Mastering X-PRO1 at Amazon GER + X-PRO1 review

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Mastering the X-PRO1 (…advantages and disadvantages compared to the AF of a DSLR)

The “Fujifilm X-Pro1 Handbuch” (click here) is now available at Amazon GER. The first reviews at Amazon are really enthusiastic. Buyers say that this book is full of useful tips and tricks. It’s of course also a very technical book. The reader should have a basic knowledge of photography before reading this book. But it’s well written, so that also not so well-versed photographers could find this book very useful. Rico (the author) leads you deep inside the technical aspects of the X-PRO1 without getting lost in details.

A useful book, also for X-100 [and X-E1] users, and also for those who are coming from DSLR cameras. What can they expect from this camera? At chapter 2.4 for example, Rico explains very clearly the differences, advantages and disadvantages compared to the autofocus of a DSLR. (click here to read the translated versions of the customer reviews)

From Amazon US: “Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 provides a wealth of experienced-based information and insights for owners of the new X-Pro 1 camera. Readers will learn about the features and capabilities of the X-Pro 1 and will discover numerous tips and tricks for how to maximize its potential.”

US citizens have still to wait for this useful book to be available at Amazon US (click here to preorder).

X-PRO1 review

Here is another “real life” review. No studio crew, no editorial staff. Just give this camera in the hands of a photographer. So you can read, for example, that of course the X-PRO1 is smaller than a DSLR, but “my point is this: we specialise in documentary wedding photography, and at a wedding, I think this camera will allow us to get closer to people and capture images without the intrusion a pro DSLR camera/lens combo can often bring. This means more natural images and a less obvious presence of the photographer, this is good!… I can’t remember a single person even taking any notice of me and the little camera.” I’ll just tell you the title of his post: X-PRO1 part 1… WOW! (click here). Yes, there will be a part 2. He will talk about OVF versus EVF, image quality, ISO performance, off camera flash and Lightroom 4 workflow… we are waiting for it!

iPad App

And one more thing: Version 2.0.0 of the offical X-PRO1 guidebook is now available for the iPad (click here). From the descriptions: “This is an official guidebook for the premium interchangeable lens camera, FUJIFILM X-Pro1. It is intended to help users enjoy photography even more with tips on how to use each of the various functions. It also includes an interview of photographer Mr.Yoichi Sone on the spectaculars of X-Pro1 and a gallery of his works from Macao. The guidebook will also provide users with instructions on how to use the attached RAW file converter, RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX®.”

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X-E1 reviews: differences to DSLR

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Do you wanna know why martincastein.com loves the X-E1? Read his nice review. How is it if you come from a DSLR, what are the main differences?

He likes the EVF: “What you see is what you get viewfinder. When you look through the viewfinder you see the image exactly how it will come out before you take the shot. White balance, exposure and even film simulation mode are all simulated in the electronic viewfinder so you know what you get before you take it. You can see the image after you have taken it in the viewfinder as well, looking at the back of the camera is no longer needed… lets say you are taking a portrait of someone, you no longer need to do that DSLR thing where you get them to look at the camera, then you take a shot, look at the back of the camera, adjust it, say “just a couple more” and two shots later you have it. It works like this. Raise the camera, see the exposure in the viewfinder, couple of clicks on the exposure compensation, take the shot.” In addition to that you also have a live histogram in the EVF. In fact, the entire menu system in the viewfinder. His EVF verdict is: “To sum up the viewfinder it is excellent in many ways and makes the X-E1 truly wonderful to use. It does suffer from lag though in low light but is fast and snappy in reasonable light. Once you get used to this its not an issue but I would expect anyone who buys this camera to wonder if they did the right thing at first because of this lag.”

There is just a part of his extended review and comparison. If you’re coming from a DSLR you’ll have a bit of a learning curve. So take a look at this review, and prepare yourself for this new way of shooting! And once you get used to it, enjoy shooting!

mikekobal review

After all that reading, look at the mikekobal review. There are al lot of images, shot with the following lenses: Rokinon 85mm, (“I love this lens for portraits, especially outdoors when I have enough room to move around, it acts like a 128mm on a full frame sensor and produces incredible bokeh wide open and up to f2.8.”) and the Fujinon 35mm (“It’s an incredible lens. The center sharpness wide open was already mind blowing… Great for environmental portraits and detail shots, the shallow depth of field this little lens produced on the APSC sized sensor can truly rival the bokeh-ness of full frame cameras-if you know how to use it.“)

And compared to the Nikon D800E ? “After this session I am confident to say I would do it again. I didn’t miss my usual portrait kit, the Nikon D800E with a 50mm 1.4G lens, the Rokinon 85mm 1.4 and the Nikon 180mm f2.8. I preferred the 128mm equivalent I got from the 85mm over the 180mm. I did not miss the optical viewfinder and I will miss it even less once manual exposure will be correctly displayed. And then there is of course the weight issue, the Nikon D800E body weighs in at 2200 grams. The X-E1, the 35mm 1.4, 18mm 2.0, 85mm 1.4 with X mount adapter, weighs in at a total of 1288 grams!“

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[UPDATE: Fujifilm Announcement] Fujinon XF14mm expected for January 19

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The Fujinon XF14mm lens, expected for December, will probably hit the market at January 19. The reason of this postponement? The very high sales of the new 18-55 zoom lens. Fuji gives priority to the production of the zoom lens (the kit lens). This are at least the latest news we got from dcwatch (click here for the translated version).

dphotojournal (click here) posted the features of this lens, and look at the video of the Fuji Guys posted yesterday on Fujirumors. Billy explains some specs on the 14mm lens.

Here is the official (translated) announcement of Fujifilm:

Dear customers

Thank you for your patronage bestowed patronage is Fujifilm products.

Well, it had been guided by the moon and the release date Heisei 24 ’12 Fujinon lens “XF14mmF2.8 R”, because it gives priority to the production of “XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS” of strong sales I was going to let me put off on Saturday, January 19, 2013 Release Date.

We apologize for the inconvenience, thank you for your understanding as we look forward.

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