X-E2 initial impressions and thoughts by Randall Cipriano

After his EVF comaparison X-E1 vs X-E2 here (where Randall shows us the amazing, lag-free performance of the X-E2’s EVF), now he also shared his initial impressions and thoughts about the X-E2 on his blog here.

“I will reserve any comments about image quality till after I run it through a proper shoot but all-in-all, I’m happy and welcome all the improvements implemented on the X-E2. Physically, it looks like the same camera, but only after using it will you realize the differences and improvements are significant.”

Pre-order (and Support Fujirumors)

If you think the X-E2 is the camera that meets your needs and you want to pre-order it, feel free to use one of the links below. FR will get a small commission and it won’t cost you one single penny extra. Thanks in advance for every FR-reader who places his pre-order via Fujirumors. It’s a great help to keep the site ticking over.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /

 

 

“The X-Pro1 will become the backup to the X-E2” (Riley Joseph)

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK /

[I’ve already share Fuji’s X-E2 high-res samples at Fuji’s website here (and XQ1  here). For the X-E2 Brochure click here and here is the features page. The Brochure says that the X-E2 (AF-speed 0,08 sec.) has the fastest AF speed among digital cameras equipped with a 4/3-inch or larger sensor. Measurement conducted by Fujifilm research based on CIPA guidelines using the X-E2 equipped with [shoplink 12888]XF14mmF2.8 R lens[/shoplink] in High Performance mode as of September 2013.]

_ _ _

It seems that for Riley Joseph, the X-PRO1 isn’t Fuji’s flagship anymore! It has become the back-up camera of the X-E2. Why? You can read it here:

“The X-E2 inherits the X-Trans II sensor and the phase & contrast auto focus from the X100S. In using the camera I found the auto focus to be very accurate and snappy. Definitely better than my X-Pro1. And that is not even using the phase detection because my lenses do not have the required firmware updates for the camera. […] And in another suprise (to myself especially) the X-Pro1 will become the backup to the X-E2. At least until the X-Pro2 turns up.”

You can find one more first impressions article at KaleJF here. And check out also Rico’s first look (with more then 200 comments) here (for Rico’s XQ1 Flickr set click here).

How to support Fujirumors

Here is how you can support Fujirumors: if you think the X-E2 is the camera that meets your needs and you want to pre-order it, consider to use one of the links below. FR will get a small commission and it won’t cost you one single penny extra. Thanks in advance for every FR-reader who places his pre-order via Fujirumors. It’s a great help to keep the site ticking over.

X-E2 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / Fotomundus24 GER / PCHstore /

XQ1 – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / EUROPE: wexphotographicUK / DigitalRev / PCHstore /

 

 

X-A1 and NEW CHEAPER LENSES on the way! + still to wait for the X-PRO2

I’m here again dear readers! I thought you could be interested in the latest rumors bubbling in the FR-kitchen.

A new source shared with me (and with you) the following informations:

1) THE STRATEGY: Fuji won’t replace frenetically its cameras after a short time. The company’s goal now is to extend its offer to new market segments. Therefore there will be new cameras targeting different customers. (a trusted source told me here that, after the X-A1, Fuji plans to release two more cameras this year)

2) THE X-PRO2: Because of this strategy the high end cameras won’t be replaced that soon. (so it seems that the X-PRO2 won’t be one of the two cameras released after the X-A1 this year.)

3) THE NEW LENSES: There will be new cheaper lenses after the 16-50 f/3.5. These lenses will be cheaper because they are slower, but the image quality will remain top-notch because inside all elements are made of quality glass.

4) THE CHEAP 55-200: We will soon have a cheaper 55-200 lens (or something very similar).

5) THE DOUBLE KIT: Fuji could offer the X-A1 with a double zoom kit lens (16-50 and cheap 55-200)

As always, take rumors from new sources with a grain of salt. I’ve already fired off some emails to trusted sources and as soon as I can confirm this rumor I’ll post an update.

And don’t be shy, if anyone else out there has some inside news to share, use the rumor box on the FR-website to share them anonymously (you can give yourself a fake name and create an identity so that I recognize you in future) or contact me via email at fujirumor@gmail.com.

Follow FR on facebook, twitter and subscribe the RSS feed to stay connected with the Fuji-world.

may the focus be with you!
Patrick

P.S: Oh, and if someone out there reports these rumors on other websites don’t be afraid to quote the source, I have nothing against it ;).

P.P.S.: The Polish site optyczne posted some samples taken with the X-M1 and 16-50, the [shoplink 13646]Zeiss Touit 32mm[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 12892]XF 55-200[/shoplink]. Click here to see them all.

