the “unfair” comparison: X-E1 with 55-200 vs Canon 5D Mark III with 70-300 (and in stock at AmazonUK and US)

IN STOCK: A limited number of XF 55-200 is now in stock at AmazonUK here (shipped and sold by AmazonUK) and also three at AmazonUS, but via third party reseller here (you have to pay $100 more to purchase it).

Fuji XF 55-200mm [shopcountry 12892] photo stacks_image_6736_zps6c4ee6df.jpg

image courtesy: martin-doppelbauer

Martin made a quite unfair comparison between the [shoplink 12881]X-E1[/shoplink] with [shoplink 12892 ebay]XF 55-200[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 13457]Canon EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] with [shoplink 13458]Canon 70-300 IS L[/shoplink]. “But yet, Fuji claims itself to achieve the image quality of a full-frame camera. So let’s see“. You can read the whole comparison here (available in English and German). Some extracts:

“In direct comparison, I could not detect any significant drawback in the focus speed compared to the Canon 70-300 IS L at least in static, high contrast scenes. To run the focus from infinity to close range takes similar time on both optics. I already have noted the limitations of the X-E1 when recording fast-moving objects (birds in the air, or motor cycling, but also: Crawling babies head from the front) elsewhere. Because both the focus point and the viewfinder image freeze after the first shot in continuous shooting mode, there are little to no chances to get a good picture in such situations. Here, the DSLR is still unbeatable (and the EOS 5D Mark III shines in particular with its uber-autofocus anyway).

Somewhat disappointing is the vignetting of the XF 55-200 at maximum aperture. At least you can correct this well by software.

For a comparison of system resolution, I have run the X-E1 and the XF 55-200 against the EOS 5D Mark III with the excellent 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS USM. Not quite a fair comparison, as I admit frankly, because the Canon lens costs easily twice as much as the Fuji zoom. And we don’t even talk of the camera body […] Compared with the EOS 5D Mark III, however, Fuji’s zoom has a significantly lower resolution. The Canon 70-300 L resolves about a third more lines across the board, occasionally even 50% more. An equivalence to the Canon full-frame system is beyond question.

The XF 55-200 […] convinces with a very solid overall performance. Across all focal lengths and apertures it has a good sharpness with minimal chromatic aberrations without significant weaknesses. Sure, it can not keep up with a very good full-frame camera and lens. But this is outweighed by price, weight and size.

Fuji XF 55-200mm [shopcountry 12892]

image courtesy: martin-doppelbauer

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Zack Arias: “Life without DSLRs”… X100S follow up review

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image courtesy: Zack Arias

Zack Arias announced it a couple of weeks ago, when he tested the X100S: “DSLR is dead”. And now, how is his life without the DSLR? What changed in Zack’s photography after he switched to Fuji? See his shots and read the whole blog post here. And if you plan to switch too, check out the X-superkit deals.

“I was recently asked on my Q&A blog whether I was switching to Fuji just to be different and not because they are better. I replied saying it is part of the equation. Not a large part. Not even half of the part, but yeah, that’s part of it. Who has a DSLR these days? Everyone. Moms, grandpas, clients, kids, that guy in accounting, everyone. Nikon this. Canon that. […]

It’s mostly a mental departure from how I’ve done things for a long time and how much of the rest of the photography world works. It makes a difference with my clients and subjects as well. DSLRs are so generic these days that when you show up with something different like a Fuji or a medium format people take notice. They ask questions. These cameras start conversations. When I shot DSLRs I always heard about what camera my client or subject had. “Oh. You shoot Canon. I have a Nikon.” Etc. Etc. And then those conversations would take place. Not any more. “Wow. What is that? I’ve never seen one of those.” is now the opening line. […]

When you change those tools there’s a mental change as well. The retro styling of the Fuji cameras isn’t just for show. There’s a reason cameras have been set up like those for decades. There’s a very practical reasoning behind dedicated aperture dials on the lens and shutter speed dials. I can “feel” where my settings are.

