Everybody, who reads the comments here on FujiRumors, will already know Stealthy Ninja, one of the X-shooter, who has fun to find always new ways to ask for the XF23mmF2WR and helps me to improve my clickbait skills.

Well, Stealthy Ninja is also an active member of the Fuji X Forum community and today’s FXF member guest here on FujiRumors.

If you also want to have the opportunity to be interviewed & featured on FujiRumors, all you have to do is to join our Fuji X Forum Community, share your pics & thoughts there, and you might be the next one :) .

X-Shooter Stealthy Ninja

Tell us something about you

Professional Photographer or Amateur or something in between?

I’m a part time/freelance pro.  I actually prefer to photograph for fun, but yeah, I’ve made money from photography before. LOL can you believe it? Someone actually paid me to press a button then do hundreds of hours of [shoplink 45925 ebay]photoshop[/shoplink] trying to make them look good… hahahaha someone get me some Lexapro®.

Fun fact: My real name is MAX DANGER… yeah nah, actually it’s Adrian Evans, a true blue, dinky di Aussie who have lived in Hong Kong for the last 16 years.  I plan to return to Australia this year if possible… so I’m looking for a job in Australia (hint hint).

What is your kind of photography? (Motives, Approach …)

I just want to continually get better (which is hard when you’re already pretty awesome).

I like all sorts of subjects, I’m particularly good at shooting events.  You see, being 190cm (that’s 6.2336 feet according to google)  I blend perfectly into the crowd, which makes me a terribly stealthy ninja (or is that “terrible”?) so no one ever notices me ever, it’s like I’m a ghost man (鬼佬 ßlittle Hong Kong joke there).  This super power allows me to get photos of people and stuff without them noticing… which was spoiled a bit by having a bulky camera like the [shoplink 45926 ebay]1Dx[/shoplink] with the [shoplink 45927 ebay]70-200 2.8L IS II[/shoplink] attached… gosh, suddenly people would look at me and do that stupid two fingers V sign thing.  Stop looking at me people I’m TRYING to be stealthy here!  Verily, therefore and hence I officially switched to Fuji.  Now I’m practically invisible. Plus I get to be a cool “X” photographer.

I also have dabbled in portraits and landscapes and some other stuff.  I just shoot what moves me on the insides.  Somewhere around the occipital lobe I guess. I’m no brain science guy.

Where can we find more about you on the web (website, Flickr, Facebook, portfolio)

You know if you click on these links: http://www.aevansphoto.com or http://www.aidavproductions.com it’ll be the best part of your day and you won’t believe what will happen next, it’ll be within the 10 ten reasons you have for living I’m sure.  (How am I doing with the clickbait Master Patrick?)

What’s your favorite image taken with a Fuji?

All of the ones I’ve taken ever.  They’re all works of art that could only be bettered by the 23mm f/2.

To be serious. One I particularly like is this one. [image on the top of this post]

This one was taken with the [shoplink 45870 ebay]Samyang 8mm fisheye[/shoplink].  I was messing about near where I USED to work (currently I’m looking for a job if anyone in Australia is reading this… double hint hint) and decided to take a photo looking up at the buildings while I was crossing the road.  Turned out way better than I thought it would.  I like it because it proves sometimes it’s the moment that counts (and a bit of luck).  I like it so much it’s on the main page of my photo website.

Your Move to Fuji

What’s the main reason for you to own a Fuji?

Honestly… size.  I was a bit wary about the sensor not being full frame, but after comparing images I found the difference to be nominal and not enough for me to worry about.  Kutar (my Turkish blood brother) needs a 33mm f/1 though… oh boy he’d love a 33mm f/1 on a medium format, he’d probably faint.

I used to have to wear a wrist brace and would have a really sore back after shooting all day with my DSLR.  These days I dance around like a fairy and never feel any pain at all (apart from pain to my pride from dancing around like a fairy).

Is there something you miss from your previous system?

I’ve shot Canon, Nikon and Sony.  What I miss most is: Giant cameras that hurt my wrist.

Honestly, the confidence it gives you in focusing.  The X-Pro 2 convinced me Fuji has reached a point where I don’t feel it made that much of a difference, but with DSLR you know what you’re gonna get.  It’s just they’re so damned boring yo.

What’s your favorite lens?

23mm f/2.  They probably exist right?

Seriously though, I love the 90mm it’s so special the way it renders.  The 23mm and 56mm combo is my fave two prime lens setup.  The 100-400 is super fun to use too.  I’d have to give my fave lens award to… the 100-400 just for the pure fun of it.

