milandro

Yesterday I bought, here in the Netherlands, this Zhongyi Mitakon lens turbo version II, secondhand, but very little used. It was a little more than I would have wanted to spend originally but less that it would have been in a shop. I bought the version for M42/Fuji X. NO problems with infinity focus both on short as medium focal lengths. This morning I tried it with: 100mm f4 macro Pentax Takumar 28mm f3.5 Pentax Takumar (This shows that one CAN use a wide angle with the lens Turbo Adapter, just make sure that it is not of the type which protrudes too much inside!) 58mm f2 Helios.

that, is, methinks, guaranteed to cause a riot. I don’t care, I have started looking for a suitable X-E2 in the NL at a good price and in very good state.

I suppose that the judicious use of a ND filter would be beneficial if and when one intends to make a long exposure if the amount of light exceeds the possibility of the camera even when the lens is stopped down to its maximum?

I have been thinking of this too. Not that I have the ability to modify the software but simply applying logic to facts. If memory serves me right, someone did some software adaptations in the recent past which made possible a firmware upgrade to be used on a Fuji camera for which it wasn’t intended to. I think that I vaguely remember this involving the X100T and the X100S, the hack brought some characteristics, like “ classic chrome” to the S by means of confusing the firmware to make it think that it was being installed on a T while you were installing it on a S. Now, unless there is some hardware thing which makes it impossible ( and I sort of doubt it) we will be pretty much in the same situation here. Since, at least for the time being, the X-E2S seems to be a camera almost identical to the predecessor, the software limitation appears to be a deliberate exclusion of the previous model for pure commercial reasons. I hate to say, I told you so, but when this whole saga of the X-E2 started I’ve been saying that Fuji would have found necessary, in order to protect their new models, to halt or slow down the upgrade of the older ones, coûte que coûte, even the seriously disappointing of all the people who bought the X-E2 and paying a premium compared to a much cheaper X-T10 which is stil, at least for now, the most advanced of them all, since, it has some things that not even the X-T1 has ( whether the presets are wanted, desirable or not is not the point that I am making...so don’t pick on this saying that pro photographer don’t need presets) Of course we will only know for sure once the “ new” camera arrives but, for the time being it looks like this is the case. The new camera might just be the old camera in disguise. It will offer a paid upgrade greater than the kaizen will give for free to the older model. If there are no physical impairments, someone sooner or later, will hack the firmware of the new camera (if not immediately at the first upgrade) and will enable the older model to match the “ newer” one. On a side note. IF..... a big IF......... this is what Fuji is doing they have to realize that this will be met by bad feelings which will be created amongst the community of X-E2 buyers, and all that Kaizen rhetoric will certainly lose some of its shine. This is, with the immortal words of the late Yogi Berra :” Deja vu all over again!” http://www.fujirumors.com/open-letter-to-fujifilm-about-the-kaizen-light-the-x100s-and-the-david-hobby-firmware-with-classic-chrome/ Dear Fujifilm Today I write you in the name of (probably) many X-shooters following FujiRumors, and especially those who own an X100S and would like a new firmware update. But first let me say this: THE KAIZEN HISTORY (or why we love Fuji) When it comes to firmware udpates, we X-shooters are probably complaining at a level all other camera brand owners frankly envy us (and I know it from the guys at 43rumors, SonyAlphaRumors and CanonWatch in our regular meetings, that they are jealous about how Fujifilm listens to its customers and delivers amazing firmware updates). Over the years you did an amazing job in keeping our cameras up to date with the latest features. That’s something no other brand offered with such a consistency and dedication (huge X100 update after 3 years, X-PRO1/E1 focus peaking, X-E2 EVF frame rate like X-T1, X-T1 Electronic Shutter… and there would be A LOT MORE to put into this list.) So, Fujifilm, I don’t say it for captatio benevolentiae, but I really Thank You for all the effort you’ve put into all those new firmware updates. THE KAIZEN LIGHT (or why updating older X-cameras with New Features is NOT Good) It is also clear to me that, with the rapidly growing number of X-cameras, the costs to keep them all updated with the latest new features would be unsustainable, unless you cut your resources destined to the development of new camera technology and redirect them to update the XQ1, X-A1, X-M1, X100, XF1, X-E1, X-PRO1, X20 and all the other X-series cameras with new features. But given how fiercely contested the CSC market is, it’s wise to put most of your R&D into new camera technology for the Fujifilm X-PRO2, rather than spend your time, money and manpower in figuring out how to bring the electronic shutter on the X-M1. Therefore I personally understand if you start to look forward and (apart bug fixes) stop introducing new firmware features to older cameras and focus on FW-updates for newer and successful ones… let’s call it a Kaizen Light approach . THE DAVID HOBBY FIRMWARE (or why you should update the X100S) That being said, there is one thing I really do not get, and it’s about a firmware for the X100S… a pretty successful X-camera that would still deserve a bit of Kaizen love. Here is the thing: a new X100S firmware already exists and it was used by David Hobby to test Classic Chrome on his X100S. Hobby himself said: “I have played with the new Classic Chrome film simulation on an X100S that had been altered to include it.” So I think it should not be that difficult anymore to release a firmware update that allows all X100S shooters to add this new film simulation to their camera… just as you did with the X-E2 and with David Hobby’s X100S. I know the X100T is fresh on the market and you don’t want to endanger its sales. But the X100T offers so many other improvements over the X100S (30 improvements listed in Rico’s X100T first look, starting from the ERF & WiFi), that a simple Classic Chrome update would for sure not make the X100T sales collapse, since there would be still 29 improvements left… or 28, if you’d add to the firmware also the electronic shutter or the intervalometer . So, dear Fujfilm, it would be really great if you could make the “David Hobby-Firmware” available for download. THE KAIZEN FUTURE (or how you could possibly still update also older cameras) And what about this: maybe you could work on a huge X100S firmware update (with Classic Chrome, Intervalometer, Customizable Quick Menu, Electronic Shutter, more reliable Battery Level Indicator, PDAF support in Instant-AF, Spot Metering AF frame coupling etc.), and make us pay a few bucks for the work? Please think about it. I’ll add a poll about it down below. So, thank you Fujifilm for (hopefully) reading this letter. If you have any statement or reply to make on it, please don’t hesitate to contact me at fujirumor [at] gmail [dot] com. I’d be happy to post your answer here on FujiRumors. Regards

