Tested: ephotozine XF 27mm and XC 16-50 review

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the XF 27mm is in stock at various stores as BHphoto, Adorama and Pictureline

ephotozine just posted its XF 27mm review here and the XC 16-50 review here. The XC 16-50 is recommended by ephotozine, confirming that the image quality of Fuji’s XC line remains top notch. Now ephotozine has tested all the Fuji lenses. Check the reviews here. They recommend 6 of the 8 Fuji lenses, the [shoplink 12892]XF 55-200[/shoplink], [shoplink 12887]XF 18-55mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12888]XF 14mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12889]XF 35mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 12890]XF 60mm[/shoplink] and now also the XC 16-50.

XF 27mm verdict: “Those looking for as compact a lens as possible for their X-series camera have no other option as lightweight and compact as this lens available to them at the moment. This lens delivers very high levels of sharpness in the centre of the frame, and although adequate, the performance towards the edges of the frame isn’t on quite the same level. The price at launch may seem slightly high when compared to established lenses available for other camera formats, but as this lens is freshly launched, that may change in time. However as the build quality of this lens is so high, that goes some way towards justifying a higher price tag.”

XC 16-50 verdict: “Although most people who end up owning this lens will do by picking it up as part of a kit with the X-M1 camera, it still may be a compelling choice for owners of other X-series cameras, due to it’s light weight, 16mm wide-angle and comparatively low price. Add to that the decent optical performance throughout the zoom range, as well as low levels of chromatic aberrations, low falloff and distortion, it makes this a very competent lens, for not a lot of money.”

IN STOCK STATUS CHECK

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm)USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / [shoplink 13828 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / Pictureline EUROPE: [shoplink 13828 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / DigitalRevAmazonITA / AmazonDE / WexUK / PCHstore

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / [shoplink 13828 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / Pictureline EUROPE: [shoplink 13828 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / DigitalRev / WexUKAmazonDEAmazonITA / PCHstore XC 16-50: [shoplink 13828 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] / WexUK / PCHstore

Review: Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR

 

Usually here at Fujirumors you are used to read reviews about the Fuji X-series. But I thought it’s worth to make an exception for the [shoplink 14383]Fuji HS50EXR[/shoplink], according to some reviews I’ve read one of the best superzoom bridge camera currently available.

Here is a comprehensive review about this camera. You can read it here in the original language or go to the translated version. The reviewer says that it’s worth every cent. Of course there are some CONS, as the small ½” sensor… and while the X-series spoils us with an awesome high ISO performance, the HS50EXR noise is clearly visible at more than ISO 1600. But an excellent macro, fast focussing (hybrid autofocus) and good build quality make the HS50EXR interesting for all those looking for a bridge camera.

Fuji HS50EXR: [shopcountry 14383]

miXed zone: X-M1/27mm in stock check, demo X100S deal (save $50), ephotozine 18-55 review, XF vs XC, X-Trans and more

status.

ephotozine XF 18-55 review

At ephotozine here you can read the review of the XF 18-55. The PROS: Excellent sharpness in the centre throughout the zoom range – Good build quality – Low distortion – Quick to focus – Effective optical stabiliser. The CONS: Not as sharp towards the edges of the frame – CA levels a little high at 35mm.

Switch

Barney is the guy that wrote the X100S review at DPR and assigned the gold award to this camera. It took him several months to write it and it seems this was enough time to make him change opinion about his DSLR. He shared the 5 reasons why he hasn’t used his DSLR for months at dpreview here.

X-Trans

– Capture One: Mike (via rumor box): “Not a rumor, sorry. I did enjoy this article and the resulting comments and thought you and your readers would enjoy it also.  It is about Capture One and RAF files etc. (here at the phase one blog). Aloha! Mike”

– The question that soundimageplus would like to have answered by you is: “have Fuji tweaked raw processing in latest firmware? […] Is this just me or is anyone else seeing a much better rendition for green foliage in Photoshop after installing the latest firmware? […] I’ve been noticing this improvement on all the files I’ve been editing recently.” Check out his blog post here.

– Miro: “Hi there. This may be something interesting. New issue with Xtrans senzor. I have post this on dpreview forum and looks like some folks have the same problem. There is also a RAW file to download.” The problem? Every time there is a direct sunglight in his image, he gets strange pattern as result. See the forum discussion at dpreview here and tell me about your experience in the comments.

Fuji XC vs Fuji XF

– Fuji vs Fuji, or XC vs XF lenses at the German site photoscala.de (tranlsation). Among the other they noticed no significant focus speed differences, XF is heavier (XC is made of plastic but well built), XF is faster… and the image quality? Well, there are some samples to see. In the same post (photoscala.detranlsation) they tested also the new [shoplink 13829]27mm pancake[/shoplink] lens and the [shoplink 12889]35mm[/shoplink].

