X100S

[SOLD OUT] Two X100S is now in stock at AmazonUS via third party reseller, but you have to pay $200 extra to grab it. Let’s hope for AmazonUS to ship the X100S directly soon.

ZEISS TOUIT: FR-READERS IN STOCK STATUS CHECK

– Roger told me that the new Zeiss Touit lenses for Fuji X-mount are now in stock at precision-camera (Austin TX) here (12mm) and here (32mm)

– FR-reader Franz received a message from his German reseller (fotoversand-afa.de). Looks like the new Zeiss optics will be with the vendor mid-next week.

– tzsantos told me that they are available also in Portugal at jvalles.com

Zeiss Touit 32mm in stock status check: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel
Zeiss Touit 12mm in stock status check: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel

ZEISS TOUIT: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

– For the dc.watch first impressions and samples of the Touit 12mm X-mount click here (translated version)

XF 55-200: FR-READERS IN STOCK STATUS CHECK

–Mark: “I just got a call from Henry‘s to let me know that the Fujifilm 55-200 that I pre-ordered is now in the store for me.  So the lens is now available in Canada.”

– Peter: “This is not a rumor but a fact. I was notified that my order for the XF 55-200 lens was shipped tonight from Cyberphoto in Sweden. :-) I hope I get it before the weekend!”

XF 55-200 in stock status check: USA:  Adorama / BHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel / Worldwide ebay: slidoo (available in Japan)

XF 55-200: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

1) photogenykstudios first impressions (and samples) of the XF55-200 can be read here.

“The XF55-200… may even be the most accurate of the Fuji lenses to date. Speed wise it wont set any records, but it wasn’t bad either. I would say it focused a lot better than I was expecting it to. I saw no difference after performing the needed firmware update. I have no complaints in either speed or accuracy. The image stabilization is also brilliant. I was effortlessly able to take tack sharp shots at 1/40 of a second at 200mm.

The IQ was nothing short of amazing. Tack sharp at 200mm, be it stopped down or wide open. Contrast, colour, sharpness, all excellent. No matter the aperture or focal length I could not take a bad shot from a pure IQ perspective. […]  What I liked best however was the rendering. The way the lens and camera draw the image, especially backlit shots, were breath taking.”

2) “Hi Patrick! Got my Fujinon 55-200mm today at Saturn shop in Düsseldorf Germany. Only 50 Pieces will be delivered right now to Germany. Did some pics today (not edited, all handheld) You might use them on your fabolous site if you want. Greetings from Düsselorf, Michael” See Michael’s first shots with the XF55-200 here.

Silkypix announced the updated program (Ver.5.0.39) for improved RAW image development of Fuji Film’s X-series on “SILKYPIX Developer Studio Pro5.” here. In the release note (here) it says:

Image quality improvement of a development for photographs filmed with a digital camera which uses X-Trans CMOS sensor. The improved image processing algorithm reduces several undesirable effects (moire, etc.) but keeps high resolution of a photograph. In addition, color reproducibility of photographs filmed under specific conditions is improved.

Click here to download the latest version of Silkypix (30 days trial available).

Download, try it out and leave your feedback in the comments. And check Rico’s comparison at Flickr.

Thanks for telling me, Bille!

cheers
Patrick

FR-reader Bille was so kind (he owns the X20) to sent me his findings about the new Silkypix version

My foundings are:

a) the previous SP5 version with the support of the X20 had a major issue with the white balance, the green channel was over represented, correctable through the tools but this version 5.0.39 has the proper decoding, it is far easier to work and colors are  more faithful.
b) the previous version had some patterns showing in the developped image at full enlargement, pixel peeping, for the X20, these were squares of Moiré, the new version has reduced a lot this phenomenon. Still visible when pictures are taken at setting over 800 iso. But the noise reduction tool can really reduce this easily (with some loss of detail)
c) The previous version produced some ‘muddy’ contour for the X20 images, while the new version shows nicer contours, This is visible, again, at pixel peeping distance. At reasonable distance, images from the X20 thru previous SP5 looked ‘dull’.This phenomenon was clear on the images taken with the X20 sensor, less with the X100 sensor. Reason, the X20 has a smaller sensor than the X100 and the processing needs subtler algorithms.

