First Look: Fujinon XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

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PRE-ORDERS

USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / DigitalRev / EUROPE: DigitalRev / PCHstore / WexDE / WexUK

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First Look: Fujinon XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Rico’s Flickr sets

XF10-24mmF4 R OIS Sample Images – XF10-24mm Zoom vs. 12/14/18/23mm Prime Lenses

X-T1 Sample Images Set – X-T1 Predictive AF Tracking Samples
XF56mmF1.2 R Sample Images – XF23mmF1.4 R Sample Images
XQ1 Sample Images Set – X-E2 Sample Images Set – X-E2 AF Tracking Samples
X-M1 Sample Images – X-A1 Sample Images

Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 Reading Samples (65 free pages)
Mastering the Fujifilm X-E1 and X-Pro1 – The Fujifilm X-E2 – Beyond the Manual (pre-order)

Thanks Everybody!

Let me begin by thanking you for the plethora of kind and motivating feedback you sent me in response to my First Looks on the XF56mmF1.2 R and the new Fuji X-T1. I have since returned the wonderful 56mm to Fuji (yep, I am still crying in my sleep). Luckily, I was able to mitigate the pain by being able to look at another hot new entry: the Fujinon 10-24mmF4 R OIS wide-angle zoom lens. Fuji had delayed this lens in order to further improve its optical performance, and I was curious to learn whether the wait paid off.

It’s Not Tiny

The build-quality of my pre-production sample is confidence-inspiring. Like most Fujinon lenses, it looks heavier than it actually is, but with a filter size if 72 mm, it’s certainly not tiny. On the other hand, it potentially replaces the 12mm Zeiss Touit as well as the 14mm, 18 mm and 23mm Fujinon prime lenses, freeing you bag of up to four primes without sacrificing a single focal length. This also puts the price tag of this zoom lens into perspective.

DSCF0215 – Iridient
Click on the images for full-size views!

Unlike its siblings, the wide-angle zoom lens keeps its size and doesn’t elongate when it’s zoomed in or out.

A Prime Replacement?

To make things short (pun intended): At f/9 with hyperfocal focussing from a tripod, my pre-production copy stands its ground against quality primes like the Zeiss Touit 2.8/12mm or the Fujinon 14mmF2.8 and 23mmF1.4 primes, and it handily beats the Fujinon 18mmF2 pancake prime. At least that’s my impression. As usual, I urge you to not blindly believe me. Make up your own mind: Here’s a private set with X-T1 SOOC samples showing the new zoom at various focal lengths and comparing it with the aforementioned lenses. Here’s another set with RAW (Photo Ninja and Iridient) and SOOC JPEG samples.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Get A Grip… again :-)! New X-E2/1 hand grip review at admiringlight + black X100S in stock again!

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The new X-E2/1 and X-PRO1 hand grips are here, and they allow you to access to the battery and memory card slot without removing the grip.

The grips should be available within days at BHphoto (click here) and AmazonUS (click here) for $129. (The X-PRO1 grip costs $149 and is available now at BHphoto, while it’s coming soon at AmazonUS).

Now, over at admiringlight here, you can read a first review about the X-E2/1 hand grip:

“Overall, Fuji righted a wrong with the MHG-XE, providing a solidly built grip that allows access to the battery door while adding a very nice feature in the integrated Arca-Swiss dovetail. It’s a pricey accessory at $129.  It’s not going to be for everyone, but I think it’s worth it if you want a little better hold on your X-E1 or X-E2, especially if you use an Arca-Swiss tripod head.“

black X100S in stock

The black X100S is in stock now at AmazonUS here (shipped and sold directly by Amazon) and at Adorama here.

X-DEALS

USA

X-E2: save $100 on the kit ($1,299) and also on the body ($899) at BHphoto, Adorama and AmazonUS.
X-E1: get the kit for $799 (save $300) or the body for $599 (save $200) at AmazonUS and Adorama (+6% reward on kit, 4% reward on body).
X-M1: Save $200 (price $599) on the kit and $200 on the body (price $499) at AmazonUS, BHphoto (+4%reward) and Adorama.
X-A1: get it for $499 with kit lens (save $100) at AmazonUS, BHphoto and Adorama.
X-PRO1: get the body for $999!! (save $200) at AmazonUS,  Adorama (+4%reward) and BHphoto (+4%reward).

Surprise. The Zeiss-deals didn’t end on January 31th on all stores. While Pictureline is now selling the 32 for $900 and the 12 for $1,250 again, you can still purchase the 12mm for $999 and the 32mm for $720 at AmazonUS,  BHphoto and Adorama.

CANADA

After the big clearout of last month, now some Canadian retailers have already begun dropping X-Mount lens prices again. Check out Henry’s, bccamera, vistek, donsphoto, merklecamera…

ITALY

AmazonITA is offering 15% additional discount on selected Fuji gear. Check it out here (via dealsrunner)

UK/ROI

Buy two lenses and claim £300/€360 cashback here.

