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OIS is BACK ? XF 16-55mm f/2.8 WR coming “early 2015″… and with OIS (source Fujifilm Magazine)

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Back on the 24th of July (I remember the date, because I worte that specific article while sitting at the back of a rented car between 2 hyperactive kids during my holidays in Tuscany… believe me, a real challange to write it ;-) ), Fujifilm updated the lens roadmap, and, amongst the others, they told us that the XF 16-55mmF2.8 release had been pushed back to spring 2015… and it will be without “OIS”.

Now we have some more information about this lens, shared at the latest issue of the Fujifilm X-magazine (and spotted by attentive FR-reader Dan R Smedra – thanks for sharing at the FR facebook page)

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First: we now have a slightly more precise indication of the release of the XF16-55… it will come “early 2015” (so I’d exclude May/June, and guess it will come around March)

Second: As you might or might not know, the latest official stamtent from Fujifilm (made in September at photokina) confirms, that the XF 16-55mmF2.8 will NOT feature an optical image stabilization (OIS), because of weight/IQ reasons. Many X-shooters were astonished by this news, especially since Fujifilm is right now explaining us that the 5 stop OIS in the XF 18-135 WR lens and 50-140 f/2.8 lens works miracles (and apparently it really does)! I’ve launched various polls here on FR and shared posts on facebook… and it’s pretty clear that the majority of X-shooters do want OIS.

Now, I don’t know if it’s just a typo or if Fuji changed plans, but according to the latest edition of Fuji’s official X-magazine, the XF 16-55 will feature OIS (and come early 2015, as said before). I really hope that this is not just a typo.

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RUMOR: Upcoming Fuji Flash made with METZ… and some more specs! (anonymous source)

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the Fujifilm EF-42 is one of the Fuji flashes available at the market. More flash units are needed…. a new flash could come in spring 2015

_ _ _

An anonymous source with nick-name (thanks) just shared with us the following information: The new (still just rumored) flash for the Fuji X System will be made with METZ. The features? Guide number 52, off shoe TTL, ABC grouping and to be announced at the CP+ in Japan (February).

This rumor confirms (partially) what shared earlier about this flash. In fact, previous rumors talked about wireless control, but the guide number was said to be 50. And as you might remember, a trusted source told us that it will be released in spring 2015. Another reminder: it is said to have HSS capability.

The anonymous source also confirms what Fujifilm told us back on the 24th of July: the XF90mm and the XF140-400 will be released at the end of 2015. It also said that the X-PRO2 would feature an 24MP sensor.

Message to sources: you can contact Fujirumors 100% anonymously via rumor box (maybe using a nick name so that I can eventually recognize you in future) or via email at fujirumor [at] gmail.com. Feel free to make my X-PRO2 rumor sleuthing a bit easier ;)

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ORGANIC SENSOR: The Problem? Too much battery drain and too much heat being generated (new sources)

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The organic sensor isn’t just a futuristic patent popped out somewhere on the web. In fact it’s Fujifilm itself, that officially announced its development. The official press release says that, together with Panasonic, Fujifilm is working on an organic sensor that will deliver “Industry’s highest dynamic range”.

But what is the situation now? Well, according to 2 new sources the problems are the following:

New source 1) too much battery drain & problems to find a proper processor
New source 2) too much heat being generated

Could these problems be the reason for the Fujifilm X-PRO2 delay? Will it feature an organic sensor once these issues are sorted out? Is this the sensor Fuji is waiting to be ready before launching its new flagship (see this rumor)?

I don’t know it… and I still have NO (!) reliable or even semi-reliable information about a Fujifilm X-PRO2 sporting an organic sensor. However, this weekend I’ve received an anonymous rumor pointing into this direction, but I’d like to hear what trusted sources say about it before sharing more details.

