We get a lot of love for our Fujinon XF lenses and it’s hardly a surprise; we’ve been making them for a long time! We’ve created a short series of videos to help you understand the history of Fujinon and the heritage of our XF lenses,
Episode 1 – The history of FUJINON
Shigamitsu Mort, Ex-President of the Fujifilm Optics Mito factory, talks about our lens polishing technology across our wide range of lenses and describes the long time spent designing and perfecting the Fujinon-Z 43-75mm f/3.5-4.5.
Kazunori Oono, Ex-Senior Manager of the Optical Device Division talks about the testing and evaluation that went into the EBC X-Fujifilm 50mm f/1.2 back in 1979
Episode 2 – Professional vs Professional
Takashi Suzuki, Optical Design Division Senior Manager talks about how Fujifilm, professionals in the photography field, responded to professional photographer’s requirements to launch the GX680 Professional large format system in 1986. The lenses for the system had to be high enough in resolution in order to maximise the benefit of large format film.
Takao Araki, Optical Design Division Software Manager talks about Fujifilm’s amazing and unique approach to improve the calculation process that goes into each lens design. In 1956, they built one of Japan’s very first computers!
Episode 3 – The heritage of XF lenses
Taiga Noda and Hiroki Saito, both of the Optical Design Division in Tokyo talk about how without the heritage of Fujinon, many of the new XF lenses would not have been possible.
The result? The craftsmanship of FUJINON
See all of the steps that go into making each and every hand-made XF lens in our factory in Japan.
After reading all about it, the first thing we wanted to do was go out and try it out ourselves. Marc and I were able to get hold of a pre-production X-T10 for the day so we made this little video for you.
Here’s a few more sample images shot on the day using the setup described. Keep in mind that this is a pre-production model so the final results may vary. All images are straight out of camera.
X-T10 with XF18-55mm lens – ISO200 – f/5.6 – 1/600X-T10 with XF18-55mm lens – ISO200 – f/5.6 – 1/350X-T10 with XF18-55mm lens – ISO400 – f/5.6 – 1/500X-T10 with XF18-55mm lens – ISO400 – f/5.6 – 1/500X-T10 with XF18-55mm lens – ISO500 – f/5.6 – 1/500X-T10 with XF18-55mm lens – ISO500 – f6.4 – 1/500
What an exciting week that was. We were at The Photography Show 2015 at the NEC from Saturday 21st to Tuesday 24th and it was a ROARING success. This is my first opportunity to sit down and write up a review of the show from our perspective. I hope it helps you get a feel for the show if you didn’t attend yourself, or brings back warm memories if you did.
Doors open…
The Fujifilm stand
…or “booth” if you’re from that side of the Atlantic. We had a big stand this year – about twice the size as last year – and even still we found it packed to the rafters most of the time.
Touch and Try
Everyone wants to get their hands on the latest cameras and lenses and the Touch and Try camera bar allowed people to do just that. Our staff worked extremely hard to answers all the questions thrown at them from the show visitors.
Visitors getting their hands on Fujifilm camerasOur Dale talking about the X-T1Something to point your camera at…
Camera loans
We know that there’s nothing quite like using a camera to get a real feel for it so we wanted to offer people the chance to test-drive Fujifilm X-T1 cameras plus various lenses for the whole day. Our free loan service allowed people to do just that and went down a storm.
Quick Maintenance Service
And it’s not only the new customers we were helping out. We were also running a free Quick Maintenance Service which allowed people to drop off their Fujifilm cameras and lenses for a sensor clean, quick MOT and to also have the latest firmware installed.
A Fujifilm camera getting some TLC
X-Photographer Gallery
All around our stand we were showing some amazing images taken by professional photographers that use Fujifilm equipment. Take a look at the gallery below:
Fujifilm Photowalk
On Saturday evening we took to the streets of Birmingham for a Street Photowalk with Matt Hart leading the way. We met up in Victoria Square and Matt shared a few of the tips he mentioned in his talk earlier that day before setting off to try to put some of the techniques into action. It was a great experience and was fantastic to meet so many people to talk to along the way.
You can see some other blog posts about the event here:
To me, the talks are one of the parts of the show that really make it a great place for visitors. Lots of different photographers from lots of different backgrounds, all under one roof and sharing their own experiences, tips, hints and advice about the widest variety of photographic subjects. We were able to invite a few of our ambassadors to come to the show and pass on their thoughts to visitors.
Here is a bit about each of the Fujifilm X-Photographers. We also recorded the talks and will publish them soon.
Matt Hart – Street Photography
Matt was on the Streetscape stage on Saturday and Sunday. He has been a professional photographer for many years and still likes to shoot film. He runs workshops and hosts talks and training to help people become better reportage-street photographers. In his presentation, Matt gave lots of helpful advice and techniques for shooting street photography. He talked about the distinction between “Street photography” and “Street portraiture” and believes that true street photography involves images captured without the subject being aware.
Bert is a commercial portrait photographer from Belgium. He believes that photographers need to limit the barrier between them and their subjects and part of doing this is to have smaller gear. Bert gave a brief talk about his own style of photography, what he used to be like and what he tries to be like now, before then doing a live portrait shoot on stage. On Monday he was shooting the lovely Hannah from Fuji and on Tuesday the equally lovely Jeannie (also from Fuji).