X-T1 pre-orders

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

“WOW”: X-T1 first impressions

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X-T1 pre-orders

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

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– Andy sent me his first impressions of the X-T1 via facebook. Check it out here:

“First impression was WOW… very very nice to hold […] Files seem to be the best Ive seen out of the Fuji system yet. Ive never been a major fan of the way the X-Trans sensor draws but it seems to be different in this camera. It doesnt seem to have the “thatch work” pixel level drawing that X100s etc have. I would have thought it was the same sensor so theres something different at play here. […] (EVF) It’s definitely very good and it is large but its still nowhere near optical as some have inferred.”

– In this youtube video (German version), Ralf will lead you step by step through the menu and dials of the X-T1… and also he seems to be pretty enthusiastic about the X-T1. He says that the quality of the EVF is “really close to an optical viewfinder.”

X-T1: ephotozine review: “it’s hard to resist purchasing this camera” + All Black X100S in stock (Adorama)!

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After the photographyblog review (check it here), now also ephotozine postet its X-T1 review here… and it’s again, 5 out of 5 stars, editors choice and they conclude saying that “it could be very hard to resist purchasing this camera.”

“Speed – We took a number of shots to test the camera’s responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras. With support for UHS-II memory cards the write speeds after and during continuous shooting seemed very quick indeed, and the card we were using with the camera is a Toshiba Exceria Pro (UHS-II) with read speeds up to 260MB/s and write speeds up to 240MB/s – much faster than the 95MB/s offered on other performance SD memory cards. Scrolling through photos is extremely quick, and focus is quick with the lens updated to the latest firmware.”

The next review will probably come from imaging-resource… they already shared some samples here.

And you, can you resist to the X-T1? Is it tempting you? If it can help to decide, Oscar Wilde said that “the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.” Just kidding, I’m so happy with my X-E2 that I won’t make the switch to the X-T1… sure, once it is in the store of my hometown, I’ll go there and give it a closer look, but I won’t switch… I think ;-).

And here just some more tidbits, the shutter sound (youtube). For the first wedding with the X-T1 click here for the Italian version (translation).

X-T1 pre-orders

If you pre-order the X-T1 using one the links here on FR, you’ll at the same time support this blog, with no extra costs for you. Feel free to support Fujirumors.

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

black X100S in stock

It’s made for the street, it’s cool and it’s now available also all in black: it’s the black X100S, now in stock at several stores!

Adorama sells is it for $1,299 bundled with accessories or 4% reward here.

In Europe it’s available at WexUK here.

… or save some bucks and get it in silver for $1,049 at DigitalRev here.

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X-T1: “It’s undoubtedly the most intuitive digital camera I have ever handled.” [UDPATE: photographyblog review]

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X-T1 pre-orders

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 with 18-55 ($1,699): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /
X-T1 Vertical Battery Grip ($ 249,99): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / EU: wexDE / wexUK /
X-T1 Hand Grip ($129.95): USA: AmazonUS / Bhphoto / EU: wexUk / wexDE

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[UDPATE: photographyblog marked the X-T1 as “essential” (5 out of 5 stars) review here: “The Fujifilm X-T1 produces images of outstanding quality […] The new Fujifilm X-T1 is the best X-series camera to date, and one of the best interchangeable lens cameras, mirrorless or otherwise, that we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. […] The fantastic electronic viewfinder is more than good enough to impress those who swear by an optical viewfinder, while the weather-proof body, tilting LCD screen, USH-II card compatability, fast autofocusing and speedy all-round performance, and the much improved wi-fi connectivity options are the icing on a superbly balanced cake.”]

We’ve read a lot yesterday (read here) about one of the most amazing features of the [shoplink 21553]X-T1[/shoplink]: its EVF! Praised even by EVF haters for his crips and lag free image, loved by enthusiasts for its “3D pop” and colors as if “I was looking at my fullscreen Apple Macbook Retina display.”

Even the focus is said to be unusually fast and snappy… and the new “predictive AF” seems really to work fine, just check out Rico’s first look here.

There was also someone saying that the X-T1’s design and function “simply puts the [shoplink 21555]Nikon DF[/shoplink] to shame.” One more confirmation comes from guswaschefort here. He tested it with the [shoplink 21554]56mm[/shoplink] in very low light at a concert:

“The traditional manual-style controls of Fujifilm X-Series cameras have gained much popularity. The X-T 1 takes this aspect even further, with a manual knob control for ISO, and manual controls to select frame rate and metering coverage […] The X-T 1 is undoubtedly the most intuitive digital camera I have ever handled.”

And what about shooting videos with the X-T1? Well, if you look at this youtube video here, videos seem to suffer of moiree. So while the X-Trans pixel array does a great job to prevent (not to eliminate) moiree in stills, the same advantage doesn’t seem to apply to videos!

There are some more samples at dpr and don’t miss to check out also Rico’s X-T1 + 10-24 images (RAW’s converted with Iridient) at Flickr here.

X-T1 body only ($1,299): USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline / EU: wexDE / wexUK / PCHstore /

cheers
Patrick

P.S.: I’m glad to see that apparently the Italian photography site riflessifotografici is working on an interesting comparison ;-)

image courtesy: riflessifotografici

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