What’s your favorite camera bag?

Easy. [shoplink 45928 ebay]Billingham Hadley Pro[/shoplink]. I literally own two of these bags.

What’s in your bag?

Whatever I need usually.  But for daily stuff, X-Pro 2 with 35 f/2 and other normal daily stuff like keys, earphones and Mjölnir (keeps unworthy people from stealing my bag).

Which X-series camera and which X-mount lenses do you own?

X-Pro 2, 16-55 2.8, 50-140 2.8, 100-400, 23mm 1.4 (not f/2), 35 f/2, 56mm 1.2 and 90mm f/2.

I plan to get a X-T2 this year and then sometime ultra wide.  Let’s see what the 8-16mm is like (or will even exist).

Your Advice to Fuji

Which lens, that is not yet in the roadmap, would you like Fuji to make?

23mm f/2… oh wait, NOT yet in the roadmap… OK 10mm f/2 (non fisheye) I guess.  Though after the 23mm f/2 comes out, no one will ever need another lens ever.  They say the 23mm f/2 will morph into any lens you need automatically by reading your mind.

Tell Fujifilm what’s the main thing they should still improve in the X-series system via Firmware and/or Hardware

4K in the X-Pro 2 (if that’s even possible).  Allow “T” mode for ISO on the X-Pro 2 and the X-T2 (ideally press the front dial in to adjust ISO).  Keep peaking going when you’re recording a video (it’s hard to manual focus while recording video without it).  Improve wifi connectivity (faster, easier).  More/better video controls (Zebra for example), maybe some sort of Log recording. Add a 3.5mm headphone jack to the X-T2 (and a 3.5mm mic jack, not the 2.5mm one like on the X-Pro2). Don’t hide “shoot without lens” so much (X-Pro 2). It would be sweet to have a touch screen for video focus racking and stuff.

Decisive Questions

OVF, EVF or Display?

Usually EVF.  I use OVF for times when I think there will be people walking into the shot or when I want to anticipate people walking into the shot (streets usually). Display for landscapes and video.

Rangefinder style or DSLR shape?

I like Rangefinder for primes and streets, DSLR for zooms and for looking “pro”.  DSLR types have a huge advantage in that you can add a grip. “Wowee that’s so pro!!! Just take my money already, you super-pro guy” – is what people will say when they see your gripped camera.

RAW or JPEG?

RAW.  I like Fuji jpegs fine, but Adobe is doing a good job with RAWs these days.  Plus that guy with the Fro is slightly cooler than Ken R.

Curiosity & Customize you X

What’s Your favorite film simulation

Provia > Acros > Velvia.  All the rest are a bit boring.

Your favorite photography quote.

“Don’t be too proud of this technological terror you’ve constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.” – Darth Vader.

This reminds me not to focus too much of technology but focus on photography skills… and not to be afraid of the Dark Side (don’t try and bring out all the details in shadows).

Previous “Behind the X-gear” Episodes:
Episode 1 – Milandro: A talk with X-shooters around the World… and about the X-series SOUL
Episode 2 – Trenton: A talk with “photoholic” X-shooter Trenton… and why the X-T1 is perfect for Lord Voldemort
Episode 3 – Mehrdad: A talk with Fuji X Forum member & official Fujifilm X-photographer Mehrdad
Episode 4 – Tom H: Meet Tom H, the X-shooter with the Coolest Office in the World
Episode 5 – quincy: Meet Quincy, the X-shooter, who made me drop my coffee with his amazing #1 Forum post!
Episode 6 – donpino: Meet Don Pino, the FXF member, who shared the Most Liked Images on the Forum!
Episode 7 -darknj: Meet darknj, the X-shooter, who goes Against the Flow and Declares the XF18-135 his Favorite Lens!
Episode 8 – yokosteel: Meet yukosteel, the X-shooter, who prepared a little Quiz for You (Mitakon 35/F0.95 Vs. Fujinon XF35/F1.4)

Modula Optica CM33

Modula Optical just launched a Kickstarter campaign to their newly developed lens, the CM33, a pancake style 33mmF2 lens.

The CM33 also has a range of modular upgrade options, like the one they call “Mods” — special optical elements (filters, lenses, etc.) that can be inserted into the middle of the lens near the aperture stop, rather than screwed on the front ring.

If you’re interested, you can take a look at their Kickstarter campaign page, as well as a press release. Modula Optical is offering a very limited number of CM33 lenses at a significant “earlybird” discount for those who back them early.