X-M1 (body only or with 16-50mm) – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA

XF 27mm – USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / DigitalRev / Pictureline EUROPE: DigitalRev / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA XC 16-50: WexUK / PCHstore

 

X-M1 vs X-E1 vs X-PRO1 vs X20 vs X100S size comparison!

photo fujifilm_logo_zps47ebf04d.jpg

[On June 25 Fujirumors will follow the announcement live. Follow us on facebook, twitter and subscribe the RSS feed, and you won’t miss anything!]

Maximilian was so kind to create a “quick and dirty size comparison” between the X-M1 and X-E1 and I’m glad to share it with you all. Thanks a lot!

photo fuji1_zps3a9f3e7e.jpg

 

photo fuji2_zps4fcf88f0.jpg

And also MJr made a comparison between the X-PRO1, X-E1, X20, X100S  and X-M1. Thanks a lot MJr!

FR-readers roundup: where the trains go to die, X-PRO1+Nokton 50mm, Lego rangefinder and Laguna Beach

in stock (55-200)

-The Fuji XF 55-200 is now in stock at Amazon Japan (via third party reseller. Click here).
XF 55-200 pre-order: USA:  Adorama / BHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel

deals (via dealsrunner)

I’ve found all the following deals at dealsrunner. To see more Fuji-deals or insert by yourself new deals stop by dealsrunner.com.
-Save about $50 on the X20 (DEMO camera) at ebay here.
-$25 price drop for the X-E1+18-55 at AmazonUS here.
-X-PRO1 body only for $1.1120 at ebay here.

Fujirumors readers roundup

– Olivier: “Hi Patrick, a big HELLO from tiny Luxembourg :-) I’ve been following Fujirumors ever since my interest in Fujifilm cameras arose, with the announcement of the fantastic X-E1 last year.

A couple of weeks ago, I spent a morning shooting an old industry and railway park with my best friend who carried along 4 (!!!) Sony Alpha bodies (he hates changing lenses ;-) ), while I only took along the X-E1 equipped with the XF18-55mm lens, the [shoplink 11322]XF 35mm[/shoplink] and [shoplink 11919]XF 60mm[/shoplink].

In the end though, I only used the [shoplink 12483 ebay]XF 18-55mm[/shoplink]. This is one seriously great allrounder!

As far as postprocessing goes: I shot raw and (minimally) edited the shots under LR 4.4. Really love the improved X-Trans support.

The results can be found under: http://500px.com/OliGlod/stories/85077/where-trains-go-to-die (short excerpt) and http://www.blurb.com/b/4228521-one-day-in-fond-de-gras (complete book). I hope you’ll enjoy looking at these as much as I enjoyed taking them ;-)

Best regards, Oli

P.s. Thanks again for all of the hard work you put into Fujirumors!!! :-)

Olivier (where trains go to die)

photo traindevie_zps2fac0aa8.png

book preview
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– Jim “Hi Patrick, First off thank you for your site and all of the work you put into it for our Fuji community.  On my blog site gambofoto.blogspot.nl  I have just posted a review/user impressions of using the X-Pro 1 with a Cosina [shoplink 11534 ebay]Voigtlander Nokton 50mm[/shoplink] f/1.5 lens. Possibly some of your readers might enjoy it. Regards, Jim Gamblin”

Jim

– Nick: “Hi there. Your blog has been of great assistance to me now that I’m a Fuji convert. I’ve even started blogging my Fuji photos and my camera collection […]. Thanks for all of your efforts. Nick http://camerapassion.wordpress.com”

Nick

LEGO-rangefinder: made by Nick’s son! (Fuji X100s, Aperture RAW conversion, cropped)

photo lego_zpsd654b3be.jpg

– Shahrokni: “I have a Fuji X100 and recently I bought a beautiful Fuji X Pro1 with 18-55mm ( I ordered it separately ). At the beginning I was not happy with the color of sky and landscape until I found out about a correct setting […] I have to say Now I love my Fuji X Pro1. Yesterday was HOT Here in Laguna Beach in SoCal. I took many pictures and here are some of them , Hope You like them. Best Regards SM Shahrokni
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/seyed-m-shahrokni.html?page=1
http://digitalcitycenter.blogspot.com/

Shahrokni

palm photo DSCF3532ex_Sts_zpsa4d270bb.jpg

FR-readers roundup: a year with the X-PRO1, 60mm review, NYC and wedding photography

– Khoral: “Hello! Thanks for the blog, that’s my main source for Fuji news. Just did a post you might be interested into, my personal feelings after a year of use [click here to read the article].  Cheers! Khoral” From the conclusions: “I have a great time with the X-Pro1 and never miss my DSLR. The X-Pro1 is more compact, discreet, delivers top quality shots all the time. The only thing that would make me regret buying it is… the X-Pro2, granted it provides more accurate AF.”