X-M1

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– In his article “X-M1: A Quick Look, and Market Contemplation” Michael Reichmann of luminous landscape looked at the history of the X-series, from the X100 to the X-M1. Short, clear and well worth a read here. The story ends with the X-M1, but FR-readers already know that it will continue with the X-A1 ;).

-There is a lot to like in the X-M1… at least according to the first impressions of the German site photoskala (translation).

– Cnet’s video first look of the X-M1 can be seen on youtube here. “If you’re looking for the best photo quality you can get for the money… the X-M1 is it.”

– techradar posted the full X-M1 review here. The verdict: “When it comes to shopping for a camera like this, although image quality is good, appearance is still very important. If you’re willing to part with a large chunk of change in return for something that looks beautiful but still delivers in the image quality department, then you’ll no doubt be pleased with the Fuji X-M1. If, however, you’re looking for your first camera in the interchangeable lens category, and you’re on a budget, this wouldn’t be our first recommendation. Although Fuji’s lens and accessory range is limited for the moment, it is growing, and we’re hopeful that it will continue to grow. It’s nice to see Fuji thinking about mass market consumers, and we can hope that the price of the Fuji X-M1 will drop to enable it to compete more closely with rivals from Sony, Panasonic and Olympus.”

– The German site Chip posted his X-M1 first impression at youtube here.

X100S

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– Comprehensive X100S review at Pentaxforum here. A long list of PROS but also a long list of CONS (for example “Image quality less than what is achievable from an APS-C sensor“). According to this review, the IQ is close to that of the [shoplink 15237 ebay]Pentax K-5 IIs[/shoplink].

bigheadtaco posted an X100S (Stylish but Powerful) review here: “So the best in class for street photography that takes into consideration functionality, size, and affordability is the Fuji X-100S. Considering what the Fuji can do in comparison to a Leica set-up at 1/10th the price, it’s easy to pick it as the winner. Yes it has some things that needs improving, like a longer battery life, quicker revival from sleep mode, and faster low light autofocus. But with great handling, an effective OVF/EVF, sharp images, good high ISO performance, and great design and style, the Fuji is definitely best overall in class.”

– Morten: “Hi Patrick… some of us are still lucky to take delivery of the X100s. Here is a quick “Day One with the X100s” blog post if you are interested.” Click here.

X20

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– Check out this review about some accessories for the X20, the ([shoplink 15206]LC-X10 Leather Case[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 15207]LH-X10 Lens Hood[/shoplink] at nextimelah here. You can find also an X20 review on this page here.

– How good is RAW on the X20? Read Dan Bailey shared on the FR-twitter account his findings. Read them here.

Gold Award: X100S review at dpreview

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The long awaited DPR review of the X100S is finally online. Take your time go through the 20 pages here. The overall score is of 81%… but don’t worry, the image quality is excellent, the lens is very sharp, the viewfinder rocks, the JPEG’s are amazing, the built-in ND filter has little or no negative impact on image quality… but it has an “unexciting video mode, clunky ergonomics, so-so audio and occasional moiré issues“, “only one-step magnification option in EVF/LCD live view mode” no face-detectionAF and some more CONS you can read at the conclusions here. But as the reviewer said at the end:

“The only thing about it which feels wrong, and outmoded is the video feature, but let’s be honest – that’s not why you’re reading this review. Despite some minor annoyances, the X100S wins our coveted gold award. Sorry it took so long!”

Some of the CONS could be fixed in future firmware updates. Wouldn’t it be nice, for example, to have face-detectionAF? So let’s address to Fuji our suggestions for further improvements on the X100S in the comments!

have a great day
Patrick

Fuji X100S: [shopcountry 12883]

REVIEW: Samyang 300mm f/6.3 mirror lens for Fuji X + IN STOCK: X-M1 at AmazonDE/ITA

 

A FR-reader shared with us via rumor box the link to a short review and some sample shots of the Samyang 300 mirror lens for Fuji X. The lens is a bit smaller than the [shoplink 12887]XF 18-55mm[/shoplink], built mostly out of high quality plastic and the focus ring rotation is very smooth and well-damped. “Close focus performance is pretty good, without a trace of chromatic distortion and good clarity edge-to-edge. […] Overall image contrast is slightly low compared to the excellent Fuji 18-55 zoom, but this is easily corrected during post processing.” Check it out at dpreview.

Samyang / Rokinon 300 mirror lens for Fuji X: AmazonUS / BHphoto

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There are right now only 2 X-M1 (body only) available at AmazonDE via third party for €14 more than the regular price. Here is the AmazonDE link. A limited number of X-M1 bodies is available also at AmazonITA. In the meantime AmazonUS changed the status for the X-M1 from “will be released on July 29” to “temporarily out of stock”. BHphoto expects to have them in stock on July 31.

IN STOCK STATUS CHECK

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm)USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonDE

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: AmazonDE / DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore