Tested: XF 23mm (dslrmagazine) and XC 16-50 (photozone)

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first bunch of lenses is shipping

Fuji XF 23mm

[shopcountry 16128]

The Spanish site dslrmagazine shared its XF23mm review (mounted on a X-E2). Read the result of their field test here (translation). It’s a high quality lens with “character”, beautiful bokeh, no distortion, very little lens flare… lot of great feedback! For their technical test click here (tranlsation). They say it’s worth every cent: “From a technical point of view, image quality, those opting for this lens will soon discover they have made a good investment with € 929.”

Fuji XC 16-50

[shopcountry 17197]

photzone‘s XC 16-50 review can be read here: “The Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS is a fairly good standard zoom lens but it doesn’t really stand out due to a number of weaknesses. In terms of resolution, the quality is generally high in the image center and decent in the outer image field. The lens relies heavily on auto-correction with respect to its native distortion characteristic which is nothing short of extreme at 16mm. Since most users will never notice this, this is probably an acceptable compromise (albeit a lossy one). The original vignetting is rather heavy at large apertures but also corrected behind the scenes. Lateral CAs are an issue at 16mm at large aperture settings especially in the image corners.”

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Fujifilm X-E2 at soundimageplus + wedding with X-E2 (Kevin Mullins)

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Kevin Mullins

A wedding shot with the X-E2 here at Kevin Mullins website: “Focusing: Snappy. That’s the word I’m going to use. Compared to the X-Pro1 and the X-E1 the camera focuses very quickly in my opinion. […] There is something I’m sad to see lost though, which is the View Mode button.  I really use that a lot and I’m hopeful that can be added as a Fn button toggle in a future firmware update.”

soundimageplus

Uk citizen can already enjoy shooting with the X-E2. Stores as wexUK has it already in stock. Therefore soundimagplus is already able to test the X-E2, and he seems to be pretty impressed by the latest release of Fuji.

“Well it might have been argued that the E-M1 has faster AF and a better screen and EVF. However from my initial time with the X-E2 those arguments might be dissipating somewhat. The X-E2 AF is certainly an improvement over the X-E1. Much snappier. It is in fact now pretty quick. As quick as the Olympus? Well I have no way of knowing but its fast enough for me.”

Soundimageplus is also very happy with the EVF. In fact the best I’ve ever used in very dark conditions.”

Then there is the spectacular High-ISO performance of the X-Trans sensor “that allows me to shoot beautifully clean images up to ISO 800, with all that implies for fast shutter speeds and narrow apertures“, the outstanding image quality. It lacks of a body IS and tilting screen (the E-M1 has them) but is it enough to justify the £500 you have to pay more for the Olympus E-M1?

Of course, also this camera has some CONS as: “battery life, fiddly processing, gaps in the lens range being three of them.”

Last but not least, Fuji’s Kaizen philosophy:

“[…] they do concentrate on what is useful for photographers and image quality above all else. […] However, the recent massive update to the X100, a camera they don’t make anymore, shows a real commitment to their customer base, which is both unusual and refreshing. […] I can’t think of any company that’s offered such a comprehensive upgrade to a discontinued camera.”

But this is only part 1 of his review! The good first impressions are confirmed in part 2 of his review here.

Feel free to support FR by purchasing your gear using the shoplinks on this site. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it’s a big help to keep this site running. Thanks.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / AdoramaDigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

PCHstore X-E2 unboxing video here (for the XQ1 unboxing click here)

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X-shooter Edric: “Never look back to DSLR. Fuji has made everything so affordable for such a high performance system.”

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Edric: “I attached 3 photos. These shots give me the confidence to never look back [to the DSLR].”

You can share your stories via email at fujirumor@gmail.com, anonymously via rumor box and also via google+, facebook and twitter.

have a great Sunday
 photo Patrick_zpse517a3cc.png  (google+, facebook and twitter)

by Edrich Chen

(http://theedricchen.com/)

Hi Patrick,

I switched from a [shoplink 13457]Canon 5D Mk III[/shoplink] earlier this year and have not since looked back.

A lot of cameras are fun to play with but sometimes, one simply cannot unconditionally trust them. I switched from a full-frame Canon system to the Fuji XPro-1 earlier this year. As much as I can trust the Canon in almost every circumstance, my back and shoulders couldn’t take the weight especially since I loved wandering in the streets for extended periods of time. That all changed when I started using the [shoplink 12882]X-Pro1[/shoplink].

I know I am a latecomer to the X system but reading all those slightly negative to downright negative reviews really worried me at first. I shopped around to be sure. Personally, I can say that the X-Pro1 has the most tactile response out of all the other MILCs in the market. It is not as fast as a DSLR in terms of autofocus and card write speed but I learned to accept those constraints. The biggest plus was that I became really careful with every shot, not as careful as with a film camera, but definitely more intentional with every click of the shutter.

The small but solid construction of the camera helps my human subjects be less intimidated with being photographed. It also makes other people, especially security, less interested in what I’m up to when I shoot. I do still get kicked out of certain areas but for the right reasons. I have to admit that the X-Pro1 has made me more adventurous as a photographer.

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I am not qualified to add more to the technical discussion of the X cameras but I can assure that anyone who embraces its quirks will have a good time with it. One thing I cannot entirely wrap my head around is how beautiful the colors are with the Fuji. I do shoot RAW and process files in [shoplink 17566]Lightroom 5.2[/shoplink] and [shoplink 17567]Photoshop CC[/shoplink] but I can’t understand how easy it is for me to achieve the colors I want. It’s almost magical.

