Fujifilm Instax Mini Monochrome Reviews: “It’s fun, but it Has Green/Yellow Color Tint.”

Fujifilm Instax Monochrome Review

Fujifilm’s new Monochrome film just hit the market and it’s the Nr.1 best selling Film on AmazonUS.

And if you are considering to buy it, then you might check out the first reviews on the web. Amazon Customer MiRSD said here:

“While the film is Black and White.. I found it to not be true black and white. It has tints of other colors in it (most noticeable, a greenish tint). This sometimes happens when you have a contrast with the black and white but I do wonder if this is true Black and White film or if fuji simply re-worked the color film (as has been hinted at) which is causing this. I was a bit disappointed as I did want a true black and white film without any other color tints.“

This is confirmed also by Photography Concentrate with Lauren & Rob on their youtube channel here:

“When you are photographing scenes with strong yellow and green tones, you actually can see a bit of that yellow/green coming through“

Instax Monochrome In Stock Check: Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonUS, AmazonDE, AmazonUK, PCHstore.

 

DPReview Fujifilm X-T2 Review Online… and Gets the Gold Award

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Fujifilm X-T2USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

dpreview just published it’s full and in depth Fujifilm X-T2 review here. It is, as usual, a very comprehensive review. Here are the Pros and Cons:

Pros

  • Excellent image quality in both Raw and JPEG
  • Superb JPEG color options
  • Direct controls give engaging shooting experience
  • Reassuringly solid build quality
  • AF point joystick speed up operation
  • Greatly improved autofocus, especially in terms of tracking
  • Dual hinged rear screen suits both stills and video shooters
  • Impressive 4K video quality and associated support tools
  • In-camera Raw processing lets you make full use of excellent JPEG engine
  • Simple and effective Wi-Fi system for image transfer
  • USB 3.0 for fast image and video transfer
  • USB charging is convenient
  • Supplied charger makes it easy to keep a spare battery charged

Cons

  • Excessive noise reduction can result in over-smoothed skin detail at high ISO [NOTE: in their X-Pro2 review, dpreview said: “there’s much less of the ‘waxy skin’ effect that we saw at High ISO settings on the previous generation of Fujifilms“]
  • Camera’s full AF capability only available with a subset of lenses
  • Subject tracking, while good, is not be dependable enough for professional use
  • AF performance drops significantly in low light
  • Phase detection region is somewhat small by contemporary standards
  • Choice of three Auto ISO presets more complex than necessary
  • Limited control over autofocus in video mode
  • Battery grip is required for extended video clips and audio monitoring
  • X-Trans color pattern not as widely or well supported as Bayer design

Vertical Booster Grip: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

New NP-W126S Batteries: BHphoto / Adorama /

“Honestly, Given its Lens Quality, it’s Surprising that Fujifilm isn’t More Popular! Best MILC System Out There” – PhotoZone 35/2 + 16/1.4 Reviews

35mmAfter months out of Stock, the XF35mmF2 WR is finally available again
XF35mmF2 WR: BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS / FocusCamera

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X-shooters know it: Fujinon lenses are just amazing…. and it gets better year after year.

But at the same we X-shooters know, that we are just a marginally niche in the photography world.

And just like Photozone, I also have a hard time to understand, why such an amazing system is not more successful. Photozone says at the end of their XF16mmF1.4 WR review:

“Honestly, given the depth and quality of their lineup, it is quite surprising that Fujifilm isn’t more popular. I, for one, think that it is the best mirrorless system out there (at this stage) and it just got a bit better again.”

You can read the Photozone XF35mmF2 WR Review here. From the conclusions:

“Center quality is great and the borders are also impressive. The corners aren’t quite as good but decent. It is worth mentioning that the quality, primarily the contrast, decreases at very close focus distances. This is probably also the reason why Fujifilm limited the lens to a min. focus distance of 0.35m (1:7.5) which is longer than usual. Lateral CAs are quite low. From a real life perspective, vignetting and distortions are also nothing to worry about. That being said, the Fujinon is slightly underdesigned. It relies on auto-correct to compensate its high original distortions and vignetting. […] the AF is now both very fast and silent.

Finally we have to answer the question how the Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR compares to the Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R. When looking at our ratings the answer is obvious. Yes, the f/2 lens is sharper at all overlapping apertures. The weather sealing as well as the faster AF are also on the plus side. Yet .. nothing beats speed but more speed. If you simply require an ultra-large aperture as well as a superior bokeh, the XF 35mm f/1.4 R is still the better choice – also because it isn’t that much more expensive nor much bigger.”

