Der Lichtklicker‎: The Look… X-T1 + XF1.4TC + XF100-400mm. LR6.x + Silver Efex Pro 2

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Here are the most liked images of the Fujirumors facebook photostream… and keep it up, share and vote your absolute favorite X-shot… and here is how to do it:

1) SHARE & DESCRIBE: go to the Fujirumors facebook timeline and submit your favorite X-shot (and a short description) in the timeline by selecting “Photo/Video” .
2) VOTE & COMMENT: All the images will be displayed at the Fujirumors facebook photostream. You can vote & comment the images there.

NOTE: The next selection will start from those images shared starting from April 4!

Enjoy the X-shots

Omprakash Das: Sunrise with daffodils at Skagit Valley. Shot with FujiXT1 and 14mm lens

Push the READ MORE Button to see More Top Liked Images

A7rII + Zeiss 85mmF1.8 Batis Vs. Nikon D810 + the 85mmF1.8 Vs. Fuji X-Pro2 +XF56mmF1.2

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There is an article at Petapixel, that is creating quite a buzz. Many FR-reader dropped me a link to it. In short: Sony’s Full Frame Mirrorless is a Mistake (and some are afraid that Fujifilm will Make The Same Mistake one day. Here some reasons:

1. Compactness: Full Frame lenses are Big, so you lose the size advantage of mirrorless cameras. “In many cases, Sony FF mirrorless works out as being bigger than a comparable DSLR.” […] If compactness really were your priority, you would choose the Fuji 56mm f/1.2, which also allows you to shoot faster in low light.”
2. Weight: “The next answer you will hear is that a FF mirrorless body is still lighter and the height or width might be a bit less. However, that’s partly because Sony put such a miniscule battery in their FF mirrorless bodies that you end up having to carry multiple batteries, which negate any size advantage.”
3. In Body Image Stabilization: In this case they quote a Sigma CEO, who said: “…the diameter is very small and makes it difficult to design high quality FF lenses … it almost looks like E-mount was designed for APS-C more than FF“.
   You might remember how a Fuji Manager said here, that IBIS is not good for X-mount because “The diameter of our mount was designed for the image circle without IBIS. It means the amount of light at the corners is reduced when the sensor is shifted. We could correct it digitally, but we don’t want to do it: we don’t want to compromise our image quality.” So the conclusions they make at the petapixel article is that “if you want IBIS, you have to design the mount in advance with a wider diameter, so that it doesn’t compromise corner IQ as the sensor moves around. What you don’t do is take an APS-C mount (NEX mount), turn it into a FF mount, then forcibly retrofit IBIS onto a mount never designed to take it in the first place.”
4. Sony FF Mirrorless not good for ultra-wide angle: “Zeiss has admitted that the short flange distance of the FE mount makes it technically challenging to design ultra wide-angle lenses, because the short flange distance between the sensor and the rear element is an engineering challenge for ultra wide-angle lenses. At really short focal lengths, the light hits the corners at too steep an angle, which is exacerbated by IBIS when the sensor moves. It isn’t without reason that Sony have yet to come up with any high quality wide-angle zoom lenses for the FE mount.”

All in all it looks like APS-C (and Fujifilm) is the better way to go for the reviewer.

Before you start the discussion, you should read the response of SonyAlphaRumors. He highlights a few “errors”:

1. Size: It’s not the “mirrorless” aspect that makes Sony FF attractive. But mirrorless is necessary for most of these innovative features to exist.
2. Big lenses: The lenses are big because it’s high quality glass, for example the [shoplink 44295 ebay]new 85mm GM lens[/shoplink] is made for ultimate quality. […] Sartor, the author of the article, did not take into account that lenses are also designed for different image quality performances.
   “Let’s make a more fair comparison: Here is the Zeiss FE 35mmF2.8 Vs the XF18mmF2.0 (29mm f/3.0 FF equivalent) comparison by CameraSize (re-aligned on the LCD screen)”
   So SAR’s conclusion is that: “Owning a Sony A7 camera gives you an extreme flexibility: If small size is what matters you can use small APS-C or FF lenses on the very same E-mount. If extreme quality is what matters you can use the bigger FF GM lenses. Such a flexibility is yet second to none in the camera business
3. IBIS: SonyAlphaRumors says that Sartor doesn’t bring a real actual proof to support his thesis.

Check out the Full articles at SonyAlphaRumors and Petapixel… and then feel free to drop your own considerations in the comments.

Record-high 9 Fujifilm cameras won this years’ Red Dot Design Award, including the X-Pro2 and the Instax Mini 70.

