Mai
20
Street Photography with Fuji X-E1 in Paris
Basili is an information designer, photographer and writer based in Tokyo, Japan. His interests include the cultural discoveries of travel; design and its many facets – from architecture and industrial design to graphics and typography; technology and media; Japanese food and good espresso coffee
See more pictures on basilimobilephotographs.wordpress.com
Mai
18
Since a few days isn’t enough time to write a review with a capital “R”, I thought it would be more interesting to share my initial thoughts about the camera and the X system in general. The Fuji X-Pro 1 is one of the cameras that has deeply captured my interest since its release, and now that I’ve had the chance to test it, I’m trying to figure out if it is a system that I could embrace for my personal projects or work. I had the chance to play around with it two weekends ago. Heather and I went to Genova in the Liguria region, chasing the sun, as the weather is very unpredictable these days in northern Italy. Luckily for us, the day was wonderful and I was able test the camera along many of the small streets of the old city, as well as along the Costa Ligure. Genova is a very interesting city to photograph: the old part of town consists of very small and narrow streets that create contrasted scenes where shadows are sliced in half. An inspiring way to begin my photographic day. My initial feeling when holding the X Pro 1 for the first time was actually strange, because I found it bigger than I had expected. After several years of DSLR shooting, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but at the same time I had become so used to the small size of the Olympus OM-D and the Fuji X100s that all of a sudden, the X-Pro 1 looked like a big camera to me! But it only took a few hours to get used to it, and to realize it isn’t that big in the end. The size, the design, and the “philosophy” behind it clearly reminds me of another camera, the Leica M series. It is clear to me that Fujifilm wants to offer a professional system in a smaller and cheaper package without compromise in terms of sensor and lens quality. Of course, there are many differences between the two systems and since I am not a Leica expert, I won’t go in that direction. For me, it is enough to say that the “Pro” term used to name this camera is substantiated by the camera itself: it is solid, feels nice and steady in my hand, and has an all metal build. From the first test shots after unboxing the camera, you recognize that this camera exudes quality … and isn’t half bad to look at as well! ….
See more pictures on www.bestmirrorlesscamerareviews.com
Mai
17
Da wir auf Hochzeiten selten im Studio zu finden sind haben wir mit der Fuji x100s und der Fuji X-E1 Lutz Graichen von Windflüchter Surfboards besucht um etwas realere Bedingungen für einen Test zu haben als Schärfetafeln oder Stilleben. Der studierte Sportwissenschaftler baut seit 2008 in Rostock an der Ostseeküste Windsurfboards unter dem Namen Windflüchter. Und so wie sich die Form eines Windflüchters, eines Baumes dessen Wuchsform stark durch die Winde an der Küste beeinflusst wird, passt Lutz seine Boards nach den Wünschen seiner Kunden an. Ausgeglichenheit, Liebe zum Detail, Präzision und die Leidenschaft für das Handwerk sind allgegenwärtig wenn man bei ihm in der Werkstatt ist. Allerdings erwarten die Kameras in seiner Werkstatt auch flackernde Neonröhren und viel Staub. Nicht gerade das wir normalerweise auf Hochzeiten vorfinden, aber ein recht extremer Test für die kleinen Fujis da sie keine wirkliche Versiegelung haben. Zwar hat meine X-E1 auch schon den einen oder anderen Regen überstanden, aber wer weiß. Am meisten war ich auf den neuen Autofokus und natürlich das “digitale Schnittbild” im manuellen Fokus gespannt. Soviel sei gesagt: Ja, der Autofokus der x100s ist schneller als der, der X-E1, aber unter erschwerten Bedingungen noch nicht mit einer DSLR Vergleichbar. Vielleicht in der nächsten Generation von Fuji Kameras. Intelligent Hybrid AF nennt Fuji die neue Methode zur “Scharfstellung” und meint damit eine Mischung aus “TTL Phase detection” und “TTL contrast”. Die Bewegungen von Lutz beim Shapen des Boards einzufangen ging der kleinen Fuji dann aber doch nicht so einfach von der Hand wie erhofft. Sicher kann das den schlechten Lichtverhältnissen geschuldet sein. Ein weiterer Test mit spielenden Kindern in der Sonne wäre wohl notwendig bevor wir die kleine mit dem neuen 16.3 MP X-Trans CMOS II Sensor zu einer Hochzeit ausführen. Wenn man die Ruhe des Moments nutzt sitzt der Fokus natürlich perfekt, keine Frage. Zeit