The XF16mmF1.4 WR Review can be read here. From the conclusions:

“The Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR may not knock your socks off like the XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR but it is a capable performer nonetheless. The center quality is just fine at f/1.4 whereas the corners show some softness – emphasized by field curvature. However, how often do you require sharp corners at such a setting anyway? Stopping down to f/2 lifts the quality substantially and it’s impressive from f/4. Lateral CAs are negligible but we spotted a bit of purple fringing in extreme scenes. The amount of vignetting is good unless you disable auto-correction. The (native) amount of distortions is very low for a 24mm lens. The bokeh is surprisingly decent for a lens in this class albeit not without weaknesses.

The AF is speedy and noiseless.

XF 16mmF1.4 WR (save $200): BHphoto / Adorama / AmazonUS

*** ALL USA X DEALS HERE *** ALL EU X DEALS HERE ***
Reminder: Price increase on X-Gear coming in September (EU)

16mm

Fujifilm X-T2… Do You Know the Answer to These 10 Questions?

Fuji XT2

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Do You Know the Answer to These 10 Questions regarding the Fujifilm X-T2? (I get some of those questions also quite regulary via email).

  1. Sony A6300 and Fuji X-T2 EVF Live View… what’s the difference?
  2. Endless Buffer: how can you shoot an endless stream of full-size FINE+RAW images at 5 fps?
  3. What Trick did Fuji use to eliminate Moiree and Artefacts when shooting 4K video?
  4. Why is there less rolling shutter on the X-T2 compared to the X-T1?
  5. X-T2 has dual UHS-II card slots… but are they really fast the same?
  6. What’s the difference between the X-T2 in-camera Boost and the Vertical Grip Boost?
  7. How can you easily expand the dynamic range of the X-T2 by up to 7 EV with just two (2) shots?
  8. AF Subject Tracking: Which are the Secrets behind the massive Improvement?
  9. Can we hope to ever get the Zebra Function on the X-T2?
  10. DR50% is possible (in addition to DR100, DR200, DR400). But how?
  11. …. and many other questions

You don’t know the answers? Then this means you didn’t read Rico’s Free eBook First Look Review about the Fujfiilm X-T2 here.

No, I won’t give you the answers in this post. But you’ll get them all (and a lot more) at Rico’s 12,000 words and 100+ samples monstrous Review!

have a good read,
Patrick

Fujifilm X-T2USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Best X-T2 Review

First Look Review: Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm X-T2USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / Calumentphoto DE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Vertical Booster Grip: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP / PCHstore / WexUK / AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

New NP-W126S Batteries: BHphoto / Adorama /

The Complete Camera

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Books at Rocky Nook * Fuji X Secrets Workshops * Rico’s Flickr Sets

The Fujifilm X-T1: 111 X-Pert Tips * The Fujifilm X-T10: 115 X-Pert Tips
*** NEW *** The Fujifilm X-Pro2: 115 X-Pert Tips *** NEW ***
(use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

The X-T2 may be Fujifilm’s most important product launch since the introduction of the X-Series. Building on the best features of the X-T1 and X-Pro2, can this richly featured workhorse convince enthusiasts and pros to consider the X-Mount as a universal go-to system for all their photographic needs? Let’s find out in this first impressions review.

Getting serious: The X-T2 is Fujifilm’s high-powered successor to the X-T1.

Please note: This carefully researched and ridiculously comprehensive First Look Review of the Fujifilm X-T2 and Vertical Power Booster Grip is based on three different X-T2 pre-production models and more than ten different (and continuously evolving) beta firmware generations. The final hardware and firmware are expected to ship in the first half of September 2016.

***

Fuji X Secrets Ultimate workshops in Phuket, Thailand
From Nov. 12 – Nov. 19 and from Nov. 19 – Nov. 26, I am going to entertain a unique Fuji X Secrets workshop experience in Phuket, Thailand. We have rented one of Thailand’s most stunning villas as our base for an exclusive group of X-afficionadoes. The first week on offer will be for English speaking participants, and the second week for German speaking delegates. This exclusive event is designed for only seven participants per workshop week. However, each delegate is invited bring along a non-participating friend or loved one to share this wonderful experience and location. With daily photo excursions and the full curriculum of our popular multi-day Fuji X Secrets Weekend and Fuji X Secrets RAW workshops, this will be an unforgettable week of living and breathing the Fujifilm X spirit in a collaborative group of like-minded enthusiasts. Once you get there, everything will be taken care of—welcome to X-Paradise! The information and registration site is now open. Click here for the English and here for the German workshop weeks.

The Fujifilm X-Pro2: 115 X-Pert Tips is available
Please click here to order the printed edition or your ebook copy in three different DRM-free formats (all for the price of one), including a 40% discount if you use coupon code XPERT40. German readers can click here to order the German edition.

***

In  September 2016, the X-T2 will be available in black (and eventually perhaps also in silver).
In any case, a matching camera-powered EF-X8 mini flashgun is included.