• Fujifilm X-Pro2
• Fujifilm X70
• Fujifilm X-T10
• Fujifilm X-A2
• Fujifilm X-E2s
• Fuji XQ2
• Fujifilm XF16-55
• Fujifilm XF50-140
• FinePix XP90
• Instax Mini 70

via fujifilm

Fujifilm X-Pro2: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / FocusCamera / Adorama / Pictureline / BestBuy CANADA: AmazonCA / EUROPE: AmazonDE / AmazonUK / WexUK / PCHstore / AmazonITA / AmazonFR / AmazonESP /   AUSTRALIA: CameraPro

Roy Cruz‎: “Farmland Sunset”. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Fujifilm X100S, handheld grid panorama. By Roy Cruz Photo

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Here are the most liked images of the Fujirumors facebook photostream… and keep it up, share and vote your absolute favorite X-shot… and here is how to do it:

1) SHARE & DESCRIBE: go to the Fujirumors facebook timeline and submit your favorite X-shot (and a short description) in the timeline by selecting “Photo/Video” .
2) VOTE & COMMENT: All the images will be displayed at the Fujirumors facebook photostream. You can vote & comment the images there.

NOTE: The next selection will start from those images shared starting from March 23!

Enjoy the X-shots

Push the READ MORE Button to see More Top Liked Images

The J.B. Camera Designs Pro Wood Grip for Fujifilm X-Pro2 will be available on March 25. The Grip is Handmade in USA. Specs & Price at AmazonUS here.

Fujifilm offers its own (and more expensive) X-Pro2 Metal Hand Grip. You can get it at BHphoto, AmazonUS, and Adorama.

The Fujifilm X100T Teardown :: Look Inside the X100T

I LOVE FUJI COLORS

Old habits do NOT die hard!

I once was an almost pure RAW shooter, but when I switched to Fuji, my old habits changed quickly. I found myself keeping more and more JPEGs. The main reason was that I immediately Loved & Trusted the look & colors I was getting from Fuji’s film simulations.

The magic Fuji X box delivered (mostly) perfectly finished images, that did not need any (or just little) tweaks in post.

Luckily, Fujifilm never stopped to develop new Film Simulations. With the Fuji X30 they gave us Classic Chrome, which quickly became my favorite Film Simulation… and it’s not over yet.

An Ode To ACROS

With the X-Pro2, Fujfilm introduced a new film simulations that seems to be highly appreciated amongst photographers, ACROS!

One of those is Ted Vieira, who posted this Video, where he basically declares his Love to the Acros Film Simulation. He used ACROS+G (Green Filter) and says:

I shoot RAW+JPEG, and I have both files in front of me, but I’m not looking at the RAW file at all, I couldn’t care less about the RAW file, the JPEG is so beautiful, so gorgeous, so warm. It has that real film-like quality. […] To me it really adds a lot of emotion and just adds more to the story and to the feeling of the photograph. […]

I have to say that after seeing the ACROS film simulation, this could be kind of a game changer. […] To me, Fuji, this is a Home Run, this is my favorite film simulation… by far!

The Best ACROS Settings

In case you’ve missed it, here is Damien Lovegrove‘s ACROS blog post. For his portrait session he used ACROS-G (green), because “skin contrast is higher and the lips are more clearly defined irrespective of skin colour. […] For landscapes, the R and B options are very popular and for street and architecture the regular Acros is generally considered the best.”

Also Kevin Mullins fell in love with ACROS, he calls it here “the new love of my photographic life.” He apparently likes the ACROS+R (red) combo, which is by the way also great setting for landscape photography, since it adds more contrast between sky and clouds and gives you more dramatic looking landscape images.

The filter I use quite often in my Black&White shots is the Yellow Filter (B+Ye). This filter adds overall a bit of contrast to the images. For the same reason, the Yellow filter is also the favorite one of mirrorlessons, as you can read here (in this case Acros+Ye).

Bad News: As I already told you in my Top 10 Resons why the Fujifilm X-Pro2 surprised me, ACROS is limited to the X-Processor Pro engine, which means that only the X-Pro2 and following X-Processor Pro cameras (like the Fujifilm X-T2) will have ACROS.

And what about you? Did you find the time to play a bit with the ACROS film simulation? Then feel free to share your personal favorite ACROS Settings here and in the comments down below.

I hope this was a bit interesting and useful for some X-shooters out there. Now all you have to do is to go out and shoot, and have a lot of fun playing with the different B&W / ACROS filters :-)

I’ve already told you about fujifilmxmount over a year ago here, a handy online tool, where you can test & compare the whole range of Fujinon lenses.

Well, a bunch of new lenses has been added to the virtual Lens test site, including the 35mmF2 and 1.4x Teleconverter. Still not included at the moment, the brand new XF100-400. I also hope they will add the X-Pro2 as virtual test camera soon.