also das Fokus Peaking und das “digitale Schnittbild” im manuellen Fokus zu testen. Einer der vielen Punkte auf der Wunschliste der Fuji Nutzer ist das Fokus Peaking und siehe da, Fuji hat die Gebete erhört. Zumindest teilweise. Denn wenn wir mal ehrlich sind ist ein Fokus Peaking mit weißen Kontrastkanten dann doch im realen Leben weniger hilfreich als erhofft. Grün oder Rot wären wohl die bessere Wahl gewesen. Wer weiß, vielleicht liefert Fuji hier per Firmware noch nach. Eine neue Welt eröffnet das momentan “weltweit erste Fokussystem, das eine sensorbasierte Phasenerkennung nutzt” – Zitat Fuji. Soll heißen, wenn die Kanten der dargestellten Bildhälften aufeinander liegen, ist der entsprechende Bereich scharf. Anfangs ist es etwas ungewohnt, aber es funktioniert perfekt wenn man sich erst Mal daran gewöhnt hat. Im Direkten Vergleich der Schärfe zwischen dem 23mm f2 der x100s und dem XF-35mm f1.4 an der X-E1 verliert das fest an der x100s angebrachte Objektiv. Nichts desto trotz ist die Kombination der 35mm äquivalenten Kleinbild Brennweite am X-Trans Sensor eine Wucht bedenkt man das Kamera und Objektiv locker in die Hosentasche passen. Und darin besteht momentan auch der Vorteil gegenüber der X-E1, die vom Body her eine ähnliche Größe aufweist, aber durch die wechselbaren Objektive eben wesentlich “sperriger” daherkommt. Hier will Fuji noch dieses Jahr mit dem 27mm f2.8 Pancake eine Hosentaschen Variante anbieten. Das Rauschverhalten haben wir ja schon in anderen Blog Einträgen bis ISO 6400 gezeigt. Und wer sich über Randunschärfen unterhalten möchte kann sich auch unseren Vergleichstest ansehen. Die folgenden Bilder sind alle mit ISOs zwischen 1600 und 2500 bei Aperture Priority aufgenommen. Die Fuji x100s musste dabei bei komplett geöffneter Blende, also f2 belichten. Die X-E1 konnte mit dem XF-35mm f1.4 auf f2 abblenden. Ein Bild mit ISO6400 hat sich eingeschlichen. Wer’s findet darf es behalten. Eines muss noch zu den Farben gesagt werden. Beide Fuji Kameras haben es geschafft bei den schlechten Lichtverhältnissen, ständig wechselnden Farbtemperaturen im und automatischem Weißabgleich perfekte Farben zu generieren. Timos betagte 5DMKII hatte da sichtlich ihre Probleme und man konnte von 3 Bildern hatten alle 3 einen anderen Weißabgleich im Auto WB Modus……
See on www.jungetrifftmaedchen.de
Mai
16
If you have followed me online, then, you probably witnessed my indecisive behavior regarding photographic equipment. I have switched, swapped, paired, replaced and revisited my imaging toolkit at least twelve times. That is an under-estimate. I have dropped systems only to migrate right back to the same one months later—repeatedly. It got a little crazy. It also meant I was exposed to many approaches to the modern camera experience. I was able to form opinions on many aspects of it with a great deal of freedom. I did try renting and I found that, without the implied sense of ownership from actually purchasing a product, I did not experience the camera in the same way. There was no personal bond to the tool and without that investment, I frequently overlooked important aspects of the devices. This cycle only began one full year into my devotion to the practice of photography. For the first year, I used just one camera. For the following two years I played musical camera… chairs. That game is finally over.
Not coincidentally, I had experienced a similar situation several years prior to getting into photography. I was really interested in smart phones before most anyone in the mass market knew they existed. I would frequently buy them via gray market sources, use them, experience them, learn how terrible they were in various ways, then resell them to fund the next one. I mentally cataloged all of the various features and behaviors that I appreciated and those that I hated. There were many aspects that lived in the middle ground where I might have an opinion, but, not one strong enough to be considered a showstopper or a must have thing. This process repeated until Apple announced the iPhone. I thought it was ridiculous. It wasn’t even really a smartphone. It did not allow you to install apps, after all. However, most smart phones at the time were so poorly supported by third parties that they may as well not have had apps as well. I realized the most important aspects of my smart phone experience were being provided by Apple itself and by that virtue I knew they would be good user experiences far exceeding the garbage presented by companies like Nokia and Samsung at the time. So I switched. I have not had the slightest inclination to switch phone platforms since then.