About two and a half years after the introduction of the successful X-T1, Fujifilm is getting serious with taking the X-series into “we can do everything” territory. At first glance, the X-T2 looks very much like its predecessor—why change a concept that stood behind Fujifilm’s (so far) most successful X-series camera? However, it’s a different story on the inside. At several global launch events, Fujifilm has made it very clear that the X-T2 is supposed to address all photographic needs, including sports and action shooting. It’s supposed to be a “complete mirrorless camera”.

Ready for business

Compared to the X-T1, the X-T2 features dozens of changes and improvements. Here’s an overview in 40 bullet points:

  • 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor (Sony-built with 14 bit readout) with no anti-aliasing filter
  • X-Processor Pro is four times as fast as the EXR II processor used in the X-T1 and offers improved image quality, better noise response and higher dynamic range
  • improved ISO performance (about 1 stop better than the previous generation) with native ISO covering 200 to 12800, and extended ISO settings of 100, 25600 and 51200 (all with full RAW support)
  • 100% faster sensor readout, resulting in improved AF tracking performance, a dramatically reduced minimum blackout time of only 114 ms, and a high 100 fps EVF refresh rate
  • 0.005s display lag, 0.06s max. AF speed, 0.17s shooting interval, 0.045s shutter lag
  • configurable AF-C modes to adapt the AF system to different sports and action shooting scenarios
  • up to 11 fps burst speed in boost mode (14 fps when using the electronic shutter) with AF tracking
  • 3, 4 or 5 fps slow burst mode (CL) with full live-view and CDAF support
  • improved user interface and a new menu structure, including a custom My Menu with up to 16 entries
  • DSLR-style “AF-ON” option and new settings to individually engage/disengage focus and exposure lock when the shutter button is half-pressed
  • more tactile dials and buttons and a new push-button lock mechanism for top-plate dials
  • better grip and improved standard eyecup
  • convenient focus stick to quickly move the autofocus frame or zone (with up to 325 AF frames to choose from)
  • articulated rear screen works in landscape and portrait orientation
  • new Vertical Power Booster Grip with two additional battery slots for extended shooting (1000+ images) and duplicate controls
  • weather sealing with protection against rain, dust and freezing
  • improved 0.77x electronic viewfinder with better image quality and twice the brightness of the previous model, now also featuring an auto brightness mode
  • low-vibration 1/8000s mechanical shutter with 1/250s flash sync (supplemented by an electronic shutter with 1/32000s), rated for 150,000 shots
  • new flash system offers high-speed sync, wireless TTL and multi-frame shooting (in concert with compatible flash units such as the new EF-X500)
  • dual SD card slots (both support the ultra-fast UHS-II standard)
  • improved hybrid autofocus system with pro-level subject tracking, a larger phase-detection area and more focus points (7 x 13 or 13 x 25 focus points, including either 7 x 7 or 13 x 13 phase detection points)
  • automatic pixel mapping (to map out dead pixels)
  • improved JPEG quality and new ACROS film simulation with ISO-controlled film grain and noise shaping
  • expanded JPEG settings with additional options for contrast, noise reduction, sharpness, color saturation and film grain simulation
  • broader ±2 EV bracketing and ±5 EV exposure compensation (along with expanded Push/Pull options in the camera’s built-in RAW converter)
  • lossless RAW compression cuts RAW file size in half
  • improved battery life indicator for up to three batteries at once (including a 1% accuracy display)
  • enhanced electronic depth-of-field and distance scale with either pixel-based or film-based precision
  • new center-weighted metering option
  • WYSIWYG simulation of fixed dynamic range settings (DR200%, DR400%) in the live view and live histogram of the EVF and LCD, and enhanced highlight DR in Natural Live View mode
  • dedicated video mode on DRIVE dial replaces video record button
  • high-quality 4K video and HD video with 100 Mbit/s and oversampling (to minimize moiré and artifacts)
  • vastly improved video focussing
  • HDMI output to mirror EVF and LCD displays on monitors and HD beamers, or to record the live view with an HD frame grabber
  • uncompressed 4:2:2 HD and 4K HDMI output to external recording devices, including “F-Log” flat gamma 4K recording with expanded dynamic range
  • threaded cable release option, fast USB 3.0 interface, 3.5mm mic input, 2.5mm remote control input, 3.5mm sound/headphone output (in the Vertical Power Booster Grip)
  • USB charging for the in-body battery
  • Vertical Power Booster Grip includes an external power input to power the camera and charge batteries inside the grip (2 hours charging time for two batteries)
  • new NP-W126S battery with reduced heat dissemination (old batteries remain fully compatible)
  • USB and wireless tethering options (after a future firmware update) with new and improved plug-ins for Adobe Lightroom
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