begli scatti Nibutto! il tramonto e il signore anziano in bw sono molto efficaci….
great shots Nibutto!

A few off-piste skiing at Fieberbrunn, Austria. X-E1 + 35 f/1.4.

A note goes with these-- for the skiers amongst us: When we got there in the morning, NONE of those lines where there. And it had snowed 2+ feet in the last days.

So I've spent the last few weeks playing with different developers.
I've used LightRoom for years, but unfortunately it really does a piss poor job with X-Pro1 RAWs.
I'm not even that much of a pixel peeper, but I just can't bring myself to lose so much IQ with LR4 (and you do lose a LOT of information.)
I tried out SP5, RPP, Capture1pro7, and AccuRaw(beta) and have settled on C1 as my go to program.
Though I haven't really adapted to the work flow, the files are so much better than LR4.2 that it's worth the switch.
SP5 is good, but not quite as refined as C1. I like RPP and AccuRaw, but I can't go without a catalog.
I wish LR4.2 rendered the same results as C1, but unfortunately the LR4 exports don't even compare to C1.

Here's a few with C1, detail is great once you change from the standard sharpening/noise reduction.


Library - Fujifilm X-Pro1 w/ Zuiko 42mm f1.2 by brodyl.91, on Flickr


Sonny Boy - Fujifilm X-Pro1 w/ Fujinon 35mm f1.4 XF by brodyl.91, on Flickr

Here's a comparison between two images: first one processed with Lr4.2, second one with C1pro7.2.


Locked Up - Fujifilm X-Pro1 w/ Zuiko 42mm f1.2 by brodyl.91, on Flickr


Locked Up - Fujfilm X-Pro1 w/ Zuiko 42mm f1.2 [C1pro7.2 conversion] by brodyl.91, on Flickr

Honestly, I like the Lr4's over all color tone, but prefer C1's clarity/detailed rendering.
I'm still learning how to emulate the tones I tend to use with LR in C1, but I'm getting there.

On another note, I was browsing Dprevew.com and saw this.
Does anyone else find this to be a very frustrating bug?
My preferred set up with the X-Pro1 is manual shutter, manual aperture, auto-ISO.
This set up is completely unusable particularly with some legacy glass.
For example, when shooting the Pen F 42/1.2, I need to dial down exposure almost two stops on the ECD.
The resulting compromise is shooting manual aperture, auto shutter speed, manual ISO, but the issue is not having a min. shutter speed options.
Anyway, for my shooting style, this is the one bug I seriously wish Fuji would fix.
Anyone run into the same issue?

Justruss and Brody - these are all fantastic shots! Great tones.

Here are a few photos taken this past weekend at the Georgia Aquarium - all with the X-Pro1 + XF 35mm f/1.4:

Brody LeBlanc wrote:
So I've spent the last few weeks playing with different developers.
I've used LightRoom for years, but unfortunately it really does a piss poor job with X-Pro1 RAWs.
I'm not even that much of a pixel peeper, but I just can't bring myself to lose so much IQ with LR4 (and you do lose a LOT of information.)

Here's a few with C1, detail is great once you change from the standard sharpening/noise reduction.


Brody - I was a longtime holdout, even after many people told me how much superior RAW conversions from C1 were compared to other programs (this feedback was from Sony, Canon, Nikon cameras, not even for Fuji). I got C1 for half price during their Photokina special last year and haven't looked back. I still catalog in Bridge/LR, but results in C1 are really a cut above.

Can you share what you set sharpening and noise reduction to in-camera, and then what you use in C1 to retain the maximum amount of detail? I use +1 and -1 respectively, but am starting to experiment.

+1 corposant. I have owned C1Pro (from 4, from memory) and have upgraded when necessary; but I find it less intuitive to use than Aperture.

I am doing a Digital Transitions webinar tomorrow, so will report back. I want to love it, but the bonding has been—slow, so far!

I wanted to add that I have not found the problem that Brody writes about to be a problem for me (but I use Aperture priority almost always except when on the tripod doing macro).