I say all of this to say I’m emotionally connected to my Fujis. I’ve never been emotionally connected to a DSLR. Ever. That connection matters. It’s not on a spec sheet. It can’t be tested in the lab. I look at my Fuji cameras and I want to go shoot. I want to make photos. They don’t belong in a bag. They belong on in my hand.”

Fuji X100S: [shopcountry 12883]

Nikon A vs X100S (ISO) + Video comparison: X100S vs NikonA vs RicohGR

1) Cameralabs compared the [shoplink 12883]X100S[/shoplink] with the [shoplink 13071]Nikon A[/shoplink] and we have (again) a clear winner: the X100S with his X-Trans sensor:

“Compared with the COOLPIX A, at the lower ISO settings, the X100S looks a little sharper, but in noise terms there’s little to choose between them with the COOLPIX A’s 100 ISO crop a close match for the X100S’s 200 ISO. At 400 ISO it’s still a pretty close call, but at 800 ISO it looks to me like there’s noticeably more noise in the COOLPIX A crop. At 1600 ISO there’s clearly more texture in the wall, the text panel looks softer and the edge detail is beginning to crumble on the COOLPIX A crop where the X100S is still holding strong.

But read more and see all the ISO-comparison shots here at cameralabs.

No need to tell you which images comes from the X100S X-Trans sensor ;)

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2) Mike Kobal posted his video comparison of the [shoplink 12883 ebay]X100S[/shoplink], [shoplink 13071 ebay]NikonA[/shoplink] and [shoplink 13349 ebay]RicohGR[/shoplink] at his website here.

Zeiss Touit vs. Fujinon XF

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback) – Rico’s Flickr sets – Touit 1.8/32 samples – Touit 2.8/12 samples – Touit vs. Fujinon comparative samples (Flickr Guest Pass) – Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 reading samples (65 free pages)

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Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32, Fujifilm X-E1 (ISO 200, f/2, 1/1200s), RAW, Lightroom 5, DxO FilmPack 4

Why would a business-savvy lens manufacturer like Carl Zeiss decide to introduce two prime lenses for X-Mount cameras that compete head-to-head with already existing, smaller and cheaper Fujinon offerings, while at the same time ignoring obvious gaps like a fast 23mm lens?

It’s a Sony

The answer is: they wouldn’t. And they didn’t! The new Zeiss Tout 1.8/32mm and 2.8/12mm prime lenses are quite obviously targeted at customers of Sony’s NEX camera system. They perfectly fit into Sony’s current lens lineup, and their design is pretty much in line with the sleek NEX appearance. A fast 23 mm lens to satisfy the cravings of the X-Mount crowd? No such luck, because Zeiss and Sony already offer such a lens (a 1.8/24) for NEX. This is apparently all about what Sony NEX customers want and need.

 
DSCF7301 - f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Touit 2.8/12, Fujifilm X-E1 (ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/480s), RAW, Lightroom 4.4

So the X-Mount versions of the Touit lenses were clearly one of those “me too” decisions. But why did Fuji go along with it and invite a formidable competitor like Carl Zeiss into their home, not only offering full technical support and cooperation, but even co-marketing the Touit lenses? I know the real answer but don’t want to spill the beans just yet, so let’s just say that Fujifilm is making money with each X-Mount Touit lens that’s sold. They also like the Zeiss brand’s premium image and the resulting image transfer to the Fuji brand. After all, Panasonic also loves to put a Leica logo on their cameras and MFT lenses.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

miXed zone: BHphoto X-superdeals with 4% reward, DxO working on X-Trans support and more

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X-superdeals

After AmazonUS, now also BHphoto offers a 4% reward on the Fuji X series. Save $1300 on the lenses (up to $300 for a single lens) and $200 on the bodies. And then add the 4% reward (up to $133 reward for X-PRO1 + all lenses except 55-200). The 4% reward offer expires on June 15 (the deals continue till June 29, but there won’t be the 4% reward). Good times to make the switch. Adorama doesn’t have the 4% reward, but instead you get a lot of accessories (spare battery, SD-card and more). So, check the X-deals at BHphoto, AmazonUS and Adorama, compare and make your choice.

