X-M1

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 – Some shots taken with the X-M1 in Bilbao. See them here at Reality Scanner’s Flickr.

– Hands on preview of the X-M1 at lensvid here. The bootom line: “Although we should emphasize again that we did test a sample camera and not a production one, we can say that if you are looking for a small and not extremely expensive mirrorless camera with the highest image quality currently on the market at this budget – the X-M1 is a very appealing choice. However if AF is a dominant factor (if you are shooting a lot of moving objects for example), if you have large hands or just can’t live without a viewfinder – there are better options on the market for you.”

X100S

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-FR-readers Olaf and Kasia were in Montana’s Ghost Towns with the Fuji X-series (X100S and X-PRO1). “Composition, light and creativity must always come before technical considerations.” So enjoy his pictures here.

– threeguyswithcameras did a review that covers the [shoplink 12883]X100S[/shoplink], the [shoplink 13071]Nikon Coolpix A[/shoplink], and the [shoplink 13349]Ricoh GR[/shoplink]. The first part is here, and part two will be coming shortly. Check it out here.

X20

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image courtesy: riflessifotografici

Street photography (with the X10/X20): Another gratification for riflessifotografici and strepher Donato Chirulli (theartofphotography1). Italian readers can now read at the well known Italian magazine fotocult.it an interview in which Donato explains his way to deal with Street Photography and, in particular, on the use of compact cameras such as the Fujifilm X10 and X20. For a review of his latest book “discovering street photography” read this interview here (translation).

 X-E1

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– Old lenses, new tricks: using m42 lenses on the X-E1 at lightpriority.net.

– Ronmartblog’s X-E1 first part of his review (and many samples) can be read here. “This is a special camera that is extremely well built, and I really enjoy it!” And here is part two of his review. From his conclusions: “Overall, I give this camera a guarded recommendation to those who can afford to pay for the wonderful quality body and very good sensor that it offers. It’s sure to please as long as you keep yourself in good light and stay out of situations that require ISO > 800.”

lenses

– admiringlight XF 55-200 review here. “Overall, Fuji has created a truly outstanding zoom lens with the Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS. It’s a lens that is not only sharp throughout the range, but has excellent color rendering, beautiful bokeh and good control of lens aberrations.”

– findingrange published his Zeiss Touit 12mm review… a lot of PROS but also some CONS can be read here: “[…] optically, this lens is simply fantastic.  It renders very nicely, and it’s so incredibly sharp.  Optically, I don’t really think you could ask for more from a lens.  A super wide angle lens like this takes some time to get use to, so if you’re not sure if this is a lens for you, go to a good local dealer […], and ask them if you could try it out.”

– FR-reader Tjeerd shared via FR-facebook his Zeiss 12mm fotoshoot and review. You can check it out here. His conclusions: “The Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 is a very high quality lens. It’s fun to use and gives you a lot of creative options. It’s ultra wide and should fill in the gap where the 18mm or 35mm can’t reach. It’s quite light, compact and feels very durable.  Even though 2 mm doesn’t sound like much, on a wide end it makes quite a bit of difference I presume. Should you get this one over the Fuji 14mm? Well with a price difference of 220 euros, it’s up to you if the extra 2mm and the Zeiss logo is worth it.”

X-PRO1 (and firmware 3.01)

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– Xavier: “Hello Patrick, Thank your for your great blog, It’s my first read each day :) I contact you because of a problem I have with my X-Pro1 since firmware update 3.0 (and still with the 3.01). It’s seems that there’s a little community who have the same issue, and I’m surprised that nobody talks about it on your website. It’s a problem of freezing when taking a picture, and the only way to shut the camera off, or to continue to use it,  is the removal of the battery. Then, when the battery is back in, and the camera switched on, it works normally. Until the next freeze. This happens very often. I say you that because of the impact your blog can have on Fuji, perhaps if you mention it, Fuji will give a look at the problem and work on a new update that fix it. Who knows… Thank you for your time, and thank you for your so useful blog ! Xavier (flickr)”

– “The Fujifilm X-Pro1 – A Year in Review” at binaryframe here: “The Fujifilm X-Pro1 has been an important camera in my life. It has fundamentally altered my lifestyle to the extent that I am now immersed in the art of photography. It is my constant companion for documenting life and carries the responsibility of capturing memories with the same vivid expression that I recall in my mind. In this task it succeeds spectacularly.”

Iridient Developer

image courtesy: soundimpageplus (in the middle Iridient, at the bottom Photoshop)

1) Now also soundimageplus joined to the group of photographers who use Iridient to process their X-Trans RAF files (click here). [check also this FR-post here and vote the poll] Among the others he says that:

“You will clearly see how much more detail and sharpness there is in the Iridient Developer version, which is just from the X-E1 preset. The ACR file has sharpening added but still produces a softish ‘smeared’ result. The advantage of Iridient Developer over Aperture is that it is slightly sharper and still keeps the colour noise and moire under control. If you have a Fuji X camera and a MAC,, give it a try. I think you will be impressed.”