Bert Stephani talking on The Live Stage to a huge audienceBert Stephani live demo shooting the lovely Hannah from Fujifilm UKHannah from Fujifilm UK, shot by Bert live on stageBert likes to use whatever (and whoever) he can to block out disturbing coloured lights. From left to right, Kevin Mullins, Hannah from Fuji and me
Kevin is a professional wedding photography from Wiltshere. His style is very much reportage. He wants to provide his clients a “guest’s eye view” of their happy day capturing images that shows the real human events that take place at every wedding. In Kevin’s talk he focused on the importance of identifying potential moments and ensuring he can be in the right place to capture them without disturbing them.
Behind the Lens talk with Kevin MullinsKevin MullinsPacked house. Lots of people wanted to hear what Kevin had to say
Paul Sanders is a professional landscape photographer from Kent. His talk is about the way he used landscape photography as a form of therapy to help deal with his own personal emotional issues. It was very deep, personal and inspirational and it’s hard for me to give it any justice here in form of a brief text description. Check back for the video which we will upload soon.
As my camera was being used to shoot the video footage, here ars some lovely images by Anthony Upton who was also at the talk.
Don’t forget to follow this blog as we’ll use it to let you know when the videos of all of the talks will be online.
Until next year?
It really was a great few days and the best part is always getting the opportunity to meet so many photographers from keen enthusiasts right through to full-time working professionals. The Photography Show organisers have confirmed next year’s dates already – 19th-22nd March 2016. We hope to see you there!
Meet new friends, shoot alongside other keen professional and enthusiast photographers and learn some tips and tricks for shooting on the streets of this beautiful, bustling city.
There will also be a few members of Fujifilm staff on hand in case you have any questions about your products at all.
Meeting point: Victoria Square
5:00pm – Meet at Victoria Square in Birmingham. It takes roughly 25mins by car or 30 mins by train from the NEC. Click to see map. 5:10pm – A prize will be drawn and handed out (see further down for more info) 5:15pm – We’ll take a group shot and then start the walk!
The route
We’ll leave Victoria Square along Pinfold St to Navigation St and then towards Royal Mail St, Down Severn Street to Commercial St, then down the Birmingham Canal Old Line. We’ll cross over at the bend in the Canal and make our way over the to Library.
Click to enlarge
Due to potential issues relating to weather and road closures, this route is only a guide. The actual route may change on the day.
The finish
7:00pm – We will finish at the Library and try to take a group photo that we’ll share on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram. There’s a few coffee shops and bars in the area if people want to break off for a drink (or shelter from the rain if there is any!).
Share your images from the Fujifilm Birmingham Photowalk
We’d love you to share any images you take on the Photowalk. Include the hashtag #FujiTPSWalk when you post to your favourite networks to link them all together!
Win a black Fujifilm X30
The Fujifilm X30 is the perfect digital camera for reportage-style street photography
It’s free to attend and there’s no requirement to register, but if you do register below you will be entered into a draw to win a brand new solid black X30 digital camera and memory card – ready to use on the Photowalk.
Terms
You must registered below with your real name as that information will be used to call out the prize winner. Only 1 entry is allowed per registered name and the winners MUST BE PRESENT or the prize will go to the next participant chosen that is present to receive it.
Entering this competition will also add you to Fujifilm’s mailing list for new product information. You will be able to unsubscribe from this list with one click and we will not give or sell your data to anyone else.
Entries must be placed before 15:30 on 21st March 2015. Entries after this time will not be entered in the draw. Good luck and we hope to see you at the Photowalk!
Enter now
Disclaimer
Attending our free Photowalk means that you agree to the following disclaimer. The “Event” is the “Free Fujifilm Photography Show Photowalk”, the “Organiser” is “Fujifilm UK Ltd” and the “Event Staff” consist of professional photographer Matt Hart plus some Fujifilm UK Ltd employees.
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
1.1 I am 18 years of age or older. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult that agrees to this disclaimer on their behalf.
1.2 I understand that participation in the Event is entirely at my own risk.
1.3 I will comply with all instructions given to me by the Event Staff.
2. RELEASE
2.1 I hereby acknowledge and accept that the Organiser and the Event Staff shall not be liable to me for any loss or damage arising from my participation in the Event, including indirect or consequential loss or damage.
2.2 Nothing in this disclaimer shall be construed as limiting or excluding the Organiser’s liability for:
(a) death or personal injury which arises as a consequence of the Organiser’s negligence, or the negligence of the Event Staff; or
(b) fraudulent misrepresentation; or
(c) any other matter for which it would be illegal or unlawful for the Organiser to exclude or attempt to exclude its liability.
3. AGREEMENT
3.1 I have read and fully understood all the terms of this disclaimer. I confirm that I am not relying on any statements or representations by any person or entity as an inducement to my fully and voluntarily engaging in the activities at the Event and assuming the risks and obligations stated above.
