X-shooter zone: black and white, Fuji at night and travel light!

It’s time to have a break from rumors, deals and comparisons and to focus on what’s all about when you hold an X-series camera in your hands: taking pictures!

So here is another small selection of persons who waited under the rain for the perfect shot, who took the X-PRO1 and hiked through the Bolivian mountains, who translated feelings into images and who looked for the right light source at night before pressing the shutter-release button!

That’s what we have an X for, isn’t it? So let yourself be inspired by the shots of X-shooters in this post and then go out and take some pictures with your X (and if you don’t have it, then buy it! The X-superkit deals run until DEC 24 at AmazonUS, BHphoto and Adorama. You can save up to $1,400 on all XF lenses.)

And if you also have images and stories to share, feel free to contact me via fujirumor@gmail.com, facebook and twitter.

cheers
Patrick

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Carlos Bueno

Hi Patrick,

I have been following FR from the begining. I bought a [shoplink 15293]X100[/shoplink] (wow!!) and after taste the capabilities I decided to buy [shoplink 12882]X-Pro 1[/shoplink] (wow!!^2), while a long pre-order waiting due delays to supply the first units, finally I had it !!. Now after more than one year, I‘m still in love. So, I glad to present trough this time a porfolio www.rawcb.com Almost all photos with the X-pro 1 and a few with the X100.

All the best, and keep on pushing FR!
Carlos Bueno

Carlos Bueno

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Mauro Tandoi

Hi Patrick,

I want to share with you one of my pics taken with x-pro1

Now it’s at the top of 500px hitlist http://500px.com/photo/54102740 – 99.4 point (x-pro1 + [shoplink 12889]xf 35 1.4[/shoplink])

Mauro Tandoi

photo tnadoi_zps213072af.jpg

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Yulana

Hey,
My husband and I went to Bolivia this September and took our Fuji X-Pro1 for a real challenge.  After many years using slr + iphone on the trips Fuji X-Pro1 was very different. Although it is not the lightest and most compact camera, it is a great option for travel photography.

Stealthy look and ability to review photos in viewfinder are really handy (as well as obvious advantages of having all settings visible with camera turned off) in the country where a digital camera worth a yearly salary.

In every aspect the camera was performing top notch with the only exception of battery life. We were getting around 900 shots per charge and had to carry 3 extra batteries (which was barely enough during 4 day backpacking trip). Hope you enjoy this immense beauty as well as we did:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yulasik/sets/72157637145159586/

Thanks,

Yulana

photo bolivia_zpsd07b5640.jpg

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Marvin Kleinemeier

Dear Patrick,

I have been an X-Shooter for close to one year now. In December 2012 i got an X-E1 ([shoplink 12887]Kit Zoom[/shoplink] + XF 35) and added a X100 in February. I came from a Nikon system but hadn’t been passionate about my photography for a few years prior to switching to Fuji.

A lot has happened in the last year. I documented everything on my Blog. There were some highlights like a Street/Portrait Workshop with Photographer Alberto Garcia Alix where I only used the X100, which is still my favorite for street stuff. A few weeks ago I also attended one of the Fuji X-M1 Workshops that you promoted on your site and was so energized by the great photographer who gave the workshop, that I set out on a spontaneous road trip to the see.

To make a long story short, of 106 photos in my new portfolio on 500px.com close to 100 were shot with a Fuji camera throughout the last ten months. Right now I am eagerly awaiting the new weather-sealed body and the X-Pro2. Keep up the great work here, I am a huge fan.

For some semi-macro (macro with the 35mm F1.4 is not that easy/effective) click here.

Greetings from Germany,

Marvin (Bob Sala Fotografie)

[UDPATE: Marvin took his X-E2 and 35mm out for a night shots session here: ” All taken with the 35mm almost always wide open, iso between 800 and 3200 and shutter speed between 60 and a 100th, handheld – it was much darker than it seems. […] AF is super fast now, too.”]