If there is anyone out there who could help to dissipate the doubts and share some more information about the sensor of the Fujifilm X-PRO2, then feel free to contact me 100% anonymously via rumor box (using a nick-name, so that I can eventually recognize you in future) or also via email at fujirumor [at] gmail [dot] com (you can create a fake email address if you prefer).

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First Look: Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR

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XF 50-140 IN STOCK CHECK
USA:
BHphotoAmazonUS / Adorama / EU: WexUK / WexDE / PCHstore / AUS: CameraPro

_ _ _

First Look: Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR

first impressions / practical review / shooting experience by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-E2: Beyond the Manual (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

Rico’s XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Sample Images – Specs

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to get my hands on a pre-production copy of Fuji’s new “professional grade” tele zoom lens, the XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR. Since the lens is already available in many regions and will soon start shipping in North America, I’d like to take this opportunity to share my observations during a brief period of testing.

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

“VISION 2016”: High-end X-series cameras in Fujifilm’s Medium-Term Management Plan!

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THE HARD BEGINNING

Just 3 years ago a lot of people were sceptical about the X-series’ future… and they had very good reasons for that. From it’s start on, the Fujifilm X series lost money. At the beginning, the best selling X-series camera was the Fujifilm X100 (sold 130,000 times). But hey, every beginning is hard. The system was new, it was not mature enough to meet the need of photographers, and it still had to find its place in the market.

FROM THE HOPE TO THE ENTRY LEVEL FLOP

Something changed with the arrival of the Fujfilm X-E1 and a couple of months later the Fujifilm X100S, which were not really a big success, but at least Fuji was able to sell a decent number of them… and I dare to say, the Fujifilm X100S could have sold MUCH better, if there wouldn’t have been those biblical shipping times… the DDR (or GDR) delivered their Trabants faster than Fujifilm their cameras :) .

But, for some reason, Fujifilm decided to attack also the entry-level market and launched the XF1, the XQ1, the X-M1, the X-A1… a debacle for Fujifilm. Lot’s of R&D resources put into a deep, black hole!

THE NAKED TRUTH

And in November 2013 the New York times published here the naked truth: Fujifilm sold, overall, just 700,000 X-series cameras! The X-series was a super-small niche with an uncertain future.

THE REBIRTH … or … THE FUJIFILM X-T1

However, Fujifilm reacted, stepped on the gas and released the Fujifilm X-E2 just one year after the Fujifilm X-E1. The camera sold pretty good for Fujifilm standards… but the real winner was and still is the Fujifilm X-T1. It sold so well, that, as Fuji says in their latest report, it saved the imaging division and kept it profitable (along with instant cameras & instax film)!

THE FUTURE

It seems that now Fujifilm is looking with more optimism at the future. In an interview at the photokina in September 2014 here, Fujifilm Senior Manager Mr. Toshihisa Iida said: “Over the past few months I’ve been getting more confident“.

And today Fujifilm published their Medium-Term Management Plan called “VISION 2016”, where they say that they will  “focus on high-end digital cameras “X Series” and expand sales of highly profitable interchangeable lenses“.

I just hope that the name “VISION 2016” does not refer in any way to the Fujifilm X-PRO2… we want it in 2015 ;).

Expire November 29

XF 56mm f/1.2 (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
XF 23mm f/1.4 (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
XF 14mm f/2.8 (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
XF 35mm f/1.4 (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
XF 60mm f/2.4 (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
XF 10-24mm (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
XF 55-200mm (save $150): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
X-T1 body (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
X-T1 + XF18-55 (save $100): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Pictureline /
X100S (save $200): BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama /Pictureline X-PRO1 + 18mm (save $300)Adorama / X-E1 + 18mm (save $300): Adorama / X-M1 + 18mm (save $300): Adorama / X-E2 + XF18-55: Adorama

Fujifilm X100T to be announced September 10!

