists of a Fuji X-E1 paired with the XF 35mm f/1.4 and XF18-55 lenses, four cheap YN-560 speed lights, triggers, an off-brand soft box, a handful of umbrellas and stands. Add to that my DIY collection: a pile of homemade ghetto sandbags, a staples-and-felt soft box grid, and best yet, my flower-pot-turned-beauty-dish! Quite the circus, really.”

– Hemanshu Narsana: “Hi Patrick, Since you keep featuring photographers and are extremely passionate about the Fuji series, I thought I’d share some photos I recently took with the XE-1 and8mm Rokinon. I am based out of India, and I don’t see many Fuji photographers here, so I thought I could try and provide an Indian perspective on the Fuji scene. Everyone who sees my XE-1 or my X100s is beginning to wonder what they are missing out on! Keep up the good work. I check your site every day for updates! Thank you for doing that for us!” Read and see his post “Fuji XE-1 with the 8mm Rokinon on my trip to Pondicherry” here at yougotlittup.

– A Vintage Alternative With Fuji X-E1 by Meng Yeap at findingrange here: “The quality that is produced from the Helios 44m is awesome. The lens is sharp wide open at f/2. For me, it is sharp enough especially, when I am shooting portrait with it. But if you want to get tack sharp photos, do shoot it at f/4 and above. The bokeh produced is also very smooth and shooting it at wide open f/2, it is definitely bokehlicious.”

X-PRO1
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– The Owl Sanctuary (Barrow in Furness) – Fuji X-Pro1 / XF 60mm 2.4 R Macro at roblowephoto here: “Up until recently, my two favourite macro lenses were always the Ricoh A12 50mm 2.5 or the Fujifilm XF 60mm 2.4 – both 1:2 (half-size) macros.”

– February 17th, 2014 ….. Fuji XP1 & 15mm Heliar ….. Ideal Street Combo! at streetshooter here.

– Marrakech summer trip with the Fuji X-Pro1 at fullframeboy here.

– Fuji X-Pro1 Shoots The Moon at prometheus here: “I’ve been exploring astrophotography a bit more with the Fuji X-Pro1 and have been tremendously happy shooting the moon at least.  The next step in the evolution of astrophotography with this camera is to start shooting more deep sky objects.”

– Fuji X-Pro1 camera test at markboltonphotography here: “My most recent camera acquisition, before the X-Pro1, was the Sony RX100… I kept it for 4 months before getting rid of it… The X-Pro 1 is obviously a different beast entirely, but I can assure you that it will still be in my camera bag for a while to come!”

– A camera build to endure klutzes: the Fuji X-Pro1 at charlenewinfred here: “The fact that my X-Pro 1 still working is a testament to how solidly this baby was built. Against all odds, despite the slew of delicious new offerings from Fuji, I’m hoping it will be a companion for many more years.”

X-A1
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– X-A1 review at pcmag here: “The Fujifilm X-A1 is the least expensive X-series camera that Fuji sells; while it doesn’t feature the company’s unique X-Trans image sensor, it’s still a solid performer.”

X-M1
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X-M1 review at neocamera here: “People looking for great image-quality at an affordable price have a good deal to like about the Fuji X-M1. This mirrorless itself is also relatively compact and saves weight compared to a DSLR. While Fuji’s lenses are not the smallest, most offer impressive image-quality which allow the X-Trans sensor to show its full potential.”

lenses

Fuji 55-200mm review at thephotofrontier here: “If you are looking for long lens with great image quality, a pro build, and very functional image stabilization…well, this is it!”

Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 (Fujifilm) – Review / Test Report Lens Reviews – Fujifilm X-Pro at photozone here: “The Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 is capable of delivering the high quality results that we associate with this brand. The images are sharp straight from the max. aperture and the center quality is even stunning when stopping down.

– A Very Brief Review of the Fujinon XF 35mm 1.4 lens at colinnichollsphotography here: “Peoples main love of this lens comes from its outstanding sharpness, I’m not going to make tests and charts, but show two examples of just how good it is, even wide open, which is how I shoot this lens most of the time.”

– Hands On with Fuji’s Premium X-Series Long Lens at macleancomms here: “Well the image and build quality are on a par with the other X-Series XF lenses and despite the variable aperture, the images are sharp across all focal lengths and at all apertures.  Even with the aperture wide open and the lens zoomed out to 200mm, the results are really impressive.”

XC 50-230mm review at photographyblog here: “Priced at £379 / $399, we probably wouldn’t rush out and buy one, but the Fujifilm XC 50-230mm F4.5-6.7 OIS is definitely a cut above the usual cheap telephoto lenses. If you can’t stretch to the better-performing and better-built Fujifilm XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, or can’t wait for the upcoming XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R OIS WR, then this affordable telephoto lens is still worth adding to your X-series system.

