Lemme introduce today’s X-shooter zone with the words of 2 Fuji top managers.
1) “we want you to use our cameras longer and longer in your life” (Mr. Kawahara talking about the Kaizen philosophy and the frequent firmware updates also for “old” cameras!)
2) “I think 16MP are enough!”
3) “I think APS-C is enough!”
4) “we always concentrate to hear the customers opinion”
5a) “We are committed to our products, not industry trends”.
5b) “if user demand FF, really, I want to hear the reason why.”
Well, there are more and more photographers, who also believe, like Mr.Kawahara & Co, that the X-series already offers all they need! So they got an X-series camera and started to have fun with it.
In this X-shooter zone I chose to feature some great X-shooters you may already know, like Sabino Parente (who just launched his X-photo of the week series), Olaf&Kasia (with their favorite shots 2013) and Carlos Bueno (whose images speak for themselves). But there is also place for new X-shooters, just check their images down below.
Remember, you can take a look at the work of many more X-shooters and also share your own stories and shots on the FR-facebook wall. Give your work immediately more visibility. Feel free to use it!
enjoy your day,
Patrick
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Olaf & Kasia
Patrick,
I trust this e-mail finds you well in the New Year. Kasia and I put together a short summary of 2013 and presented our favourite images.
If you find it interesting enough to share with your readers, please go ahead. Here is the link.
We are looking forward to more information about an upcoming camera from Fuji. [admin: see the images here]
Olaf & Kasia
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Sabino Parente
[From his blog]: “Whoever follows me knows that from a couple of years, I have a passionate love for the Fuji and its system X that I met first with the X100 and now with the X-E1. This system has completely changed the way I do photography and I do not regret the day I left the heavy Canon equipment for the small but powerful Fuji X. There is no day and journey which is not always at my side ready to shoot at every opportunity and give me great satisfactions.
So I decided that every week, every Thursday, I will select my photo taken with a Fuji X, telling the story behind it, the emotions, the technique that led to this shot.”
Sabino Parente
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Carlos Bueno
– Hi Patrick, how are you? great Christmas? Let me send you some new x-photos procesed these days :-). Photo1 and Photo2.
Carlos Bueno (website)
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Patrice
A few shots taken today with the X100S. This beast is dead sharp at F/4. It is fast, small and works like a charm. Many said it was the best camera and they were right. Once you have this little baby in your hands you forget everything else.
See some shots here (translation). [shared at the FR-facebook wall]
Patrice
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Anderson Miranda
[admin: shared via FR-facebook wall]
Sorry for this post in portuguese…. This is a bridal session all shots done with X100s. Curitiba, Brazil.
Anderson Miranda
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François Marclay
Hey guys,
Thanks for the daily dose of inspiration, always bringing a motivation boost to my photographic adventures! Speaking of it, in case you’re interested, I shot a series on Jim Wheeler the ship builder & on my recent trip to Kosovo & Macedonia exclusively using my X-E1 and XF 35mm. Have a look here:
https://francoismarclay.
https://francoismarclay.
Have a great day 🙂
François Marclay (Jim Wheeler)
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Art Codron
Hi Patrick,
Great website!
I work in the entertainment industry and I have been a longtime Nikon user since mid-80’s. I have had many Nikon SLR bodies over the years. While I have some M4/3 cameras (which are great for what they are), I have always reached for my Nikon when I am going for the highest quality. I must say that recently I have been reaching for it less and less. I have grown tired of feeling like there is a brick hanging around my neck. It seems as of late I either leave it at home or bring one of my small M4/3 cameras.
This past summer I reached a point where I felt I was way overdue to update my DSLR. I was waiting a couple years for the D400 which never came and was mulling over going to full frame FX. While they are both very capable cameras, the D600 & D800 were not wowing me… I was hemming and hawing which way to go and could not make a decision.
So in the meantime, I bought a Fuji X-E1 on a lark. I fully intended to eventually get a new Nikon but was going to wait a few months and see if Nikon came out with something more interesting. The Fuji has far exceeded my expectations and has blown me away.
First, the size… much smaller than my Nikon with the same sized sensor. SO much easier to carry around. The Fuji kit lens is amazing. It is FAST and SMALL with top notch quality. A comparable Nikon lens is nearly double the size. I also have the 27mm pancake which is great too.
Second, the interface… fantastic! The reviews that say this camera begs you to pick it up and use it, are dead on. Very tactile experience that I have not felt since my old manual camera film days. I just look down at a glance and see where the settings are at on the dials.