2) FR-readers Olaf and Kasia visited the Valley of The Ghosts with the X-PRO1 and X100S… don’t be scared, if you click here, you’ll just see some beautiful shots. All images were processed with Iridient 2.1 and LR: “Iridient Developer is new software, which supports the X-Trans files really well (the best demosaic so far?). We will share more about this in the upcoming posts.”

image courtesy: Olaf & Kasia

X-talk

– The Lens Wipe contacted me at the FR-facebook page and told me: “We did an interview with Kevin Mullins who uses the X-series cameras extensively in his wedding photography. Though it would be interesting for you guys. The Lens Wipe is on iTunes or just use this link.”

X-M1

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

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

– Ahead of their full review ephotozine published some samples shot taken with the X-M1 using the 16-50 lens here and the 27mm lens here.

– A 2 minute X-M1 preview video at the digital camera world here.

X100S

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– X100S and infrared at digitalrelish here. “With the release of the X100S and its enhanced high ISO performance offering the possibility of going tripod-less whilst using an IR filter, I set off for a week away in the English countryside.  I wasn’t disappointed with the results from the camera. The combination of a higher resolution 16MP X-Trans sensor for more detail, the improved high ISO performance for less noise […]”

– Matti Sulanto was on the streets of London with his X100S and XF1. The text is in Finnish, but the images are universal… see them here.

 X20

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image courtesy: eyalg

– eyalg posted his well made X20 review here: “Autofocus in most conditions and situations is very fast. Instantaneous almost. Even in low light, the X20 manages to lock focus better than I expected, even when taking into account that it’s a high-end compact. In macro mode, AF is generally to slow to catch an insect without effort. I had to make several attempts to shoot a bee or a spider up close. […] Battery life is surprisingly better than advertised. I was able to take about 600 shots before having to charge the battery – that’s more than twice the official number.”

– Read thephoblographer‘s review of the X20 here: “The Fujifilm X20 is a great choice for the discerning street photographer and photojournalist. Despite its diminutive size, it packs a punch that shows itself in post. With a beautiful design and powerful innards, the X20 will get you the images you need. Just remember to get your mind out of manual focusing with this, but if you find that you absolutely have to, a tripod would be a good thing to have on hand.”

– X20 or X100S: “As you can see, the X20 and X100s are very different cameras, even though they share many similarities when it comes to design and technology such as the X-Trans Sensor. The diverse lens system and a different sensor size are the key elements that separate these two cameras from each other. It goes without saying that the X100s has been designed with professional photographers in mind, while the X20 is aimed more at the amateur/enthusiast who wants upgrade from a simple point-and-shoot.” Read it all here at mirrorlessons.

– karimhaddad posted his thoughts about the X20 (or “X-junior“) here. The conclusion: “Even though I didn’t really need it, I’m still happy I bought this fun camera. It’s portable, although not small enough to fit in your pockets – unless you have some really big pockets. For you ladies, it’s small enough to fit in some of those purses you use. Most importantly, it takes some very nice pictures and gives the photographer many options to choose from. There may be some similar sized cameras that take better pictures, but I haven’t used them. I’ve played around with the X20 enough to know that it’s a great piece of kit. In many ways, the X-junior is my new walkaround.”

image courtesy: karimhaddad

lenses

– admiringlight tested the 12mm Zeiss Touit lens. The eternal question, Zeiss 12 or Fuji 14? And it’s again the Fuji! Read the whole review here.

– the German digitalcamera.de tested the new Zeiss Touit lenses. Read it here (translated version).

– Fuji 55-200 mm on a 720nm IR converted X Pro 1 at markhilliardatelier here: “As you can see as you get to f/11 we start to develop a small hot spot, but nothing that cannot be fixed.  Above f/11 the lens becomes unusable at the wide end.”

– Hand on the 55-200 at mirrorlessons here: “In short, the 55-200mm is a very nice lens but I would never buy it. If you, however, feel it is the kind of lens that could meet your needs, you can check out additional photos below and the first article I wrote about his lens.”

– A car race and the 55-200. See the results here at nicolaslambert in French (translated version). From the verdict: “Is it possible to take pictures of sports with its new Fuji telephoto? Yes, but …I think that to make a bet at the correct point, one must understand how the work of AF Fuji and therefore target areas with a contrast. For example, in this case here, a sticker with the lettering, the number … ”

FinePix HS50EXR

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Fujifilm FinePix HS50EXR review at photographyblog. “As Fujifilm make a big play of in their marketing, the HS50EXR really is an all-in-one camera that will cope with virtually everything that you can throw at it, from macro photography to extreme close-ups of sports and nature. It also successfully mimicks the handling of a typical DSLR camera, with the obvious advantage of not having to carry several big, heavy and expensive lenses to achieve anywhere near the focal range that the HS50EXR offers out-of-the-box.“