Feb
03
Nothing too definitive as yet, just a few samples from my new 14mm lens. It seems very, very sharp and distortion free. It isn’t a 35mm equivalent focal length I’m familiar with (21mm) but it is wide, which is why I wanted it. All I can say is that I’m very happy with it thus far, I just want to find a landscape to use it on.
See more pictures on sgoldswoblog.wordpress.com
Feb
02
Oh goody! I just received my Fujinon 14mm f2.8 lens today. I’d been waiting for it since September. Hopefully, if the temperature is not too brutal for my old bones, I’ll get out and shoot with it this weekend. When I was shooting film with my Leica M6 my favorite lens to use was the Leica 21mm, the equivalent to the Fuji lens in focal length. So I’m going to have a chance to dig deep into my bag of tricks (that’s a euphemism for trying to remember old techniques). We shall see…..
Both these shots were made with the 18-55mm zoom lens. I would like to have been able to zoom out wider for the first image, but street happens so fast that’s not always possible. Would have been a much better shot with some space at the top of the frame. But I still like her expression. I caught this gentleman with the very cool beard on 34th Street just after leaving a critique session at B&H Photo. There’s just something about facial hair, whether on a man or woman, that’s so much fun to shoot.
See on genelowinger.blogspot.de
Jan
30
Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8R – First Tests | Mike Mander
Fuji X-E1 / Fuji X-Pro1 / Lenses and Accessoires / Lenses and Accessoires / Sample Images / Sample Images
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These are the first tests I shot with the new Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8R wide-angle on my X-E1. All shots were processed in Phase One’s Capture One Pro v7.02 with some slight post-processing in Adobe Lightroom v4.3. Some perspective distortion correction was applied on a few of the night shots, but no corrections for barrel distortion were applied, nor were they needed. Note that it was windy, so there is some movement and blur in trees and foliage on some of the night shots. The XF 14mm is equivalent to 21mm on a full-frame body and quite simply, this new lens is very nearly the best ultra-wide prime I have ever shot with. The only lens I’ve used that is in the same league optically, and that is wider than 24mm (full-frame equivalent), is Canon’s EF 17mm f/4L TS-E and it, of course, is manual focus as well as big, heavy and very expensive. As mentioned, none of these photos have had any barrel distortion correction. The XF 14mm seems essentially free from any sort of field curvature, there is virtually no detectable chromatic aberration and only the barest hint of purple fringing along extremely high-contrast boundaries, for example, with power lines or branches against a white, blown out sky. Even the edges of the frame are essentially tack sharp wide open at f/2.8, with the extreme corners following by f/4 already. There is also no green/magenta bokeh fringing and what little background blur one can get with an ultra-wide at f/2.8 (see frame 9), looks to be very smooth and pleasing as well. Internal reflections seem well controlled, contrast is good… although I have yet to see how it performs in daylight with the sun shining on the front element or when the sun is included in the frame. The only noticeable flare spots I saw in all these photos that were due to the lens itself, are below and the bright light in frame 22 and over the pillar in frame 33, although there are a few shots where there is some reflection off the inside of the front protective filter (frame 32 for example). The resolution of this lens is so consistent and even, that one can take a series of tripod shots, zoom into an extreme corner and flip through images shot from f/4 to f/11 and there is virtually no detectable change or improvement in corner sharpness, presuming there are no depth of field issues there of course. Only at f/2.8 in the extreme corners, is there a hint of contrast and sharpness loss, and beyond f/11, diffraction starts taking a visible toll across the entire frame. I would say it is actually sharpest in the f/4 to 5.6 range, which is truly superb for such a wide-angle lens. The XF 14mm f/2.8 R has exceeded my wildest dreams and is truly an exceptional performer!
See more pictures on www.sublimephoto.com
Jan
27
Quite surprisingly today my local camera dealer contacted me and told me that the Fujinon XF 14mm had arrived at their shop. Only a few minutes later the new lens was in my hands. I really love wide-angles in the 21-24mm range (full frame equivalent). I also own the Voigtländer CV 15mm f/4.5. However, the Voigtländer didn’t perform too well on the Sony Nex-7 (color fringing) and also not too well on the Fuji X-E1 (smearing in the corners). So I was looking forward to the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R. Today I only a had a few minutes to take a couple of shots and get a first impression of the lens.
New body firmware
With the lens came a new body firmware (1.0.3). I have not yet had a chance to see whether there is anything different – except compatibility with the 14mm lens.
Built quality and handling
The lens feels nicely built like the other XF lenses. It has approximately the same diameter as the 35mm / 1.4 lens, but it’s about 0.5 cm longer. The filter thread is 58mm. The Fujinon 14mm has a clutch mechanism to switch to manual focus. Just pull the focus ring towards the camera and you are in manual focus (even if the camera is set to AF). There is also an old-fashioned distance scale that becomes visible. Nicely done! However, even so the focussing is “by wire”. The focus motor is a standard motor (not a linear motor such as in the 18-55 lens). At the price of this lens, a linear motor would have been nice. Differently from other lenses, on the Fujinon 14mm there is a physical stop at the short and long end of the focussing scale.