I am sure we can all take a little stick , being slapstick of broomstick, as long as there is a jocular intent ! Always remember ( it cuts both ways) the Talleyrand famous phrase : “ Surtout, pas trop de zèle! “, now that I think of it, I should print this text in block letters onto my computer, Written and sent from my own computer, at home, while sipping coffee in front of it, which ( or witch? ) brand and OS are none of your business!

A lot more about this camera , like its real purpose in the X range and the exact market segment to which it was targeted, will only be only clear when the camera comes on the market. As for now and only based on pictures and the few, somewhat contradictory, news on, for example, the size and type of the sensor, it appears to be a camera targeted towards the young people ( indeed skaters would be a good target) seen also the fact that you can take selfies with it with the LCD screen tilting towards the subject, like the X-A2. This doesn’t strike me as a characteristic suited to a camera in the high end segment nor do I think this camera, its supposed use and the hypothetical people who will be using it will be of the same type that would have used a camera like a Rolleiflex and for this reason I don’t see any similarity other than they have a fixed focal lens. This configuration, involving the LCD facing the user, makes the camera particularly suited to young “ action” photographer but maybe this camera is indeed the wide angle companion of the X100S-T. We shall see. No camera can please everyone. That’s why there are so many.

I theory there shouldn’t be anything preventing upgrading the X-E2, with the same sensor and processor, to the same level.

perhaps you should repeat this test witha copystand and some text and colors on a flat surface. To simplify reading the images, put a piece of text saying which camera and lenses are used i which photograph or just add text to each pictures I found it very difficult to understand which is which form the accompanying text.

Who is to say how a few mm will feel in the sensitive hands of the Fuji X shooters?

These days I am really thinking at the title of the immortal work by Shakespeare “ Much ado about nothing”

well this information could mean many things. 1) 2016 won’t be the year of new release 2) the news hasn’t arrived to Turkey yet

I agree, it looks ( and I am referring especially to the ones with the bar-code) like the images with the Canon are slightly sharper , shot 3 is the sharpest of them all. However the strange thing is that both lenses show a very limited and somewhat oddly shaped sharpness area. Even in shot 3 the area where things are sharper is the middle of the shot but with a slight preponderance of the right side where the number 406.1 and part of the bar code (until the stripe past the 3 digit) are sharp and then there is a rapid fall-off sharpness. With as different total sharpness, the same distribution is repeated in the other shots. Which makes me wonder whether something would be amiss in the body or the lens mount.

adhesive velvet is very common or at least it was when I bought some many years ago, it came in all colors and I bought black. I have used it in many applications, if you want to do a good job you need also a circular cutter. Good luck. http://www.amazon.com/FEET-ROLL-THICK-ADHESIVE-PROTECTIVE/dp/B00A6X92DW http://www.hobbico.com/tools/hcar0230.html

we have a classified ad section, good luck!

yes, I have seen many youtube “ tutorials” about how to make DIY ring lights, either made with fluorescent tubes or with LED’s. Nice though these things are , the way one operates with DIY ones is always rather more clumsy than a factory made one does. For example some have controls to vary the intensity AND the color temperature of the light ( LED’s are particulalry suited to this). Also the way you attach this on a light stand,is generally way batter on a factory made product. Not to mention the fact that a factory made product is generally safer to operate, this is electricity after all. I have seen this 640 LED righlight and the Falcon Eyes, both seem to be rather well made and look the part in the shots provided by the company. None would cost more of €200 and generally they are less than that. I know I am not going to use these much, on the other hand they are not going to break the bank.

