Mike K

X-Pro1 & X-100T -my wife's now hijacked my X-100T, she far prefers it to her Sony RX1 which has been sold to pay for my X-Pro2 on pre-order.

Dan, Some interesting thoughts. I have some comments, these relate to the Noctilux and 200mm - 300mm f2.8 lens. Be careful what you wish for in terms of a "Fuji Noctilux". I’ve owned a Leica Noctilux f0.95 which I used for all of 8 months on my M9 and then sold it. Personally I think it's a highly over-rated lens, albeit well built. There was a time where there was an 8 to 12 month waiting list for this lens. Plenty of Leica hype, IMO probably more to do with the challenge of designing and building such a lens rather than its optical quality. Obviously images are soft wide open, subject to vignetting, a great amount of flaring and CA and it's quite bulky on an M body. For my taste, the bokeh wide open is excessive, resulting in rather artificial / surreal-like images. When stopping down it does sharpen up, but at that point I prefer using the Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH. I'm being rather harsh, but don't take my word for it, have a look at the Noctilux verdict here on the last page of the review; optical quality is given all of 2.5 stars: http://www.photozone.de/leicam/860-noctilux50asph?start=2 Having said that, I've just purchased the Fuji 56mm f1.2 which size-wise, ergonomically is not too different to the Leica Noctilux. The Fuji 56mm is a really fine lens. I don't think I've seen a sharper lens at f1.2; and at f1.4 IMO it's also superior to my Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH. On the telephoto side, I’m fortunate to own 3 of what are probably among the best tele lenses made in their respective focal lengths: Carl Zeiss APO 300mm f2.8 -this lens is heavy & rather large. Leica R APO 280mm f4 Leica R Vario-Elmar 105-280mm f4.2 Have a look here, mounted on my Sony A7r (please excuse the lousy old iPhone pics): http://www.fuji-x-forum.com/topic/1991-does-anyone-use-any-of-the-following-lenses/ There’s very little difference in image quality between these 3 lenses, with the Zeiss being ever slightly better. The 2 Leicas are very close. What we’ve been seeing is that the image quality of good zooms lenses is getting closer to the fixed focal length tele lenses. These zoom lenses are improving all the time, especially with the “new generation” of lenses designed specifically for digital sensors. The new Fuji 100-400mm being one. I’m new to Fuji, having moved from Leica Ms. As my eyesight has deteriorated rangefinder focusing has become trickier. I’ve still got all of my Leica kit and enjoy using some of these lenses on the X-Pro1. Based on the impressive results which I’m seeing with my Fuji lenses, I can’t wait to try out the new 100-400mm. Not sure I can justify buying one given what I’ve already got in the arsenal...... Overall I think Fuji’s lens rollout is impressive compared to how Sony for example have handled things with their E-Mount lenses. Fuji already seem to be covering the most practical/useful focal lengths.

I received my 56mm f1.2 yesterday. This is the first shot out of the box, mounted on the X-Pro1 @ f1.2. Jpeg out of camera no PP. This is probably the sharpest lens wide open I've seen, sharper than my Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH. EDIT: After uploading the image here, it's not really apparent in the uploaded file, but please take my word on this lens. Initial opinion- this lens is impressive.

I agree, it depends on the individual distributor and also prevailing attitudes to customer service in each particular country. I live between France and South Africa. I was in South Africa en route to Tanzania for a client photo-safari and my Sony A7r (purchased in Europe & out of warranty) developed a problem. I went into Sony South Africa, they immediately gave me a free loaner A7r, no questions asked. The camera had to go to Singapore to be repaired, this took some 12 weeks. BYTW they never charged me for the repair either. I've purchased 3 Leicas in France, 2 M9s and a Monochrom. Early last year all three cameras developed the dreaded sensor delamination problem, on top of which the Monochrom's sensor cracked as well. I contacted the Leica agents in France, we're now in 2016 and I'm still waiting to hear back! It was nothing less than I expected, I knew that I would never hear back from them and did this more as a test to see if I could prove myself wrong.... In the interim I contacted Leica in Germany who immediately arranged UPS pick up from my home in France, and I shipped the 3 cameras to Germany under Leica’s “Professional Repair Service”. All 3 cameras were repaired and returned within 1 week. On the other hand I've heard many nightmare stories about Leica USA's service dept. Recently had a run in with Fuji in France as well. I cracked the LCD screen on the X100T. I contacted the Fuji distributor and as with the Leica agents in France, I'm still waiting to hear back..... I've sent it to Fuji Germany for repair, quick, efficient and no aggravation. FYI- when filling in the online repair form on the Fuji DE website, I had to enter a German postal code and country as Germany in the address fields, which I then changed manually to my French address details after printing out the PDF form.

