[UPDATE] X-PRO1 firmware 3.10 postponed to the 19th of December!

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[UPDATE] Fuji’s global site updated its page and says that the update is postponed to the 19th December 2013 (Thu.). See here.

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I’ve received emails from French FR-readers saying that the X-PRO1 3.10 firmware, originally scheduled for tomorrow, is postponed to December 19.

Romain for example told me that: “In France, when you buy a X-Pro1 or X-E1/2, you get in the box a black letter which invites you to register to the French Fuji Pro club. It gives a lot of advantages : 1 year extra warranty (on top of the 2 legal ones), “priority after sales support” for repairs and regular email updates like this one.” This is why French readers know about the firmware delay. At the top you can see a screenshot of the email sent from Fujiflm to French X-shooters.

At Fuji’s global site there is no news about it. But some readers linked me to the UK site, where the Pro1 firmware update is announced for the 19th.

Maybe you will remember that last time some customers, after upgrading their X-PRO1 with firmware 3.00 (the focus peaking firmware), discovered that the video mode was faulty (while some others discovered that the X-Pro1 HAS a video mode ;))… seems that Fujifilm wants to be 100% sure that there won’t be bugs this time.

We will see in a couple of hours who is right. Fuji France and UK or the global site.

[UPDATE] Fuji’s global site updated its page and says that the update is postponed to the 19th December 2013 (Thu.). See here.

stay tuned
photo Patrick_zpse517a3cc.png  (google+, facebook and twitter)

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XF 23mm available at AmazonUS & Adorama + photoreview’s 23mm, X-E2 and 27mm test

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[shopcountry 16128]

The XF23mm is in stock at Adorama & AmazonUS (one left, but more on the way).

Reviews

– photoreview’s test of the XF 23mm can be read here: “Our Imatest tests showed the review lens to be capable of very high resolution, which exceeded expectations for 16-megapixel sensor on the X-E2 camera we tested it on. Both centre of field and near-edge resolution were well above the 8-megapixel equivalent measurement we would normally expect, which seldom happens with JPEG files. If this lens has a slight weakness it’s slight edge softening at wider apertures. However, centre sharpness is excellent right up to f/8 where diffraction begins to take effect. Peak performance was between f/4.5 and f/6.3.”

– photoreview tested also the X-E2 here: “The X-E2 will appeal to anyone who liked the appearance and functionality of the X-E1. Essentially, Fujifilm has taken a very good Compact System Camera (CSC) and improved it in response to requests from owners of its predecessor. Buyers of this camera will be primarily raw shooters who want sophisticated controls in a compact camera body that doesn’t compromise on performance and build quality. Its user interface will appeal to traditionalists and serious photographers.  Documentary photographers and photojournalists will appreciate a camera that is responsive and easy to configure.”

– The photoreview trinity is complete with the XF 27mm review here: “One of the drawbacks of pancake lenses is that they tend to be slower than conventional designs. However, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, this lens is fast enough to suit most photographers and its the compact size and light weight make it ideal for situations like travelling and hiking. It is also relatively inconspicuous, which is excellent for street photography. This lens is better suited to still photography than video because its DC coreless AF motor isn’t totally silent. However AF speed was fast on the X-E2 camera the lens was tested on.”

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

XF 27mm: [shopcountry 13829]

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The X-Trans sensor and the false details

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The Yin & Yang, the good and the bad, of the X-Trans sensor, goes into the next round.

Now, we all know about the benefits of this technology… but occasionally also critics circulate on the web. Sometimes these critics turn out to be unfair (for example the “Ghosting Issue” where X-Trans was accused to create, rarely, red dots / artifacts when shooting against the sun… it turned out to be an issue with all mirrorless cameras) but what about the “false details” issue raised by Zachery on his google+ account? Is this another “unfair criticism” or not?

Now here is what I’ve found until now on the web:

The problem

1) In his post here Zachery says: “The fact is, the X-trans sensor design utterly fails at its implied capability: It does not produce better details than a 16mp sensor with an anti-aliasing filter. It just produces wrong details. And this is best case. If you were to take this same image except use green lines, it would just be a blurry smudgefest due to the blocks of 2×2 green pixels on the X-Trans “semi-random” color filter array. And to add insult to injury, this sensor design does not entirely prevent moiré, which was the entire impetus behind a 3×3 semi-random color filter array.”

The reactions

1) Donovan sent me his post about this issue via FR-twitter: “The false detail does seem to be a real thing, but from what I can tell, it isn’t going to appear in much real-world photography. This building image has to be on the bad end of the spectrum, and I haven’t noticed anything like this at all in other images, and I’m just shy of having created 5,000 images on X-Trans sensors. For me, it’s an acceptable trade-off for the kind of shooting I do, and all the benefits the sensor brings. If you’re a heavy-duty architectural shooter, you might want to give this some consideration, but this is truly the only time I’ve noticed this behaviour.” Read more on his website.

