Jackar Snapshooter 34mm f/1.8: Fuji X-mount lens for $175

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The Jackar Snapshooter 34mm f/1.8 is an old-school look cheap lens made in China that can now be pre-ordered for the Fuji X-mount at Adorama for $175 here. ephotozine tested it on the [shoplink 13887]Olympus OM-D E-M5[/shoplink]. Read the whole review here. The conclusions:

“This is an interesting take on the fast prime lens for Micro Four Thirds and NEX cameras, and the solid metal construction of the lens is re-assuring, although with the lens’ relatively low price, it’s clear that the optical quality of the lens isn’t likely to be the strongest feature. However, saying that, this lens performs better than other lenses we have tested (cough Holga, Toy-Lens, Pinwide cough), and with a sharp centre, bright aperture, and soft edges, this lens may be ideal for anyone looking for a good compact lens for portrait photography, low light, or creative control over depth of field.

If you want a manual, compact lens, then the reasonably price and high build quality would make this a good choice, however, for landscape shots and situations where image quality is more important, it may not be the ideal lens, but for low light, wide-open shooting, and portrait shots, it could be ideal.”

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Image Quality: “why DPReview may be sometimes wrong” + “I was a skeptic but now I’m a believer” (Iridient vs Adobe)

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image courtesy: thevisualexperience

The good news is, Fuji X-photographers now have various options to process their X-Trans files and get decent results out of it. The most popular options are Lightroom, Silkypix, Capture One and Aperture. But there are other software programs like Raw Photo Processor (based on DCRAW), AccuRaw… (check out this X-Pert Corner RAW-comparison post).

But in the last weeks I told you several times of Iridient Developer (Mac 0nly). This is an option which you should seriously consider to add to your workflow (try the demo version). Does the details extracted from the RAW by IRIDIENT really blow out ACR? Could this be the software that finally unlocked the full potential of the X-Trans sensor?

Now, I’d like to share with you the following articles. The first one at thevisualexperience analizes the way dpreview tests the image quality of the different cameras, while in the second post, “I’m a beliver”,  Activatedfx talks of his conversion from LR4.4 to Iridient 2.1.1!

1) Why DPReview may be sometimes wrong

This is how dpreview tests the image quality of cameras (source thevisualexperience):  a) Load RAW file into Adobe Camera RAW (Auto mode disabled) b) Set Sharpness to zero (all other settings default) c) Open file to Photoshop d) Apply a Unsharp mask: 100%, Radius 0.6, Threshold 0 d) Save as a TIFF (for cropping) and as a JPEG quality 11 for download

“DPReview paved the way for “scientific” comparison of camera performances, guiding passionate and professionals in understanding “what is worth to buy” and what is not. […] So ACR is the “meter” used to compare cameras for what concerns RAW. You can jump to the “Image Quality” of each review and use the tools to compare RAW performances.

But now that Iridient delivers such great results with the X-Trans files, thevisualexperience suggest to DPreview:

[…] please start taking into account different RAW processors or, at least, make some claim that the RAW results people are inspecting may be not representative of the REAL POTENTIAL a camera may have (since the meter you’re using is, somehow, not the best).”

2) I was a skeptic but now I’m a believer

And here there is another photographer that was blown away by the Iridient results and posted his comparison… at the great dpreview forum (check it here)!

“The Iridient image has more DR, richer colors, more detail in the sky, and a noticeably SHARPER image with no halos or artifacts. To my eye, it doesn’t look “sharpened” at all. In particular, look at the detail in the background of the road sign at 100%. The pattern is much more distinct in the Iridient image. And it’s not because of more contrast.”

Do you consider to swich or add Iridient to your workflow and you do not own a Mac? Apple just released the new MacBooks with an incredible battery life! [shoplink 14128]Check them here at your Amazon[/shoplink].

all the best
Patrick

Should Fuji find a firmware solution to allow us to control ISO values with front/rear dial?

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xjrumo says: Fuji working on the X30! Sensor bigger than 1″

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The Chinese site xjrumo claims to have the following information from trusted sources: Fuji is working on a new compact camera. According to xjrumo (translation here) it will have a fixed zoom lens and the sensor should be bigger than 1″!