Khoral

– Lorenzo” […]I suggest my profile ( http://500px.com/LorenzoTazzioli ): All last pictures are taken with X-Pro1 (with different lens) and x100. And soon I will upload new 18-55 photos. Thanks ”

Lorenzo

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– Gergely: “Dear Patrick, I wrote a little review about the 60mm macro, for nature photographers, with many pictures. If you are interested, please feel free to post it! 60mm macro review. And I have a late X-E1 review for nature photographers too. X-E1 review (click here).” Here is another one who sold his Nikon.

Fujinon XF60mm [shopcountry 10276]
Gergely

photo macro_zps1d41288b.jpg

– Nick: “I am a professional wedding photographer. I was based out of Richmond Virginia until a few weeks ago and now I am based out of Manhattan. About one month ago I bought my first fuji. A used x100 limited edition black from B&H. Everything was in great condition except I recently discovered the little front thread ring missing. (hear thats a common piece for people to lose. Anyway the point in writing was that last night I did a blog post of some of what I have shot here in NYC my first few weeks. Since all the photos are from my x100 I thought I’d let you know incase you wanted to check it out and share with your readers. Most are from Raw some jpeg some without the wide angle attachment some with.” Nickkessler.com  – x100 in NYC

Nick

photo ny_zps47700a03.png

Evert: “hi Patrick, First, my compliments with Fujirumors.com! I’ve been following the site for a few months now and I’m really enjoying it :) It might’ve been the trigger to get a Fuji X100s (and who knows what’s next in the future…) Anyway, I though it’d be nice to share a link of a recent wedding I shot as second shooter (I’m a professional photog shooting weddings and commercial events and portraits), but not with my Canon kit: I’ve shot it completely using the Fuji X100s. It was a remarkable enjoyable experience with great results I think. My opinion? Fuji mirrorless could be a really great alternative for a complete DSLR kit for wedding- and event photographers. Here’s the link (translated version). all the best and good luck with the site!
Best regards,
Evert Doorn

Evert

photo wedding_zps3b6d96e6.png

Battles: X100S vs Nikon Coolpix A + X-E1 vs OM-D vs GH3

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X100S vs Nikon Coolpix A

Mike Kobal posted a “mini-review” where he compares the [shoplink 10075]X100S[/shoplink] (with [shoplink 10069]wide angle converter WCL-X100[/shoplink]) and the [shoplink 8820]Nikon Coolpix A[/shoplink] (both feature an APS-C sensor and don’t have an optical low pass filter).

Among the others, Fuji “scores” because its faster AF, better handling and ergonomics, while the Nikon has a better battery life and lens (“This lens/sensor combo delivers the sharpest shots I have seen from an APSC sized sensor. Scary sharp, really.“) And which sensor is better? Hard question. “I love the X trans sensor and I love the D800e sensor and now I also love the Coolpix A sensor :) where will this end? Getting rid of the AA filter paid off again, mind blowing detail, if you like your images ultra sharp, then this sensor is for you. My personal choice is the X trans. 1:1 Fuji/Nikon (subjective)“

Check out Mike’s whole review here. Here is his bottom line… and keep up the good work Mike!

“Anyone who needs to pack light and small for whatever reason (expedition, extreme sports, etc), can live with the 28mm equiv FOV, has no choice, the Nikon A is the one. Unlike us purists, with both feet solid on the pavement, we do have a choice, Leica or Fuji X100s. :)”

Fuji X100S: [shopcountry 10075] Nikon Coolpix A: [shopcountry 8820] Fuji WCL-X100: [shopcountry 10069]

And who’s the winner for you? Just vote this poll:

Should Fujifilm postpone the XF120mm launch and release the XF23mmF2 WR first?

View Results

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 X-E1 vs OM-D vs GH3

Admiring Light compared the Panasonic GH3 (with [shoplink 8220]Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink]) with the Olympus OM-D and the Fuji X-E1. As we already heard from other reviews, they conclude that:

“Well, the X-E1 is a camera with fantastic image quality, that much is certain.  Not surprisingly, it produces cleaner images throughout the ISO range and retains great detail. Is the Fuji the best of these three cameras then? In pure image quality from the sensor? Yes. In other ways? Not so fast.”

Read it all and see ISO comparison here at Admiring Light.

Fuji X-E1 [shopcountry 8215] Panasonic GH3: [shopcountry 8219] Olympus OM-D E-M5 [shopcountry 8520]

image courtesy: Admiring Light

[UPDATE] Lightroom 4.4 and ACR 7.4 available now! + Fuji and Adobe working together

lr photo lr_zpsf34b5193.png

Lightroom 4.4 and Camera Raw 7.4 are now available here.

– The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.4 update includes these enhancements:

Improved demosaic algorithm for better raw file support on cameras with X-Trans sensors. This includes the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Additional camera support for 23 cameras including the Canon EOS 1D C, Nikon Coolpix A, and Samsung NX300.