DxO

The latest DxO v8.2 doesn’t support the X-Trans files yet. But according to an email I got from FR-reader echenique we should not worry. He spoke with a representative from DxO who told him that “they are actively working on the X-Trans support“! So let’s hope that this turns out to be true soon. (thanks echenique)

custom settings

FR-reader Adam sent me this email: “I know it my have already been covered but my subscriber base over on Youtube have been requesting a video on custom setting for new Fuji X-Pro1 owners. I thought since you have all these offers going up on your site, some might be interested in this too. Here is the link. Can’t wait to find out what the new cameras are like. Thanks, Adam J Piper” Check out Adams settings.

X-E1

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– “The Keeper“… or the X-E1! theonlinephotographer posted part 1 and part 2 of his findings about the X-E1. And at the end a short story:

“One final note. As I was leaving the bank in our little town recently, I crossed paths with a well-known architectural photographer who has talked publicly, and eloquently, about his difficult, costly, and ultimately successful transition from large and medium format film to high-end digital. He looked casually down at the camera slung over my shoulder and said, “Hey Jim, is that a new Leica?” I explained that although its quiet shutter had something of the old Leica M4 sound, it was perhaps closer to my previous constant companion, a steel-curtained Canon. “It’s a digital Fuji,” I noted. He grinned. “Nice!” he said.

– World and Humanitarian photographer David considerations about the X-E1 can be checked out here.

“[…] loved the size and handling. […] lenses were fantastic, especially the 14mm […] The sensor is amazing and I shot at crazy-high ISO without thinking twice about it, in part because I like the look. Very film-like to my eye. […] I love the ability to shoot in B&W, and because it’s an electronic viewfinder, I can see my scene that way. […] Quirks? Not many. […] not the fastest start-up and sometimes the focus hunted a little, but I expected worse, so wound up pleasantly surprised. […] I love this thing. Will it replace my DSLR? Sometimes, yes.

– X-E1 vs Nikon 1 at ISO 100 – RAW available (click here)

X100S

[shopcountry 12883]

“Brutally Simple & Highly Effective (Even If You Didn’t Want to Admit It)” That’s the title of chasejarvis’ review here.

“So how good is the AF on the X100s? Much, much, much better than the X100’s AF. On par with most mirorless/Compact System Cameras out there, in fact. The only one that I’d confidently say is way better is the Olympus OM-D E-M5’s AF, which is just plain scary-fast. Even better is the fact that the X100s will achieve focus in some pretty dark conditions. […] The X-Trans sensor from the X-Pro1 is an awesome bit of technology, and in combination with the X100s’ gorgeous 23mm f/2 lens, produces some impressive shots with deep detail. […] I’m off to Hawaii in June for a vacation, and the X100s is the only camera I’m taking with me. With all the gear at my disposal, this is the only thing I feel like I need.

lenses

Fuji XF14mm [shopcountry 12888]

thebigpicturegallery posted some shots taken with the XF14mm here. “So whats it like to use in the field, one word FANTASTIC. It’s pin sharp, with a great depth of field, shooting either in af or manual mode is easy, set it up for zone focus, or hyperfocal and it gives you the depth of field to make quick street shooting a breeze. A minor nitpick is the lens hood, just a little bit too big and shows up a little too much in the viewfinder, when shooting with the OVF. However minor niggles aside, it is a great lens, delivers punchy sharp images with great IQ.”

Zeiss Touit: After the 12mm, now Craig posted his 32mm full size samples. Check them out here.

Zeiss Touit 32mm in stock status check: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / AmazonUS / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel
Zeiss Touit 12mm in stock status check: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / AmazonUS / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel

Craig

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