Mastering X-PRO1 at Amazon GER + X-PRO1 review

Mastering the X-PRO1 (…advantages and disadvantages compared to the AF of a DSLR)

The “Fujifilm X-Pro1 Handbuch” (click here) is now available at Amazon GER. The first reviews at Amazon are really enthusiastic. Buyers say that this book is full of useful tips and tricks. It’s of course also a very technical book. The reader should have a basic knowledge of photography before reading this book. But it’s well written, so that also not so well-versed photographers could find this book very useful. Rico (the author) leads you deep inside the technical aspects of the X-PRO1 without getting lost in details.

A useful book, also for X-100 [and X-E1] users, and also for those who are coming from DSLR cameras. What can they expect from this camera? At chapter 2.4 for example, Rico explains very clearly the differences, advantages and disadvantages compared to the autofocus of a DSLR. (click here to read the translated versions of the customer reviews)

From Amazon US: “Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 provides a wealth of experienced-based information and insights for owners of the new X-Pro 1 camera. Readers will learn about the features and capabilities of the X-Pro 1 and will discover numerous tips and tricks for how to maximize its potential.”

US citizens have still to wait for this useful book to be available at Amazon US (click here to preorder).

X-PRO1 review

Here is another “real life” review. No studio crew, no editorial staff. Just give this camera in the hands of a photographer. So you can read, for example, that of course the X-PRO1 is smaller than a DSLR, but “my point is this: we specialise in documentary wedding photography, and at a wedding, I think this camera will allow us to get closer to people and capture images without the intrusion a pro DSLR camera/lens combo can often bring. This means more natural images and a less obvious presence of the photographer, this is good!… I can’t remember a single person even taking any notice of me and the little camera.” I’ll just tell you the title of his post: X-PRO1 part 1… WOW! (click here). Yes, there will be a part 2. He will talk about OVF versus EVF, image quality, ISO performance, off camera flash and Lightroom 4 workflow… we are waiting for it!

iPad App

And one more thing: Version 2.0.0 of the offical X-PRO1 guidebook is now available for the iPad (click here). From the descriptions: “This is an official guidebook for the premium interchangeable lens camera, FUJIFILM X-Pro1. It is intended to help users enjoy photography even more with tips on how to use each of the various functions. It also includes an interview of photographer Mr.Yoichi Sone on the spectaculars of X-Pro1 and a gallery of his works from Macao. The guidebook will also provide users with instructions on how to use the attached RAW file converter, RAW FILE CONVERTER EX powered by SILKYPIX®.”

X-E1 reviews: differences to DSLR

Do you wanna know why martincastein.com loves the X-E1? Read his nice review. How is it if you come from a DSLR, what are the main differences?

He likes the EVF: “What you see is what you get viewfinder. When you look through the viewfinder you see the image exactly how it will come out before you take the shot. White balance, exposure and even film simulation mode are all simulated in the electronic viewfinder so you know what you get before you take it. You can see the image after you have taken it in the viewfinder as well, looking at the back of the camera is no longer needed… lets say you are taking a portrait of someone, you no longer need to do that DSLR thing where you get them to look at the camera, then you take a shot, look at the back of the camera, adjust it, say “just a couple more” and two shots later you have it. It works like this. Raise the camera, see the exposure in the viewfinder, couple of clicks on the exposure compensation, take the shot.” In addition to that you also have a live histogram in the EVF. In fact, the entire menu system in the viewfinder. His EVF verdict is: “To sum up the viewfinder it is excellent in many ways and makes the X-E1 truly wonderful to use. It does suffer from lag though in low light but is fast and snappy in reasonable light. Once you get used to this its not an issue but I would expect anyone who buys this camera to wonder if they did the right thing at first because of this lag.”

There is just a part of his extended review and comparison. If you’re coming from a DSLR you’ll have a bit of a learning curve. So take a look at this review, and prepare yourself for this new way of shooting! And once you get used to it, enjoy shooting!

mikekobal review

After all that reading, look at the mikekobal review. There are al lot of images, shot with the following lenses: Rokinon 85mm, (“I love this lens for portraits, especially outdoors when I have enough room to move around, it acts like a 128mm on a full frame sensor and produces incredible bokeh wide open and up to f2.8.”) and the Fujinon 35mm (“It’s an incredible lens. The center sharpness wide open was already mind blowing… Great for environmental portraits and detail shots, the shallow depth of field this little lens produced on the APSC sized sensor can truly rival the bokeh-ness of full frame cameras-if you know how to use it.“)

And compared to the Nikon D800E ? “After this session I am confident to say I would do it again. I didn’t miss my usual portrait kit, the Nikon D800E with a 50mm 1.4G lens, the Rokinon 85mm 1.4 and the Nikon 180mm f2.8. I preferred the 128mm equivalent I got from the 85mm over the 180mm. I did not miss the optical viewfinder and I will miss it even less once manual exposure will be correctly displayed. And then there is of course the weight issue, the Nikon D800E body weighs in at 2200 grams. The X-E1, the 35mm 1.4, 18mm 2.0, 85mm 1.4 with X mount adapter, weighs in at a total of 1288 grams!“

Something cool for your X: Think Tank Retrospective 5 bag review

Now that the fist examples of the new stylish X-E1 are finally available (click here to check availability on ebay) and AmazonUS is shipping this camera (see image at the end of this post), maybe it’s time to purchase also a cool place where to put this camera. So I decided to link you to this review (click here) about this stylish bag (click here). Perfect for CSC with 2-4 lenses, lot of pockets, rain cover, lifetime warranty… but beware, according to the reviewer there is a big CONS: it’s so beautiful, that his wife tries to steal it for her own micro four thirds system!