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According to the trusted Japanese source, the Fujifilm X100T will be announced on September 10. As you know, the source also told us, that it will feature a 16mp sensor (see this rumor).

stay tuned of Fujirumors via facebook, google+, RSS-feed and twitter

(TS= trusted source / NeS =New Source / AS = Anonymous Source / SRP = source who was right in the past, but not yet trusted / ORS = other rumor sites)

– Announcemet September 10 (TS)
– 16MP X-Trans sensor (TS)
– Name: Fujifilm X100T (TS + NeS + leaked by X-photographer David Hobby)
– APS-C (ORS)
– tilt screen (NeS)
– new fixed lens (NeS)
– 23mm (leaked by X-photographer David Hobby)
– new EVF, better than X100S, but not as much as X-T1 (NeS + ORS)
– EVF specs: x0.67 magnification and horizontal apparent field of view of approx. 27°. (TS)
– faster AF than Fujifilm X100S (NeS + ORS)

Push the “read more” button for an updated reliability rating and the rumor check 2014

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

Fujifilm will introduce a new Film Simulation called „Classic Chrome“ (SRP)

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A few months ago, there was an anonymous source with nick name, who shared a correct rumor about the X-T1 with us (SRP = source right in the past). This source just wrote me for the second time and told us that Fuji will launch a new Film Simulation called „Classic Chrome“.

That’s all the source said. So for now… take it with… a grain of salt.

If true, I think we will see this film simulation coming with the X30 and X100T… and maybe it could also be one of the features introduced in the rumored upcoming X-T1 firmware update. But that’s just my personal guess for now, so DO NOT take it as a rumor from a FR-source.

Oh, and feel free to share this rumor whereever you want, just make the courtesy to quote the source and to put a link back to FR. I have nothing against it to be quoted ;-)

stay tuned… and share rumors with Fujirumors (if you have some),
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P.S.: And in case you just came back from holidays and didn’t read FR in the last weeks, then here is a little rumor roundup and reliability rating for you. Also a rumor check-up of 2014, which will have a big update after photokina I suppose.

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

“Crop Sensors vs Full Frame :: Crop Or Crap, Math or Moment” (video by Zack Arias)

Zack Arias posted a video on youtube here (Crop Sensors vs Full Frame), where he talks about the different sensor sizes. His full article is up at dedpxl here.

Look. Some of the trolls out there are going to think this is a Fuji sponsored message. It isn’t. While Fuji is a client of mine and I have done work for them they sure as hell don’t keep food on my table or a roof over my head on any sort of regular basis. I don’t get shit for saying this stuff or making blog posts like this. I’m simply relaying my experiences working with all sorts of cameras in all sorts of situations. And in preparation for making this blog post I have done a lot of pixel peeping at newer APS cameras from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and the rest and I feel confident saying… APS sensors kick ass these days. Across the board. Whatever you are shooting..”

And in case you missed it, he also posted his X-T1 review at dedpxl:

I have zero regrets about selling all of my Canon gear and going Fuji. Zero regrets. I do miss the longer telephoto but, lo and behold, what just got announced for the lens lineup? A 90mm f2. I wonder who could have requested that over and over and over again? This camera can hold its own for just about anything but professional sports photography. It’s a fantastic travel camera. It would be great for events and weddings. It is lovely for portraits. Wouldn’t mind a faster sync speed than the 180th that it has but I jump to the x100s or the Phase when I need that fast sync. […]  PS – Dear Fuji. I’m still wanting an X-Pro2. Don’t forget about that. I would, however, trade the X-Pro2 for an X medium format. Just sayin’.”

miXed zone: X-T1 tested in outer space, Zack’s X-T1 review, 18-135 roundup, photographic projects, Iridient update and more

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Still a few X-M1+16-50 left at Newegg for the insane price of $399! Check it out here.

Photographic Projects

image courtesy: spoon-tamago

– Zack: “Famous flower artist Makoto Azuma recently sent a bonsai plant into space (see here). The camera used to record the amazing journey? A Fuji X-T1. If you look at the photos on his blog (http://azumamakoto.com/?p=5051) about 3/4 down the page you can see a daylight shot of a camera hanging upside down in front of a bouquet of flowers, with the unmistakeable button layout and eyecup of the X-T1. How’s Outer Freakin’ Space for a test of weather sealing? If you need further proof, Fujifilm is listed as one of the sponsors for the shoot.