2) And here is soundimageplus answer to this issue: “Now it’s easy to just say that this is all the result of some pixel-peeping nerd taking things to far. But then from time to time, I’m a pixel-peeping nerd too. It IS important to be critical of what we see, and if there are faults and / or things that could / should be improved then we need to say so […] But it’s important to put these things in context. […] For me and what I shoot, the Fuji X-Trans sensor gives me a lot of what I want, fulfills my ‘vision’ and gives me something close to what I wanted to capture when I pressed the shutter. And it does this a way that I find more appealing than many other camera / sensor combinations.”

3) And, when there is something wrong with Fuji cameras, you can also check out photosfujiscanttake here and his sarcastic answer to Zachery’s post.

4) Frank did a bit of pixel peeping and wrote me this email: “look at the DPreview new test scene at the floor of the black and white painting (left middle) where the small dog is. You see the diagonal stripes going just in the wrong direction (compare with Phase One IQ180). Canon, Nikon and Sony, even the new A7 seem to have the same problem. So if this is the same problem, it might not be caused by the X-Trans sensor? Have fun with pixel-peeping. Here is the link for the DPreview site.  The zoom window is already located on the right painting. Tear down this zoom window a bit to the floor (below the tripod) of this painting and you see the diagonal lines directing in the wrong direction. That’s not only true for the X-M1 but also the NEX-6 and the EOS 100D. Select Phase One IQ180 in one window and you see how it should look like. A lot of cameras have problems with these diagonal lines even the new 24 megapixel Sony A7 has big problems. So there seems to be no specific reason to worry about the X-Trans sensor.”

Now what is your experience? Did you ever noticed this issue? Feel free to drop a comment.

X-E2 roundup + XF23mm available at ebayUS!

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A limited number of XF23mm is now available at [shoplink 19630 ebay]top rated plus ebayUS reseller kenmorecamera[/shoplink]. BHphoto (click here) expects to have it available tomorrow.

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

– A good X-E2 review of Tony Bridge at the magazine f11 here. The best to summarize his review is contained in his last sentence: “I have my order in!” He also recommends Photo Ninja! Check out the review here (and the whole magazine is well worth a read!).

– AF speed video comparison X-E1 vs X-E2 here on youtube.

– Great for stills, bad for video (with lot of artifacts and moiree). Faster AF, but it still can’t break the OM-D records. Read the good and the bad of the Fuji X-E2 according to CNET here: “For its image quality and shooting experience, the Fujifilm X-E2 remains a winner in its price bracket. But it falls short for action shooting and video, for which you can get a better experience by paying a few hundred more for a camera like the Olympus OM-D E-M1 or a dSLR like the Nikon D7100.” There is also a first impression video on youtube here.

– Pierre-Simon Bouix (blog) wrote me an email with his feedback to the X-E2 which I’m glad to share with all of you:

“Hi Patrick, Quick news and feedback on the X-E2 ;) ! I recently bought the new Fuji X-E2 for my work ( + 23mm and 14mm ), luckily i guess it’s one of the few we received here in France actualy.

Overall impressions i’m very pleased with it. Focusing is pretty snappy compared to my X-Pro 1. Almost instantaneous in certain lighting situation. Even in a dark room, it gets in focus most of the time without hunting, and also very accurately !

EVF feels really nice, no more lag and very responsive with Eye Sensor. Focus peaking is better thant my updated X-Pro 1, more precise and clear.

Although i was a bit disappointed with the new ‘split screen’ like focusing method inherited from the X100s, could be interesting in some specific situations when manual focusing or with non AF lens; fuji engineers did a great job on that features but in real-use situation it feel more like a gadget compared to focus peaking.

And i have to agree with all my fellow photographers who already commented on the lack of  ‘view mode’ button…it’s a real pain, no joke…c’mon Fuji, fix that in the next firmware ! I’m real used to it on my X-Pro 1 and in my opinion it’s maybe the only major disappointment i can tell so far from the X-E2.

So is it worth upgrading ?

Well yes, for pros and street photographers who are looking for a light and very responsive camera with outstanding iQ…go for it ! If you don’t, keep your old gear and enjoy it, X-Pro 1 and XE-1 are still great cameras.

And by the way, the XF 23mm is so delicious ! A real joy to use, well built, smooth MF, AF motor is quiet compared to XF 35mm and it got that unique ‘look’ that only great lens delivers…”

X-shooter zone: from Greenland to Brazil, from Singapore to London… the X-virus is spreading!