Third and finally, the quality of the images… phenomenal. Out of camera JPEGS are great. I have not even used RAW as of yet. The quality I get out of this camera easily meets and exceeds what I can get out of my Nikon DX camera. All in a smaller and more elegant package. I have since sold my Nikon DSLR and do not anticipate looking back.
I am an unexpected convert and could not be happier.
I have been on the road the last couple months and I have a flickr page of images made with the Fuji X-E1. You can find it here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artcodron/sets/72157637972247333/
I also have a general photography photo blog here (same fuji stuff at the top)
http://acodron748.tumblr.com
Regards,
Art Codron
46 Responses
For me it really is all about the quality of the glass and focussing, both in terms of speed and reliability. Lets not rush into FF, let us have top notch apsc gear that works (to the level of high end dslrs).
Fuji is convincing, that APSC is good enough for most of us. Now since Fuji’s IQ is superb, I’d suggest to focus more on the build quality and functionality of their cameras and lenses. There is still some headroom. E.g. if the Fuji X100s had the same button quality as the X-Pro/X-E, if the lenses had a bit more substance buildwise. Pressing buttons with the fingernails is not a convenient thing to do on the X100s, at least with my big hands, and the featherweight small X14/18/27-lenses are not really inspiring confidence. Hopefully this wish is already on it’s way with the X-T1 catching up with the build quality of e.g. a Nikon pro camera, but still small and handy. I’d be happy to pay for such a device that would bring pro build quality to the APSC camera world.
I agree. Would like to see side separate card and battery compartments with heavy duty hinges. At the same time,future x cameras should be as compact and ‘solid’ as possible. This would make handling with the future f2.8 zooms much more pleasant. This to me makes total sense. Oh, let’s see space for higher capacity batteries too and better grips (negating the requirement for an expensive add-on). And TTL flashes!
I am very happy that some of the lenses are very lightweight. I wouldn’t like to sakrifice any of this in favor of a reinforced build, which applies to the cameras too, btw.
Agree, and who thinks the 14mm is light? I would like the side card door, better battery and I would really like a viewfinder hood that can be removed for easier cleaning of the optics as well as having the option for a bigger hood; the fixed one sucks.
I overall love my EX1 and am looking forward to (an am waiting for) the XP2.
The glass is already as good as anything else out there, they all need to focus and feel like the 23 when doing it manual. AF is OK for speed, but follow-focus needs work. I think they are not only on the right track, they are already very capable cameras.
Agree
I want to have FF because I have Leica glass, and other legacy glass, that I cannot use to its full potential. That’s one reason … but, dear Fuji, I can only get that camera with suitable performance from Leica so please don’t bother trying because I’m sure that you, like Sony, also can’t do it.
Make your niche larger, offer B&W x100s for instance, sell your X business line to Tamron to increase the market for your fixed focal length lens on other mounts. That is the Fuji strength, the Lenses and the ability to pump out many variations of what is essentially the same thing.
This market will rationalize soon … not everyone can keep loosing money.
forget about mount adapter crap, it deteriorates IQ of all , other wise, great lenses.
I know this because I used many M glass on my A7R and XE2.
Hi,
Mr Kawahara had said that the sensors would have higher resolution. This is not really consistent..
I am still waiting for a real improvement on the sensor (higher resolution, better IQ, faster AF) and X T1 will not satisfy this critaerias (if we trust the rumors)
Where is Fuji going ? This is not clear for me. No news about the organic sensor,… I know it could be released at the beginning of next year, but maybe not or never… I would just like Fuji to answer: when do they plan to update their sensors to offer a real improvement ??? Do they have a roadmap ?
Fujifilm have at least filed a new sensor patent with enlarged green and white pixels, which are supposed to reduce color noise and “improve the high sensitivity performance”. It was filed in 2012 and published in December 2013. It could be an improved next generation X-trans, organic or not.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/01/17/fujifilm-files-patent-for-sensor-with-enlarged-green-white-pixels
Thanks for the information., I had not heard of it. I doubt it would be a major upgrade (compared to the organic sensor…) But this is interresting.
Hi,
Congratulations for your blog, I am a big follower.
Thank you for mention my work.
Keep making a good job, bringing us fresh news about Fuji world.
Regardes,
Anderson Miranda
all i need now is a fast AF,that’s all,did u hear us Fuji ?
“16mpix is enough” – When I read this I remember Olympus officials statements three years ago. There was a 12 mpix sensor used for m43 and 43 cameras. They stated that the E5 with this was “enough for pro use” and nothing else was ever needed. The sensor was old, dynamic range very narrow with nothing in shadows nor in highlights. High ISO was very poor. At least compared with high end APS-C and FF pro cameras.