– Life’s a Florida Beach at kagecollective. Kagecollevtive also added their 8th member, Kevin Mullins, from the UK. They now have members from Canada, the US, the UK, France, Belgium, Denmark, Scotland and Australia. Read more here at http://www.kagecollective.com/kevin-mullins-joins-kage.

– Origami Collective: “Hello Patrick, Its Jorge from Ledesma Photography just wanted to pass on that I’ve founded an all inclusive Fujifilm Photography Collective titled Origami Collective. Our focus is Street, Travel, and Documentary Photography. Our current roster of Photographers includes: Brian Kraft, Neill Soden, Sam Burton, Jorge Ledesma, Marco Larousse, Damien Lovegrove, Gianluca Polazzo and perhaps a few other Fujifilm X Photographers as well coming real soon.”

– You can now visit X-shooter’s Paul Crespel (streetphotographyGotchaStreetPhotography book) permanent (and free) exhibition in Milan. For more details about this exhibition and the upcoming ones, check out his blog here. He also shared with me his stream of thoughts. I’m sure you’ll find some controversial ideas in this paper, but since I like unpopular statements, I’ll share the whole PDF file here on my dropbox account. From the use of Photoshop and Post-Production to the definition of “professional” photographers and much more. Here an excerpt from the chapter IS PHOTOGRAPHY ART?:

For me, photography is not art. Photography is “theft”. Nothing more. The photographer simply “steals” an image of something that is already in front of him or her using a mechanical device, much like using a photocopying machine. Arguing that adjusting lighting, creating the right pose, etc., is art, is unfounded… it is simply the technician using his acquired skills of the trade to do his job correctly and to the customer’s satisfaction.”

XF 18-135mm

Pre-orders: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / – EUROPE: wexUKwexDE / PCHstore

– First Look at the Japanese site camera.itmedia.co.jp (translation).

– Wandering Around the Area with a New Lens at brandonremler: “It’s great to have a new lens to use on my walks around town.  The new XF18-135mmWR is a nice range for daylight walks when a large aperture isn’t as critical.  This is the first lens in the Fujifilm line up to include water resistant features matched for the X-T1 body. The lens is image stabilized so if I need to go to a lower speed I was easily able to hand-hold.”

– Samples at the Japanese site dcfever.com (translation).

slrlclubreview posted a series of videos on youtube. Check out the OIS here, AF test here, and the flare resitance here.

X-T1 or X-E2?

– FujiFilm’s Mirror-less Madness: Hands on with FujiFilm’s X-T1 and X-E2 (Firmware 2.0) at photofocus: “I know I already covered this, but if I had to get one, I’d get the X-T1, in fact, I’m very much contemplating replacing my 5D with this camera. I say that mainly for my style of shooting and how much I typically access settings on the fly. I also like having the security of weather-sealing. Those who are familiar with what I write know that I’m not a big fan of the dust here in Vegas. I don’t need a flash, but many of you do or would prefer it. To those, I’d recommend the X-E2 to you. There are some extra features that I enjoy that are on the X-T1 that aren’t on the X-E2: dual view mode (lets you see the big image and a smaller magnified view for manual focusing), bigger electronic viewfinder, two wheels to adjust settings (one on the back and one on the front), a little more real estate for a grip and a flip out LCD (just cool to have, although I never use them).”