Optical quality
I haven’t done any formal tests, but my first impression is very positive. Even wide open at F2.8, the lens seems very sharp. Stopped down a bit, the lens is sharp even in the edges. The close focussing distance is 18cm. With the lens wide open and focussed at close distance, the lens can even produce a bit of bokeh.
Conclusion of first impressions
The Fujinon 14mm is a very nice lens and a great addition to the Fuji lens lineup. Optical quality seems very good, but I will definitely test this lens more in the coming days and weeks.
See more pictures on www.fujifilm-x-opinions.net
Jan
07
Fujifilm says the X100S has fully 70 improvements over the X100, some major (like the sensor), some relatively minor. Here we pick out some of the most important from the list, but in short, it appears that many of the X100′s remaining irritations have been addressed. Note though that we haven’t seen a working model yet, so don’t know how well the camera actually behaves in practice.
Performance improvements
The X100S’s new sensor and processor add up to improved performance specs compared to the X100. Here’s Fujifilm’s own comparison between the two:
- Improved AF speed: 0.07 sec in good light (10EV), compared to 0.22 sec for X100
- Quicker startup (0.9 sec vs 2 sec)
- Faster continuous shooting (6 fps vs 5 fps)
- Substantially larger buffer, 31 frames vs 10 frames (JPEG Large/Fine)
- Improved shot-to-shot time in single shot drive mode (0.5 sec vs 0.9 sec)
- Can immediately switch to playback mode after shooting (no need to wait for file to write to card)
- Buttons that were unresponsive immediately after shooting are now fixed
Image processing options
The X100S gains the ‘Pro Neg’ film simulation options previously seen on the X-Pro1 and X-E1, which are particularly aimed at giving neutral results for portrait photographers. At the other end of the scale, it also gets a range of special effects ‘Advanced filters’.
- ‘Pro Neg Std’ and ‘Pro Neg Hi’ film simulation settings
- Customisable film simulation bracketing
- 8 ‘Advanced Filter’ processing options (Toy Photo, Miniature, Pop Colour, Soft Focus, Dynamic Tone, High Key, Low Key, Partial Colour)
Enhanced movie functionality
The X100′s video mode was basic to say the least, but the X100S boasts much improved specs. Movies are still a bolt-on to what’s fundamentally a stills camera, and accessed as a drive mode (there’s no ‘red button’ in sight here). Note there’s still no image stabilization, optical or electronic, so hand-held movies will be jittery.
- 1080p 60fps Full HD recording, with 24Mbps bitrate (compared to X100′s 720p 24fps)
- Phase-detect AF effective for movie shooting
- X-Trans colour filter reduces moiré and false colour
- AF-S focus mode available (only AF-C and MF on X100)
Miscellaneous changes
- 14bit RAW output
- Max ISO in Auto mode increased to 6400
- Auto ISO moved to shooting menu (from Set-up)
- Protective coating on viewfinder window, to keep OVF clear of fingerprints
- Minimum shooting distance using OVF reduced to 50cm (from 80cm on X100)
- Minimum focus in normal shooting reduced to 21cm (from 40cm)
- Shutter count function (updates every 100 shots, accessed from menu)
- Battery chamber redesigned to prevent wrong-way-round insertion
- 1:1 aspect ratio added (alongside 3:2 and 16:9)
- Camera retains (as opposed to resets) all settings after firmware update
- Eye-Fi card support
- Improved support for SD cards used with Apple computers
- Live histogram adapts to current settings in manual exposure mode
- Strap lugs are double-plated for increased durability
See full article on www.dpreview.com
Dez
28
The Fuji X-Series, especially the X-Pro1 and the X-E1 with their X-Trans Sensors, are known for their excellent image quality. I will not get into technical details here, there are a lot of good reviews on the net.
I bought the Fuji X-E1 especially for the image quality and it’s formfactor. I have the Fuji S5 Pro and I always loved that camera for it’s image quality. On jobs I started using my Nikon more. And for the everyday and “always with me” camera a DSLR is just to big for my (lazy) taste. That’s where the X-E1 fits perfectly. Of course I have to admit, that the look of the X-E1 was also a reason to buy it. That might all sound very promising, but not everything is well of course. The X-E1 is not the fastest and most reliable when it comes down to autofocusing. Especially in not so perfect light situations (this can even just be a room with a fairly bright desklamp) the X-E1 starts to hunt a little bit. This is a result of the contrast detection auto focus. To help autofocus you can tilt the camera a little bit, because diagonal or vertical lines help focusing quicker. As a DSLR user the way the shutter release button works is quite annoying. Half pressing the button will autofocus, and a full press will take a picture of course. On a DSLR you can keep half pressing and it will save your focus. On the X-E1 this does not “count”. Even though you’ve kept half pressing the button, the X-E1 will focus again when full pressing the button.