Also new: you can now test different Film Simulations.

cheers,
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

HUGE Fuji US-X Sale now also at BHphoto & Adorama (save up to $400)

Hi X-folks

Let’s take a short break from the usual rumors/news stream and focus on the real heart of the X-system, which is you.

In today’s “Behind the X-gear” episode, we are going to meet Fuji X Forum member Don Pino, the FXF member, who shared the most liked images by the FXF community (Top #1 image / Top #2 image).

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 :) .

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!

X-Shooter Don Pino

Tell us something about you

Professional Photographer or Amateur or something in between?

As an amateur you have the priveledge to be free of economical influences. This way you can concentrate on your passion. 

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

Landscape and architecture are like “unequal sisters”. On the surface they seem to be different, but secretly they are connected through an invisible bond. Landscape and architecture are the “Ying and Yang” of photography.

Landscape is a very romantic kind of photography in which lyric and poetry take a great part. For this reason, many landscape photographers unconsciously are oriented towards the pictures of William Turner and other famous romanticists.

Architecture on the contrary, often prefers coolness as well as strict shapes and lines. It often seems to be technological, monochrome and cold.

In the daily routine of photography, architecture and landscape both subsist on wide angle shots or abstract tele shots. And certainly they are increasingly influenced by postproduction.

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

I have a portfolio on 500px (https://500px.com/don-pino) and on some German websites.

What’s your favorite image taken with a Fuji?

I only started taking pictures two years ago with Fuji. Therefore I haven’t got a very big choice. In my opinion, the pictures of the mushroom pickers are two of my highlights. Especially, because I intentionally visited the Italian Monti Sibillini in June to take pictures of the poppy blossom. Unfortunately, the poppies started flowering lately because of the low temperatures. The pictures were taken in the morning at three degree

Your Move to Fuji

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

Like many others I was looking for an alternative second system with a compact design which meet the high expectations especially regarding the low-light photography. Not until I bought the X-E2, I got to know the fantastic fixed lenses. After two years of experience, I’d say that Fuji achieved the perfect balance between quality and compactness, simultaneously creating a “brand with a soul”.

Is there something you miss from your previous system?

Since I’m frequently using the DRI technique for night scenes and indoor shootings, I miss the extensive AE – Bracketing possibilities my 5DMKIII had. The X-Pro2 now provides AE bracketing function of +/- 2 which at least is a small step in the right direction.

What’s your favorite lens?

That’s a difficult question regarding the fantastic range of Fuji lenses. I love the 16 mm 1.4 lens as a universal fixed focal length with an extremely close focus distance. Apart from the 10-24mm, the 55-200mm became one if my favourite lenses.

What’s your favorite camera bag?

I like Think Tank. Since I started using Fuji I changed to a more compact model of airport essentials.

What’s in your bag?

X-T1, X-E2 and (hopefully soon) the X-Pro2
16mm, 23mm, 56mm, 10-24mm, 55-200mm and at least the XC16-50
Several 77mm B&W and Haida ND Filters
Three Lee ND-Graduate Filters
Several Step up rings
Nissin i40
A Rocket Blower
Two SanDisk 32 GB SD cards
Undefined lens-cleaning cloth

Your Advice to Fuji

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

A new 60mm weather sealed and stabilized “Allround Macro” which can be also used for Portrait Photography, like the popular Canon 100/2,8 L .

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

Although I keep told that 80% of the X-users take their “tripod pictures” using a mechanical cable release, I desperately wish for a newer version of camera remote which will make bulb shots and exposures of more than 30 Seconds possible and the remote release dispensable at the same time. Concerning long exposure, I’d like to add that I really could use a “live bulb” function.

Decisive Questions

OVF, EVF or Display?

The EVF of the X-T1 is already great. I don’t even dare to imagine how good the EVF of the X-T2 will be.

Rangefinder style or DSLR shape?

For me this isn’t an “either/or” question. I use them both. It depends on the moment and on the lens.

RAW or JPEG?

At the Moment 100% raw. With Acros this may change.

Curiosity & Customize you X

You most & you least used feature in Fujifilm cameras (like film simulations, build-in RAW converter, Extended DR(100-200-400), advanced filters, panorama, digital split image etc…)

According to me, there should rather be too many options for technical features than too less. At the end it’s up to me anyway whether I use them or not.

Which functions did you place on the FN-buttons of your camera?

I very often use a tripod, therefore I placed the Self-timer at the Top FN Button.

What’s Your favorite film simulation

I am still waiting for Acros.

Your favorite photography quote.

Truly all photographs are self-portraits. (Elizabeth Opalenik)