They were dead wrong but did not change views – until the EM5 was released…….
For Fuji, they have filed a patent concerning a sensor with different sized pixels (green and white larger). As often said on this site X-trans has its strong sides, but also weak sides. (Owning a X-A1 I can tell you the images from the Bayer readout definitely gives you the Fuji-feel images)
I believe that X trans concept would benefit from a higher 24 mpix resolution.
If Fuji thinks they are “ready” with their development, they are in dire straits! Of course the Fuji official is lying! The purpose of the statements is they want to sell more of what they have in production today.
Right. I also cannot believe that they are not investigating the 24MP sensors from NEX-7, K-3, D7100, D5100 and D3100. I think they are waiting that those higher MP APS-C sensor catch on the high ISO performance before they make the move. And this is wise. Don’t rush it.
High ISO is very strong point of Fuji and if that organic sensor comes next year then we have to take a look again what happens. At least to me the 16MP are fine.
The 24 mp sensors are not noisier ! Just have a look at dxomarks.
At pixel level, it is noisier but at the same print size, the noise will be the same.
You have now more resolution without the drawbacks of having more noise.
Fuji should make the move.
Another drawback, diffraction hitting at f/8. At some point the “gains” of higher pixels are offset by limitations of sensor design and optics.
First supposed drawback is wrong. Just look at dxomarks and compare sensors.
I really doubt about your second point but if you have a link, I am interested.
No, diffraction is affected by pixel density. DXO is hardly a complete testing system (and they don’t exactly share their methodology and numbers). But if you want to believe diffraction isn’t an issue, go on believing it.
Christophe: if you don’t believe in diffraction limitation, compare two shots: one taken at f/8; and the other at f/22. Which one do you think will be sharper? And, yes pixels factor into the equation.
Well, I checked myself about diffraction and you are both wrong.
And sorry, this is a myth… diffraction limit is not affected by the pixel density.
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/09/motion-blur-diffraction-and-noise-are-not-impacted-by-high-megapixel-count.aspx/
But if you want to believe higher pixel density affects diffraction , go on believing it ! 🙂
That might be true (I didn’t research that topic). I was just giving a possible reason for Fuji waiting. Maybe they want to save the move the X-Pro2. Maybe Toshiba and Sony don’t give it to Fuji or make too expensive at the moment due to lower numbers?
I don’t know. But they will have to make the move in the future, because D7100 and K-3 show what is possible. Combining this with X-Trans and Fuji processing could be really nice.
Fuji guy’s attitude towards FF may hurt them. What is the difference between Market Tren and What Customers Want? I had a FF and agree with them that 16m apsc is enough, but for many never own FF, it is a very atepting. In the end, FF does produce slitely better IQ, and if engineered right, not that much bigger than apsc.
If Fuji resist FF simply because they don’t have lens ready, they will pay dearly in the end.
Again, I don’t need FF. Doesn’t means FF is not a business idea.
Bah… for a better IQ is sufficent to go into Sony A7 and you have ;
1) a real FF
2) a small body, smaller than xpro1
3) A sensor that don’t produce watercolor artifacts like Xtrans do
1) How many AF-lenses do you have for this “real FF” at the moment? How much do they cost?
2) Small body and huge and heavy lenses… no real gain in portability.
3) Sensor with awful (IMHO) color reproduction and skin tones… no, thank you, I’d better choose Fuji-colors and rendering. “Watercolor artifacts” – upgrade your Adobe CameraRAW, or use Capture One/Photo Ninja.
+1
I haven’t seen anything out of the A7r that has made me think that it is worth the compromise of an ugly, poorly designed body…
The only things I like about the A7r is its sensor, lack of AA filter, and that it is a mirrorless camera.
So you like everything about A7 XD I ave capture one, sylki pix,, camera raw+LR (last update) and photo ninja… everyone give me in a different way watercolor artifacts… so is a matter of architecture of the crappy xtrans… and the Xe2 is way way worse…. the A7 has a no game here
No, as I said, those are the only things I like about it. I definitely do not like the design, size or feel. I can’t speak about the X-E2, but I like what I am getting from my X-Pro 1 and capture one. Since you have such a great camera, I would love to see your photos – they must be great, if you are making such bold statements. If you hate fuji cameras, why are u here anyways?
right and the A7R is hard to beat in terms of sheer resolving power and color depth.
but it has too many usability issues, such as the infamous shutter shock issue, battery issue, poor build and fragile mount design issue.
but the EVF and sensor alone really make it a great tool for longexposure or any sort of tripod based work.
so I kept it and sold my D800E.
the Sony was clearly sharper than the Nikon and the mirror slapping issue and poor AF accuracy of that OVF SLR system alone make it less attractive than the Sony.
