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)

Let’s start this week with a curiosity (don’t worry… the rumors and X-Pro2 reviews will follow soon ;) )

If you ever wondered what it means to be an “X-photographer”, what he/she has to do (or not) for Fujifilm, if he/she get’s paid by Fuji and how you become a Fuji X Photographer, then you might check out Nathan Elson’s latest youtube video.

In short: their main goal is to give honest and constant feedback to Fujfilm about their products.

They do not get paid for their feedback by Fujifilm, but they can have a discount on X-gear they purchase and if they need a lens/camera for a limited time, Fujifilm gives them the requested X-gear for free.

And what do you have to do to become an X-photographer? Check it out in this video.

UPDATE: Nathan mentions 3 criteria you should fulfill, in order to become an X-photorapher. #1 is to be a Full Time Pro. This might be valid for Fujifilm NorthAmerica, but it seems that in other countries Fujifilm deals differently with it. X-photographer Dennis Radermacher is not a Full Time Pro (as he tells us on facebook here)

P.S.: And since people now and then ask me if I, Patrick, get paid by Fujifilm: The answer is “NO“! Not a single penny. And not even discount on Fuji gear I buy. And if I have to repair something, I pay full price for it. I don’t get any kind of special treatment. No free sensor cleaning, no invitations to special events, nothing (they don’t really like me ;) )… and it’s good so, because I feel free to write articles like this one.

have a great start in this new week
Fuji X Forum, Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter

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

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

_ _ _

Two of the big questions are…. will Fuji give us IBIS on future X-series camera. And what’s going on with the organic sensor?

Fuji Managers Takashi Ueno and Shusuke Kozaki have given the answer to fujilove.

IBIS

“First of all, our XF mount is not compatible with IBIS. You may be thinking that our mount size is similar to competitors’ and why Fujifilm cannot do it. The answer is simple: for the sake of image quality.

IBIS has both advantages and disadvantages. IBIS moves the sensor in the mount to stabilize the image. To secure the amount of light at any position, the diameter of mount must cover the wider image circle considering the margin of sensor movement. 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.

To cover the larger image circle, not only mount size (and body size), but also lens size must be bigger. We are pursuing the best balance of image quality, size and weight of both cameras and lenses, operability and performance. When we were deciding on the design of our mount, we decided to provide the best quality body and lens in comfortable small package as the best balance. And we don’t think this direction will be changed in the future. Our highest priority is always image quality. We hope you agree!”

Organic Sensor

“We don’t have any specific plans of incorporating an organic sensor into our products at the moment, but yes we are observing the progress of this technology.

As of today, there would be No benefits to using an organic sensor. Our X-Trans III sensor is superior to the currently available organic sensor.”

And now, since Takashi Ueno asked if we agree with their “No IBIS” philiosophy, I’ll launch a Poll, so that FR-readers can let him know ;)

*Fujifilm Reads You!
Click HERE to see the original FujiRumors Poll, that Fujfiilm used in an official presentation to the Press

No IBIS for the Fujifilm X-Pro2… and why CaNikon say it’s better so, but… (OIS Vs. IBIS) – Trusted Source

Panasonic Develops Organic Sensor with Global Shutter :: Impressive 123dB (!!!) dynamic range :: Made with Fujifilm :)

Fuji X for Photojournalism: Martin Shkreli at the Congress “Captured” by 2 Fuji’s (via New York Times)