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miXed zone: dcraw 9.18, best of… and reviews

 dcraw

Marius: “Hi Patrick, Just wanted to let your readers know that the latest dcraw (v9.18) has support for X20 and X100s. Thus far this is only solution for the few folks using Linux exclusively. It’s possible this support will be included in Darktable and RawTherapee soon. Thanks for all the interesting bits on your website.” They told me that interpolation for all X-Trans sensor cameras is much improved.

Best of…

– Who’s the king of the advanced compact cameras according to techradar? It’s the [shoplink 12883 ebay]X100S[/shoplink]. “Its image quality is also good, but it is surpassed by that of the Fuji X-Pro1, which is capable of producing pictures that aren’t far off those from some full-frame cameras.” Check it here.

– And techradar has also the answer to the following question! Which of these 6 high-end compact cameras is the best? The competitors are the [shoplink 12884]X20[/shoplink], [shoplink 13127]Sony RX100[/shoplink], [shoplink 13128 ebay]Panasonic LX7[/shoplink], [shoplink 13129 ebay]Nikon P7700[/shoplink], [shoplink 13130 ebay]Olympus XZ-2[/shoplink], [shoplink 13131 ebay]Canon G15[/shoplink]. Discover the winner here.

X100S

[shopcountry 12883]

– henrysmithscottage took his X100S and X-PRO1 to a trip in Baltimore. Read his considerations about these cameras here: “I have noticed, that compared to its predecessor the X 100, the X100s appears to have a decreased battery life.  This had been annoying to me before the trip, but I learned that if you keep the camera off (and not rely on the auto shut off feature), that the battery life was quite tolerable.  I did not need to change a battery over the three days of the trip (probably shooting 150 frames).”

NY ist the Mecca for street photography, and rileyjoseph took some shots there with the X100S and X-PRO1 that you can check out here. “So will I be selling my dSLR and only using my X00s + X-Pro1? No. I will keep it for the times that I need a full frame, faster AF camera with the availability of a tilt shift lens. Primarily for when I am going to make a specific photo that would require it. It is a great tool. Great and heavy.

Roel has the X100S since two months now. Did he regret selling his X100? “As I started off saying in this article, I don’t want to have any regrets in life. Although I regretted selling my original X100, I have no regrets in purchasing the X100S and I will keep it in my bag until one of us dies.  It is an excellent fixed lens camera and I am sure it will give me many years of great service and images. Fujifilm has done a good job with their X series cameras.  In the beginning, new products (X10, X100 and X-Pro1 specifically) had a number of problems that needed to be sorted out, but now it seems that recent releases (such as the X-E1, X20 and X100S) have very few, if any initial issues – plus the Fujinon lenses are exceptional.  That is good news for all of us in the Fujifilm camp and I encourage them to keep innovating and listening to user feedback.” Read the whole review and see his shots here.

lenses

Fuji XF 55-200mm [shopcountry 12892]

– Tom Grill posted his hands on review (with many downloadable hi res image samples) of the new 55-200 here:

“Looks like Fuji produced another winner with the 55-200mm for its line of zoom lenses. It shows true professional qualities: no distortion, solid build, high resolution, image stabilization, and quick focus. This is a lot for a lens with a $699 price tag, much better than most zooms I have tested in this price range, and even better than some costing several times as much.”

image courtesy: aboutphography

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– photogenykstudios posted his 55-200 impressions and samples here: “At $699 its not near as cheap as the 55-200 variations  from Tamron, Sigma and Sony. It is far better built though, and is stabilized. The IQ is also in a different league from the budget zooms. Its closest rival would be the [shoplink 13385]Canon 70-200/4[/shoplink].  The Canon is faster at the long end (barely), has less range,  and costs more, so again the Fuji wins here.”

– sgoldswoblog tested the Zeiss Touit 12mm lens here.