Corrections and bug fixes for issues introduced in previous versions of Lightroom.

– Camera Raw 7.4  includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms for Fujifilm cameras with the X-Trans sensor. This specifically impacts the following cameras:Fujifilm X-Pro1 (*) / Fujifilm X-E1 (*) / Fujifilm X100S / Fujifilm X20 (click here)
(*) Based on user feedback, the default sharpening amount applied to Fujifilm X-Pro1 and Fujifilm X-E1 raw files has been increased between Camera Raw 7.4 Release Candidate and the final Camera Raw 7.4 release. (thx for the link Imgurian)

[UPDATE] Fujirumors posted first rumors about a cooperation between Fujifilm and Adobe to improve image processing of X-Trans back in October, 26 here). Now this cooperation has been officially announced at Fuji’s website here:

“FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) announced that Fujifilm and Adobe Systems Incorporated have been working together to improve image processing of X-Trans and EXR-Sensor based raw captures. X-Trans CMOS has a new type of sensor filter array developed by Fujifilm to improve image quality. The release of Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 4.4 and Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 today offers significant improvements in the processing of X-Trans raw files for the X100S, X20, X-Pro1 and X-E1, resulting in better Moire reduction and enhanced performance in color reproduction.

“We worked closely with Fujifilm to increase the quality of image processing of X-Trans and EXR-Sensor based raw captures,” said Tom Hogarty, group product manager, Adobe. “Lightroom 4.4 and Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 demonstrate the results of this cooperation and provide remarkable improvements in the raw file rendering.”

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Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments.

Aperture, Lightroom…Capture One! Finally the Odyssee ends. This is the title of nicolestuppert’s post (read it here) He posted also some LR vs C1 comparison pics: “​So finally after months and weeks I came to the decision that I will work with Capture one & Aperture! Capture One – because of the fantastic RAW Converter & Aperture for the interface, the file managing and the plug-In’s (VSCO, Nik Software) I use.” Check out the Nik Software offer (70% price drop here).

have a great day!

Feedback: Lightroom 4.4 and ACR 7.4 release candidates

Hi

First of all, let me say that the contest for the £50 voucher is closed. I’ll inform the winner as soon as possible.

Before I go back at work, here are the first links with feedback about the LR4.4 and ACR7.4 release candidates… now it’s your turn, Apple!

[Reminder: Rico Pfirstinger updated his RAW converter comparison with LR4.4 samples (click here).  Also dpreview posted first impressions.]

Soundimageplus (click here):

“There is certainly now much more foliage detail, colour rendition is excellent and as you can see with the last 100% blowup ISO 6400 with some noise reduction added in Photoshop is simply spectacular… it does seem that finally we can see the potential of the raw files from this sensor, in an efficient and familiar workflow.”
image courtesy: soundimageplus

Thomasfitzgeraldphotography (click here):

“The raw conversion engine no longer suffers from the dreaded water-colour effect and is as good if not better than Capture One, and pretty much on par with the Fuji Jpegs. Where as previously any amount of sharpening would cause the raw files to fall apart, now you can sharpen away. Adobe have done a great job…”

comparison LR4.3 vs LR4.4 RC at thomasfitzgeraldphotography

frontallobbings (click here)

“I’m please to inform everyone that the dreaded watercolour, or colour smearing issue has been abated in this version which is very welcome… Although details are still not as good as some of the other RAW processors that I’ve thrown at it, it is improved over the previous versions. One of the more notable details is in the shadow details. LR4.3 lost a lot of micro details in the darker or shadier areas. LR4.4RC improves that dramatically. But as you can see, the Capture One details are still surpassing what both default settings are putting out in this case… Is it perfect? No it isn’t, but its improvements are dramatic“

image courtesy: frotallobbings

Lightoom 4.4 and ACR 7.4 release candidates available

The source was right! Now start downloading and leave your feedback in the comments. Download LR 4.4 here. or Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw RC 7.4 here.

Rico Pfirstinger updated his RAW converter comparison with two samples that were processed with Lightroom 4.4RC. Click here, read the article, and see the images.

There is also the first dpreview test: “In the ACR 7.3 rendering, the foliage takes on a distinct ‘watercolor’ appearance, and the white text of the sign is ‘filled-in’ green. As you can see, the new processing approach in ACR 7.4 RC offers substantial improvements in both areas.” (thx MJr)

Lightroom 4.4 Release Candidate and Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw 7.4 include a correction to the demosaic algorithms for Fujifilm cameras with the X-Trans sensor.  This specifically impacts the following cameras:

  • Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • Fujifilm X-E1
  • Fujifilm X100S
  • Fujifilm X20

Download and discuss on Fujirumors.

And many thanks to the source!