Thoughts From My Camera: September 2014

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Bronx Documentary Center Fujifilm X Series Day

Recently Fujifilm hosted an event up at the wonderful BDC. The BDC is situated in the heart of the Bronx and is a photographic oasis. A beautiful renovated building houses the center and provides a great hang out and learning center for people from all over the area. http://bronxdoc.org

In attendance were several members of the Fujifilm team including notables such as Billy, one of the Fuji Guys, and Masa Imai who is the designer of the X100 series and the X-T1. A virtual rockstar in the camera design field.

We had a nice selection of all the new gear including the XF56 1.2R APD, XF50-140 2.8R OIS WR, X100T and X-T1 Graphite Silver edition. The graphite silver camera is really a very special six step process to get the camera to the amazing finish you will see when it hits the stores next month. The steps to the finish are this:
Magnesium top cover just after molding.

Anti-oxidization process.

Black primer (1st coat) to emphasize shadow and highlight.

High quality graphite silver coat (2nd coat) with multi-layer

pellicle coating technology spraying infinitesimal paint

to high speed rotating object.

Clear top coat (3rd coat) to realize premium glossy finish. infinitesimal black paint added for slight darkening of tone.

Handwork finish for logos and details.

In the video linked here you can see a very special representation of the Japanese design technique known as Ayame. This applies to the knurling of the knobs to give a classic feel and look to dials. Take a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tYvDYbeXcw&list=UUqpgolcBzFC_JKGDvm8dfNw

In the diagrams you can see how the dials have progressed throughout the X100 generations. Now in the Third generation the X100T has earned the Trust and Tradition of the X100 series.

The new XF50-140 2.8R LM OIS WR is a hot new lens. I finally got to play with the lens and it will be a winner. Here you can see a cutaway of the lens which includes all the latest optical technology to ensure amazing performance.
To deliver the best image quality in its class, this exceptional telephoto zoom uses an optical construction comprising of 23 glass elements in 16 groups, with five ED lens elements and one Super ED lens element comparable to a fluorite lens. This maximizes the reduction of chromatic aberrations and delivers high resolving power.
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujinon_lens_xf50_140mmf28_r_lm_ois_wr/

I am sure it will be welcomed to the X series photo community with excitement.

Here is a cutaway of the new XF56 1.2R APD. The new lens has a unique apodization filter built in. Read more about it here on the site or around the web at the review sites.
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujinon_lens_xf56mmf12_r_apd/index.html

Mike Kamber who started the BDC has an amazing book he put together which is well worth taking a look at. It will change your outlook on life.
http://shopping.icp.org/store/product.html?product_id=35936

Mike on the left looks on as Chris Gampat and Matt Schmidt check out the book.

Masa and Billy were at the event to discuss various X Series benefits and technologies.

Here you can see a quick film simulation bracket with the new Classic Chrome mode third. The first is Astia then Velvia.

Justin Staley and Masa at the BDC event.

Stay tuned for more events at the BDC soon!

Follow me on Instagram @brnyc or if you like twitter too @brandonremler

I am an employee of FUJIFILM North America Corporation.

The statements, comments and opinions expressed here represent my own, personal views and are not endorsed by, or affiliated in any way with, FUJIFILM North America Corporation or its affiliates.
bremler@fujifilm.com

Thursday, September 25, 2014

New Fujifilm X30 Camera is an Exciting One!

There is a new camera to share with you. Wait until you see and feel the camera and review the specs! The new X30 is a responsive camera in all the right places. No lag in shooting or using the menus. It is amazingly customizable in multiple configurations. The crisp font is really a joy to behold. The new menus are familiar and informative I am confident you will agree. Go check one out at a local dealer.

You now use the X100S battery - NP95 - instead of the NP50 so shooters will have that extra battery life all desire.
The X30 has shipped in the USA. MSRP $599.95.

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x30/

X30 Key Features:

o    New EVF Real Time Viewfinder with newly-designed GUI and vertical screen mode

o    100% Coverage with 25 degree, 2,360K dot, 0.65x magnification

o    Live View with ‘Preview Pic Effect’

·       Frame-rate: 55fps @1.6EV and Display time-lag:0.005 sec.

·       NEW ‘Classic Chrome’ Film Simulation mode

·       NEW Energy-saving Battery design capable of shooting 470 photos

·       NEW Super fast 1/32,000 shutter speed

       NEW Charging via USB from computer or AC.

·       NEW 6 Customizable Function Buttons

·       NEW Customizable Control Ring for manual focus, aperture and shutter control, and function selections

·       NEW Movie settings for Full HD at 60fps, 50fps, 30fps, 25fps, and 24fps; shutter speed, ISO and manual control; High Speed Movie with Slow Motion Playback

·       NEW WiFi with Remote Shooting and direct print setting to Instax Share printer

·       NEW 3” tilting, 920k dot LCD

·       Fast Hybrid AF Phase Detection 0.06 sec

·       Start-up time of 0.5 sec, shutter time lag of 0.01 sec, shooting interval of 0.3 sec

·       High speed Continuous shooting of 12 fps

·       Exposure Compensation ±3 stops

·       Customizable settings with Q button

·       FUJINON F2.0-F2.8 28-112mm, 4X manual barrel zoom lens with HT-EBC and 1cm Super Macro mode

Some of the new items are highlighted here in my LCD screen shots.
First shown is the new LCD - this bright crisp LCD has the ability to fully cover the 16:9 spread as well as the other standard formats of 4:3, 3:2 and 1:1.

This compact shooter includes a wonderful intervalometer similar to the one in the X-T1. Easy to use.

We responded to customer demand and you now have the ability to lock spot metering to the focus point. A real nice feature!

The new control ring already on the XQ1 is now included in the X30 and is easy to program for many camera functions. I usually find myself leaving it on ISO.

The X30 can also transfer image files to our Instax Share Printer so you can easily share images with friends and people around the world when you travel. The Instax Share is a great companion.
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x30/

The camera works with almost every one of the X10/X20 accessories so I've moved my hood filter set and soft release to the X30. My film lever thumbs up does fit but will interfere with the eye sensor. I find myself using the camera with the viewfinder about 80% of the time so I may put it on for many shooting situations.

I think a great accessory for the X30 is the new grip belt. This handheld strap makes it easy to walk around with the camera and quickly bring it to your eye.

Other accessories can be seen here -
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x30/accessories/index.html

So I took a quick walk around in the slight drizzle and shot some auto-bracketing series in film simulation mode. The shots are all Astia, Velvia and Classic Chrome. This allowed me to begin to learn what the main differences are with the new chrome mode making its debut today. Notice the primary color shifts - especially from Velvia to Classic.