“The 12mm has some bad features compared to the Fuji 14, it has softer corners at wider apertures, it isn’t optically corrected for distortion and it is expensive. There is no question that fans of the 20-21mm focal length shouldn’t really go for the Zeiss. So it’s a Turkey? No way, it’s a very fine lens with some different design choices from the Fuji, that’s all. If you want the widest possible UWA then go for this lens. By definition it is wider but it is also a fine lens in its own right and I still suspect the centre is a hair sharper than the Fuji.[…] The only reason this lens doesn’t deserve superlatives left and right is the existence of the Fuji 14mm. If the Fuji didn’t exist or was a little bit more average, the 12mm would be a must buy lens, as it is it’s a very good lens that’s not as good primarily because of variations in sharpness in the corners. However there is no question in my mind that a person wanting the widest lens available shouldn’t hesitate in buying the Zeiss instead of the Fuji 14.”

image courtesy: sgoldswoblog

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

the “unfair” comparison: X-E1 with 55-200 vs Canon 5D Mark III with 70-300 (and in stock at AmazonUK and US)

IN STOCK: A limited number of XF 55-200 is now in stock at AmazonUK here (shipped and sold by AmazonUK) and also three at AmazonUS, but via third party reseller here (you have to pay $100 more to purchase it).

Fuji XF 55-200mm [shopcountry 12892]  photo stacks_image_6736_zps6c4ee6df.jpg

image courtesy: martin-doppelbauer

Martin made a quite unfair comparison between the [shoplink 12881]X-E1[/shoplink] with [shoplink 12892 ebay]XF 55-200[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 13457]Canon EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] with [shoplink 13458]Canon 70-300 IS L[/shoplink]. “But yet, Fuji claims itself to achieve the image quality of a full-frame camera. So let’s see“. You can read the whole comparison here (available in English and German). Some extracts:

“In direct comparison, I could not detect any significant drawback in the focus speed compared to the Canon 70-300 IS L at least in static, high contrast scenes. To run the focus from infinity to close range takes similar time on both optics. I already have noted the limitations of the X-E1 when recording fast-moving objects (birds in the air, or motor cycling, but also: Crawling babies head from the front) elsewhere. Because both the focus point and the viewfinder image freeze after the first shot in continuous shooting mode, there are little to no chances to get a good picture in such situations. Here, the DSLR is still unbeatable (and the EOS 5D Mark III shines in particular with its uber-autofocus anyway).

Somewhat disappointing is the vignetting of the XF 55-200 at maximum aperture. At least you can correct this well by software.

For a comparison of system resolution, I have run the X-E1 and the XF 55-200 against the EOS 5D Mark III with the excellent 70-300 f/4-5.6 L IS USM. Not quite a fair comparison, as I admit frankly, because the Canon lens costs easily twice as much as the Fuji zoom. And we don’t even talk of the camera body […] Compared with the EOS 5D Mark III, however, Fuji’s zoom has a significantly lower resolution. The Canon 70-300 L resolves about a third more lines across the board, occasionally even 50% more. An equivalence to the Canon full-frame system is beyond question.

The XF 55-200 […] convinces with a very solid overall performance. Across all focal lengths and apertures it has a good sharpness with minimal chromatic aberrations without significant weaknesses. Sure, it can not keep up with a very good full-frame camera and lens. But this is outweighed by price, weight and size.

Fuji XF 55-200mm [shopcountry 12892]

image courtesy: martin-doppelbauer

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Zeiss Touit vs. Fujinon XF

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)Rico’s Flickr sets – Touit 1.8/32 samplesTouit 2.8/12 samplesTouit vs. Fujinon comparative samples (Flickr Guest Pass) – Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro1 reading samples (65 free pages)

DSCF7781 - f/2
Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32, Fujifilm X-E1 (ISO 200, f/2, 1/1200s), RAW, Lightroom 5, DxO FilmPack 4

Why would a business-savvy lens manufacturer like Carl Zeiss decide to introduce two prime lenses for X-Mount cameras that compete head-to-head with already existing, smaller and cheaper Fujinon offerings, while at the same time ignoring obvious gaps like a fast 23mm lens?

