sgoldswoblog tested the brand new X100S with the [shoplink 9132]Fuji WCL-X100 (specs&price)[/shoplink]. The results are great. As Rico said once in the comments, “with the WCL, you basically have a two-lens mini system with leaf shutter, fast aperture and terrific IQ.”
The WCL-X100 converts the X100S/X100 23mm lens to a 19mm lens (28mm equivalent). So, if you’d like it to have flexibility across 2 focal lengths of your X100S/X100, you should consider to purchase this converter. Is it worth to get it? sgoldswoblog says:
“Yes and no. The 28mm focal length is more challenging for street photography but does give you that little bit more to play with. I do prefer 35, but there are times when 28 is a definite preference. This is a really nice, well built piece of kit that is definitely worth getting if you plan to travel with your X100S. The only downside (for me) is that it is relatively expensive and you need to tell the camera it is fitted.”
Just read the review at sgoldswoblog here.
Fuji WCL-X100: [shopcountry 10360]
Fuji X100S: [shopcountry 10075]
Fuji X100 [shopcountry 9135]
image courtesy: sgoldswoblog
9 Responses
But the results are not entirely “great”. The image above does indeed have a very appealing dynamic range, with shadow and highlight detail well preserved It is not without its issues though. There is some discernible evidence of distortion even viewing it without expansion. The killer blow, however, is the vertical convergence. To a commercial audience this is not remotely acceptable. It is a complete non runner as a commercial image.
Probably for the best I wasn’t trying to sell it then!
To be fair to me, I did make the point on the blog post that some of the images needed keystone correction. Normally I process in C1 which has that built in but I couldn’t do that with RAWs from the X100s (because they are only supported by LR which doesn’t allow keystone correction).
Thanks for looking!
Hi there, yes you’re correct – you’re not offering this image for sale.
The point I was making (badly first time around) is that if this level of vertical convergence is typical, the shots produced could only have commercial potential if the context of the image allows the audience to ignore the convergence. Say, if an crashed aircraft was sticking out the top of the dome and the context was pure news. Otherwise the shots would not be used commercially, thereby limiting the PJ scope of the camera. True, the convergence can be correct post camera but the field of view will be severely restricted as a result and you might end up with the same image you could take without the add on lens…
Nice image by the way!
Thank you!
I take your point on convergence , but isn’t that true of any WA when taken off the vertical? It certainly is with the 14 on my X-pro1 (another excellent lens). I also see convergence pointing the camera up when using the normal X100/S lens by the way.
I guess the point is that if one used the 23 on the normal lens, less correction would be necessary. I’ll confess though that even if I do correct, I don’t generally remove it all together.
Thanks for the comments
Why not buy the X-E1 with 18-55mm – and have a range of other lens options? Or have I missed something?
If I’m honest I think most people who want a single camera would be better off with an ILC and I said as much in the wrap up of my review of the X100S ( http://wp.me/p2wMAg-q1 ). That said, for what it is (a fixed lens, single focal length camera) the X100S is just brilliant. You don’t have to like it, but don’t be too hard on those of us that do…
advantage of X100/s: size, hybrid viewfinder, silent shutter, faster flash sync, build-in ND filter
Yes, the X100s, like all fixed focal length cameras, is too limited. Even for street photography, I enjoy using various focal lengths. That said, it is the best Fuji out now performance wise. Once they introduce similar features and performance in their interchangeable lens cameras, which they should have done with the X-E1 (they didn’t want to kill the X-Pro 1), they will have a very popular camera and will overcome any difficulties they were having in the prior year with sales. If they want to have a very successful year, they need to introduce them soon
Fuji raw files can be processed with dxO optics Pro