IMO, the Sony A7R can easily replace the Pentax 645D or Leica s2 , while not as good as the real MF cameras from Phase or Hassy.
it’s that good.
This fragile mount issue you speak off, can you explain? I had a issue with my nex-6 mount and I really hope my A7 wont give me the same problem.
X-Trans is good, X-Trans support in popular software is not. Better yet, if you say you are done with upgrading the cameras and you want everyone to continue using them for a long time how about you open up your software/firmware to the public? This will insure outstandingly long life and popularity, along with lens sales, as open sourcing will improve video etc and gain cult status for Fuji.
Then you are not looking hard enough.
Well… I agree that move to FF is not necessary – better concentrate on further lens roadmap, build some fast zooms, and long tele (600mm in 35mm-equivalent).
But I’d like sensor improvement too – in terms of resolution also, because sometimes I had to crop (for birds, animals, and sometimes portraiture) and higher resolution preferable for landscapes… wider spread of PDAF-areas might be welcomed also.
If only X-T1 had this features (more resolution and better AF) I would sell my FF-gear and move completely to Fuji system… but it’s still that old Sony sensor we’ve seen in Nikon D7000 in 2010 with addition of PDAF…
For my kit, FF just isn’t necessary. I love my Fuji X’s, and if I need more size, then for me the thing is to go Medium Format. Thats my idea of an ideal kit, X100, XPro and Medium Format… I’ve sold all my FF gear because I really don’t see any need for something in the middle for me. I love the X’s for weddings and shooting on the run, the X-Pro is more than capable in the studio (especially when I get my hands on the 56!) and then if I want bigger images, why take 1 small step up…. take a big jump and shoot MF especially for commercial and studio work… FF is superfluous for me. I would like to see the organic sensor happen, maybe with a few more MP, and more sweet lenses
Sometimes I need to remind my self, I have a 8 X10 print hanging in my bedroom. The print is of a fall landscape with colorful trees and a pathway. The print is rack sharp and was made with a 3MP Sony camera.
Sorry to put this here, but couldn’t find a contacts link. Problems with RSS feed. Live bookmark feed failed to load message. Has something changed? Anyone else. Seems to be the only live bookmark not working.
John
What I’d like to see before dropping my 5d3:
Faster AF in low light
Manual control of video exposure
More DR
The 2.8 zooms on the roadmap
16mp is enough, but casual photographers are wowed by high mp cameras. To grow the brand, Fuji needs to pull in that market as p&s sales continue to plummet thanks to cell phones. I think the xpro2 sees a mp bump to keep up. I tried to drop my 5d3 in favor of an X camera and for me it’s not quite there yet, focusing speed in low light is still hunts a lot and no manual control of exposure in video. It’s getting close, maybe xtrans3 checks all the boxes for me.
I’m onboard 100% with respect to those five. 16mp APS with great glass meets all my needs. Also, one of the reasons why I moved away from Nikon
I wonder how many of us Nikonians have moved to Fuji? I always enjoyed your wildlife work there.
Thanks. Wildlife is the one thing I gave up moving to Fuji but had little opportunity for wildlife shooting the last few years 🙁 Aside from that i do not miss Nikon at all
Hi,
If you like wildlife photography, you should appreciate to have more pixels ? This is still better, you have more details. The difference between 16mp and 24mp is not huge, I admit. But if you have a 16mp, you do not have a cropping advantage over a FF with 36mp !!!! Usually, smaller sensors do have this advantage. 16mp is low for an APS-C… It is time to update it.
Christophe
Why? Not everyone is a heavy cropper. It’s a waste and you’re better off working to get into position. I had a D800 for over a year. I’m very familiar with 36mp and the vast majority of the time it’s an utter waste.
is sabino parente a great x shooter? i’m not so sure.
did you take a look at his portfolio? However, de gustibus non est disputandum.
1. I do not know if, but I would be very surprised if Fujifilm NOT is looking into FF. The more units (sharing technology) – the lower development cost per unit.
2. How much is enough image quality? It depends on a lot of things and in the end this is up to the individual photographer. Nobody has the right to position her/himself on a throne and dictate a “truth”.
As a new x shooter (I have the xe2) I am not too concerned about new cameras but new lenses. Over the coming months I want to “invest” in more Fuji glass and the published road map is very useful. What would be even more useful is if Fuji gave an approximate size and weight for these upcoming lenses. They must by now have a reasonably detailed specification.