It’s a Sony

The answer is: they wouldn’t. And they didn’t! The new Zeiss Tout 1.8/32mm and 2.8/12mm prime lenses are quite obviously targeted at customers of Sony’s NEX camera system. They perfectly fit into Sony’s current lens lineup, and their design is pretty much in line with the sleek NEX appearance. A fast 23 mm lens to satisfy the cravings of the X-Mount crowd? No such luck, because Zeiss and Sony already offer such a lens (a 1.8/24) for NEX. This is apparently all about what Sony NEX customers want and need.

 
DSCF7301 - f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Touit 2.8/12, Fujifilm X-E1 (ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/480s), RAW, Lightroom 4.4

So the X-Mount versions of the Touit lenses were clearly one of those “me too” decisions. But why did Fuji go along with it and invite a formidable competitor like Carl Zeiss into their home, not only offering full technical support and cooperation, but even co-marketing the Touit lenses? I know the real answer but don’t want to spill the beans just yet, so let’s just say that Fujifilm is making money with each X-Mount Touit lens that’s sold. They also like the Zeiss brand’s premium image and the resulting image transfer to the Fuji brand. After all, Panasonic also loves to put a Leica logo on their cameras and MFT lenses.

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

XF 55-200: full size samples and impressions

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image courtesy: sgoldswoblog

1) FR-reader Simon sent me his impressions of the new Fuji XF 55-200. Read it all and see his shots here. Among the others he says that:

“[…] it has a faster maximum aperture than similar lenses and looks lightyears ahead than similar mirrorless lenses (OK, I jest, but it is much better than the equivalent lens for Sony’s NEX system) in image quality. […] focus and aperture rings are firm and move nicely. […] The OIS on this lens is excellent […] The autofocus speed is, well, average, just like the rest of Fuji’s lenses. It can be quick but it can occasionally fail to focus even in bright light. This larger issue is in low light when it struggles to focus at all. But, let’s be honest, it’s still a relatively slow lens and my Nikon 70-300 can struggle for lock or accuracy in similar light. […] I am very happy with the sharpness from this lens. […] You can probably see it in some of these shots but the bokeh is excellent for this kind of lens. […] What I am seeing is a good bit of light fall off at the edges. This does seem to be automatically corrected in jpeg, but at least in Aperture, it isn’t automatically corrected […] This isn’t one for sports, or birds in flight, but for every other long lens purpose it is very good to excellent. Given its bokeh and and faster aperture, it makes an excellent back up portrait lens.

_ _ _

XF 55-200 in stock status check: USAAdoramaBHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel / Worldwide ebay: slidoo

_ _ _

2) FR-reader Roland posted a first impression blog post on the new XF 55-200mm with a few full size samples here.

“Nothing definitive to say yet other than the initial impression is quite good. Lens construction is very good and solid and up to the same standard as other XF lenses. It is the biggest XF lens so far, but still a reasonable size lens and small compared to typical DSLR telephoto zoom. […] I have not updated the camera firmware yet when I tried out the lens yesterday, but autofocus speed seemed to be quite satisfactory.”

3) And, as noted in the comments, Rico added a few SOOC JPEGs at Flickr here too.

have a great weekend
Patrick

image courtesy: rolandrim

This shot was taken at 200mm ISO6400 f4.8 and 1/40sec. Resolution seemed very good at 200mm even at ISO 6400.”

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IN STOCK: XF 55-200 (and Zeiss Touit) at AmazonUS (via third party reseller for normal price) + Touit first impressions

 

IN STOCK

Grab it if you can! There are only 4 XF 55-200 in stock at AmazonUS (via third party) for the normal price of $700 (click here)! It’s the only lens that is not part of the Fuji X-superkit deals.

There are also only 5 Zeiss Touit 12mm for normal price sold by third party reseller here and one 32mm here.

TOUIT FIRST IMPRESSIONS

FR-reader Craig has both Touit’s and begins his ongoing review. He told me that “I’ve gotten my new Zeiss Touit 12mm and 32mm lenses today, and have written a “First Impressions” article on them. I will be shooting with the Touits for the next week, and writing several updates with lots of real world samples. If you are interested, here it is!” So, stay tuned at Craigs website. Just an extract of his first impressions:

““they are smaller than I expected.”[…] but they are actually the perfect size for the mirrorless systems […]. both lenses feel very solid and well made in my hands. […] The apertures have a nice “old-fashioned” click sound to them and most will be happy to hear that they are a bit stiffer than their Fuji counterparts.”