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

Marvin Kleinemeier (X-E2 night shots)

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Comparisons Reloaded: X-E2 vs A7r (jpeg) + X-E1 vs X-E2 (RAW)

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Save up to $250 (stackable up to $1,400 savings) on ALL XF Lenses with the purchase of the X-E1, X-PRO1, X-M1 or X-E2 body. Check this deal out here at AmazonUS, at BHphoto here and at Adorama here. Offer valid through December 24, 2013

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X-E2 vs A7r JPEG

by soundimageplus

Patrick, firstly many thanks for your recent links. I do very much appreciate it. Via this my post on the jpg. comparison between the A7r and X-E2 got an incredible number of visits. I did that quite quickly so I decided to do a much more comprehensive comparison at all ISO’s and make the files available for download. This is a result of the interest your link created.

This is the newly published link here – and I hope you able to mention this in a post as it’s a much better indication of the differences as far as I’m concerned. It does of course also show how the Fuji files have a lot more detail at the higher ISO’s than the Sony, which I felt was missing from the previous comparison.

As ever thanks again for your support and hope things are going well with you.

X-E2 vs X-E1 RAW

Jordan shared the second part Jordan compares the RAW of the X-E2 and X-E1. Read and see more here at admiringlight: “So, the final verdict?  The X-E2 has a very slight edge in RAW performance over the X-E1.  However, it’s not something that is a big enough difference to sway an upgrade, in my opinion.  The reasons to upgrade from the X-E1 to the X-E2 are predominantly due to improvements in speed and usability. “

X-E2 vs A7r (JPEG comparison), X-E2 vs X-E1 (write speed performance) + subliminal message :)!

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subliminal message: the X-E2 is “seX-y too” (shared by Jan at the FR-facebook wall: “Hello folks, a X-E2 mirrored is just pure S3X!!!!”)

USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

1) FF vs APS-C, an unfair comparison… or Sony A7r and Fuji X-E2 JPEG comparison at soundimageplus here: “I’ve been writing in the last few posts about how good the OOC jpgs. are from the A7r and how they are better than the Fuji X-E2. Fuji is known for the quality of its jpgs. but they are no longer the best I’ve used. I’ve been writing (as well as Imaging Resource) that the Sony A7r files have the best jpg. rendition currently available. […] As you can see there is a significant difference and the reason that I’m so enthusiastic about what the A7r produces is that these files aren’t what I expect out of camera jpgs. to look like. Imaging Resource made the point in the above link, that Sony A7r jpgs. look much more like raw files very carefully sharpened with a small radius point.”

In another post soundimageplus says that, although the A7r is better, he still loves the X-system here: “the cameras look great and are incredibly good to handle.  […] The X-E1 in the picture above is a wonderfully light little high quality combination for unobstrusive shooting and of course there is a fine lens system that the Sony A7r can’t as yet match. […] Finally, I like the Fuji X system because it’s different. That doesn’t mean that it’s better (or worse for that matter) but it does offer something different. Plus it still has it’s ‘jewel in the crown’ that super special high ISO quality.”

2) Jordan Steele did a test in write performance between the X-E1 and X-E2 on Admiring Light here: “So, it seems Fuji was a bit conservative when they said the X-E2 had write times 1.8 times faster than the X-E1.  In practice, when the card isn’t a limiting factor, it’s closer to three times faster.”

3) Shooting football with the X-E2 and the 55-200mm lens at mikecroshaw here: “Overall I was very impressed and enjoyed the experience.  If someone was paying me to get the shots I’d dig out the D800 of course, but the fuji was more than capable for the purpose I needed it for in this case and I’ll probably take it again just to get more practice with the camera.”

4) Fujifilm X-E2 Initial findings and settings for portraiture at prophotonut here: “’I’ve had the Fujifilm X-E2 for just a couple of weeks but I’ve already studied the camera and the manual in detail to work out how I’m going to shoot with it. Here are three main ways I have established for shooting portraits with the Fujifilm X-E2 camera.”

XF 23mm available at AmazonUS & Adorama + photoreview’s 23mm, X-E2 and 27mm test

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[shopcountry 16128]

The XF23mm is in stock at Adorama & AmazonUS (one left, but more on the way).

