UPDATE:Venus Optics is now taking pre-orders on their latest lens, the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D (zero distortion). The first 100 people buying this lens will get a set of 49mm filters (ND 1000 + CPL +UV ) for free. First comes first, so order now to be high on waiting list. The lens is not yet available at BHphoto & Co.
Jonas Rask just published his Laowa 9mm F2.8 Review… and it comes with tons of stunning samples at jonasraskphotography.
Here some excerpts:
absolutely tiny and stelar build quality
rectilinear lens, nice straight lines right to the corners
It is really sharp in the 3/4 central part of the frame, but it loses a little bit of sharpness towards the edges, there’s also a fair bit of vignetting when shot at f/2.8
some gorgeous sun stars
vibrant colours and some great contrast
this lens is pure fun, fun, fun!
It’s such and amazing performer, especially when you take the small size into account.
suggest retail price of $499
Easily one of the most usable lenses I’ve ever mounted on my X-series system (And I have mounted A LOT over the years!)
Don’t forget to check out all the fantastic samples Jonas Rask took with this lens at jonasraskphotography.
There is also a review of the Sony E-mount version at thephoblographer and an Interview/Review about the Laowa 9mmF2.8 Lens with lens designer Dayong Li at fujilove.
TODAY ONLY:
This one runs today only: You save 15% on eBay.com when using the promo code “PSPRINGTIME” on checkout (max $50). This is valid also on all Fuji gear (Click here).
DXO Film Pack 7* *needed in have access to Fujifilm film simulations profiles in DxO PhotoLab
New in PhotoLab 9
Al Mask: for advanced selections
Accelerate your editing with Al-driven subject detection and selection.
Automatically select key subjects such as sky, people, clothes, background, hair, vehicles, and more. You can also use click or bounding box to manually select your subject.
Al masks can be combined with all other masking tools for the most challenging needs
Refined Local Adjustments with vastly improved masking system
Enjoy greater flexibility and precision in localized edits with a unified and intuitive masking structure.
Combine all masking tools together (Al Mask, Control Points, Control Lines, Gradients, Brushes…).
Sub-masks let you create more precise masks for each image.
Easily access actions such as Invert Mask Effect and Duplicate Mask.
Gizmo displays have been redesigned for clarity and usability.
A one-time engine migration is required to edit local corrections created in earlier DxO PhotoLab versions.
Localized Noise Reduction and Lens Sharpness capabilities
Target specific areas for denoising and lens sharpness using masks.
With the Local Denoising and Local Lens Sharpness Optimization, it’s now easier than ever to fine-tune your most challenging images.
Images stacking in the Filmstrip
Organize your images more efficiently through stackable thumbnails.
Virtual copies are automatically grouped into collapsible stacks.
Manual controls include: create, group, ungroup, sort by date, and re-stack virtual copies.
Stack display states (collapsed/expanded) are preserved across filtering and project navigation.
Advanced Batch Renaming Tools
Rename images (inputs and outputs) consistently and efficiently using a flexible token-based system.
Leverage metadata tokens (e.g. EXIF, IPTC, shot date, counter) and custom text to build naming schemes.
Create, save, and reuse custom renaming presets.
A Find & Replace function is now available in the export dialog, with optional case sensitivity and live preview.
Support for Apple ProRAW and HEIF/HEIC Image Formats
PhotoLab 9 offers full compatibility with Apple ProRAW and HEIF/HEIC
ProRAW images from iPhones can now be opened and processed, with built-in tone mapping enabled by default.
HEIF/HEIC image formats are now fully supported.
Enhanced Noise Reduction with DeepPRIME 3 & DeepPRIME XD3 X-Trans
DeepPRIME 3, introduced in PhotoLab 8.5, takes our machine-learning based approach to RAW conversion one step further: our new neural network performs denoising, demosaicing and the correction of chromatic aberrations all simultaneously and with unprecedented efficiency.
DeepPRIME XD3 X-Trans follows the same approach but utilizes a significantly larger model and more training data. As a result, it retains eXtra Detail, while also delivering silky-smooth bokeh at the same time.
After 6 months of public beta, PhotoLab 9 contains the final version, which is faster and produces cleaner images than the beta. The older DeepPRIME XD was removed.
The original PRIME denoising, revolutionary when introduced back in 2013, but now obsolete, was removed.
A live preview option allows you to visualize both global and local denoising effects at any zoom level.
Lens Sharpness Optimization V2
Experience enhanced image detail thanks to the latest improvements in DxO’s lens correction engine.
The calibration process and the sharpening algorithm were reworked from the ground up to ensure homogenous results across all camera gear and shooting conditions (feature will roll out progressively).
The intensity slider now runs from 0 to 200, with 100 being our recommendation of “just the right” amount of sharpening for the given image.
Quick Access with Favorites
Add folders, projects, or drives to your favorites for quick access. This makes navigating to your most-used destinations faster and more efficient.
U Point feathering control
Diffusion slider has been added to fine tune your masks using U Points.
Projects accessible in Customize tab
In this version you can access your Projects directly from the “Customize” tab. With this improvement, managing and switching between Projects is easier than ever, streamlining your entire workflow.
Known Limitations
Bayer RAW files are not supported yet by DeepPRIME XD3 (X-Trans only).
HEIF/HEIC SUPPORT
Lightroom IPTC tag not read
GPS coordinates are displayed as 0 in Samsung HEIC image
On MacOS 15.6 and Tahoe beta 6, predefined Al masks are not returning any result in GPU/ANE modes.
Current workarounds are to switch to CPU mode or to use MacOS 15.5 or earlier.
Also introduced with DxO PureRAW 5: DeepPRIME XD3 X-Trans Beta. DxO writes:
Fujifilm fans will be delighted to see what’s included. X-Trans images have never looked this good
I also went though the launch material of DxO and noticed three before/after images taken with Fujifilm gear. For your convenience I have uploaded them on my Dropbox here.
Especially the X-H2S before/after looks quite impressive.
FR-reader Hiergeist made a rendering of the Fujinon XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR and compared its size to the Fujinon XF200mmF2, XF150-600mm and also the GF500mmF5.6.
There is a difference in flange distance between G-mount and X-mount of 9 mm – so the lens has to be 9 mm longer at the mount (assuming the optics will be almost identical between GFX 500 and XF 500). Hiergeist aligned the picture along the lens mount.
To be clear:
this is not the real lens, just a rendering
the size of the XF500mmF5.6 is based on the speculation that because it has the same filter size of the GF500mmF5.6, Fujifilm might simply have made and XF version by changing the mount
If that was the case then that is what that lens would look like mounted on an X-H2.
Capture One has announced that REALA ACE support has been added in Capture One 16.4.4 for the following Fujifilm cameras: GFX100II, GFX100SII, X100VI, X-H2, X-H2s, X-S20, X-T5, X-T50.
You can download the latest Capture One 16.4.4 here and view the release notes here.
Of course I have the perpetual license, so no Reala Ace for me.
At the end I’ll have to give up on the idea to stick with perpetual licenses. I will start to rent my editing software. But I am not sure it will still be Capture One.
The patents have been spotted by the Japanese website asobinet.
And remember, Fujifilm has also patented this foldable smartphone, so that one has to come soon, too :).
More seriously: Fujifilm recently said they have 10 lenses currently under study. Look up at those to see a more realistic list of lenses that might come at some point.
Cosina has just announced the Voigtlander COLOR-SKOPAR 18mm F2.8 Aspherical lens, which will be released in February exclusively for Fujifilm X mount. It comes with electronic contacts (but no AF). Full product page below.
