All you need to know about Fuji X cameras at X-pert corner!

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It’s a few weeks now that I follow with great interest a new column at Fujirumors. It’s called X-PERT CORNER. Rico Pfirstinger, the author of “Mastering the Fujifilm X-PRO1” posts once a week an interesting article full of useful tips for Fuji X-series photographer (especially X-PRO1 and X-E1). But I think some of Rico’s tips are applicable also to other cameras. So, everyone could find something useful in this column.

Now, mirrorlessrumors will follow with great interest this column and inform you when Rico posts a new “useful” article.

This time the article is about how to expand dynamic range with (or without) the camera’s DR function. Here is just a short extract of the comprehensive article :

“So here we go! Does the following scenario sound familiar? You take a picture of a landscape that looks wonderfully beautiful to the naked eye, only to find out later that the blue sky no longer looks blue and the fascinating cloud formations are just white blobs. The reason for this and similar disappointments is that the scene captured in the image has a larger dynamic range than your camera. Every camera sensor is capable of capturing only a certain range of luminance—that is, a limited range between the brightest and the darkest parts of an image.” There are hardware and software solution to extend the dynamic range. So, to what belongs the hardware, the solution could be a lightning equipment but “only the luckiest photographers have the luxury of elaborate lighting equipment” or a ND-filter. But “the digital realm also offers several software solutions to this common problem. One with a particularly resounding name is… High dynamic Range (HDR)” From now on the article delivers a lot of practical tips about how to extend properly the DR. (click here to read the article)

Other articles: How to use Extended ISO settings / Using shooting Profiles and the Quick menu

It’s amazing how much one can still learn about photography. The X-Pert Corner is well worth a read. Read all Rico’s articles here: http://www.fujirumors.com/category/x-pert/

Fujifilm X100S Hands-On And First Impressions

Round-up of Fujifilm X100S related information.

For some tech insights see what Fuji has to say here. X100s catalogue PDF: http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x100s/pdf/index/x100s_catalogue_01.pdf

Lot’s of hands-on photos at Photography Blog.

Hands-on at popphoto.com, they write: The already-excellent hybrid OVF/EVF on the X100 has been improved in the X100s, now covering 100% of the frame, adding resolution, and using improved glass to increase visibility. And: One of the big draws of the new sensor tech is the fact that they have phase-detection AF pixels on-board. That gives both cameras a substantial speed boost in the AF department.

A comprehensive preview at techradar: The Fuji X100S has a hybrid AF system that uses either contrast or phase detection depending on the situation (the camera makes the selection automatically). And Fuji claims that it has the fastest AF speed of any APS-C format fixed lens compact camera (not a huge pool), taking just 0.08 sec to get the subject sharp.

Another first look at dpreview, and another comprehensive preview at imaging resource. The latter write: While we’ll obviously have to withhold judgement until we can put a sample of the Fuji X100S through its paces in our lab, it has the look of that truly rare beast in the camera world: the automatic upgrade. If you like your X100, you’ll probably want to run — not walk — to the nearest camera store or friendly internet retailer, to lay hands on the new X100S. We expect the improvements to be pretty dramatic.

Fujifilm X100S available for pre-order ($1299.95) at Amazon US | Adorama | B&H

 

Samsung NX300 and 45mm f1.8 3D First Impressions

Image courtesy: The Phoblographer

Samsung unveiled the NX300 MILC and the 45mm f/1.8 3D lens today, and Chris Gampat at The Phoblographer was already able to play around with it. The main caracteristics:

  • 20.3MP sensor
  • ability to shoot 3D and 2D stills
  • video (1920×1080, 1920×810, 1280×720 , 640×480, 320×240), HDMI 1.4a output
  • DRIMe 4 engine
  • contrast and phase detect focusing
  • WiFi connectivity

  • AMOLED touch screen

Chris’ first impression:

The NX300 felt awesome in my hands, though it was a bit bigger than I’d like. The lovely screen is very much a show stealer: and the company seems to be positioning itself for an even more aggressive push in the camera market. In the years passed, Samsung wasn’t always such a big hit. But maybe now they will be. This little camera surely deserves it from what I’ve seen so far.

[via The Phoblographer]

Image courtesy: The Phoblographer
Image courtesy: The Phoblographer
 

 

Sony RX1 reviews roundup! And no FF NEX coming for now :(

On the video on top Steve Huff talks about the camera of the year, the Sony RX1.

The Sony RX1 is hitting the stores and there are now plenty of new reviews:
Whatdigitalcamera posted the full Sony RX1 review. The camera got an impressive score of 92%: “With a superb build, excellent detail retention at low and high sensitivities and competent metering and auto white balance systems on hand, it’s unquestionably one of the finest digital cameras we’ve seen yet.“
Dearsusans posted som early impressions and image samples of the RX1.
Olivier setup a new tumblr with the most beautiful Sony RX1 photos & videos at http://rx1files.tumblr.com

Those of you waiting for a interchangeable version of the RX1 will have to wait a long time. According to trusted sources Sony will not release any new FF model within the next 8-10 months!
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USA and Canada:
RX1 links at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Sonystore, Sonystore Canada.

Europe:
RX1 links at Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex UK, Wex Germany.