Reviews

– photoreview’s test of the XF 23mm can be read here: “Our Imatest tests showed the review lens to be capable of very high resolution, which exceeded expectations for 16-megapixel sensor on the X-E2 camera we tested it on. Both centre of field and near-edge resolution were well above the 8-megapixel equivalent measurement we would normally expect, which seldom happens with JPEG files. If this lens has a slight weakness it’s slight edge softening at wider apertures. However, centre sharpness is excellent right up to f/8 where diffraction begins to take effect. Peak performance was between f/4.5 and f/6.3.”

– photoreview tested also the X-E2 here: “The X-E2 will appeal to anyone who liked the appearance and functionality of the X-E1. Essentially, Fujifilm has taken a very good Compact System Camera (CSC) and improved it in response to requests from owners of its predecessor. Buyers of this camera will be primarily raw shooters who want sophisticated controls in a compact camera body that doesn’t compromise on performance and build quality. Its user interface will appeal to traditionalists and serious photographers.  Documentary photographers and photojournalists will appreciate a camera that is responsive and easy to configure.”

– The photoreview trinity is complete with the XF 27mm review here: “One of the drawbacks of pancake lenses is that they tend to be slower than conventional designs. However, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, this lens is fast enough to suit most photographers and its the compact size and light weight make it ideal for situations like travelling and hiking. It is also relatively inconspicuous, which is excellent for street photography. This lens is better suited to still photography than video because its DC coreless AF motor isn’t totally silent. However AF speed was fast on the X-E2 camera the lens was tested on.”

X-E2 : USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

XF 27mm: [shopcountry 13829]

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X-E2 roundup + XF23mm available at ebayUS!

[shoplink 19630 ebay] photo stock_zps7bef646a.jpg[/shoplink]

A limited number of XF23mm is now available at [shoplink 19630 ebay]top rated plus ebayUS reseller kenmorecamera[/shoplink]. BHphoto (click here) expects to have it available tomorrow.

X-E2
USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

– A good X-E2 review of Tony Bridge at the magazine f11 here. The best to summarize his review is contained in his last sentence: “I have my order in!” He also recommends Photo Ninja! Check out the review here (and the whole magazine is well worth a read!).

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

– Great for stills, bad for video (with lot of artifacts and moiree). Faster AF, but it still can’t break the OM-D records. Read the good and the bad of the Fuji X-E2 according to CNET here: “For its image quality and shooting experience, the Fujifilm X-E2 remains a winner in its price bracket. But it falls short for action shooting and video, for which you can get a better experience by paying a few hundred more for a camera like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 or a dSLR like the Nikon D7100.” There is also a first impression video on youtube here.

– Pierre-Simon Bouix (blog) wrote me an email with his feedback to the X-E2 which I’m glad to share with all of you:

“Hi Patrick, Quick news and feedback on the X-E2 ;) ! I recently bought the new Fuji X-E2 for my work ( + 23mm and 14mm ), luckily i guess it’s one of the few we received here in France actualy.

Overall impressions i’m very pleased with it. Focusing is pretty snappy compared to my X-Pro 1. Almost instantaneous in certain lighting situation. Even in a dark room, it gets in focus most of the time without hunting, and also very accurately !

EVF feels really nice, no more lag and very responsive with Eye Sensor. Focus peaking is better thant my updated X-Pro 1, more precise and clear.

Although i was a bit disappointed with the new ‘split screen’ like focusing method inherited from the X100s, could be interesting in some specific situations when manual focusing or with non AF lens; fuji engineers did a great job on that features but in real-use situation it feel more like a gadget compared to focus peaking.

And i have to agree with all my fellow photographers who already commented on the lack of  ‘view mode’ button…it’s a real pain, no joke…c’mon Fuji, fix that in the next firmware ! I’m real used to it on my X-Pro 1 and in my opinion it’s maybe the only major disappointment i can tell so far from the X-E2.

So is it worth upgrading ?

Well yes, for pros and street photographers who are looking for a light and very responsive camera with outstanding iQ…go for it ! If you don’t, keep your old gear and enjoy it, X-Pro 1 and XE-1 are still great cameras.

And by the way, the XF 23mm is so delicious ! A real joy to use, well built, smooth MF, AF motor is quiet compared to XF 35mm and it got that unique ‘look’ that only great lens delivers…”