I have developped sample raw images from the X100 downloaded at the site www.focusnumerique.com and with the previous version of SP5, the contours were a bit smeared. Not much. Now, with the version V5.0.39, I have more details and sharpers contours, like using a Leica CL in the old days of the FujiChrome Provia!

This version of Silkypix 5.0.39 has been a giant leap forward for the Compact X20, addressing some nasty issues. All my enquiries to ISL and the support team has been answered with a great accuracy and courtesy. This is important to mention: ISL back supports its customers and does it well.

The camera X20 has been sold since first week of April, it’s normal to discover a few bugs. But they have been addressed by Editors or Manufacturers.

I’m now a happy camper!

image courtesy: Donato Chirulli (riflessifotografici – theartofphotography)

In February Donato Chirulli from riflessifotorafici  visited Auschwitz, equipped with the X-E1, the 35mm and 18mm. He tried to put his feelings and thoughts into images. The result are some really strong pictures that impressed also le journal de la photographie.

You can read Donato’s introduction to his work and see his pictures here at le journal de la photographie.

And if you want, stop by Donato’s new blog the art of photography to see some of his most interesting shots.

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You can see the first episode of the enlight photoshow here at youtube and read Dave’s introduction to the show here at his blog. In this episode: 1) Smart Phone Tip (from minute 00:00) 2) Bill Cunningham (from minute 02:20) 3) Mirroless Cameras / X-PRO1 (from minute 06:30) 4) DKP – Theatre shoot  (from minute 12:43)

“Whether you love shooting photos with your smartphone, compact, mirror-less, compact, SLR, medium format or even good old film, the enlight photo Show is for you. This is a show full of a variety of shooting tips, technique tips, photo film reviews, gear features and more, hosted by James Madelin the founder of enlight photo and produced by Dave Kai Piper, noted UK fashion photographer.”

X100S

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– Photoluma “Fujifilm X100S – outdoor photography usability review ” can be read here.

– “It is a joy to use. I can’t help but agree with the reviews by Zack Arias and Bert Stephani…this is the best camera I have used. It’s small, feels right, looks right, produces stunning images and feels like an extension of my eye/ mind/ heart/ soul. It’s the best, in my opinion, not because of one outright performance factor, but because of the sum of the parts.” Read ianmacmichaelphotography‘s review here.

X20

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– X20 review at CNET (click here). “There’s a lot to recommend the Fujifilm X20, especially if you’re looking for a more old-school shooting experience in a digital compact or want an optical viewfinder and can’t afford the X100S. It delivers very good performance, a nice feel, and a streamlined interface. But its image quality — while very good — doesn’t make it stand out from the competition, and its video disappoints.”

– “Hey guys, I did a ‘usability’ review of the new Fuji’s (X100s and X20) based on a trip to the Easter celebrations in Sicily, thought you might be interested in how the cameras worked for this kind of event based documentary photography. Colin” Click here

lenses

– Review: SLR Magic 23mm f1.7 (specs&price) (Fujifilm X Mount) at the phoblographer here.

– slgear [shoplink 11339 ebay]XF 14mm[/shoplink] review here. “There’s no question Fuji has spent a lot of time on this lens: Sharpness at ƒ/2.8 is very good, and excellent at ƒ/4 or smaller; distortion is non-existent (quite a feat in and of itself on a wide-angle lens), and chromatic aberration is also hard to come by. While the price tag for this lens might be high, there’s no doubt that you get what you pay for.”

– Quick test, XF 60mm vs [shoplink 11909 ebay]Olympus 60mm f/2.8[/shoplink] at admiringlight here.

– “Hi Patrick! I have some pictures with the Fuji X-E1 and the Samyang 8 mm f/2.8 on my site. […]. if you wish to share the link, feel free to do so.” See Matti Sulanto’s shots taken with the X-E1 and [shoplink 12498 ebay]Samyang 8mm[/shoplink] at sulantoblog here.

image courtesy: sulantoblog