 Fujifilm X-T1
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– Zack Arias’ X-T1 review Yep. It’s A Fuji at dedpxl: “I have zero regrets about selling all of my Canon gear and going Fuji. Zero regrets. I do miss the longer telephoto but, lo and behold, what just got announced for the lens lineup? A 90mm f2. I wonder who could have requested that over and over and over again? This camera can hold its own for just about anything but professional sports photography. It’s a fantastic travel camera. It would be great for events and weddings. It is lovely for portraits. Wouldn’t mind a faster sync speed than the 180th that it has but I jump to the x100s or the Phase when I need that fast sync. […]  PS – Dear Fuji. I’m still wanting an X-Pro2. Don’t forget about that. I would, however, trade the X-Pro2 for an X medium format. Just sayin’.”

– Fuji X-T1 and 18-135mm Water Test video at youtube here.

– X-T1 Autofocus performance in one splash at instantart: “Here I tried 10 sessions of shots, and in 7 of the I keeper 5/6 photo evey 10, and in three of them the Fuji can’t lock focus at the right time, but when it starts to lock the focus it is like a machine gun.

– Why I Bought A Fujifilm X-T1 at masonmarsh: “The camera is a joy to use, the images flawless as long as they don’t include foliage. I can carry it all day and never tire of using it. It has wifi, so I can travel with it and an iPad and leave the laptop at home. It eats batteries, but they are small and cheap. It has silly buttons and aperture rings, but they aren’t so bad. For most of what I want to do, the Fuji is my camera of choice. It’s far from perfect, but it just might be perfect for me right now. That Canon bag is so damn heavy!”

– Kelly Simonz’s Blind Faith – live at Tokyo Kinema Club at matthiaslambrecht: “I shot the concert with my Fuji X series gear, using the X-T1 with the XF 56mm/F1.2 and the X-E1 with the XF 14mm/2.8. I was curious if the Fujis would hold up to a real world stress test like this, and it’s almost anticlimactic how little trouble I had. The older X-E1 has some autofocus issues in the dark, so I stuck the wide angle on it to reduce the amount of focus hunting; and the X-T1 nailed most of the shots without any problems. As usual, quick access to ISO / shutter speed / aperture dials was a lifesaver.”

– Fuji X-T1 visits a french coastal town at wimarys: “I often shoot landscapes and have found the color palette excellent and the lenses on par with anything produced by Nikon. Thanks to the excellent color registration of the Fuji XT1 16 megapixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor, there is plenty of information in thee RAW files for you to play around with afterwards. You’ll be able pull lots of shadow detail out too as long as you stay under ISO 1600

– Life with a Fuji X-T1 at anthonyowenjones: “Whilst it’s possible to read into this that this is just a reflection of the truism – the best camera is the one you have with you (and there is a large element of that) it’s slightly more than that.  I am taking my camera out a lot more not just because it’s easier to do but because I also have more confidence it’ll be worth my while.  Somehow my X-T1 has made photography fun again and if photography is fun, then I’m more likely to take photographs.  Which is, really, how it should be.”

– On vacation with Fujifilm X-T1 + 14mm + X100s at larsauthen: “So – what will be my travel setup next time, for travelling as light as possible without missing anything? Two camera bodies for sure, the X100s and X-T1. The 14mm is a no brainer, that one has to come with me. The XF23mm I will leave at home because of the X100s focal lenght. The 35mm will stay home too most likely. The 56mm will come with me of course. Maybe, just maybe, I will get a 55-200mm lens too. But then again – it all begins to get heavy. So, we’ll see.”

– Civil War Reenactment 2014 at photonate.

– Stockografie und die Fuji X-T1 in Peking at stockografie (tranlsation).

steves-digicams review: “I have to give Fujifilm a lot of credit for creating a unique digital camera design in the X-T1, the company’s latest mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The Fujifilm X-T1’s overall design contains a host of dials and buttons that allow you to make changes to the camera’s settings without ever having to scroll through a series of menu commands on the display screen. This design gives the X-T1 a retro look that will remind you of film SLR cameras from a few decades ago. Certainly experienced photographers will love the ability to change the shutter speed and ISO settings through dedicated dials, rather than through on-screen menus.”

– Light, Form, Function – Breaking Symmetry at bokeh-monster.

