mini miXed zone: Fuji-X on assignment, X-E2 after the firmware 2.00 and TCL-X100 first impressions

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Fuji-X on assignment

– Matt Brandon (thedigitaltrekker):

“I wanted to write and say thanks for your help in finding great examples of other professionals who are actively using the Fujifilm X-System for their work.

As you know, I was approached by Channel 4 in England to be their set/still photographer for their new drama called Indian Summers being shot on location here in Penang, Malaysia. Indian Summers is being produced by Channel 4 and PBS masterpiece in the US.

When the Producer told me that Channel 4 needed a gear list I was quite surprised and a little nervous. I had never had a client ask for a gear list. So I sent them this link to my gear page. The producer seemed a bit taken aback by me using such a small system. He asked if it could still deliver the resolution they need. I told them I was confident it could. Given that they were so concerned about gear, I thought the powers-that-be might have a problem with me shooting with the X-System. So I sent them the list of a few of the photographers you sent me along with several links to my work using these cameras. Apparently that did the trick.

I am now the official set photographer for this production which could last until Oct. Here is the announcement I made on my blog.  I don’t have any idea how many productions are being or have been shot with Fujifilm gear, but my guess is not many. Maybe this is a new inroad for Fujifilm, I don’t know. My Channel 4 contact in England, the producer and actors here all love what I am giving them. I wish I could show you some of the images, but unfortunately I am bound by contract to keep them private until the series airs in early 2015.

Thanks again for your help. Matt Brandon

– Mike Croshaw: “Hi, shot some weddings with the Fuji system this week and started blogging about it.” Read it here. “On this second wedding the main photographer was confused by my choice of camera, he didn’t understand why I would choose to not shoot with a DSLR.  By the end of the wedding, once he had seen the images, he was asking how much they were!”

X-E2 firmware 2.00

– Fuji X-E2 – Firmware update and their ongoing camera support at soundimageplus: “It’s a somewhat old-fashioned concept to keep adding free upgrades to old models in order to promote customer […] there is no doubt that Fuji have established a different kind of rapport / feedback relationship with their target customer base and to date, certainly as far as I’m concerned, it’s one that I like. Personally I also think that this is the way to add an upmarket image to what they produce.”

– Re-review: Revisiting the Fujifilm X-E2 with Firmware Version 2.0 at bigheadtaco: “Now that I’ve returned the X-T1 and have the X-E2 again (primarily to review the new XF 56mm F/1.2 lens), I can really appreciate the size as well as the ergonomic feel of this retro-rangefinder (yes, I know it’s not really a rangefinder). Unlike the X-T1, I can change settings quickly and easily (by feel) without removing my eye from the EVF. With the latest firmware update V2.0, the EVF refresh rate of the X-E2 now matches that of the X-T1 (albeit a smaller view). Looking through the EVF with the previous firmware was pretty good, but now it’s even better with a faster refresh rate (I can even notice the difference in brighter lighting). I’m also happy that I can now change the colour of the focus peaking (low blue is best) since I enjoy manually focusing while shooting on the street.”

TCL-X100

– First impressions at rileyjoseph: “For photographers with only a X100/s this could be a 3 focal length system for them. 28/35/50 FOV.. on a camera with a f/2 aperture, great high ISO capabilities and a silent leaf shutter. So.. in my opinion if you already have a Fuji x-series interchangeable camera there is no better 50mm FOV lens than the XF 35mm 1.4 R.. it is my favorite lens. I would buy that before buying the TCL-X100. For those with just a X100/s and are longing for more reach.. like for portraiture.. your wish has come true.”

GM told me: “I could ordered mine last 24/04 from fujifilm online shop (IT) when they had published it as being in stock (by mistake, I was then told last week when they contacted me with the bad news, saying they would do the utmost in order to advance delivery as much as possible). I could finally receive it this morning so many thanks to Fujifilm, they managed to fulfil my order sooner than expected! I can confirm pricing (in Italy, at least) of EUR 249,99 + 9,90 (handling & shipping on their site). The item is actually in stock again on their site. Believe this should be quite the same for other countries, hope this can be useful to FR readers.”

DigitalRev has the TCL-X100 in stock here. They sell it for $339 / €294. You can pre-order it for $349 at BHphoto here.

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VOTE: Which is the best Fujinon lenses travel photography kit for your (and my) holidays?

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Hi folks, hope you’re having a good time this Sunday.

Now, FR-reader Robbert Dijkstra asked me on facebook today: “What is your advice regarding the X-series system? I just jumped boat from M43 to X with a X-E2. Looking for a general travel photography kit, reasonbly priced. Which lenses do you recommend?”

Well, in fact it’s the same question I’m struggling with right now. My holidays from my day job begin in 7 weeks and, right now, I have to find not only the destination I want to travel to, but also which lenses to bring with me (coupled with my lovely [shoplink 17992]X-E2[/shoplink]).

I promised myself to travel light, so I will surely not bring more than 3 lenses with me. But which ones?

I asked Facebook and Twitter followers what’s their favorite travel photography kit and there is an interesting discussion going on here on facebook and here on twitter. Check it out to read their suggestions.