3.2 I give permission to the Organiser to use photographs of me and any other record of my participation in the Event for any legitimate purpose. I understand that any and all likenesses of me captured during the Event by the Organiser or Event Staff shall become the sole property of the Organiser.
3.3 If any court or competent authority finds that any provision of this document (or part of any provision) is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed to be deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this agreement shall not be affected.
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS OLD TO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A GUARDIAN OVER 18 YEARS OLD WHO TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.
Image credit
The image at the top of this blog post was taken by Naomi Locardi during the Fujifilm Photowalk in Cologne at photokina 2014.
Now if you’re still here, then you must be at least slightly interested in the opinion of a (mildly biased) X-T1 user regarding how the firmware update has changed his camera.
So, in order of how much I value them, here’s my low down:
Classic Chrome
I really like this Film Simulation mode. I had previously used the X100T and loved to just stick it on Classic Chrome, change EXP Comp to -2/3 and shoot. No need to do anything to the shots after because the JPEGS straight out of the camera are just superb.
Here’s a few shots I took recently+. All shot as RAW and then converted in-camera to Classic Chrome (left) and Provia standard (right)
1 Classic Chrome
1 Provia
2 Classic Chrome
2 Provia
3 Classic Chrome
3 Provia
I also want to add this one which is one of my favourite shots from the Alex Lambrechts street workshop. This was taken on an X100T using Classic Chrome straight from camera.
X100T Classic Chrome
Interlock Spot AE & Focus Area
I never quite understood why Spot Metering only ever worked in the centre of the image. The beauty of it was that you could quickly expose perfectly on a specific subject rather than tweak with the EXP Comp dial, but then you had to re-frame every shot once you lock the exposure by half-pressing the shutter. This was a quiet change that made it onto the X100T, so I was delighted to see it also on the X-T1 FW update.
Shots below show spot metering on the focus point. If you look close you will see that they also demonstrate the next feature – changing the size of the AF square in MF
Spot Metering on desk
Spot Metering on lens cap
Change the size of the AF square in MF mode
This is one that lot of people have asked for over the last year or so. Personally I like to use MF for everything, and just use the AF-L button to autofocus. (TIP: Shoot B+W mode with Red of Blue focus peaking and it makes it SOOOOO easy to see the focal plane. Don’t forget to save RAW files in case you don’t actually want B+W images!). This little fix allows me to have the AF accuracy of normal AF mode while continuing to shoot how I prefer.
Electronic Shutter
Since my favourite prime lenses are the XF23mm and XF56mm, shooting wide open in bright conditions often causes me to need to stop down, not because I want a deeper depth of field, but because I don’t want to massively over expose my shots. Now I no longer need to worry as the shutter will just automatically adjust. And it’s surprising just how often it does this, even shooting around f/2.
Additionally, I like to use the remote app and leave the camera hanging around my neck for the ultimate “candid” shots on the streets. Manually activating the Electronic Shutter makes every shot completely silent.
Instax printing
This one doesn’t actually affect me right now, but I hope it will in the VERY near future. I love the prints you get from the instax cameras and to be able to send images from a top quality digital camera, straight to the printer will go down a treat around the dining table on Christmas day!
Button lock
This is a feature I’m sure a lot of people will like. You can basically choose to either lock ALL settings, or just select certain settings to lock. For now I’ve locked the Movei Record button that I so frequently accidentally press, although if I thought about it I could just change that function button to something more useful than Movie Record. However, the position of it does make it one I do often press by mistake. I’m used to having that particular function button either work as ISO or ND filter (both for using on X100S) and neither are needed on the X-T1. I’m sure I can find something useful to put there.
And everything else…
I’ve only mentioned the things that I think will change the way I shoot with my X-T1. There’s loads of other things that all seem great and I’m sure lots of people will use. Perhaps one day I will too. Here’s the full official list of changes:
1 Electronic Shutter
2 New Film Simulation “Classic Chrome”
3 LCD Brightness、EVF/LCD Color Control、Preview PIC. effect
4 Direct selection of AF area
5 Unlocked AE-L/AF-L Buttons
6 Variable Focus Area during MF
7 Direct selection of Macro mode
8 Q.Menu customization
9 New Video Frame rates (50P/25P/24P)
10 Manual Shooting in Video mode
11 Phase detection AF support for Instant AF
12 Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas
13 Expansion of shutter speed in Program Shift mode
14 Add Flash compensation in Function setting
15 Instax Printer Print
16 Lock Function
17 Three Custom White Balances
18 Expand EVF/LCD displaying types in manual exposure mode
19 AF+MF
20 PC tethered shooting support
I am a full-time employee of Fujifilm UK but this post is not the official word of Fujifilm, simply just the opinion of a guy who just happens (rather conveniently) to love Fujifilm cameras!
Tom Applegate travelled through Europe earlier this year, taking a Fujifilm X-T1 to document his journey. See a selection of his shots and read how they were taken.
Daniel the Camera Bag from Millican is up for grabs and he could be yours. Just answer a simple question to be in with a chance of having him on your shoulder!
Meeting point: Victoria Square
Issue 7 of the Fujifilm X Magazine is now available to 
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