See all the bags available on ebay here. / Amazon US / Amazon DE /Amazon UK / Amazon ITA / Amazon FRA / B&H / Adorama

 

X-E1: the perfect travel companion? on tour in Copenhagen

image courtesy: www.25daysoff.com

Beautiful, compact, great lenses  and outstanding image quality. The X-E1 could have everything what it takes to become the perfect travel companion. 25daysoff sent me an email, and I’m glad to publish his review.

25daysoff.com made a week end trip to Copenhagen with his X-E1. He likes it to travel light, put the X-E1, the 35mm and 18-55mm lens, 2 spare batteries and a circular polarizer in his leather bag. He wanted to know if this camera is a good travel companion! All in all less than 1 kg. So he starts his trip.

You know, great handling, great images, good built quality. The usability is much, much better than the E-M5.

If you are used to the DSLR, you will notice the differences with the autofocus of a DSLR, and you have to get used to it. “If you try and treat this camera’s focus system like you would a DSLR, you will be disappointed.” And “the contrast detection AF system of this camera is very different to the system that DSLRs use. You really need to understand how CDAF systems work in order to get the most of it. I suggest reading the manual if you don’t already know. Once you know the limitations of the AF system, you can work around them with ease.”

He also made a list of bugs and suggestions. Many of them are also in our X-mas wish list to Fuji (keep on voting the poll at the end of this post… choose three options)

There is more to read. But there are also many images. So look at the sort of background blur you can get with the 35mm and 18-55 lens. He “used the zoom’s optical image stabilisation to shoot this at 2 sec, f/11, ISO 200. Surprised it came out so sharp given the long exposure. I was braced against a wall.” He also “shot in aperture priority mode, and auto ISO chose this stupid minimum shutter speed. The photo could have done with 1/125 – Fuji please let us choose the minimum speed!” And the 35mm is almost perfect (apart from the focus speed). Look at how the zoom renders the out-of-focus areas, how is the bokeh with the zoom lens, at the great job of the OIS and more here!

From the conclusions: “As a street shooting camera, the X-E1 excels mostly thanks to its stealthy appearance. Not a single person noticed or cared what I was doing… For quick landscapes and indoor/static scenes, the zoom is an excellent choice which is sharp across the frame even from the widest aperture… As a portrait camera, the X-E1 coupled with the 35mm f/1.4 lens (53mm equiv) is absolutely outstanding… The reduced size and bulk made a massive difference… The loss of the OVF is not such a big deal because the EVF is very good. I actually prefer the 100% accuracy of the EVF over the loose framelines on the X-Pro 1.”

“Overall though, the camera passed the main test during this trip: I didn’t miss the D800.”

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New M.Angeloni (riflessifotografici) review! X-E1 vs X-PRO1

Fujifilm X-E1 – Fujinon XR 35mm f/1.4 R – 4 sec, f/16, Iso 200

image courtesy: www.riflessifotografici.com

A few days ago I posted the review of the X-PRO1, X-100 and X-10 of riflessifotografici. I have to say that I liked them a lot. So this time I waited for the X-E1 review. And now it’s here, it’s online. (translated version)

Angeloni begins so: You want to know how the image quality of the X-E1 is? You wanna know about the RAW-conversion with adobe? The autofocus? Writing speed? Well, same as X-PRO1, so stop reading, and good bye!

So I continued to read! ;)

Massimiliano Angeloni tested the new X-E1 with the 35mm lens and the 18-55mm zoom lens. And regarding the 18-55 lens, don’t expect over-hasty conclusions, that’s not his style, as you know. He wants to go deep inside the qualities of this lens. Therefore we still have to wait for a study in greater depth of this lens. So be patient, read this (translated) review and wait for more.

Also here the main question is: X-E1 or X-PRO1? Is the smaller size really a PRO of this camera? The smaller size of the body required to rearrange for example the picture review button and the focus-assist light. No problem with the picture review button, but the new position of the focus-assist light isn’t the best. Of course it depends on how you hold your camera, but it’s quite easy to cover this important light with the middle finger of your right hand.

It’s not just a matter of size, of weight, EVF or OVF. It’s a different philosophy. The question is, what kind of photographer you are! So, there is no better or worse choice between X-PRO1 or X-E1. It depends on you. Do you need a compact package [with the future 27mm f2.8 pancake-type lens on Fuji’s road-map] that takes advantage of the potential of the 16 MP X-Trans sensor? Do you need a flash, or the OVF? A small or a (maybe?) more solid camera? It’s up to you.

So, read the review and let’s wait for the 18-55mm review! I’ll keep you up to date.

X-E1 in stock status check: ebay US / ebay Noth America / ebay Europe / Amazon US / Amazon GER / Amazon UK / Adorama /B&H / WexPhotgraphic

Fujifilm X-E1, Fujinon XF 35 f/1.4 R a f/1.4