– Fuji X-T1 (with 35mm) Doubts at rachelrufferblog: “The first is that I have the 35mm lens, which from my research is one of the first lenses Fuji came out with for the X system. So it is SLOW. And quite loud. I’m really not a fan. It also does a lot of back and forth trying to focus, even if the focus was basically where it should have been and maybe just needed fine tuning. Yep. Let’s focus all the way to 0.1 m and back again. Unbelievably frustrating.”

– Wedding Photojournalism with the Fuji X-T1 at albionrow: “The bottom line is that this is a camera that has changed the way I work. Not in huge ways, but in a myriad of smaller ways, that all add up to a feeling of refreshed creativity and, I think, a better result for my clients.”

– What’s in the Bag – Italy for a Month at daveburnsphoto.

TCL-X100 / WCL-X100
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 – Review at markkitaoka: “Also since the TCL-100 is a teleconverter, no EXIF data exists to alert Adobe Lightroom of the lens correction data which defaults to 23mm. I’m hoping that they can take the Lens selection information we change in the Fuji menu and use that selection to correct any lens aberrations in the program. Other than those two little niggles, I highly recommend the TCL-100 for anyone who wants 15mm more reach or loves taking 3/4 portraits with the X100 or S models.”

– Fuji TCL-X100 review Part 1 at thomasalanphoto.

– Canon 1DX with Sigma Art 50 vs. Fuji X100s with TCL at markkitaoka: “For those who may be sneaky, I’ve removed the EXIF data. It’s quite remarkable what the little Fuji paired with the TCL X100 can do. After all it’s only about a $6,049.00 difference at suggested retail! Smile or no smile, which is which?”

Zeiss Touit 50mm
Pre-order at Adorama and BHphoto

–  Zeiss Touit 50mm f/2.8 macro lens – hands on review at aboutphotography-tomgrill: “In terms of sharpness, this is a professional grade lens, sharp everywhere, even in the corners with wide open aperture — exactly what I would expect from Zeiss. For anyone seeking an exceptional macro lens for a Fuji X-series or Sony Nex system camera, this is it. If you are thinking of adding this lens to your system, I suggest you put yourself on a pre-order wait list soon. Once photographers discover the quality of this lens, it is going to sell out quickly.” For his shoot-out Zeiss 50 vs Fujinon 56 click here.

Rokinon (Samyang) 8mm Fisheye Version II / Samyang 12mm
pre-order: BHphoto

– Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS review at musicphotographer: “The Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS quickly became one of my favourite lenses, and they did a great job with this lens, keeping the price low and at the same time keeping the build quality on a very high level. The image quality it’s simply superb for such a lens from f/4 onwards, and very good even straight from f/2. If  you love to shoot landscapes at nighttime and you have a mirrorless, that’s a dream lens for you, but in general it’s a great lens for any landscape photographer, having the advantage to have good image quality and a very fast aperture.”

XF 56mm f/1.2
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– Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R Lens Review at findingrange: “If you need a short-tele lens, there is not a doubt in my mind that the XF 56mm F1.2 is a “must-have” for the X Series system.  At F1.2, it’s a very fast lens,which not only allows you to isolate your subject and surround it with a creamy background, it also allows you the flexibility of using a lower ISO setting in dim lighting.  But it doesn’t stop there; the XF 56mm F1.2 performs superbly when stopped down, which only adds to its versatility.  The compact dimensions and it’s relatively lightweight construction for a lens of this focal length and speed make it very easy to carry anywhere. Lastly, this is a very well built lens.  If you’re in the market for a short-tele, don’t hesitate to buy the XF 56mm F1.2.  In my opinion, I think this is seriously one of the best X Series lenses currently out.

XF 10-24
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– The Fuji 10-24mm – one month at paulmellingphotography: “I’m no pixel peeper so I couldn’t tell you if this lens is as good as others when you enlarge the image by 500 percent or whatever. If you want the ultimate quality for advertising or the like then you have plenty of options.  I can’t imagine any situation where the quality of these images will let me down unless it’s due to user error.”

