X-shooter Edric: “Never look back to DSLR. Fuji has made everything so affordable for such a high performance system.”

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Edric: “I attached 3 photos. These shots give me the confidence to never look back [to the DSLR].”

You can share your stories via email at fujirumor@gmail.com, anonymously via rumor box and also via google+, facebook and twitter.

have a great Sunday
 photo Patrick_zpse517a3cc.png  (google+, facebook and twitter)

by Edrich Chen

(http://theedricchen.com/)

Hi Patrick,

I switched from a [shoplink 13457]Canon 5D Mk III[/shoplink] earlier this year and have not since looked back.

A lot of cameras are fun to play with but sometimes, one simply cannot unconditionally trust them. I switched from a full-frame Canon system to the Fuji XPro-1 earlier this year. As much as I can trust the Canon in almost every circumstance, my back and shoulders couldn’t take the weight especially since I loved wandering in the streets for extended periods of time. That all changed when I started using the [shoplink 12882]X-Pro1[/shoplink].

I know I am a latecomer to the X system but reading all those slightly negative to downright negative reviews really worried me at first. I shopped around to be sure. Personally, I can say that the X-Pro1 has the most tactile response out of all the other MILCs in the market. It is not as fast as a DSLR in terms of autofocus and card write speed but I learned to accept those constraints. The biggest plus was that I became really careful with every shot, not as careful as with a film camera, but definitely more intentional with every click of the shutter.

The small but solid construction of the camera helps my human subjects be less intimidated with being photographed. It also makes other people, especially security, less interested in what I’m up to when I shoot. I do still get kicked out of certain areas but for the right reasons. I have to admit that the X-Pro1 has made me more adventurous as a photographer.

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I am not qualified to add more to the technical discussion of the X cameras but I can assure that anyone who embraces its quirks will have a good time with it. One thing I cannot entirely wrap my head around is how beautiful the colors are with the Fuji. I do shoot RAW and process files in [shoplink 17566]Lightroom 5.2[/shoplink] and [shoplink 17567]Photoshop CC[/shoplink] but I can’t understand how easy it is for me to achieve the colors I want. It’s almost magical.

I own the [shoplink 12888]XF 14mm f/2.8[/shoplink], [shoplink 12891]XF 18mm f/2.0[/shoplink], [shoplink 12889]XF 35mm f/1.4[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 12890]XF 60mm f/2.4 Macro lenses[/shoplink]. More recently, I acquired an [shoplink 12881]X-E1[/shoplink] as a backup body and also the wonderful [shoplink 12887]XF 18-55 f/2.8-4.0 lens[/shoplink]. Honestly, Fuji has made everything so affordable for such a high performance system.

My only wish is for a fast, native optic 85mm or 90mm lens. That’s about the only focal length where the Fuji X system cannot replace my Canon except when you consider the [shoplink 12892]XF 55-200mm zoon lens[/shoplink]. It also won’t hurt to get a built-in ND filter like the [shoplink 12883]X100S[/shoplink].

Cheers to Fuji for listening to what people have been longing for in digital cameras! Everything so far has been well worth the wait.

You may check out some of my X system shots on my photo blog. Almost all of the recent portraits and street shots were taken with the XPro-1. The biggest job I’ve ever shot with the X was for the local edition (Philippines) of Esquire Magazine a few months ago [link here]. I have since done more with the X for the same magazine but I haven’t had the time to post them up.

I’m honestly addicted to your site and have also bought Rico’s book on the X-Pro1 and X-E1 [Patrick: use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30% on Rico’s book].

Thank you for keeping the site very updated and very informative!

Cheers,

Edric
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X-E2: Fuji Guys (Video) and Will Crockett’s review (video) + LR5 Unmasked (15% discount throughout November 3rd)

X-E2

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

– The Spanish site Fujistas had the opportunity to play with the X-E2 for a while. Read their first impressions here (translation): “Another big jump is the electronic viewfinder. […] The viewfinder image is updated very quickly, even moving the camera like crazy (people looked at me quite strangely). Finally we have to get wet with the big question, is it worth upgrading to the Fuji X-E2 from the Fuji X-E1? ”

– The Fuji Guys top features video of the X-E2 is online now here on youtube.

– Will Crockett posted a 20 minutes review about the X-E2 here on youtube: “Sony cameras, Olympus cameras… and I love Lumix cameras. But the Fuji cameras are different! Why? They’ve got gorgeous image quality! […] Each one of the segments of this review I’m gonna change the pre-processing settings. I’m gonna show you why I adjust and how I adjust it and I’m gonna deliver this without any post-processing.”

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LR 5 UNMASKED

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Craft & Vision (www.craftandvision.com) published Piet Van den Eynde’s latest eBook: ‘Lightroom 5 Unmasked. A Complete Guide to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom’. As its name implies, the 13 chapters in this 350+ page PDF eBook are all about that wonderful workflow application called Adobe Lightroom.

In addition to the 13 chapters, the eBook features 69 cases with step-by-step instructions on special techniques or workflow procedures. 14 of these cases are pro-cases aimed at more advanced users. There are cases ranging from how to get the most out of the new Smart Previews feature all the way to how to make killer HDR images with nothing but Lightroom and Photoshop.

Upgraders were kept in mind during layout: text boxes labeled ‘New in Lightroom 5′ and specific cases draw the attention to important changes.

