Berries for breakfast

As I have already mentioned in my previous post AF works faster and more accurate in M mode (using AE-L/AF-L button). Don't know why but I am consistently getting better results.

X-Pro1+XF 55-200+DCRAW 9.1.9

Thanks,
vkphoto

Testing Fuji's Focus Peaking (+ some tips)

Last week, finally, Fuji implemented a long awaited focus peaking (FP) function with their latest FW update. I consider this and the previous update in June (to use Selector button to move AF point) as the most important, at least for me.  I have and using various old legacy lenses on a regular basis and those two functions are absolutely critical to achieve the best possible results, especially with fast lenses (f/1.8 or faster) when DOF is really thin and/or main focus point is not in the center of the frame.

Once I installed all required updates (including 3.01:) I quickly realized that I can't use FP!

ICA /Tessar/Sony Colours

Love it.

Taken with 100 years old German view camera and NEX-F3 digital back :)

Thanks,
vkphoto

Early morning on the lake

X-Pro1 + XF 55-200

Thanks,
vkphoto

X-clusive Event: good things are coming!

Hi folks,
Yesterday I attended Fujifilm X event and here is my report.
Key points:

• It was very well organized. No BS dry presentations, instead - open face-to-face  discussions about cameras, lenses and shooting techniques. 
• It was clear that Fujifilm is listening to the voice of their customers and standing strong behind their products. For sure.
• Greg and Billy (and all other Fuji reps on the floor) are true photographers with years of hands-on experience (various cameras, lenses, films). They are passionate about photography. They understand our concerns and are working on to address them. 

Greg's opening remarks and introduction of Mr. Saito, Manager, Technical for digital cameras & optical devices.

Fujifilm Canada X-clusive Event

I am attending and will post my report later today tomorrow :)(EST).

Cheers!
vkphoto

Vintage olive oil bottle at sunset

Another one from the "Simple objects in my kitchen".

X-Pro1 + XF35/1.4

Thanks,

vkphoto

Iridient Developer 2.1.1 (with X-Trans support)

Iridient Developer is a powerful RAW image conversion application designed and optimized specifically for Mac OS X. On June 25th Iridient Digital introduced version 2.1.1. This release caught attention of many Fui X-Trans users because: “X-Pro1, X-E1, X20 and X100S now natively supported by new demosaic process in addition to existing support using Apple RAW libraries”

Almost immediately several bloggers compared Iridient to ACR 8.1 and posted their raving reviews on the net. Great, but we all know that ACR does less than a stellar demosaicing of x-trans raw files.

So I decided to compare Iriridient Developer 2.1.1 to Aperture 3.4.5 and Capture One Express 7.1.3, because, in my opinion, they both are excellent tools and handle RAF files way better than ACR 8.1.

Iridient interface is well thought, logical and easy to use. There are plenty of options and controls but what would be the best method/settings combination?

DCRAW 9.19

* July15th Update: Colour Noise

DCRAW is a very popular Open Source raw converter developed by Dave Coffin. DCRAW supports almost every raw format available on the market and  is used by a large variety of imaging programs, including Adobe, ACDSee, RPP, RawTherapy, LightZone, etc.
Just 6 months ago DCRAW 9.17 was possibly the  best raw converter for x-trans files. The level of details was amazing, no "foliage" or "colour bleeding" issues but it came with the price - so called "zipper aliasing".
Couple weeks ago version 9.19 was released and I quickly tested it. For test purposes I used raw file available at DPReview (Respective Owner, thank you and let me know if you would like to remove it from this review)

-v -w -o 1 +M -T

I think that DCRAW code (at least related to x-trans sensor) was significantly re-written, "zipper" effect is gone. But the output image looks a bit softer. Easy fix with USM.

I am impressed, the image looks very crisp and clean. Dave, job well done!

*** After doing some additional testing and pixel-peeping I found some weird colour noise in the some of my output files.

What strange is that noise (colour artefacts?) appears to be identical to Aperture.

Thanks,
vkphoto

Golden hour

X-Pro1 + Fujinon 35/1.4 + Capture One Express

Thanks,
vkphoto