So, what is your choice? What are your favorite lenses when you go on holiday? I’m looking forward to your vote and your answers in the comments.

thanks for your suggestions,
Patrick facebook, google+, RSS-feed and twitter

Between an X-Pro2 and X-E3 I'd buy...

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“The inside story of how the excellent X-T1 came to be” (The Verge)

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image courtesy: theverge

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The Verge publshed a very nice piece about Fuji’s industrial design team and the development of the X-T1. They talk about it with X-series’ product manager Toshi Iida and designer Masazumi Imai. Read the whole article “The inside story of how the excellent X-T1 came to be” here at theverge. Here some excerpts:

Making Of

The X-T1’s new direction ran the risk of disappointing Fujifilm fans. Every X-series mirrorless camera to date had featured a slick, compact rangefinder-style design that took cues from the likes of Leica and Contax, but Fujifilm started afresh with a silhouette that looks much closer to an SLR. It’s an interesting move — while mirrorless cameras haven’t yet made much impact on DSLR sales, they fill a similar role to light, travel-friendly rangefinders did in the film era. With the X-T1, however, Fujifilm is making a statement that its mirrorless cameras can compete on the same level as SLRs.

“Our X design is classic and authentic,” says Imai. “I could have chosen an ergonomic style but our X design is completely different. It’s flat and straight and based on ‘good-old-days’ camera style.” In particular, Fujifilm’s own [shoplink 20357 ebay]Fujica[/shoplink] ST901 from 1974 served as inspiration for Imai. “Late ’70s to ’80s SLRs were very cool to me,” he recalls. “The ST901 was very small with a very characteristic finder, so this was very close to the X-T1 concept. Very simple, not so ergonomic — this was the basic inspiration.”

“Nowadays we don’t need special technique, the camera does everything,” says Iida. “We think we should go back to basics. The photographer can control the camera, the camera doesn’t control the photographer.”

FF vs APS-C

“There are pros and cons which we need to carefully check and investigate, but some of the points we think we should do as quickly as possible,” says Imai. “For example, the movie button — many customers say that this is too easy to press. So that is the kind of thing that we should improve as soon as possible.” Fujifilm plans to make this button customizable in a future update.

“When we talk with professional photographers, they don’t care about the sensor size” That’s not to say that a larger sensor is off Fujifilm’s radar entirely, though — “Our R&D team is doing investigation,” allows Iida.

Improvements

Although the X-T1 feels like more of a complete package at launch than its predecessors, Imai says the team has already collated a list of 140 potential improvements based on customer feedback. […] “For example, the movie button — many customers say that this is too easy to press. So that is the kind of thing that we should improve as soon as possible.” Fujifilm plans to make this button customizable in a future update.

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PRE-ORDER NOW in USA: Fujifilm TCL-X100 tele conversion lens for $349!

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It was a long wait, but finally the Fujifilm TCL-X100 tele conversion lens can be pre-ordered at BHphoto for $349 here. Feel free to use the BHphoto link posted here if you want to support Fujirumors with absolutely no extra costs for you. A small comission is valued back to this blog and it will allow me to keep it running, thanks.

Or do like James Donahue did (“free shipping and I am suppose to receive it May 9, by 1030 am CDT.) and order the lens also at DigitalRev for $339 here.

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RUMOR: Sigma to announce X-mount lenses at photokina? (anonymous source)

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The Sigma 50mm f/1.4: almost the IQ of the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 for ¼ of the price!

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anonymous source = take it with a grain of salt

Zeiss did it, Samyang did it… and Sigma could do it in the next months, according to an anonymous source: at photokina 2014 Sigma could announce the first lenses for Fuji X-mount.

Did the success of the [shoplink 17992]X-E2[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 21553]X-T1[/shoplink] convince Sigma to jump on the X-boat? Let’s hope so!

Imagine how well a lens like the Sigma 50 f/1.4 could perform in combination with Fuji’s unique X-Trans sensor! I’m sure you’ve read of the unbelievable test results of the Sigma 50 f/1.4 that almost matches the Zeiss Otus 55 1.4 performance for ¼ of the price!!!

My radar is finely tuned on this rumor. Will update you as soon as I hear something more reliable about it. In the meantime, take it with a grain of salt and let’s cross fingers.

If the rumor is correct, could the cooperation Sigma/Fuji be more successful than the Zeiss/Fuji one? In fact the Zeiss Touit 12mm 2.8 and 32mm 1.8 didn’t sell well at all (available now for a much cheaper price than at their launch), as photographers prefer the Fujinon [shoplink 12888]XF 14mm[/shoplink] and [shoplink 12889]XF 35mm[/shoplink].

HamburgCam said via twitter, that, in order to be successfull “ Sigma lenses would have to be cheaper to have a chance! Fuji’s XF lenses have such high IQ already!”

cheers
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TCL-X100 pre-order now in USA

The TCL-X100 tele conversion lens can be pre-ordered at BHphoto for $349 here. Use this link if you want to support Fujirumors with absolutely no extra costs for you. A small comission is valued back to this blog and it will allow me to keep it running, thanks.

photo TCL_zps39612c76.jpg

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