FujiRumors 2020: Most Read Articles, Top/Flop Blogger Moments, Most Used Gear and a MASSIVE Thanks!

FujiRumors 2020

There are wines, that get better only with the years. And there are years, that get better only with wine. I guess 2020 was such a year and so I hope you have a glass of wine ready to celebrate the end of this unreal year ;).

Most Read Article

Most Read Non Rumor Article

Most Read Guest Post

Day with most Contacts

Top & Flop Blogger Moment

FLOP

Anyone out there knows what a burn-out is? I hope not, but I am afraid yes.

As if all the hours I spend every day on the computer to work on FujiRumors weren’t enough, in 2020 I also had to make my entire teaching work on the computer. Correcting homework on PDF files, prepare online-teaching friendly material, cutting video lessons on Final Cut, writing tons of emails to give constant feedback to students and parents. So much work, it just squeezed the last drop of energy out of me.

I ended up staring at the screen for so many hours a day, that as a consequence, my eyesight declined to a point that I had to buy new glasses. But no complaint here… we have seen much worse things happen to people this year… sadly. So I consider myself lucky.

Anyway, somehow I managed to handle all the work anyway and I’ve always tried to deliver creative and fun lessons to my little students. And given the enthusiastic feedback of students and parent, I’d say I did a decent job with that.

And I hope I did a good work also on FujiRumors. In this case, you are my judge and you’ll give your vote to me :).

TOP

If anything was good at all in 2020, then the fact that it helped to realign my priorities.

And so, all the things that I took for granted, like getting a beer with a friend, a coffee with a colleague, a hug with my mom, all those “normal” things suddenly revealed themselves as the real important things in life.

And hence, just like this, when inevitably the usual haters insulted me, the biggest achievement for me was that I could lightheartedly say to myself “who cares!”. It just didn’t bother me at all. On the contrary. I really would like to wish also to FR haters all the best 2021. We are in this unreal situation all together, and hence, from human to human, I truely wish you to come out of this as soon and as good as possible so that you can get back to your normal life and fully enjoy it again. And if after that you still don’t like me, that’s ok. Important is, that you and your families are safe and happy.

Top Instagram Post

My Most Used Gear

I got the Fujifilm X-T4 this year for these 5 reasons, and it became my most used camera. Mainly because it’s brand new and hence I wanted to test it and shoot with it more, leaving my X-E3 more often at home. And I must I say it definitely balances better with my most used lens, the Fujinon XF18-135mm.

But overall, I passed 5+ months in lockdown anyway, I worked a lot and had little time to take pictures, sadly. I hope this changes in 2021.

And 2021…

I don’t know in terms of global pandemic…. but surely in terms of Fujifilm stuff, 2021 will be fantastic! :) Don’t worry, we are going to talk about it soon on FujiRumors.

Social Media Boom

Our social media and pages have reached new heights compared to 2019:

And our facebook groups grew massively compared to 2019:

DPRTV Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 Review: “Unique Bokeh Rendition, but use Standard Electronic Shutter, as First Curtain ES Distorts Bokeh”

The Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 R WR is overall enjoying very positive reviews.

Sure, there are always those, who might not be familiar with such an extreme lens, so they go out and shoot at f/1.0 at a bright sunny day in super high contrast scenes and then complaint because it shows some fringing or because you can’t work without an ND-filter.

Or when reviewers say the bokeh is not good, and then it turns out they used electronic first curtain shutter, which distorts the look of the bokeh (as you can see from the image above). You should always use the standard electronic shutter (or mechanical shutter) if your goal is to get nice bokeh.

So, some of the “flaws” reviewers notice, are actually not issues with the lens, but faults of those, who use a radical fast lens with the wrong settings in the wrong conditions.

It’s clear: if you go for such an extreme lens, you better know about photography and how to handle specialty lenses like this one.

One of those guys, who know how to master such a lens, are Chris and Jordan from DPRTV, who now have published their hands on review of the Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 R WR.

You can see the video and read a summary down below.

Video + Summary

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TOP START: Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 Already Best Selling Lens of the Year 2020 on FujiRumors

Is it true?

Is the brand new Fujinon XF50mm F1.0 really selling as good as Fujifilm’s official statement would induce us to believe?

Or is it just a marketing phrase?

It’s hard to say at this point in time. What we know, is that in the past, when Fuji said there is high demand, it really was this way.

We also know that AmazonUS marked the 50/1 as best selling new release for several days (and it’s still high ranked 3 weeks after announcement).

After Fuji’s statement, I was curious to see how this lens was accepted by the FujiRumors community, and see if here in the little FujiRumors world we can confirm or not Fuji’s “high demand” statement.

And here is the fact:

In just a few days, the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 already became the best selling lens on FujiRumors of 2020.

And while it surely has the advantage that it’s brand new, hence naturally draws more interest, it’s also true that most of the other Fujinon lenses were on sale throughout the year (and some still are), and yet none of the other lenses (not even the very affordable f/2 Fujicrons or the super-affordable Viltrox 56mm f/1.4) come even close to the XF50mmf/1.0.

Sure, the FujiRumors community is not representative for overall worldwide sales, as people reading this blog are usually serious enthusiast or professional photographers, who know about photography and love its artistic and technical aspects, and are also more willing to invest in higher-end gear.

So, what is a hot item on FujiRumors, is not necessarily a bestseller overall.

But at least regarding the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0, I think at this point we can confidently say that it had a brilliant start.

Well done Fujifilm, looks like you crafted a winner :).

Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 Hits the Stores and More Reviews: Beautiful Sunstars, Autofocus Comparison with XF56mmF1.2 and Samples

The Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 has reached stores all over the world, so probably Fujifilm will be able to start shipping within September 25, despite the unexpected high demand. Remains to see how large the first batch will be. I have the feeling not enough to meet initial demand.