The eBook does not limit itself to Lightroom as it comes out of the box, but points the reader to useful third-party applications and plugins that integrate well with Lightroom. For example, Piet mentions alternative input devices but also web plugins that allow the creation of complete websites from within Lightroom. That way, the book helps the reader to use Lightroom as the central hub in his image-editing workflow.

The list price of this eBook is $20. Throughout November 3rd, the discount code UNMASKED3 entitles buyers to a 15% discount. Check it here!

Is it sharp wide open? XF23mm test shot by Max Angeloni + photographyblog review (Highly Recommended Award)

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image courtesy: Max Angeloni
Fujifilm X-Pro1 Fujinon 23mm 1/40 f/1.4 Iso 200 – JPEG SOOC

Is it sharp wide open? In the reviews I’ve read until now there are some saying that it is a bit soft in the centre of the image, others say it is sharp. Now I got feedback from Max Angeloni (riflessifotografici). Judging from this image taken by the professional photographer I’d say that there is really no reason to worry about soft results wide open… of course if you know how to set your lens and camera properly.

[Lucky Italian FR-readers can now buy Max’s latest book “le luci del fotografo“. There are many ways to use natural, artificial or mixed light in order to make the best out of your images. Just look at the cover image on his book to get an idea of what you can achieve if you make a wise use of light. 128 pages and more than 100 images. Italian readers can get a pleasant photography lesson for €18 only]

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– the photographyblog review of the 23mm is online here. They confirm that:

“The Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R lens is remarkably sharp in both the image centre and edges virtually throughout the entire aperture range. The fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 makes it incredibly easy to creatively throw the background out of focus, with the seven-blade iris diaphragm achieving some lovely bokeh effects. Vignetting is practically a non-issue, and chromatic aberrations are present but well-controlled. There is no barrel distortion worth mentioning.

Perhaps the only real fly in the ointment is the price – at around £849.99 / $899.95 this isn’t exactly a cheap lens. Compared to a similarly specced DSLR lens with an equally fast aperture, however, it could be viewed as something of a bargain. In summary the Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R is another very high-quality optic in the XF lens range and definitely worthy of our Highly Recommended award.”

Fuji XF 23mm: [shopcountry 16128]

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XF23mm, X-E2 and XQ1 samples and hands on review.

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XF23mm

[shopcountry 16128]

– Tom Grill is testing the XF23mm on the X-E2. Read his first impressions and download high-res samples here: “I think you will find that this is an extremely sharp lens wide open both in the center and in the corners, and at f/5.6 it is nothing short of sensational. […] The lens feels good. It focuses fast, is comfortable to hold, and due to its large size fits nicely on my X-Pro1. If anything, I am not a fan of scalloped lens shades. They seem unnecessarily large on short focal length lenses. I already found myself leaving it off when there was no absolute need for it.  That is the only negative thing I have to say about my experience using this lens, which says something in and of itself.”

XF23mm samples at brandonremler here.

X-E2

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

– The X-E2 at yodobashi.com here (translation).

– X-E2 samples at the Polish site optyczne.pl (tranlsation)

– Portugal, a wedding and the X-E2 here (translation).

– Some shots taken with the X-E2 by mingthein here.

XQ1

USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

– Samples at letsgodigital here.

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From Greenland to Spain and to New Zealand: Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 feedback

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The brand new Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 is falling in the hands of more and more photographers all over the world… and they drop their feedback on their websites. Here are some of them. Feel free to say what you think about this lens in the comments.

greez
Patrick (google+, facebook and twitter)

P.S.: if you’d like to support this blog, consider to purchase your grear using the links below. Fujirumors gets a small commision that helps to run this site… and it won’t cost you a penny extra.

Fuji XF 23mm: [shopcountry 16128]

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GREENLAND

Hi Patrick

I got the 23mm 4 days ago but only had the chance to do a quick walk around the neighborhood here in Sisimiut, Greenland, this morning.

Included here are 5 images shot with the X-E1 and the 23mm f/1.4, and if you feel they’re worth anything to the Fuji Rumors community feel free to share them. I love the 35mm equivalent FOV but I mostly prefer to shoot it with people in the frame somewhere. However, being a quiet little town and during normal working hours, no one was really around to play with with, so I did a handful of quick shots of… stuff.

The autofocus I experience with this lens is quick and super precise, also handheld wide open, and the shallow DOF creates some really lovely out of focus areas. At least, they appeal to me :)

Also, it’s -10 C up here today, but I heard no mechanical complaints from the lens, going through the entire focus distance scale. It seems really well built.

Cheers, Mads Pihl http://northbound.glFlickr XF23mm images

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SPAIN

The Spanish site dslrmagazine posted downloadable high-res samples shot with the XF23mm and X-E2 here (translated version)!

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NEW ZEALAND

– Some samples and first impression can be read also at bokeh-monster.com here:

“There are not many negative things to say on the overall lens performance: it operates quietly, focuses quickly, corner to corner sharpness is awesome (even wide open) and it swallows flare whole while maintaining good contrast. During the three days I had to play with this lens I found no performance gaps and it is definitely the best 35mm (equivalent) I have had the pleasure of using to date.”

– First shots taken with the XF23mm at proimagenz.com here (with RAW samples to download): “I believe the best X series lens Ive tried is the [shoplink 12888 ebay]14mm[/shoplink] but this is right there wth it. Here is the file for you to play with.”

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For an alternative Lens Hood for your 23mm check out Chris’ solution here at dpreview.

Fuji XF 23mm: [shopcountry 16128]