Zonlai 25mmF1.8

Did you ever hear of the [shoplink 40649 ebay]Zonlai 25mmF1.8 lens[/shoplink]? Me neither. Mirrorlessrumors spotted this Mini-Review (just a short list of Pro’s and Con’s) about the it. The [shoplink 40649 ebay]Zonlai 25mmF1.8 lens[/shoplink] is available also [shoplink 40649 ebay] for Fuji X Mount here on eBay[/shoplink]

Features:
Focal Length: 25mm
Aperture Range: F1.8-16
Focusing Range: 18cm-Infinite
Dimensions: Ф60mm X 33mm
Weight: 142g
Materials: Multi-coated Optical Glass / Metal body
Color: BLACK/SILVER

[shoplink 40649 ebay][/shoplink]

Here at FujiRumors, we discussed many times about what Fuji could improve via Firmware on current cameras or via hardware in future models. And thanks goodness, Fujifilm has shown many times, that they listen to feedback coming from the X-shooter community.

But, of course, the system is not perfect, and there are still things that could be improved. And since I love what Fujifilm did over the last years and I want future models to be even better than current ones, today I’ll share my main two complaints with the X-T1.

FLIMSY DOOR

I’m pretty annoyed by that flimsy X-T1 accessory door that bends and makes weather sealing useless! And, looking at this FXF Thread here, I’d say that I’m not the only one with this problem.

I won’t send it in for repair, since I don’t know if the new door will be better.

I’d really appreciate if Fujifilm would tell us more about this issue.

• Is this a sporadic problem of certain X-T1’s? I don’t think so, but I’d like to hear Fujifilm on that.
• Did Fuji recognize the problem and do newer X-T1’s come with a better accessory door?
• If I send it in for repair, can I be sure that this problem won’t occur anymore with the new door? Some of us would have to pay for a repair, so please let us know if it’s worth to send it in.

The graphite versions seems to have no issue.

I’ve tried to contact several Fuji services around Europe, but I did not get a clear answer on that. So, Fujifilm, I think we X-shooters should be better informed about the real dimensions of this problem and the efficiency of an eventual repair.

If you have the same problem, I invite you to contact your local Fuji support and, as milandro suggested here, contact also the Fujfilm headquarter and send them the link to this thread.

WAXY SKIN TONES

Don’t get me wrong. Fuji JPEGs are fantastic. More and more of my keepers are OOC JPEGs.

But there is one thing that, IMO, could be improved: Skin tones at hight ISO!

Ok, maybe you like the jpeg engine used in X-TransII cameras and the skin tones at high ISO, so you can stop reading here. But I’m one of those fellow X-shooters, who think there is space for improvement.

That’s not an issue if you shoot RAW. It’s also no problem if you keep lower ISO settings in JPEG’s. The so-called “waxy skin tones” are limited to JPEG at high ISO. The reason? Noise reduction seems to work too aggressively.

The good thing is, this is fixable via Firmware update. Here are two possible solutions:

• allow to turn down noise reduction even more than currently possible
• introduce in the menu the voice “classic jpeg rendering” (or whatever), which will render skin tones at high ISO like the X-Trans I X-series camera JPEG engine! You can then select what you prefer, the X-TransI or X-TransII cameras jpeg engine

To know more about it and see some samples, we have a “Stop the Waxing” thread dedicated to this issue here.

A couple of weeks ago I posted on facebook here and on twitter here a simple table (posted above), showing the X-mount lenses that Fuji has rolled out in the last 2/3 years… and looking back, it’s really impressive how many high quality lenses Fuji gave us in such a short time.

Add to the XF/XC lenses also the Zeiss 12. 32 and 50 lenses + the various Fuji X Samyang lenses and a few more brands that offer Fuji-X mount lenses and I’d say that, after just three years, X-shooters have a pretty decent lens-option (but where are Sigma & Tamron?)

But X-shooters are hungry for more. In fact, over at the FR- facebook page, many of them expressed their “lens wish-list” in order to complete the lineup: an XF 16mm f2.8 tilt-shift, an XF 135mm f/2.8, an XF 56mm f/1.2 with OIS, an XF 8-16mm f/4 ultra wide angle zoom, a fish-eye lens… or what about an XF 105mm f2.8 1:1 macro lens?

Whatever you are still missing, today you can let Fujifilm know which lenses you would like to see coming in 2015/2016.

THE RULE IS: please express just 2 preferences of future X-mount lenses… I know, it’s hard, but I want you to suffer a bit ;).

So, the comments are open… later on I’ll sum them up into a lens-master-poll! And feel free to continue to vote the “favorite lens” poll.