Fujifilm is also preparing your camera, and has just released XF50mmF1.0 support firmware updates for a total of 11 X series cameras.

Hence, for us it’s time to publish a little Fujinon XF50mmf/1.0 roundup.

XF50mmF1.0 Review Roundup

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Viltrox 33mmF1.4 and 23mmF1.4 Firmware Updates Released

Viltrox has released firmware updates for the following Fujifilm X mount autofocus lenses

Both bring the following big fixes and improvements:

  1.  Solved the problem of unreasonable jump to A mode at f 1.4
  2. Optimized the problem of inaccurate position at infinity, resulting in blurring of auto focus at long distance
  3. Solved the problem of not being recognized on X-T100, and prevented flashing screen after booting on some camera models
  4. Optimized the waiting time after releasing the shutter on X-T20
  5. Optimized the problem of displaying errors on EXIF

Go to the Viltrox firmware download page here to get the latest firmware update.

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Fringer EX-FX Smart Autofocus Adapter Firmware 1.60 Released

Fringer has released firmware 1.60 for the Fringer EF-FX Pro II and Fringer EF-FX II smart autofocus adapters.

Version 1.60 main improvemebts

  1. Added following lenses to the tested and optimized lens list:
    TAMRON SP 28-75/2.8 XR Di LD
    TAMRON SP 70-200/2.8 Di VC USD
    SIGMA 85/1.4 EX DG HSM
    SIGMA 50-150/2.8 EX DC HSM
  2. Fixed compatibility issues with X-T200 camera. Be noted, since X-T200 is equipped with a non X-Trans CMOS, its AF performance is poorer when using EF mount lenses. Please use MF mode if necessary.

Please download the firmware file and release notes from Fringer official website.

For old version, i.e. Gen.1 products EF-FX Pro and EF-FX, the new firmware (v3.30) only fixes XT200 compatiblity issue. Because the hardware resources have been used up, there won’t be any update including new lens data.e

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Meet the Dolomites, Home of FujiRumors

If you you think at Italy, my home, you probably think at Rome, Florence and Venice.

And in fact, probably 70% of the tourists coming to Italy, visit those three cities and leave.

But there are many more beautiful spots to visit here in Italy, and one of them is definitely my hometown, the Dolomites.

After I unveiled my location a couple of days ago here, I got a significant numbers of emails from readers, asking me information about the Dolomites. I tried to reply to everybody as good as I can.

One recurring question was: do I recommend visiting the Dolomites also to people, who are not so fit and used to mountains.

My answer is a very clear “absolutely yes!“.

There are tons of cable ways, that bring you everywhere. For example, you can reach the highest peak of the Dolomites, the Marmolada, at 3,300m (10,800 feet) without walking a single step and enjoy views like this.

And if you are more on the adventurous side, of course there are tons of tracks and hikes of all kind of difficulties.

Old or young, single of family, fit or lazy, there is a lot ot enjoy for everyone.

Needless to say, also photographically speaking you are in paradise here, as the images below show.

So, if you ever plan a trip to Italy, try to put the Dolomites on your “to do” list.

I can’t wait these days of lockdown and isolation to be over and get a beer on the Dolomites again.

Today I decided to go through our Fujifilm X-T and GFX group and pick a couple of images that members shared of the Dolomites, in the hope this article inspires you for you next photographic journey.

Stay safe, let’s go through these challenging times together, and done that, enjoy life again as never before!

stay strong, healthy and happy
Patrick

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The Big Lens Roundup: Fujinon Lenses, Third Party Glass, Autofocus Adapter and More

BH Photo Explora – Mikaton Zhongyi Lenses Bring on the Speed and then Some 

Today I would like to share a rather massive lens roundup.

It will include:

  • reviews about Fringer AF Adapter
  • third party/adapted lenses
  • Fujinon lenses

It’s a lot of stuff ;).

Third Party / Adapted Lenses

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The Fuji X System: Thoughts of a Professional Wedding Photographer

Documentary Wedding Photography

Hello all and thank you Patrick for hosting me on your very popular Fuji Rumors website, my personal site of reference for all things Fuji.

My name is Andrea Bagnasco and I’m a professional wedding photographer based in Italy. I work in a documentary style and have been shooting weddings for a living for the past 12 years of my life. I won’t take anymore room on this post to write about me as there’s already a lot of information on myself and my work on the web. So please visit my website (link to the English version) https://www.andreabagnasco.it/en/ and follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/andreabagnasco/. A heartfelt thanks in advance and I very much look forward to that!

Fuji X system and documentary photography

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Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 Fuji X Mount Autofocus Lens Review Roundup

 

The Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 AF is definitely the hottest non Fujinon lenses of the moment, alone for the reason that, besides the Zeiss Touit Fuji X trinity, it’s the only autofocus lens for the Fujifilm X system.

But, unlike the Zeiss Touit Trinity, it is the only reverse-engineered lens AF lens for Fujifilm X.

Moreover, it is pretty affordable!

So far the reviews have been very positive, and while it can’t match the Fujinon XF quality, it is definitely great value for money.

Hence, we keep up covering this lens in dedicated roundups here on FujiRumors.

The good news?

There will be more!

As we reported here, the Fuji X mount Viltrox 23mm f/1.4, 33mm f/1.4 and 56mm f/1.4 are coming within 2019 with seriously aggressive price tag.

It’s great to see competition coming for our beloved Fujinon XF23mm f/1.4, XF 35mm f/1.4 and XF 56mm f/1.2.

Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 Roundup

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