Took the Old Girl out for a drive today. X-Pro1 & 27mm f2.8

I wanted to share some feedback on these 2 adaptors. I've used several Fotodiox adaptors on my Sony A7r and on the XPro1. They're generally well made and I've had no complaints. I recently purchased the "Fotodiox Pro" Contax G - Fuji FX adaptor (pic.1) approx. €98- Very disappointed, main gripes= 1. No locking mechanism to keep the lens in place. In fact the lens fell out a few times as I changed the aperture. 2. Very rough focus movement, which didn't free up after 3 weeks of use. I then returned that adaptor and purchased the Standard Fotodiox Contax G - Fuji FX adaptor (pic.2) approx. €65- Much happier with this version, it has a locking mechanism for the lens and after a little use the focus ring is much smoother. Anyone considering these adaptors, don't be fooled that the more expensive version is better. (Images are from Fotodiox website).

I just came across your post. You've captured your subjects' various moods wonderfully. Nice images! I'm surprised that no one's commented on these since October.

Thanks Andre! It's now sorted out. The LCD was set to "MONITOR SUNLIGHT MODE ON" I've set it to "OFF" The images now appear normal and as exposed. Much appreciated.

I've searched the Forum for this issue and haven't been able to find anything. When playing back images on the X100T's LCD, they appear as over-exposed, even though they're perfectly exposed. When viewing the same images through the viewfinder they appear normal and as exposed. I've noticed this from the outset when I bought the camera last year. It's more an irritant than anything else. Is this a known issue or an issue anyone else has encountered? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks,

Purchased from this eBay vendor: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221566337148?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I've never dealt with him before; I received the lens from UK to France within 3 days, very pleased! I notice that he's since put the price up, but is open to offers. At today's rate £189.99 = €250-

Out of camera Jpeg with no post processing.

Out of camera Jpeg with no post processing.

Converted to B&W with Nik Silver Efex

Out of camera Jpeg with no post processing.

Converted to B&W with Nik Silver Efex

I just added a 27mm f2.8 lens to the collection. Purchased brand new for €210- and with the option to return it, I figured there's nothing to lose. I took it out today, and my first impressions- I absolutely love this lens, it's a little gem! (This is coming from someone who has an arsenal of some of the finest Zeiss, Leica M and R Lenses). My only issue with this lens is that I can't change / check the aperture setting without having to bring the camera up to eye level.. Out of camera Jpeg with no post processing.

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, have a look at the specs posted DP Review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/retro-through-and-through-fujifilm-x-pro2-first-impressions-review/2

Mark, I agree with you their rendering is similar. Here are 2 random shots- #1: Contax G 45mm f2 @ f5.6 (no UV filter) #2: Fuji 35mm f2 @ f5.6 (with B+W UV filter)

Same lens @ f1.4 & f5.6 #1: 1965 Asahi Pentax 50mm f1.4 Takumar #2: 1965 Asahi Pentax 50mm @ f5.6 Takumar

#1: 1959 Canon 35mm f1.8 #2: 1961 Jupiter 50mm f2 #3: 1964 Canon 50mm @f1.4

#1: 1956 Leitz 5cm f1.5 Summarit #2: 1957 Jupiter 50mm f1.5 #3: 1957 Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f1.5 #4: 1957 Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm @ f5.6

#1: Leitz 5cm f3.5 Summaron 1935 #2: Leitz Summar 5cm f2 1938 #3: Leitz 50mm f3.5 Elmar 1939 #4: Leitz Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 1952

Vintage Lenses (1935 - 1965) Leica Thread Mount on X-Pro1- All images are straight out of camera Jpegs with no post processing. Out of a combination of curiosity, boredom and for amusement, I ran some test shots on the X-Pro1 with a variety of vintage lenses from my collection. I photographed approximately the same scene into the light, in an attempt to make a reasonable comparison, nothing “scientific”. Lenses used: 1935 Leitz 5cm f3.5 Summaron 1938 Leitz 5cm f2 Summar 1939 Leitz 5cm f3.5 Elmar 1952 Leitz 3.5cm f3.5 Summaron 1956 Leitz 5cm f1.5 Summarit 1957 Jupiter 50mm f1.5 1957 Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f1.5 1957 Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm @ f5.6 1959 Canon 35mm f1.8 1961 Jupiter 50mm f2 1964 Canon 50mm @f1.4 1965 Asahi Pentax 50mm f1.4 Takumar 1965 Asahi Pentax 50mm @ f5.6 Takumar My favorite is the 1st image taken with a 1935 Leitz 5cm f3.5 Summaron, really impressive for an 81 year old lens. Unsurprisingly as with most vintage lenses, at maximum apertures some images are low in contrast; obviously fairly easy to sort out in post processing. Almost without exception, stopping down to f5.6 and the lenses render images completely differently. Especially with these old lenses, the difference in rendering from wide open to f5.6 is as if you’re using another lens. See the images from the Carl Zeiss Jena 5cm f1.5 & the Asahi Pentax 50mm f1.4 Takumar. The 2 Canon lenses: 1959 35mm f1.8 & 1964 50mm f1.4 delivered the best results. I’ve used these 2 lenses extensively on my Leica Monochrom. Images follow in the next posts.

A beautiful winter day. X-Pro1 & 18mm f2 XF

DP Review has posted a "first impressions" review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/retro-through-and-through-fujifilm-x-pro2-first-impressions-review