_ _ _

XF 55-200 in stock status check: USAAdoramaBHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel / Worldwide ebay: slidoo

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

XF 55-200 samples and first impressions at yodobash

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image courtesy: yodobash (translated version)

[UPDATE] Gabriel: “Just to let you know, Lozeau in Montreal received their first XF55-200 yesterday, I got my copy and wanted to share this full-res pic for the pixel peeper amongst us. http://www.flickr.com/photos/etrangeca/8904497267/”

Stop by yodobash to read his first impressions and see some beautiful images. Just click here (translated version)

“Sure, you might think this lens is large when compared to other XF lens. However, when I tried to carry it attached to the X-E1 This time, I felt it was the size of the balance is very good, do not disturb in any way the benefits of a light system. And above all, it is as you can see the Sample images for their image quality. Strongly against the sun, there is also resolution, depiction with the three-dimensional impression.”

XF 55-200 in stock status check: USAAdoramaBHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel / Worldwide ebay: slidoo

X100S at AmazonUS (third party reseller for $1500) / XF55-200 + Zeiss Touit: in stock and first impressions

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: USAAdoramaBHphoto / 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.

Hands-on the new Fuji XF 55-200

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image courtesy: grittymonkey

Grittymonkey published his considerations about the brand new XF 55-200 here. Among other things he says that:

“the AF performed perfectly during my first day of shooting with it! It is fast (normally fast, I am not talking here about lighting speed, but it is not slow either) and reliable (it locked where asked every time instead of the fruitless hunting I have experienced with other lenses and former versions of the firmware). […] The manual focus is again well implemented with just the right amount of turn to be made to adjust the focus. […] Racked out at 200mm and wide open, the XF55-200mm produces a pleasant bokeh, with uniformed and perfectly round circles of light, and very smooth blurred areas.

All in all, this new lens is a great addition to the XF lens lineup and I cannot wait for the ultra-wide zoom to come out in a few months. After that, I will have a complete set up to take with me whenever on travel, and my DSLR will definitely stay at home (my back already loves that idea).”

XF 55-200 pre-order: USAAdoramaBHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel / Worldwide ebay: slidoo (available in Japan)

lenses roundup: XF 55-200 samples, Touit 12mm impressions and Samyang 8mm

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image courtesy: Max Angeloni (photostream) XF55-200 F3.6 1/1000 ISO640

1) 21 beautiful sample shots taken with XF 55-200 by Max Angeloni can be seen here.

2) thephoblographer posted his first impressions of the Zeiss Touit 12mm lens here. From the conclusions:

“So far, we really can’t say much terrible about the Zeiss 12mm f2.8. It has excellent color rendition on the X Pro 1, is sharp, focuses silently and snappily, and is really small for what it is. Though we really wish that the lens’ exterior overall were metal, the plastic hasn’t proved to be much of a problem just yet.”

3) “Hi Patrick! I wrote some first impressions of the new [shoplink 12335]Samyang 8 mm fisheye (specs&price)[/shoplink] for the X-series. It is in English! Feel free to link it.”… and here is the link ;)!

XF 55-200 pre-order: USAAdoramaBHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel
Zeiss Touit 32mm pre-order: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel
Zeiss Touit 12mm pre-order: USA: Adorama / BHphoto / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonDE / ebayUK / PCHstore Brussel

image courtesy: Matti Sulanto (sulantoblog)

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XF 55-200: estimate shipping June 14 – July 29 (AmazonUS)

 

FR-reader Roger placed his order on May 7th, the first day that AmazonUS took pre-orders on the new Fuji lens. Now he received the notification, that his XF 55-200 will be shipped from June 14 to July 29.

[UPDATE:] AmazonUK estimated release is June 14 (click here)

have a nice weekend
Patrick

XF 55-200 pre-order: USAAdoramaBHphoto / AmazonUS / DigitalRev / Uniquephoto / Pictureline / Europe: AmazonUK / AmazonDE / PCHstore Brussel