So we’ve established that I do this… indecisive shuffling and then eventually find a settling point after I’ve had enough experience. I can’t guarantee I will never switch camera systems again, but, it will only happen if something new and unpredictable arrives, and it will not be without great deliberation as I am, frankly, sick and tired of the swap game. I lose time, money, and sleep each time I make one of these switches. I can’t afford to keep all of the cameras. I have to sell all of the gear to fund the next kit. The one and only product launch that will have me considering a switch again will be a full frame rangefinder style mirrorless camera with pro controls and conception—and not Leica. Since that isn’t likely to occur any time soon, I am not terribly worried about it. Furthermore, I won’t switch to an immature system. If there is a compelling offering, I will still be waiting for the necessary lenses to be produced……
See on www.obliviousalgorithm.com
Mai
15
Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 with FUJIFILM X-E1 | Photo Yodobashi
Fuji X-E1 / Fuji X-Pro1 / Lenses and Accessoires / Lenses and Accessoires / Sample Images
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Sample Shots with Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 and FUJIFILM X-E1
See more pictures on photo.yodobashi.com
Mai
13
Con una cobertura diagonal de 99º y una focal equivalente al paso universal de tan sólo 18 mm, este nueva óptica Carl Zeiss Touit Distagon T* 12 mm f/2,8 corona por el momento la cumbre angular – rectilinear – del mundo CSC, o lo que es lo mismo, ofrece el ángulo de toma más amplio disponible para cámaras compactas de óptica intercambiable, bajo una perspectiva corregida evitando las fuertes deformaciones típicas de los “ojo de pez”. Idóneo obviamente para los amantes de la arquitectura, las perspectivas dinámicas y tomas ultra angulares, la capacidad de “sorprender” que tiene este objetivo con su vasto ángulo de toma es sencillamente, increíble. Ya desde las primeras tomas, una marcada perspectiva se adueña de todas nuestras composiciones, si bien es difícil en un principio amoldarse a este “nuevo punto de vista” la altísima corrección geométrica que implementa – imaginamos una labor en tándem con el firmware de cámara – hacen adictivo su uso en todo tipo de escenas. Remarcable, como ya adelantamos hace unos días en nuestra prueba de laboratorio, la calidad aportada desde sus primeros valores de luminosidad, incluso a f/2,8 obtendremos una máxima definición en el centro de la imagen, con una pérdida muy baja en los bordes y esquinas, algo complicado de conseguir si atendemos a su naturaleza ultra angular.
Visualizando archivos Raw, respecto a la nitidez, aprovechamos para recordar la importancia que tiene en este proceso el revelador usado, en aras de unificar criterio, todas las tomas del presente artículo son conversiones directas – sin edición del original – del Raw propietario de Fujifilm (RAF) a JPG de máxima calidad mediante Lightroom 4.4……
Google Translater (ES -> ENG)
http://bit.ly/14hbWyj
http://bit.ly/14hbWyj
See on www.dslrmagazine.com
Mai
13
El planteamiento de estos Touit, en versiones Planar T* 32 mm f/1,8 y Distagon T* 12 mm f/2,8 –equivalentes respectivamente a 48 mm y 18 mm de focal en ángulo de cobertura– es en más de un aspecto, atrevido, y especialmente en lo que se refiere a la montura X, ya que Fujifilm ofrece para sus cámaras una línea muy completa de ópticas de también muy alta calidad, que incluye las referencias Fujinon 35 mm f/1,4 y 14 mm f/2,8 (con equivalencias de 52,5 mm y 21 mm respectivamente). A notar que aunque la nueva serie de objetivos Carl Zeiss recibe el nombre genérico de “Touit” por el de lo simpáticos loros tropicales, conservan la clasificación tradicional adicional de “Planar” y “Distagon”, y por supuesto la de “T*” por los multirevestimientos antirreflejos. No lo es tanto para el caso de las Sony NEX, para las que en este momento, como ópticas “prime” podría citarse únicamente al Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 24 mm f/1,8 ZA (equivalente a un 36 mm). Para esta montura, las nuevas focales con equivalencias de 18 mm y 48 mm parecen aportaciones muy interesantes, sobre todo si se tiene en cuenta que Carl Zeiss es la que aporta de forma nativa ópticas “prime” para Sony. Ahora bien, sin indagamos un poco más en los Touit para la montura X de Fujifilm, encontraremos datos adicionales dignos de consideración. El primero es que –en focales cortas– cada milímetro cuenta, y puede haber más diferencia de cobertura de la que pueda suponerse entre los 52,5 mm y 21 mm equivalentes de los Fujinon y los 48 mm y –especialmente– los 18 mm equivalentes de los Touit. Para ello, nada más práctico que las imágenes comparativas que ofrecemos, tomadas bajo condiciones de control muy estrictas…..