X-E2
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– Street Photography in Zürich mit der Fujifilm X-E2 & Fujinon XF 18mm at oz50 (translation).

X100S
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– Voyage, Voyage with the X100S at olafblog: “Why the Fuji X100S? We have written extensively about this gem of a camera and why, in our view, it is still the best digital camera on the market. The greatest appeal lies in its size, simplicity and fixed lens. I walk around looking innocent and people don’t even notice when I take photographs. Many view me as a non-threatening tourist with his little point-and-shoot.”

–  Omar Z. Robles: “I wanted to share this blog post about my recent experience shooting an entire wedding with my fuji x100s. Thanks. For images and post visit the folioing link: omarrobles”: “Shooting exclusively  with the x100s allowed me to get in and out of places all around the city, swiftly for almost over 8hrs. And yet, I was not feeling overworked. I had so much energy, I even ended up editing the whole wedding that same night. Oops, I almost for got to mention, I also shot the whole thing in JPEGs, yes I did. This shortened my editing immensely. Now, just the  day after, the couple can happily enjoy their images and I can go back to more shooting and creating.

X-PRO1
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– Standing on Higher Ground at littlebigtravelingcamera: “In my case it also helps with the viewpoint. Sometimes I feel I’m too tall for a good shot in Asia because I’m not shooting at eye level. For that reason alone I hope that the Fuji X-Pro 2 will have a tilt screen. If not I think I will get the X-T1.” For the article “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoesclick here.

– Fuji X Pro 1 – Street Photography at streetframe: “I bought the Pro 1 just as the X-T 1 was weeks away from the shop shelves, I wouldn’t swap it for the world. You see there is function, if your shooting sports then perhaps other cameras should be in your bag, maybe there are better cameras for all sorts of things, but I shoot street style, I want my camera to look the part, be discreet. I want the camera to inspire me, I want to feel like I know the secret to enjoying my photography, I want to be part of a scene that excites me.”

– London with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 at rachelrufferblog.

lenses

– Andre Heid: “I wrote an article about how to increase the magnification Ratio of the XF60mm lens.” Read it at lichtklicker.

– Fujifilm Fujinon XC 16-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS review at lenstip: “Taking all the pros and cons, presented above, into account, the purchase of the tested lens for its suggested price, amounting currently to 1699 PLN, would be ludicrous. Fortunately nobody has to buy it separately as it is offered with the Fujifilm X-A1 and X-M1 cameras if you pay a little bit extra. It cooperates very nicely with both of these bodies, providing a quite universal focal length range – especially that wide angle of view, which you cannot find in 18-55 mm instruments. What’s more, it generates sensibly sharp photos no matter what focal length you employ. It would be foolish to demand more from a kit lens, added almost for free to a camera body.”

– Fujinon XF27mm pancake lens! at oncamphoto: “The shooting experience is really unique, you can shoot one handed, it fits inside your coat pocket, you can just relax about your shooting & not feel that pressure to perform or shoot everything you see. It feels less serious to carry & i think that reflects on your mindset when you head out to shoot, you really enjoy yourself.  Its actually that setup that you will just love carrying & if you see something interesting the 27mm is going to deliver without a doubt.”

– Long lens love affair – Fuji X-T1 and the 55-200 at andygallacher: “It’s also a piece of kit that doesn’t take up too much room or look too intrusive, an important factor for me given some of the places I end up in. It’s not a lens that screams ‘expensive’ and it certainly isn’t a back breaker. But the Fuji 55-200 certainly is well made and more importantly has produced some lovely images on both the X-Pro1 and X-T1.”

