Fujifilm FinePix X100 Various Apertures of Yarn

In the market the other day I shot a few images to test the different aperture looks.  These 3 images are at: Image 485 @ 2.8, Image 476 @ 4.0, Image 480 @ 5.6.  Focusing is on the area of the knot.  These are large files for you to view.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Similar Look to Other Cameras

I love the styling of the X100.  Here I am comparing it to some other classics.  The Nikon S2 and the Fujifilm GF67.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 5FPS Test Shots

Today I shot some frames in the high speed mode.  Here are 10 images shot in two seconds to show the speed of the X100.  It's so dam easy and quiet.

Why I Love My Flashlight

Some find it odd to carry a flashlight - but every now and then it comes in handy.  In this shot I lit the palm trees with my flashlight.  The difference is striking.  I lit the trees at ISO 400 for 15 seconds.  I don't have a particular affinity towards any brand of flashlight - just one that is small and powerful.  I used a Surefire E2D led which is approximately 200 lumens and really kicks butt. 

I'm off to do more shooting with the FinePix X100.  Any comments or requests are always welcome brandon1@aol.com

Fujifilm FinePix X100 AutoFocus Screen

Weekly Email 2-25-11 Two Sunset Views

This week I had the good fortune to see two great sunset views.  The irony of the city view is of course that it is the "New York" skyline represented by the good folks of Las Vegas.  What a change of scenes from third world to out of this world.

Jamaican Sunset is shot with the FinePix X100 @ ISO 1000 f/2.0 at 1/17 - exp comp of -2/3
Las Vegas Sunset is shot with the FinePix X100 @ ISO 1600 f/2.0 at 1/60 - exp comp of - 1.0

FinePix X100 With Flash EF-20

How can you go wrong here at ISO 1250 @ 1/30 F/2.8 with the EF-20 flash. No bounce since outdoors.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Vegas Baby

Up on the terrace at MGM at a decent ISO of 1250 at F/2.2. Still editing photos. Straight jpeg from iPad emailed to blog.

WPPI FinePix X100 Party Shot ISO 1250

I'm happy with this grab shot at a decent ISO of 1250 and the exposure with the new EF-20 dedicated flash. More images soon.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 WPPI Reaction

This week in Vegas at WPPI I'm shooting the X100 out and about. The reaction to the camera has been great. I can't wait to get home and put the camera through more paces with the updated firmware. I will work on wide aperture and high ISO. Here is a quick party grab shot.

Hard at Work on the Beach

This goes back to the discussion about using flash during the day. If I had not used fill-flash Simon would have been a silhouette. Also getting down low into the surf and sand was key.

Weekly Email 2-18-11 Day and Night in the Tropics

It's always fun to experiment with different times of day to shoot, in order to mix it up a bit in your photography.
This week I made two similar images approximately 12 hours apart to show a different look to the beach view.
One image was exposed for 15 seconds at F/4 (ISO400) and the other at 1/200th of a second at F/8 (ISO200). The scenes are similar but of course the mood is different.
These were shot with a Sony NEX-3 at approximately 18mm. They are the jpegs from the camera uploaded through my iPad and emailed to the blog. Anyone recognize the beach?
Have a good weekend!

Fujifilm F550EXR Beach Grab Shot

The other night I caught these guys galloping by with the F550. Luckily it has a fast release and start up time. Not bad for a direct from camera jpeg no adjustments. Shot at 1/800 @ F/7.1.

Why You Should Use a Polarizing Filter

These two images were shot seconds apart. The they show very well how much difference a circular polarizing filter can make in your images. The images were shot on a Sony NEX-3 at 18mm and I should have looked to the edges for the vignette but I still like the image. There are some companies which make thin filters and this would have helped so it is not a fault of the camera. Unless of course you cannot use a polarizer w/o a vignette at 18mm which may be the case with some wide angles.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Black and White

While walking down the beach I stopped for a bite and this woman was cooking up some tasty patties. The X100 was great for a grab shot. Near silent and quick as I saw the sun beam coming through on her. This is a jpeg straight from camera.

FinePix X100 sunset

I'm working on the iPad for exporting images to the blog this week. It's going to slow me down a bit but I hope to have some interesting shots to share from a new location. Here is the view last night.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Film Simulation Modes

These are jpeg files with no photoshop tweaking - they are not from a production camera and are for overall impressions not intense analysis of the film simulation modes.  I do not have a raw converter yet for the files so everything posted is jpeg.  The files are labeled, and the camera shoots 3 files from 1 press of the shutter release.  Instantly capturing a film simulation bracket in Provia, Velvia and Astia modes.  Our popular professional chrome films.  You should be able to see differences in contrast and saturation - but the software is still being worked on for final file results.  brandon1@aol.com

Astia Image

Astia

Velvia

Provia Image

Provia

Velvia Image

National Cemetery

The other day I was driving past the National Cemetery and I think it's always important - especially while we are at war - to remember what the sacrifices are that some make for us all.  This was shot with the new FinePix F550 EXR at approximately 315mm.

Blog Update and Info for Email

I will try and post some examples at F/2.0 since there are a bunch of questions regarding the look of the lens wide open.  In addition it may be helpful to email me specific questions as well as posting them to comments.  All images with X100 were shot in the Standard mode - which is Provia.  I have not tested the high speed flash function yet and do not have the hot shoe units.   brandon1@aol.com

Weekly Email 2-11-11 Put a Little Flash in Your Life

One of the most common thoughts in photography is that the flash is for indoor shooting.  All professionals know that the flash - even on your point and shoot camera - is an essential part of your photography.  A good example is of course when someone is backlit or perhaps wearing a hat with a shadow on the face.  Both great times for fill flash.

In the example here you can make your own opinions as to whether flash adds to the photo or not.  I would say try it one day to leave your flash set to Always On when you are outdoors and see if you notice the difference.  This doesn't apply in general to distance shots - I'm referring to your people shots.  Your images should have a bit more pop and less harsh shadows on the faces of friends.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fashion Images

The following images were shot with a pre-production X100 camera as described in an earlier post with images showing our setup.  I think they look amazing and we are excited for the camera.

 All images © 2011 Kayce Baker / FNAC

 

All images © 2011 Kayce Baker / FNAC

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Viewfinder Options

The X100 has a whole host of viewfinder options for on-screen information.  Here are the three screens which show the info you can toggle on or off for your shooting style.

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Camera Level Feature

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Camera Level Feature

I am really digging this feature in the X100.  The built in level.  The images below show how the camera knows when it is level.  This could be handy on a tripod and in handheld shooting.  The green line signifies level as you can tell.  The other images show the off axis position of the camera.  I will post a video of this.