NOTE :: FACEBOOK CHANGE
To see, add and vote images click on “Photos” and then “See All“
Here are the most liked images of the Fujirumors facebook page… 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 photo page (click “See All”). You can vote, share & comment the images there.
NOTE: The next selection will start from those images shared starting from August 20!
Last January marked my 20th year as a self-employed photographer. A lot has changed in those years. But there was, however, one constant. From the start on I made most of my images with Fujifilm. Of course, back in 1996 the Astia, Provia and FP100C was ordered in bulk. Those films where loaded in the one camera I used from the very start, and I still use, on a daily basis, today.
Fuji GX680
My true workhorse. Even though it regularly feels like the workhorse is me… Nope. It’s the Fuji GX680. (Not the Fujifilm. The Fuji. Ironic; the cameras that used film did not have the “film” added in the name, the digital camera’s are FujiFILM cameras…) It was one of the biggest investments I made when I started.
A brand-new Fuji GX680, with 65mm, 100mm and 210 mm lenses. and some accessories: An extra long bellows for close-ups, rail extender for the same purpose an a wide-angle bellows. It was actually a little to expensive for a starting business, but I wanted it! The other big investment was lighting equipment. Since I am a fan of quality gear I chose Broncolor lights. I still use many of those lights today. So choosing quality gear paid off for me.
A camera system still in use after 2 decades is remarkable. Sure, some lenses where repaired or replaced, because of broken internal flash-contacts. But the reliability after so many years exceeds my expectations.
Now, in 2016 the camera and lenses can not be repaired anymore. But there is a reasonable amount of second-hand gear out there. I even bought brand-new lenses for it on Ebay. Bought a spare camera just to be sure. Had the battery-packs adapted and the cells renewed. But it is still there. In daily use. Not with the film-back, but with the Leaf Aptus 65. A 28 megapixel back, top of the line in 2006. Still the old Fujinon lenses are superb. The focusing is great. The tilt-shift the GX680 offers is awesome.
Fast forward: X-pro. To answer the question that pops up in Fujifilm users heads; Both. First the X-pro1, with the XF18mm and XF27mm. Later a XF56mm was added. The X-pro1 taught me to shoot in a different way. Very different from the DSLR’s I worked with earlier. More intuitive. Less menu’s. Superb feel.
Fujifilm just made the Complete Fuji X Series Guide available for download here. It includes the brand new XF23mmF2 WR and the X-A3 – LIVE BLOGGING HERE.
Capture One still does not officially offer Fuji Film Simulation profiles. But don’t worry, FXF member fleckintosh and Scottie Wang invested a lot of time (several weeks!) to create and optimize their own homebrew:
“Here is a completely reworked, refined Set of ICC Profiles for Capture One, made for X-T1. It matches the In-Camera Filmsimulations much better than the original Set, which I posted last October here.
Another Set, made for X-Pro2, Incl. ACROS ICC Profiles, is also included in this post. I renamed them to have an alternative Option for my X-T1. These ICC are slightly different, Blacks & Shadows & Colors are more decent.”
A source (thanks!) just send me a real life image of the Fujinon XF23mmF2 WR mounted on the Fujifilm X-T2.
And let me say this: I just love that tiny XF23mmF2 WR Lens Hood! Looks very different (and even more compact) compared to the XF35mmF2 WR Lens Hood. This with the X-Pro2 will be the perfect Street-Combo!
Both, the Fujinon XF23mmF2 WR and the Fujifilm X-A3 will be annouced on August 25. Live Blogging on FujiRumors… don’t miss it :-)
– Lens arrangement 10 sheets six groups. 2 aspherical lens – It weighs 180g – Stylish design – The size is almost the same as XF35mm F2 – Heavy-duty premium quality metal exterior – Vignetting does not occur in the optical viewfinder of the X-Pro2 and the X-Pro1 – Inner focus – AF motor stepper motor – Quiet and fast AF – Dust and water specification – Resistance to low temperature -10 degrees
FUJIFILM X-A3
– Tilting the liquid crystal monitor open 180 degrees suitable for self take – Eye AF – Portrait Enhancer mode – 24.3MP APS-C sensor – 3.0 inches tilting LCD monitor – W-Fi built-in – Instax SHARE printer can be connected – Remote control possible by smartphone – Intuitive operation with touch panel – Optimal super intelligent flash mode to night view – Optimal macro mode in close-up – Enhanced AF mode (including a zone & wide tracking) – Battery life is 410 sheets. USB can be charged – 10 kinds of creative advanced filter – 11 kinds of film simulation mode (also applicable to video) – Self-timer with a smile detection function – High sensitivity up to ISO25600 – High-speed electronic shutter mounted – Built-in flash – Panorama mode
Authorized Fujifilm and Top Rated Plus eBayUS seller Samy’s has some great OpenBox deals on Fuji X Gear. 1 year warranty included.
These deals are better than the current official Fujifilm deals. Keep in mind, though, that the Open Box X-Pro2 deal does not include the free Domke Bag.
For some reason, Samy’s discount information is not correct. For example, they say the X-T1 + 18-135 is $300 off, but it is actually $500 off (price $1,399) compared to the official Fuji US-X price drop (see BHphoto, where the same bundle is sold with a $300 discount for $1,599).
I know, Fujifilm said it in the official Press Release and all the stores also say the same: the Fujifilm X-T2 shipping will start on the 8th of September (that’s the “shipping embargo” date).
However, a trusted source would like me to share with all of you, that Fujifilm decided to start shipping the Fujifilm X-T2 already in late August.
Of course, I never doubt what my trusted sources tell me. In fact, it already happened in the past, that they shared information with us, that contraddicted everything that Fujifilm has said, announced and even shown to the world… and yet our sources where right ;) .
Now, since this trusted source contacts me anonymously via rumor box (using a nick name) I’d like to ask it, if this is valid for all the world, or just for some countries.
KEEP IN MIND: shipping might start late August, but it will take longer until the X-T2 is marked by stores as “in stock“.
Why is the X-T2 shipping earlier?
But why is the X-T2 shipping earlier than originally announced by Fujifilm?
I don’t know it, but maybe the Firmware is now finalized. Hence, Fujifilm can now upload it on all the X-T2’s, put that beauty in a fancy box and send it straight to X-shooters all over the globe!
Or maybe the Fujifilm X-T2 pre-orders were lower than Fujifilm expected, so that the company can start shipping the X-T2 earlier than expected.
But that’s just all speculation. What matters is that, those, who pre-ordered very early, might get their X-T2 already within the end of August…. if no last minute bug is found ;)