Two comments as my body learns the X-E1: this first is that I find this UI the most intelligent I have ever used. One glance at the top of the camera, and one instantly knows mode, aperture, SS if going all manual, and Exp. Comp. This is SUCH a nice way to work.

And using the LCD for macro (camera on tripod) and using MF is outstanding: move the focus patch; press read dial and instantly choose 3X or 10X (I use both, normally) and then adjusting the focus manually you can literally see the zone of sharpness moving across the surface.

The only 'kludge' is needing a toothpick to hold the in-camera flash head vertical to trigger the strobes; that and not being able to dial less than -0.66 EV in on the fill.

Otherwise, best stills camera I have ever used. Presently I am only using Fuji lenses.

I totally understand Brody's remarks re. using Pen lenses on the X-Pro1; that would be frustrating. And I prefer the overall look of the C1 processed image, and a tiny reduction in saturation/vibrance (or whatever those controls are called in C1) would have very similar looks, don't you think?

Kit Laughlin wrote:

I totally understand Brody's remarks re. using Pen lenses on the X-Pro1; that would be frustrating. And I prefer the overall look of the C1 processed image, and a tiny reduction in saturation/vibrance (or whatever those controls are called in C1) would have very similar looks, don't you think?

What's particularly frustrating is that the fix would most likely be a fairly simple firmware update.
I can't imagine there being an actual reason for this function to be inoperable for a particular technological reason.
Also, I agree that the images could match each other more easily, but I honestly didn't mean to match them perfectly. It's more or less what I was inclined to do based on the program's strong points, if that makes sense.

Brody; yes, I get your point perfectly. Very nice image, too!

I still can't believe they haven't done a firmware update to offer minimum shutter speeds while in auto ISO. It can't be that hard, can it?! I also find myself always moving the aperture ring inadvertently and seeing my shots either super bright or dark and realizing what I did.

Aside from the lack of RAW support the last thing that frustrates me is the rear LCD when reviewing shots. Outside, it's great and actually overall I really like it but when I'm shooting in my home studio (read garage) I have most of the lights off to kill the ambient and when I review them on the lcd they look great but are alot of the time a half stop underexposed and to compensate, I push it half a stop but end up blowing the highlights if it is showing it true. Anyways enough ranting haha I already posted this actual shot in another thread but wanted to show off the print that came in. My buddy bought it for me. It's aluminum and I didn't read it carefully or else I would've chosen a different shot but anything white just becomes aluminum because I don't know why lol. It looks good under very specific lighting but blown out the other 99% of the time.


Aluminum print of Nicki by ChrisG Photography, on Flickr

corposant wrote:

Brody - I was a longtime holdout, even after many people told me how much superior RAW conversions from C1 were compared to other programs (this feedback was from Sony, Canon, Nikon cameras, not even for Fuji). I got C1 for half price during their Photokina special last year and haven't looked back. I still catalog in Bridge/LR, but results in C1 are really a cut above.

Can you share what you set sharpening and noise reduction to in-camera, and then what you use in C1 to retain the maximum amount of detail? I use +1 and -1 respectively, but am starting to experiment.

I pretty much always shoot RAW (sometimes +fine .jpg) in Hi.Neg film simulation with -2 highlight, -2 shadow, 0 sharpness, 0 NR, -1 colour.
In C1pro7 I do sharpness amount 350, radius 0.4, threshold 0.9.
Noise reduction usually varies depending on ISO, but I typically do about 40/30 on luminance/colour respectively.
Generally, I set clarity to around 25 and have toyed around with bringing structure down -5/-10. I find this helps get rid of the watercolour type effect, especially at high ISO.
Typically the RAWs look a little flat at first so I usually add a bit of contract and bring up the black point via levels.
One thing I've noticed is you need to be careful not to over-sharpen files in C1pro7 as they start to show false detail pretty easily.

Good grief. All of you are going to be the nails in my Nikon system's coffin later this year There are lots of talented photographers here and the tools look to be nice.