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I know, the New York Times said that Fuji sold 700,000 cameras since the first X-series camera was launched… that’s not really an impressive “all time” sales number. X-shooters are still a small (but cool ;)) niche in the photography-world!

I don’t know if the imaging division of Fujifilm will make profits soon and how much the X-series can grow in the fiercely contested mirrorless market.

However… whoever enters the X-world seems to be happy with this decision. Wow, quality, passion, freedom, fun, inspiration, lightness… this, and much more, is what I read in your emails to me. If I should judge from your words, your emails, all your switch stories, well, I’d say that the X-virus can’t be stopped. But Fujirumors may not be the best place to judge the success or not of the X-series.

It’s just, I feel it in all your emails… it’s the excitement of (re)discovering photography, the fun to be creative with your camera… it’s the technology that meets our passion by combining vintage design and manual controls with top-notch digital image quality, it’s the dedication of Fujifilm to its customers.

Yes, we are (still) a small niche, but a pretty happy one!

So, I’m glad to dedicate this small, almost weekly space to your stories and your images. Sale numbers, black friday, reviews, rumors, deals… at the end of the whole story there are persons with an X-series camera in their hands and who enjoy to take photographs with it. So here is a very small selection of them.

Thanks to all for sharing your images and stories with Fujirumors… keep it up and feel free to contact me via fujirumor@gmail.com, facebook and twitter.

enjoy your day
Patrick

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Mads

Hi Patrick

Love the work you are doing on this site – it is amazing how fast you have developed a strong community, and it’s just a joy to watch how you’ve quickly become the place to go to for first images, breaking news, etc. Great stuff. I come here every day.

I love shooting night stuff with my X-E1 and the [shoplink 12946 ebay]Rokinon 8mm fisheye[/shoplink] (See attached photo for an example), and the news of the Samyang 12mm f/2 sounds like there’s something coming which will be close to a perfect nightscape match with the Fuji X in terms of tradeoff between size/weight, aperture speed, and angle of view. – But has there been any more news about this lens recently? Most of what I can find dates back to around September 1 where the lens was “confirmed” as a strong rumor. [admin: the rumor was launched and then confirmed by photorumors. Click here for the latest update]

Hope you can help – or point me in the right direction. Thanks!

Mads (website – Flickr – 500px)

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Edu Gómez

I have some content in my blog about the fuji x100 (365-dias-con-la-fuji-x-100 – translation) and xpro1 (cuatro-meses-con-la-x-pro1-de-fujifilm – translation) but it’s in spanish. I’ll maybe write an other article in a near future about the xpro1 and this one will be translated I’ll try to join now and let you know if it’s working!

Edu Gómez (X-PRO1)

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Ryan

Hi Patrick,

I check your website every morning. Not only because of the rumours. Another reason are the stories all your readers share: How they got infected by Fuji’s X series and how it changed their photography. Your FR readers zone is a good place to accumulate all the interesting stories and it is also a great place to discover new blogs of people who share the same passion of taking photos with the Fuji cameras which have a great impact on all of us.

Hence I think it’s time for me to contribute a story too. ;)

I was on holiday recently. To be more precise: London. I took my X-E1 on my travel and it was her first one. :) A few months ago I upgraded from the X100 (without the S) to the X-E1 because of the possibility to change lenses of different lenses. Lucky me the photo of the Tower Bridge I shot got published on Fujifilm’s Facebook pages. (Yay! :D )

Here is the link to my story how I end up using my X100/X-E1 instead of the my old companion Canon 5D, a selection of the London photos and more links are listed in the same blog post for more photos from London (in a few days I will add some more in new blog posts.). :)

http://www.ryanlam-photography.com

Cheers and keep up the good work with your website!

Ryan

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Leo Kah Leong

Dear fujirumor Team,

My name is Leo Kah Leong and I am an enthusiast photographer in Singapore. I bought into the Fuji system in early 2013 with Fuji Cameras after selling off my Canon system. Currently, I own a X-E1 and a X20. This is my pixoto sets: http://teyes.pixoto.com

Hope you enjoy it

Leo Kah Leong

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 Arlindo Namour Filho

Hi Patrick

I just launched a website and fan page about my work in the world of Fuji X. I moved from Canon to Fuji 100%, I am a wedding and portrait photographer and my Family runs this business for 51 years, now I am giving workshops all over the country with the support of Fuji film Brazil to presents the X series to the brazilian photographers.
Take a look at my site and fan page, it is in portuguese but is full of good articles.
www.ehnamour.com
www.facebook.com/EhNamour
Thank you.

Arlindo Namour Filho (facebook – X-E2)

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