Camera Labs

After much rumour and leaks, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 is now official!

See our Fujifilm X-Pro1 review for full details!

Here's the press release:

Valhalla, N.Y., January 9, 2012 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation is showcasing its premium, high quality X-Series digital cameras, including two brand new X-Series cameras, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 10-13. Developed to appeal to generations of advanced amateurs and professional photographers that appreciate true image quality and craftsmanship, the FUJIFILM X-Series digital cameras combine the highest caliber FUJINON lenses and custom APS CMOS sensors with the latest EXR image processing technology to deliver the ultimate in image quality.

“Since the days of film photography, Fujifilm’s history has paralleled the path of advanced amateurs and professional photographers with our endless pursuit of photographic excellence,” said Go Miyazaki, division president, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “We are extremely pleased with how consumers have enthusiastically accepted the FUJIFILM X100 and the FUJIFILM X10. And after listening to our customers’ needs for an interchangeable lens system camera and enhanced zoom capabilities, we are pleased to announce our newest models – the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and the FUJIFILM X-S1 – that feature high quality FUJINON lenses with large sensors and a superb processor to deliver the ultimate in image quality.”

Fujifilm will feature the following X-Series Digital Cameras @ CES 2012:

FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Revolutionary Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System
Building on the profound success of the FUJIFILM X100, Fujifilm proudly introduces its newest and most advanced addition to its X-Series lineup – the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System. With a brand new, custom developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensorTM, incorporating a newly developed filter array and Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR Processor technology, the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 is poised to deliver superlative image quality that will rival currently available mid and high-end DSLR models. Taking another decisive step into the premium camera market, Fujifilm has taken the X-Pro1 to the next level featuring a New 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi Viewfinder and three prime interchangeable FUJINON lenses. The lenses themselves: 18mm (27mm equivalent) f/2.0, 35mm (53mm equivalent) f/1.4 and 60mm (90mm equivalent) f/2.4, are all bright and compact and designed to deliver sharp, clear images of uncompromising quality. The X-Pro1’s magnesium alloy chassis and improved user interface is a testament to Fujifilm’s unyielding attention to quality and the photographic needs of the professionals. From the exact and deliberate placement of the buttons to the precision milled dials, the X-Pro1 beautifully encompasses all that is needed to deliver high quality photography. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera not only promises to carve out a distinct position in the premium camera category, but it also promises to reward X-Series loyalists with a camera system that surpasses their expectations.

You can read more at Fujifilm's USA web page.

And here are some product shots:

Shame about the price - it so deserves to succeed...

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Interesting use of the colour filter... not sure I like it, but of course it remains to be seen what the output of that will be like. My main criticism of bayer pattern is the lack of Red/Blue coverage. This Fuji arrangement is even worse in that respect, with about 56% green compared to bayer's 50%.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

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"Another" site has an interesting side by side visual comparison of the X-Pro1 and the Leica M9-P. Size wise almost indistinguishable.

One other snippet that came out of the news conference (I followed a "Scribble" feed from CNET) was an indication that a zoom lens would follow in 2013. Not sure how that would work with the optical side of the hybrid viewfinder but as the electronically generated frame lines are apparently infinitely variable I guess that is all quite doable.

Sideways thought: if the firm rumour that Fuji are planning an M-system lens adapter is true I wonder if it would include an optical reader to transmit the lens focal length to the camera. Very useful for those frame lines...

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Samples at http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digita ... le_images/

Site is a bit sluggish at the moment... wonder why...

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

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So why would Fuji include a sunset scene which, with a shutter speed of 1.9 seconds, appears not to have been tripod mounted and which shows marked evidence of dust on the sensor? Similarly the yellow flower doesn't seem to have anything at all in sharp focus: is the 35mm lens soft at f/1.4 or has there been a failure to focus correctly. The other images show the camera is capable of great work so I'm really confused by what Fuji hopes to illustrate with those two bad images.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

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Fuji have a special site for the X-Pro1 which you can see here.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I like the idea of this camera and would love to get my hands on one to have a play. Will definitely fill the gap Lecia leaves with such a high price. The street photographers will love it.

Wonder if the lens quality will be up to the task.

BUT

I wonder how big the market is?

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

I know the size between this and the M9 will be compared constantly, but remember it's an M8.2 beater, not an M9 beater.

It looks like a very very interesting system but $1,700 for the body is frightening!

hmmmm $1,700 is a hell of a lot

I know its not an equal comparison but a 550D is $500 ish and a 7D is $1400 ish (both body only)

_________________
Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

Interestingly on a big photo forum there is lots of hubbub in the Fuji section (especially about price, but also about the IQ potential and Leica beating abilities) but there's not a squeak in the Leica forum!

That's Full Frame/Leica snobbery for you But with a Full Frame price tag, you'd expect a matching sensor in the camera!

Hi Phil,

I saw the same. Most folks over in the Leica User Forum are either uninterested or playing ostrich. I agree with you that the X-Pro1 is serious competition for the M8.2 if the X-mount lenses are any good and probably even if they aren't when Fuji's M-mount adaptor is released in a few months time. I also see a strong possibility that Leica will have to rethink their own EVIL (MILC, mirrorless, CSC) announcement planned towards the end of the year if it is also host to an APS-C sensor. Maybe it was always going to be a full-framer or maybe they'll decide they can't compete with the X-Pro1 and use some of the technology for the M9 successor but that's a subject for another thread.

If I wasn't all spent out just now I think I'd be pre-ordering the X-Pro1 and the 18 and 35mm primes, though I still can't get my head around those two duff images I mentioned in an earlier post. Why spend all that time and effort on the hardware and then post images taken with it that any CameraLabs forum member would be ashamed of!

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi folks,

WhatDigitalCamera.com have what would otherwise be a totally unremarkable preview here but they also have this hands on video.

Suggested price in the UK (subject to change) is £1,000 for the body and £500 per lens. Still expensive but actually slightly cheaper than the U.S. prices unless those prices don't include tax. Call me a cynic but...

Update: AP also have a hands-on video here.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Too expensive, not enough lenses.
But I really like that retro style!

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

The elephant in the room for this camera system thus far is the total lack of image stabilization in neither the the lenses nor the body. Also one other goof-ball mistake is they decided to NOT center the tripod socket in line with the lens...

Some Fuji youtube videos, rather lengthy & a bit rambly:

Fuji Guys - Fujifilm X-Pro1 Part 1 - First Look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkjbSLl0Yaw

Fuji Guys - Fujifilm X-Pro1 Part 1 - Hands on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyEH4UcSSZo

Fuji Guys - Fujifilm X-Pro1 Part 2 - Hands on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk8A3Bc8R4g

Overpriced, period. I'd rather have a NEX-7...

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...