I’ve immediately checked it with my trusted sources and here is what I can say until now:

Fuji could launch 3 more cameras this year (FR-sources).

1) FR-sources: Cheap non X-Trans APS-C interchangeable lens camera.

2) xjrumo source: compact camera with sensor bigger than 1″ and fixed zoom lens (X30). With such a camera Fuji would challenge the [shoplink 13127]Sony RX100[/shoplink] and the brand new RX100II.

3) ? (work in progress ;))

I can’t confirm the rumor of xjrumo until now but I’m working on it. I hope I can come back with fresh (and reliable) rumors as soon as possible. But it seems that the [shoplink 13828]X-M1[/shoplink] was just the beginning.

stay tuned
Patrick

P.S.: what would be your dream camera number 3?

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“the amazing evolution of the X-PRO1” (henrysmithscottage)

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image courtesy: henrysmithcottage

A couple of weeks ago I posted an article where fujifilmxseries explains how Fuji is adopting the idea of Kaizen to constantly improve its products via firmware update. The “old” X-PRO1 is a good example. The camera has deeply changed from the launch to now. Firmware after firmware Fuji was able to speed up autofocus, improve manual focus and start up time, add 3x magnification and the auto-ISO 6400 option, improve writing speed to the memory card and more. Who owns the X-PRO1 from the very first day can confirm what Henry Smith said:

“Over the history of this product, Fujifilm has managed to transform the X Pro 1, through software, in a profound way. I don’t recall any series of firmware upgrades, offered by any manufacturer that has so completely transformed a piece of electronics or a camera.”

But Fuji has not rested on its laurels. Now the arrow-down button works as a second Fn button (with AF field selection option) and the next firmware update in July will bring a long expected feature to the X-PRO1/X-E1: focus peaking! And also the AF-speed will be improved again.

Henry Smith seems to appreciate Fuji’s Kaizen business philosophy and wrote this article here. The new FN arrow down button “for an autofocus guy, this essentially fixes any problem I had previously. It is now fast and easy to quickly choose a focus point. If I loved the camera before, I really love it now.” At the end he says:

“I am delighted that I invested in this system. As a long time (and sometimes disappointed) user of their photography products, I perceive that Fujifilm is really hitting its stride. Other companies take note: this is how you treat your customer base.”

So any suggestions to Fuji for future firmware improvements? I know you’d like to be able to set minimum shutter speed in auto ISO. It’s possible on the new [shoplink 13828]X-M1[/shoplink], but Fuji didn’t promise this feature in the upcoming X-E1/X-PRO1 firmware update. So, write your firmware wish list in the comments… I’m sure somebody at the Fuji headquarters will read it!

feel free to share your wishes

sayonara
Patrick

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Fujifilm X-M1 first impressions at sulantoblog

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first impressions

Matti Sulanto just posted his first impressions of the X-M1 (pre-production), 16-50mm and 27mm at his website here. Among the other he says that:

“[X-M1] The Fuji X-M1 is very small and probably one of the smallest APS-C size system cameras. […] I saw the first pictures of the X-M1 some weeks ago and I was not impressed by the rear control dial. But, as they say, never judge a book by its cover. Now that I have used the X-M1 a bit, I’m rather happy with the control lay out. […] Shooting with the new Fuji X-M1 is a good experience. The autofocus is fast with the new 16 – 50 mm and the 55 – 200 mm zooms. Not [shoplink 13800]E-P5[/shoplink] fast, but fast. […] The competition is tough in the middle class of compact system cameras, but I think the new Fuji X-M1 stands a fair chance. […]

[XC 16-50] Even in its pre-production form this lens looks as good as the rest of the Fujinons. […] The zoom ring rotates smoothly and the lens extends to almost double length when zoomed from wide to tele. […] The optical performance looks promising, but I’ll wait until I have a real production lens, until I draw my final conclusion. The autofocus is fast and the OIS seems effective. I managed to get sharp pictures at 1/2 s. shutter speed at 50 mm setting, when I concentrated a bit.

[XF 27mm] It is quite small and light, but seems well constructed. […] The autofocus is fast, but makes more pronounced back and forth movement and little more noise compared to the 16 – 50.”

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