In conclusion
I have to say that I love this camera so far. Besides the autofocus issues the camera is a joy to operate and the images are incredible. I only have been using this camera for only a week now, but I will write a follow up in a month or so.
See more pictures on www.ismono.com
Dez
27
Hi, I thought I would share some shots of the Fuji X-E1 that arrived today, give some brief first impressions and a few quick image samples. The weather has been horrid and I have not been able to get out and stretch the legs of this camera, but I have taken a few quick images to try and get some early feedback and first impressions. I will start with a bunch of sexy shots because this thing is cute thing to look at. As you can see this is a great looking camera and lens, its not as retro as the X100 or the X-Pro1 but it does retain a high level of retro with a cool modern minimalistic style. So my first impression, to be honest I was disappointed when first unwrapping and picking up the body, it was lighter and less well built than I expected. Compared the the all metal X100 I can certainly feel the X-E1 is only half metal and plastic back, the bottom is no where near as solid as the X100, its again only half metal. The dials are much better that the X100 they have more heft and positive in movement. The size is great and virtually exactly the same as X100. The little front bump and designed rear thumb support is a great addition. The quality of the push buttons and the change from a rotation selection wheel to a 4 way selector is also better quality and much better in operation than the X100. At this point I am not over impressed. Unwrapping the lens was good. The 18-55m is a really small lens, very light but well screwed together, with lovely smooth operation of zoom,focus and aperture rings. Very nice action, attaching it to the body is no problem however there remains some slack in the connection once clicked into place, I really don’t like it, it seems sloppy engineering not to be completely connected to fit perfectly. Placing the lens and body together made a big difference to how it feels in the hands. I felt a little happier the more I held it. I had to wait some time to charge the battery as it was completely flat. Once charged it was time to set up the Fuji X-E1 and take some shots. The two main things I wanted to review with camera as soon as possible was the new hi resolution EVF and the manual focus operation. I have not checked yet what software revision for the body and lens I am on, I am assuming its up to date, I will look that up later but I can say this is where my initial disappointments started to fade. The EVF is wonderful and much better than the one in the X100. Bright and detailed it does lag but I am used to that anyway, I won’t miss the OVF as I don’t use it in the X100……
See full article on simonpeckham.wordpress.com
Dez
23
So what have I done? Have I done the right thing. I have been with Nikon system for 5 years and I have been very happy. Well that is until I bought the Fuji X100 and fell in love with an image quality and visceral user experience that is truly stunning once you have worked out and dealt with all its little issues. So Why! Read on.
Since owning the Fuji X100 I have taken a completely new view on photography, I now see something very different than before, don’t get me wrong I have taken fabulous images in all areas portraiture,fashion,architecture and street, just take a look at my website for examples.However there has always been something missing, not quite right, striving for that something else and I was never able to put my finger on it. My Nikon set up has been fabulous and I have improved in my skills year on year and from D80 to D300s and numerous lens’s and wondering if the next step to find that something special I am looking for is in Nikon full frame. The recent launch of the D600 put that in reach even more than ever, and just take a look at the image below, the quality and sharpness of my thoughtful self portrait wondering if I have made a mistake or not it not bad at all with the D300s. Actually thinking about it this is the very last frame I have made with a Nikon Body. Will I come to regret this?…..
See full artiecle on simonpeckham.wordpress.com
Dez
22
I am loving the new 14mm lens!! This is a winner and with it’s smooth focusing in both manual and auto-focus modes it has a great feel. I am going to try and pump a bunch of images out this weekend and show off the performance of the lens. When it ships early in 2013 it will have a USA retail of $899.95…..
See more pictures on brandonremler.blogspot.de
Dez
21
After a passionate yet somewhat impetuous relationship with the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 I couldn’t resist a little fling with his younger brother the Fujifilm X-E1 I’d spend sleepless nights wondering if he could deliver the same image quality as the X pro 1 but at almost half the cost of the Fuji X Pro 1 I was in serious doubt… Appearance wise, albeit the slimed down body, slightly smaller LCD, additional pop-up flash, but lack of the much talk about hybrid view finder, the look and function of these camera are almost identical, to the point that they could be twin – they both posses the X-Trans CMOS sensor, 16 million pixels resolution and a high ISO sensitivity which all attribute to the X pro 1’s outstanding image quality. Though, the thing that really enticed me into this adulterous fling was the new.Fujinon XF Lens: XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS kit zoom lens.
Admittedly I could have purchased this separately to use solely with the X pro 1 but the kit price and buzz surrounding the X-E1 was just too tempting…and as Oscar Wild states ‘I can resist everything but temptation’ ) My first though was to take this seedy affair around the back streets of soho, mainly to test out the infamous noise free high IOS settings and also the new built in pop-up flash; However as me and the lovely model Allana from Milk management set out on our quest, it was clear life had other plans for us:) As the temperature that night slowly decreased to sub zero temperatures and drunken tourist tried to muscle in on our shoot. We only managed to get a handful of shots around Soho
See more pictures on creativelondonphotographer.wordpress.com