Brody LeBlanc wrote:
Kit Laughlin wrote:

I totally understand Brody's remarks re. using Pen lenses on the X-Pro1; that would be frustrating. And I prefer the overall look of the C1 processed image, and a tiny reduction in saturation/vibrance (or whatever those controls are called in C1) would have very similar looks, don't you think?

What's particularly frustrating is that the fix would most likely be a fairly simple firmware update.
I can't imagine there being an actual reason for this function to be inoperable for a particular technological reason.
Also, I agree that the images could match each other more easily, but I honestly didn't mean to match them perfectly. It's more or less what I was inclined to do based on the program's strong points, if that makes sense.


This is frustrating and has been one of the big things holding me back from the X-system so far. I'm hoping that this isn't an issue where the camera doesn't have enough ROM to facilitate adding features without pulling out other features. I believe Thom Hogan wrote something about that being the case in some cameras, so I hope that isn't the case here...

goddardca wrote:
I still can't believe they haven't done a firmware update to offer minimum shutter speeds while in auto ISO. It can't be that hard, can it?!

(...) when I review them on the lcd they look great but are alot of the time a half stop underexposed and to compensate, I push it half a stop but end up blowing the highlights if it is showing it true.

The minimum shutter speed in Auto ISO (+ exposure compensation possible) is really essential, and while not being a software specialist I am pretty sure this would only take a few lines of code!

We (the users who want that feature) must make ourselves be heard by Fuji, they just have to implement it, it was already in the x100.

I started a poll about that feature on dpreview/ Fuji SLR/ X- Forum, roughly 60-70% want that feature, the rest doesn't care. But I believe that those who don't think they need it don't really know how to make this feature work in real life photography. It is just the logic continuation of the classic "A mode" in the digital age. Because as soon as light gets low, you have to leave the A mode, otherwise the camera will select absurd shutter speeds like 1/30s (for the 18mm) or 1/52s for the 35/1,4 which will not allow really sharp images.

Fuji please fix that horrible bug!

EDIT: I just finished an Email to Fuji headquarters in Tokyo where I explained again, why minimum shutter speed combined with Exposure compensation is necessary and that I'd politely ask them to add in a future update. All of the asked features are things that the camera can already perform, just not in this combination.
Minimum shutter speed: The 35/1,4 is an amazing lens, but with 1/52s (which the camera selects in Auto ISO) it just cannot give it's optimum performance. Exposure comp is necessary because no metering system is good enough to cope with all light situations.

Bernie

Kit, I agree.
The UI is amazing, it feels just right.

Still waiting for my Fuji 35mm but not much longer - it'll be here today! Meantime, here are a few with a Pentax M 50mm f/1.4

As usual, X-E1 with Fuji 35/1.4:


Pier lamp by Jochen-B, on Flickr

Holy Crap ... these images are fantastic.

Justruss - Xenor - Jochenb - Brody - Chris - Carter

WOW.

goddardca wrote:
....Anyways enough ranting haha I already posted this actual shot in another thread but wanted to show off the print that came in.

Awesome.

KatieInTexas wrote:
Holy Crap ... these images are fantastic.


This thread is full of great photographers, I'm glad to see it picking up a lot of steam.

Here's a nice hazy shot @ f1.2.


Tree Climbing - Fujifilm X-Pro1 w/ Zuiko Pen F 42mm f1.2 by brodyl.91, on Flickr

Here's another very loose comparison between a photo processed in LR4.2 and a similar photo processed through C1pro7. I'm starting to get the hang of C1 slowly.


Winter Flowers - Fujifilm X-Pro1 w/ Zuiko 42mm f1.2 by brodyl.91, on Flickr


Winter Flowers - Fujifilm X-Pro1 w/ Zuiko 42mm f1.2 [Capture1pro7.2 conversion] by brodyl.91, on Flickr

I have been taking the X-Pro1 along with me on the slopes at Silver Star Mountain. It's so compact, you don't even feel the weight. Here are a couple of shots and a couple of blog post:

mfoto.ca/blog/back-on-the-slopes
mfoto.ca/blog/on-the-slopes-with-the-x-pro1