Speed Booster:
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– Metabones Nikon F to Fuji X adapters at fujixtras here: “Looking at the Speed Booster, the resulting images come very close to the “experience” obtained with a full-frame camera, and the image quality of the attached lens is largely preserved. The extra f-stop is a welcome addition to that. The Speed Booster helps to fill gaps in Fujifilm’s current XF lens line-up, at least until new lenses are added to the roadmap and become available (and the extra cash is spent).”

RAW-conversion / Jpeg vs RAW

– Hank: “Patrick, I just published an article that attempts to discover whether there have been any meaningful improvements in processing X Trans files in the new ACR release. As always it can be found at henrysmithscottage.com. Thanks!” – Later versions of ACR are much better than the early versions. I’m not sure if there is much improvement in detail with the newest release. I’ll use it though.

– JPG vs RAW at arihallami here (translation): “Yet another story for Fujifilm shooters. This time it’s about how to scale your images to have a filmy look and why not to shoot JPG with high ISO. Google translate will probably make a mess with translation, but the images will tell you the obvious.

– A first look at the Fujifilm Film Simulation modes with Adobe Camera Raw 8.4 at mirrorlessons here: “[…] the update remains interesting as it gives you a starting point to build upon in the recreation of your Fujifilm OOC JPGs taken with the in-camera film simulation modes. The rendering may not be identical but at least you aren’t creating something out of nothing as you would be if you were working the RAF files without the Camera Raw update.”

– Dan Bailey: “Here’s another- shooting RAW with the X-T1 and seeing how much information is actually preserved in the X-Trans sensor on the X-T1.” Read more at danbaileyphoto here. “As much confidence as I have in the Fuji JPEGs, sometimes RAW is necessary if you want to preserve the maximum level of sharpness, exposure and color info in your image, especially in tricky light. Seeing how well the 16MP X-Trans sensor handles RAW gives me even more confidence to use the X-T1 in any kind of situation.”

– Film Candy for Lightroom Now Available at thomasfitzgeraldphotography here: “After over a year of going back and forth trying to port my Film Candy presets to Lightroom, I’m delighted to say that they’re finally available. Film candy for Lightroom is a set of Develop Module that I designed to create a stylised image based on the look of expired and instant film.

–  Optimal Sharp and Optimal Snap a good combination for Fuji X-T1 Images at outbackphoto here.

a little bit of everything

– Why Do DSLRs Still Sell Better Than Mirrorless Systems? at amateurphotographer here (via CanonWatch via MirrorlessRumors).

– Another Fuji manager says: “Full Frame? First complete the APS-C line, and then maybe… we are investigating!” Read more at the Spanish site dslrmagazine here (tranlsation).

– Fujifilm 2014 Rajasthan Photo Trek at thedigitaltrekker here: “It is always difficult to find even a few moments to post photos and updates when leading a workshop. But we have made it to Pushkar and that means for the participants of the Fujifilm Rajasthan Photo Trek a day of rest.”

– My Mirrorless Choice(s) – Fuji X-E2 and/or Fuji X-M1 and/or Sony A7 and/or Panasonic GX7 – Part 4 – Fuji X – Beauty and the Beast at soundimageplus here.

– V Opoku: “Hey Patrick, I just returned back from shooting a wedding in Jamaica. I shared my thoughts with Fujifilm UK on using their cameras for wedding photography, and it ended up as an interview blog post on their site (read it here). Just thought I will share the post with you and I hope that it is helpful for any  wedding photographers who are interested in the Fujifilm X-Series, especially with the newly announced XT1 looking pretty good. Here is the link to the wedding.

. Mat: ” […] Fujifilm is going to discontinue the best medium format instant film, the 3×4 FB-3000b. This saddens me and about 11.000 customers who signed a petiton. I guess there is a way to stop Fuji from stop production: selling directly from Fuji’s sites? Producing after a great global order placement? In marketing terms, it is important for Fuji itself to keep a strong connection with instant analogue artists and enthusiasts. It would be great if you could make some room in your blog for this petition: https://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-discontinuation-of-fuji-3000b-instant-film-by-fujifilm. I’m not a native english speaker so, please, forgive my mistakes. Thank you Patrick. Kind regards, Mat, Milan

– A FR-reader wrote me: “Have you ever seen the site Pixel Peeper? Well Fujifilm has seven (7) lenses in the top 20 most popular and the 35mm f1.4 is in the top spot under mirrorless lenses.