– Fujifilm 27mm Love at flixelpix: “This isn’t a technical review but more of a hat tipping to a lens that serves me very well but rarely gets any credit on the pages of FlixelPix. At around £350 it is one of Fujifilm’s most cost effective lens that offers remarkable image quality, compact form factor at amazing value for money. If you are looking for a low cost lens that offers both versatility and a compact form factor then look no further than the Fujinon 27mm.”

 Acessories

– [shoplink 23904]MHG-XT[/shoplink] Large Hand Grip for Fuji X-T1 at nathangilmer: “I am a big fan of this grip and love using the X-T1 more than ever. Pictures of it on my X-T1 with the 23mm f1.4 are posted below.”

Iridient 2.4.4

– Iridient Developer 2.4.4 was released and includes one Fujifilm specific fix for potential crashes with some EXR HR mode RAF images from the Fujifilm F600EXR. This bug likely impacted several other EXR compact models as well, but was reported specifically from an F600EXR user. This update also fixes a recently introduced bug which would cause the ICC output profile to not be embedded properly when exporting to JPEG. The new Iridient Developer 2.4.4 version can be downloaded here: http://iridientdigital.com/products/rawdeveloper_download.html

Instax Share SP-1 Printer

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Fujifilm Instax Share SP-1: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / [shoplink 23847 ebay]your eBay[/shoplink] / DigitalRev (worldwide shipping)

In the firmware update, the X-A1, X-M1 and XQ1 got direct instax Share WiFi support. So there is no need to upload the images first on your phone and from there on the printer. Why this feature didn’t made it into the X-series best seller X-E2 and X-T1 is a mystery for me.

However, is the [shoplink 23847]Instax Share SP-1 printer[/shoplink] worth the money? Here are two reviews about it.

1) ephotozine recommends this printer because of his compact size and good prints and concludes that “the Instax SP-1 is quite a unique little wireless printer, that’s highly portable and works with any smartphone with wireless capabilities. It’s quick to print, and no-fuss, credit card sized Instax images are great to share with friends and family right there on the spot.  Film is relatively cheap to buy at around £12 for two packs of ten photos, and the beauty of the wireless printer is that all your friends can use the printer from their respective smartphones, allowing you to capture your day from all angles. A great product that will no doubt make the younger generation very happy.”

2) Mehrdad’s review can be read in German at qimago (translation). From the (google translated) conclusions: “The Instax Share is a great toy and brings a certain flair to the images. We have installed in our home a little photo wall. Visitors, family events, Selfies, the favorite pictures of my wife and find their way to this wall. The Instax Share It’s now not only faster but somehow with a certain flair.”

Fujifilm updated the lens roadmap… but nothing new for FR-readers ;-)

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Fujifilm just updated the roadmap here. Nothing really new for Fujirumors readers. As rumored moths ago, there will be a 16mm f/1.4 and a 90mm f/2. The Super-Telephoto should be a 120-400, according to new sources. I’ve added the rumored roadmap at the bottom. Also updated, the right&wrong rumor list in 2014 and the reliability rating.

So what’s new? Well, Fuji gave us an expected availability for the lenses and it seems that the new primes (90 and 16) won’t be weather resistant. Also, the 16-55 seems to have no OIS anymore.

“FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is pleased to release an updated road map for X mount interchangeable lenses.

A large-diameter medium telephoto lens (the XF90mmF2 R) features for the first time on the development road map for end 2015. The next available lens will be the XF50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR. Following on from the XF18-135mm lens, this will be Fujifilm’s second weather resistant lens designed to partner its X-T1 camera.

Other updates to the road map include the previously announced “Ultra-wide angle lens” being confirmed as the “XF16mmF1.4 R” with a guide launch date of mid 2015. And the planned launch of the XF16-55mmF2.8 R WR lens moving to Spring 2015 and the Super Tele-Photo Zoom lens to Winter 2015.

Highly regarded for their outstanding image quality, resolution and well-built bodies, the unique X mount lens range now includes super-wide angle to super-telephoto range lenses and a large-diameter lens with rich bokeh and high resolution.”

the rumored roadmap

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