I own the [shoplink 12888]XF 14mm f/2.8[/shoplink], [shoplink 12891]XF 18mm f/2.0[/shoplink], [shoplink 12889]XF 35mm f/1.4[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 12890]XF 60mm f/2.4 Macro lenses[/shoplink]. More recently, I acquired an [shoplink 12881]X-E1[/shoplink] as a backup body and also the wonderful [shoplink 12887]XF 18-55 f/2.8-4.0 lens[/shoplink]. Honestly, Fuji has made everything so affordable for such a high performance system.

My only wish is for a fast, native optic 85mm or 90mm lens. That’s about the only focal length where the Fuji X system cannot replace my Canon except when you consider the [shoplink 12892]XF 55-200mm zoon lens[/shoplink]. It also won’t hurt to get a built-in ND filter like the [shoplink 12883]X100S[/shoplink].

Cheers to Fuji for listening to what people have been longing for in digital cameras! Everything so far has been well worth the wait.

You may check out some of my X system shots on my photo blog. Almost all of the recent portraits and street shots were taken with the XPro-1. The biggest job I’ve ever shot with the X was for the local edition (Philippines) of Esquire Magazine a few months ago [link here]. I have since done more with the X for the same magazine but I haven’t had the time to post them up.

I’m honestly addicted to your site and have also bought Rico’s book on the X-Pro1 and X-E1 [Patrick: use code FUJISAVES30 to save 30% on Rico’s book].

Thank you for keeping the site very updated and very informative!

Cheers,

Edric
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X-E2: Fuji Guys (Video) and Will Crockett’s review (video) + LR5 Unmasked (15% discount throughout November 3rd)

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X-E2

USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore / AmazonDE (via DR)

– The Spanish site Fujistas had the opportunity to play with the X-E2 for a while. Read their first impressions here (translation): “Another big jump is the electronic viewfinder. […] The viewfinder image is updated very quickly, even moving the camera like crazy (people looked at me quite strangely). Finally we have to get wet with the big question, is it worth upgrading to the Fuji X-E2 from the Fuji X-E1? ”

– The Fuji Guys top features video of the X-E2 is online now here on youtube.

– Will Crockett posted a 20 minutes review about the X-E2 here on youtube: “Sony cameras, Olympus cameras… and I love Lumix cameras. But the Fuji cameras are different! Why? They’ve got gorgeous image quality! […] Each one of the segments of this review I’m gonna change the pre-processing settings. I’m gonna show you why I adjust and how I adjust it and I’m gonna deliver this without any post-processing.”

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LR 5 UNMASKED

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Craft & Vision (www.craftandvision.com) published Piet Van den Eynde’s latest eBook: ‘Lightroom 5 Unmasked. A Complete Guide to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom’. As its name implies, the 13 chapters in this 350+ page PDF eBook are all about that wonderful workflow application called Adobe Lightroom.

In addition to the 13 chapters, the eBook features 69 cases with step-by-step instructions on special techniques or workflow procedures. 14 of these cases are pro-cases aimed at more advanced users. There are cases ranging from how to get the most out of the new Smart Previews feature all the way to how to make killer HDR images with nothing but Lightroom and Photoshop.

Upgraders were kept in mind during layout: text boxes labeled ‘New in Lightroom 5′ and specific cases draw the attention to important changes.

The eBook does not limit itself to Lightroom as it comes out of the box, but points the reader to useful third-party applications and plugins that integrate well with Lightroom. For example, Piet mentions alternative input devices but also web plugins that allow the creation of complete websites from within Lightroom. That way, the book helps the reader to use Lightroom as the central hub in his image-editing workflow.

The list price of this eBook is $20. Throughout November 3rd, the discount code UNMASKED3 entitles buyers to a 15% discount. Check it here!

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Is it sharp wide open? XF23mm test shot by Max Angeloni + photographyblog review (Highly Recommended Award)

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image courtesy: Max Angeloni
Fujifilm X-Pro1 Fujinon 23mm 1/40 f/1.4 Iso 200 – JPEG SOOC

Is it sharp wide open? In the reviews I’ve read until now there are some saying that it is a bit soft in the centre of the image, others say it is sharp. Now I got feedback from Max Angeloni (riflessifotografici). Judging from this image taken by the professional photographer I’d say that there is really no reason to worry about soft results wide open… of course if you know how to set your lens and camera properly.

[Lucky Italian FR-readers can now buy Max’s latest book “le luci del fotografo“. There are many ways to use natural, artificial or mixed light in order to make the best out of your images. Just look at the cover image on his book to get an idea of what you can achieve if you make a wise use of light. 128 pages and more than 100 images. Italian readers can get a pleasant photography lesson for €18 only]

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_ _ _

– the photographyblog review of the 23mm is online here. They confirm that:

“The Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R lens is remarkably sharp in both the image centre and edges virtually throughout the entire aperture range. The fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 makes it incredibly easy to creatively throw the background out of focus, with the seven-blade iris diaphragm achieving some lovely bokeh effects. Vignetting is practically a non-issue, and chromatic aberrations are present but well-controlled. There is no barrel distortion worth mentioning.

Perhaps the only real fly in the ointment is the price – at around £849.99 / $899.95 this isn’t exactly a cheap lens. Compared to a similarly specced DSLR lens with an equally fast aperture, however, it could be viewed as something of a bargain. In summary the Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R is another very high-quality optic in the XF lens range and definitely worthy of our Highly Recommended award.”

Fuji XF 23mm: [shopcountry 16128]

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