Recommended Kits, 2016
/A certain newly announced camera has compelled me to give my Recommended Kits page a once over. Lots of big changes there, including an all-new Ultimate Prime Kit.
The Fujifilm X-Pro2
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Incredibly, there are actually are X-Pro1 shooters out there who have made it this far on their one camera body, eagerly awaiting the next iteration in OVF interchangeable bliss. That day is awfully close now. In just 20 days we’ll all know if it’s been worth the wait. I hope this review and my forthcoming comparisons will tide you over, and help you decide whether or not to preorder.
Check out my X-Pro2 Review
Countdown
/A curious timer has appeared on the X-Pro1 page at fujifilm.com. 9 days, 9 hours and counting. I wonder what it could be for.
Mysterious...
Inspiration: Olaf Sztaba & The Canadian Rockies
/This is a special double feature inspiration post, both the photographer and location—the Rockies of my home country, Canada—are inspiring.
New to my personal feed is a fellow called Olaf Sztabo. He’s been posting some fantastically composed images with marvellous black and white processing from a recent trip through the Rockies. He’s inspired me to take another look at some of my own images from my time there.
His is a Twitter handle worth following. Below is just a small selection of what Olaf has on offer at his blog, where he truly has captured the majesty that is the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
X-T1 Firmware Malfunction
/Fujifilm issued an official notice for X-T1 owners today. A “malfunction” that can cause the camera to freeze when shooting in AF-C mode was found. If your camera is acting up, it can be remedied by way of Firmware Ver.4.21. A new version of the firmware that includes the new features in 4.20 will be posted in January.
Bummer, but nice to see Fuji taking quick ownership of this one.
Rob Zeigler: XF 50-140mm f/2.8 Review
/Nice review of the XF 50-140mm→ from Rob Zeigler, complete with current-movie-release themed product photography, and a wide array of sample photos:
This lighting reminds me of a certain big-screen villain.
This is one area where the 50-140mm f/2.8 kind of fell flat for me. 140mm just doesn’t seem like that much reach, but that might be because I have the 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7.
It’s interesting how different histories can colour one’s perception. Before moving to Fuji, I’d never owned a lens that reached beyond 85mm in 35mm equivalence. The 50-140mm felt like peering through the Hubble space telescope at 140mm for me. That new Super Zoom is going to be like seeing through time.
Rob’s conclusion largely echoes my own with regards to this lens, it’s a workhorse, built for pros. It’s become my “go-to” for virtually all my work-related photography, but I almost never use it casually. Having said that, I will be venturing out with a friend for some winter bird photography for the first time and this lens along with the XF 1.4X Teleconverter→ will definitely be glued to my X-T1.
Bottom line, you already know if you need it.
Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware Ver.4.20
/Good news! The record button can now officially be mapped to functions aside from accidentally recording video. Grab your Fujifilm X-T1 Firmware Ver.4.20 here.
Oh, there are some instant AF in manual focus, AF+MF operation, focus zoom, flashgun bracketing, and custom display improvements too.
Sweet Deal: X100T
/If you’ve been on the fence about adding an X100T to your kit, and the holiday season hasn’t left the cash well bone dry, now is the time.
Amazon has the X100T for $1,099 again, their lowest so far.