Google Translater (ES -> ENG)
http://bit.ly/17kYcqu
http://bit.ly/17kYcqu
See on www.dslrmagazine.com
Mai
13
The Fuji XE-1 is one of the most interesting cameras I’ve ever had an opportunity to use, and it’s also one that poses a serious conundrum to its intended audience: serious amateurs and open-minded professionals. Thanks to Fuji USA, I had an opportunity to shoot with an XE-1, using both the 18-55 kit zoom lens, and one of Fuji’s excellent X-mount prime lenses –the wide-angle 14mm (21mm full-frame equivalent) F 2.8 lens. I took the camera with me on a trip overseas to Switzerland, and shot a wide range of subjects under a variety of lighting conditions, and I came away with impressions that despite the amount of time I used the camera, still haven’t quite jelled; I feel as conflicted about the XE-1 as I’ve ever felt about a camera, and it points to a larger issue that has to do with where digital photography is now, and where it’s going, both technically and philosophically. Let’s get the basics out of the way first –this is one of the most sensibly designed, intelligently crafted and enjoyable to use cameras I’ve ever handled. It’s a beautiful camera –the truth is that the aesthetics of a camera are not just a matter of good looks; how a camera looks and how it handles have a lot to do with how you’re oriented towards taking pictures, and the way in which a camera acts as a mediator between you and the world around you really is an important part of the equation. It’s not just a matter of technical specifications –yes, it’s true that a really skilled photographer can take great pictures with any camera (within reason) but it’s also true that just as with any craft, the quality of your tools makes a difference. On that level, the XE-1 delivers, and then some. It’s been described by many in the context of its immediate predecessor, the larger, more expensive X-Pro 1, which unlike the XE-1 has a costly hybrid optical-electronic viewfinder. The two cameras share the same sensor –a 16 megapixel X-Trans CMOS sensor that uses an unconventional color filter system which is claimed by Fuji to allow better resolution than the color filter system used in most other digital cameras. The omission of the hybrid viewfinder means that the XE-1 is smaller and less expensive than the X-Pro 1 while at the same time providing all the benefits of the same large X-Trans sensor, and access to exactly the same (terrific) X-mount lenses…..
See on www.forbes.com
Mai
12
I was given a mere ten minutes to try it, as other people were waiting in line to test it as well, and it was the only sample available. Also, the lens was a prototype, very close to the final version. In that brief time, I used it on an X-Pro 1 and took a couple of pictures around the block. The lens is not too heavy and I find it well balanced with the X-Pro 1 in terms of both weight and ergonomics. The zoom ring wasn’t as smooth as others I’ve tried, but it could be related to the sample I used. Also, the aperture ring, as with other XF lenses, is a little bit too soft and you can inadvertently change the aperture. Since I had such a short window of time, I concentrated on bringing home some interesting shots. I wanted to try the zoom at its fastest apertures but I didn’t realize that I had accidentally changed it to 5.6 the whole time I was out with the lens. Anyway, the blame’s on me! This lens is the first telephoto lens for the X system and Fuji seems to have made it right: the quality is there. It is very sharp, with a nice bokeh that seems to be more pleasant to the eye than traditional telephoto zoom lenses without the constant aperture like this one. The lens is stabilized and while I didn’t try it much, I took a few shot at less than 1/100s and it responded very well. The minimal focus distance is more than acceptable for this type of lens, but don’t expect close macro performance here. It is indeed an interesting lens for those interested in chasing animals in the park or for portraits. Its non-constant aperture won’t make it ideal in low-light performance. As for the autofocus, the X-Pro 1 handed to me had the latest firmware on it that support this new lens, and that is suppose to enhance the autofocus on the X-Pro 1 as well. Again, 10 minutes isn’t enough to judge a lens, but it seems that it possesses the normal Fuji autofocus speed found in the X-pro line, so nothing terribly fast…..
See more on www.bestmirrorlesscamerareviews.com
Mai
11
Dr. Michael Pollmann, Progamm Manager Consumer Lenses at ZEISS, about the optical design of the new Touit lens family.
See video on www.youtube.com