“ Bigger and heavier" is going to disappoint quite a few, certainly among the plethora of of those who asked for the exact opposite. I suppose that it is the unavoidable trade-off which is the price that one has to pay (well along with a serious premium in extra shekels) for adding things of dubious utility ( of course indispensable to some!) such as a doble SD cad slot or the weather sealing which the great majority of week-end warriors are never going to even remotely challenge because the rain forest is very far from their back garden. I think I like bigger and heavier and in itself is not the main problem. I have more of a problem with the extra shekels which I ain’t likely to shed since I am not seeing any thing which is gonna make this radically better then my X-T1.

any new experiences?

I am in no doubt that, when the time will come, there will be a deluge of those! However how to separate the wheat of honest reviews from the chaff made by people with a vested interest will be, as usual, very tough. Internet is the wild west when it comes to these things.

well, the 1st commandment of marketing is: “ Know thy customer” ... and what he needs. I might be mistaken but, up until now, the X series of least success have been the cheapest models. The X-A1 or 2 not to mention the X-M1 ( the camera which nobody understands ). Both these cameras are hardly selling (so I am told by my friends in the shop where I go) and some “ pro” shops even refuse carrying them (at least one told me so). Fuji appears to have introduced this camera to fit exactly in the same, unsuccessful (at least if I believe my friends in the shops around here), segment. The X photographer’s crowd doesn’t strike me as a particularly frugal one and in general they have been showing to be partial to dial and knobs and generally dislike touchscreen menus. So, Fuji now comes with a cheap camera with touchscreen menus. Mmmmm? Did I miss anything anywhere? It is possible that they have conducted market research which tells them that THIS is what the market wants but, I am not so sure that the customer they are aiming at is the Fuji customer which they already have. Perhaps they are attempting to create new converts and to do that they do it with something that is NOT what the typical Fuji customer has wanted until now. So, humor me, suppose you have a X100S or T and you want another similar camera with a wide angle. You can buy a screw on adapter that transforms your camera into one but it might be a fuss to screw it on and off and two is better than one. So you might be interested in another camera body with a fixed lens already in that territory. You might not be too bothered by the absence of a viewfinder and might consider buying an external one. One thing that you will most certainly want though is your camera to work in a similar way to the one that you already have. Touchscreen menus? Ok, so maybe the X100( S or T) customers are not the best customers for this camera. Maybe there is another type of thrifty X user for it? But if you are a really thrifty user, as Tikus suggests, you get a X-A1 or 2 kit? We shall see how this camera fares. There will be interests and sales in the beginning but then, when the novelty wears off, someone will start thinking that they could do the same, or better, in a different way and what seemed to be a great idea at first might reveal itself to be another less than successful project.

Provided you have a solid surface to lay it on yes. However vertical shots are shall we say " tricky “ with a bean sack? Then I hope you don’t mean a literal “ bean sack” since lentils will be a lot better and you need at least 2 Kg. to give you enough surface to play with. I understand Mano76 lives in Italy ( from the awful tapatalk signature which nobody here switches off ) and carrying “ beans” within Europe is not a problem but you better think twice before you go to the US or Australia or even Dubai with a 2Kg. of beans or lentils. as for the suggested lenses in that link, where does it show shooting the “ Gherkin” with a normal lens... now, while in the same area, do St.Paul’s cathedral... not from the other side of the Thames. Pic is not mine, from Wikipiedia, 24mm canon FF 260px-30_St_Mary_Axe_from_Leadenhall_Street.jpg

the tripod thing is a very much more complicated question. I have bought a small gorillapod for this exact predicament but I have to say that I’ve never used (aside from some tests) it until now. I do use a monopod quite often though. Maybe one which combines both?

Cheers, that would get all the bases covered although you are taking two cameras in the end.

in one word? No! Going to London, a city with huge buildings or places, bringing only a normal focal length (35mm) or very light wide angle ( 23mm of the X100T) , wouldn’t make me happy. Yes, in theory anything can be done, in practice, I predict that if you only take the 35mm you will regret the choice. The first and only lens for a while that I bought with my X cameras was the 35mm , I know thus, very well, what it is to use that lens and not having any other lens. I’ve carefully used it for portraits, interiors and some landscapes too, but I wouldn’t dream of shooting a place like London using a 35mm alone. Mind you, I am used to use the one lens alone! I have shot for years on a few Rolleiflex 6 x6 cm with their Planar 80 f 2.8 or Tessar 75 f3.5. and so did many photographers for years, butit wasn’t the only limitation that they had to inventively put up with and , given the choice, they too would have chosen for more options rather than less. A few months ago, just before selling the 35mm f1.4 I went to shoot some pics in a cemetery in Amsterdam and I brought the 35mm alone. Nice though the experience was, I wouldn’t risk it if I were you.

let’s take to the stars

I’m probably gonna buy a secondhand X-E2 body , that’s plenty of (cheaper) fun. Maybe Fuji generation 3 will make me rethink of my strategy but, as for now, I don’t think that generation 2 would. But, who knows! I’m gonna wait for the next generation