Discover The Mostly Used Lenses (+ Settings) by X-Shooters on Their Fujifilm X-Cameras :: Explorecams Extended Features!

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X-Gear Explored

We have reported about explorecams.com first back in July here. The sites, that collectes information from Flickr, 500px and other popular Photo Sharing Sites, told us which are the Top 5 used brands on those platforms (and Fujifilm was – and still is – in the Top 5).

Well, explorecams has extended its features, and you can now see also which lenses are used mostly on which X-series camera.

Just type in the camera you want (for example Fujifilm X-Pro2 or Fujifilm X-T2), and explorecams will give you a nice graphic with the top 5 lenses used for each camera. In case of the X-Pro2 and X-T2, it’s not really surprising to see that the X-Pro2 is mostly used with primes (XF35mmF2 WR is first), whereas the X-T2 mostly with zoom lenses (10-24 is first). Just scroll down, and you’ll see the ranking of every used lens (Fujinon and third party) in combination with your selected X-series camera.

Moreover, you’ll also get an insight on the most popular settings used, such as ISO value, Shutter speed, metering mode, aperture, focal length and more!

Have fun with explorecams.com and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments down below.

via fujistas

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Sony’s Fast & Furious Hardware Updates Vs. Fuji’s Kaizen Philosophy :: What’s the Better Strategy to Win the Mirrorless Battle? – POLL

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INITIAL NOTE: In all these years of blogging, I’ve learned that every time you compare brands/cameras, the shitstorm is just around the corner. So I’ll say it clearly now: I like the innovation Sony is bringing in the mirrorless market. This article is not to bash on Sony, but just to ask you if you would like Fuji to adopt the same strategy of Sony. If you find something I wrote not accurate, please let me know… you know I’m open for critics and willing to correct statements that are wrong.

Rico’s Fuji X-workshop in Thailand
only 1 space left for English / only 2 spaces left for German

The Fast and The Furious Sony Strategy!

Holy Moly!

Sony just announced the Sony A6500 (BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS), and it comes just a few months after the launch of the Sony A6300. The sensor in both cameras is the same, but Sony build in IBIS, touch screen and improved the AF-performance on the A6500 (reports say the X-T2 AF is superior to the A6300. The A6500 might catch up again). It remains to see, if Sony managed to control overheating better.

Sony shooters might already got used to such a fast camera release rate. Take for example at the Sony A7 series:

Sony A7 + Sony A7r (October 2013)
Sony A7s (April 2014)
Sony A7II (November 2014)
Sony A7rII (August 2015)
Sony A7SII (September 2015)
Sony A9 (planed for 2016, but the April earthquake that hit their sensor factory created a major sensor shortage. Sony even had problems to ship the A7rII)

It’s just crazy how many hardware changes Sony has launched to the original A7/A7r in just 3 years! Basically 2 new Full Frame Mirrorless cameras a year (except 2016 – due to the earthquake): more Megapixel, less Megapixel, Ibis, no Ibis, Phase Detection Pixels, no Phase Detections Pixel… you name it!

This strategy must be quite successful for Sony, because they now adapted it also for the A6000 series. Just 8 months after the release of the Sony A6300, Sony launched the A6500, with hardware and firmware improvements. The question remains open, if the firmware improvements will make it also into the Sony A6300, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sony would decide to leave the A6300 firmware untouched and “force” customers to buy the A6500 for even faster AF.

Fuji’s Kaizen Strategy… “ for longer camera lifespan

Back in December 2013, the godfather of the X-series, Manager Mr. Kawahara (now retired), said in an interview that Fujifilm will focus on Firmware updates, because “we want you to use our camera longer and longer in your life.” And the press release to the X-T1 Firmware 4.20 reinforced this strategy, since Fuji wrote here: “New X-T1 firmware V.4.20 delivers updated Auto Focus system features, along with several other key upgrades for longer camera lifespan.” I also remember Toshihisa Iida and Fuji Guy Billy confirming the Kaizen Strategy in two video interviews, but I can’t remember where (I’ll update the article if I find the videos).

However, I found another statement by Top Fuji Manager Toshihisa Iida regarding Fuji’s Firmware policy here:

Of course there’s an argument whenever we introduce a new firmware upgrade that it’s damaging the existing product. So there are pros and cons, but we decided that we really needed to take care of the existing customer first before thinking of the new customer. […] So I think that’s right, to show our customer loyalty for their purchase. […] Because now the camera is costing somewhere around several hundred to a thousand dollars. So it’s ridiculous for us to ask customers to upgrade every two years or so.”

So let’s take a look at Fujifilm’s flagship cameras lifespan, the X-Pro and the X-T line

Fuji X-T1  Fuji X-T2 = 2½ years
Fuji X-Pro1  Fuji X-Pro2 = 4 years

However, the X-T1 has actually changed a lot in these years, thanks to many (free!!!) Firmware updates. I’ll mention the 3 major ones, that gave us electronic shutter, new AF-system, new film Simulations, Customizable Q menu… and much more!

18 December 2014 – FW 3.00
29 June 2015 – FW 4.00 + 11 Tips to make the most out of it
17 December 2015 – FW 4.20

Also the X-Pro1 and X-E1/2 got several major Firmware updates. And the X-Pro2 just received a huge update yesterday.

But is this really the right strategy? The development of Firmware updates is expensive and Fujifilm doesn’t make a dime out of it. Actually they hurt sales of newer X-series cameras by upgrading older ones. Sure, it might be good for us customers (longer camera lifespan), but it’s definitely not good for Fujifilms’ finances!

That said, as a customer, I’m obviously a Kaizen-fan and hope Fujifilm will keep this philosophy. But I also hope this won’t affect their business too negatively, because I want them to survive the mirrorless battle… and that brings me to today’s Poll

The Poll

The mirrorless battle has just begun, and it’s clear to me that some companies will perish, regardless how amazing their products are (Samsung died despite having a terrific camera, the Samsung NX1).

Only those companies with the best strategy will survive the mirrorless battle.

That’s why I’d like to know from you, what do you think would be better for Fujifilm: keep focussing on Firmware updates or do it like Sony?

The best strategy for Fuji is to...

View Results

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Top Sony Manager Confirms The Fast Focussing Fuji X-T2 is a Threat for Sony A7 series Customers. “We Don’t Have This Weapon Right Now”

More Firmware Details :: FW Update for X-Pro2, X-Pro1 and Lenses (XF16-55 Less Chromatic Aberration)… Coming Very Soon!

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IT’S KAIZEN TIME

A trusted source just contacted me, and told me that not only the X-Pro2, but also the X-Pro1 and many Fujinon lenses will get a Firmware update soon. Here is what the source told us:

X-Pro2 Firmware

As already leaked here, the X-Pro2 FW 2.00 will bring a new and improved autofocus algorithm (faster and more accurate AF, more AF-points and AF tracking improvements), support for EF-X500 flash, Auto Power feature changes, and Corrected AF frame function improvement.

But the same leaked press release, said that the improvements will actually be 20. So what else will come? Well, Fuji will improve Eye Detection, additional flash settings can be located on the Q menu. Regarding the tracking, you will be able to use the electronic shutter in AF-C. There will improvements in the OVF and some bugs will be fixed, too.

It sounds overall like a huge Firmware update that will bring some big and many small improvements… well done, Fuji… you’ll make lots of X-Pro2 owners very happy soon :)

X-Pro1 Firmware

Just like the X-Pro2, also the X-Pro1 will get the Corrected AF frame function improvement. I haven’t heard of other improvements.

Fujinon Lenses Firmware

With the new Firmware, the Chromatic Aberration on the XF16-55mmF2.8 will be better controlled. Many Fujinon lenses will also get better parallax correction.

FINAL NOTE

It’s rare, but it can happen (and it already happened) that a new firmware can contain minor bugs. In the past Fujifilm usually was very fast to fix them. But I’d recommend not to update, if you need the X-Pro2 for an important job/event. Use the current firmware and wait a few days after the firmware release. Fujifilm will be monitoring the situation after the FW release very closely, also by reading the feedback from X-shooters here on Fujirumors.

It might also a good thing to read again Rico’s article “Tips for updating your Firmware

Fujifilm X-Pro2: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / AdoramaPictureline / BestBuy CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

EF-X500 Flash: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

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Let There Be Light :: Elinchrom, Phottix and Godox Working on Fujifilm X Compatible Flashes/Triggers (and Elinchrom hints support ;) )

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Let There Be Light

It seems that the point has come, where you can’t ignore the Fujifilm X System anymore. Sure, we are still a niche, but a constantly growing one, so it starts to be interesting for third parties to create Fujifilm supported products.

In fact, I’ve just heard from a source, that Phottix, Elinchrom and Godox are all working on Fujifilm X series compatible flashes/triggers. At the moment I have no indication, when the support will be completed, though… but I guess it won’t take that long anymore. Why?

Well, as FR-reader told us in the comments to the big rumor overview, he wrote this comment at the Elinchrom facebook page: “Where’s the Fuji love elinchrom!!!??” Elinchrom liked the comment. And when X-shooter Neil asked if this means that Fujifilm Support is coming in near future, Elinchrom liked also that comment! Maybe it means nothing… or maybe… ;)

And, just a reminder, as rumored here, also Profoto should add Fujifilm support in 2017.

The source (whom I trust) asked me to take it with a grain of salt at this stage… and so I’ll do. As soon as I will be able to confirm it, I’ll let you know here on FujiRumors.

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Fujifilm & Flash :: The State of The Art & Rumors + NEW Metz Mecablitz M400 Announced with HSS + TTL Support

Cactus Fujifilm X-T2 Beta-Support… and You Can Be Their Beta-Tester!

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Cactus Fujifilm Support

Cactus announced that a Beta Firmware for Fujifilm X-T2 support is almost ready. They are looking for Beta Testers. Here is what they said in their forum.

Hey everyone, a quick update…

In the next couple of days, we will soon have a beta firmware for you to test on the X-T2.

If you are interested in testing it with us, please send an email to info@cactus-image.com with subject line “X-T2” and we will send you the Updater with embedded X-T2 beta firmware.

I would greatly appreciate if you can share your findngs here on the fourm (under this post) so we can see if others experience the same kind of bugs and issues.

For those who needs to use the V6 II for commercial work, please wait a little bit more as the beta version is likely not ready.

Thank you in advance to those who are participating.