NEW Fujifilm X-Pro2, X-E2s, X-70 & more

Fujifilm - New Product Announcements in summary

Fujifilm announced to the world six new products releases on Friday 15 January in Tokyo Japan. Here is a quick overview of the newly announced products that will be hitting stores in the coming weeks and months.

Fujifilm X-Pro2 – New flagship model taking photography to the next level

One of the most significant announcements was the launch of the flagship X-Pro2 premium interchangeable lens camera due in February 2016. The X-Pro2 boasts an improved design and follows in the steps of its multi-award winning predecessor the Fujifilm X-Pro1.

Key Features:

• World’s first advanced hybrid Multiview finder
• Newly developed 24.3MP X-trans CMOS II sensor
• New high performance X Processor Pro image processing engine
• New focal plane shutter with a top speed of 1/8000 second
• Flash sync up to 1/250 second
• Robust weather resistant body
• 3.2-inch high resolution LCD screen
• Dual SD Card Slot
• Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity

More Product Info:

For more information on all the features and specs of the NEW X-Pro2 can be found HERE.

Give me more:

Check out the NEW X-Pro2 in action >

Video 1

Video 2

Availability:

The NEW X-Pro2 is expected to arrive in-store during the second half of February.

Pre-order:

We are now accepting pre-orders for the X-Pro2. Click HERE

Fujifilm XE-2s – Rangefinder-style design

The X-E2s is a compact, durable and lightweight mirrorless camera that inherits its functionality and rangefinder-style design from the original and current X-E2.

Key Features:

• APS-C X-Trans CMOS II Sensor
• Built in phase detection AF
• EXR Processor II Image Processor
• 2.36 million-dot OLED Viewfinder
• Built in WiFi for Instant Photo Sharing
• 3.0-inch 1,040K-dot LCD

More Product Info:

Find out a little bit more on the new X-E2s on our website HERE.

Availability:

The NEW X-E2s should be available in-store from March 2016. 

Pre-order:

Please feel free to register your interest in this new product.

Fujinon XF100-400mm Lens – The latest addition to the XF lens line up

Fujifilm announced the release of the new Fujinon XF100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens.

A welcome addition to the X Series range of lenses the new XF100-400mm super telephoto zoom lens covers a 35mm focal length equivalent of 152-609mm.

Key Features:

• Super telephoto lens
• High performance optical construction
• 21 elements in 14 groups
• Optical Image Stabiliser
• Water and Dust resistant
• Operate in low temperatures up to -10 degrees
• Twin linear autofocus motors
• Compatible with the XF1.4X TC WR tele converter

More Product Info:

For more information on all the features and specs of the NEW Fujinon XF100-400mm lens can be found HERE.

Availability:

The Fujinon XF100-400 is expected in-store from February 2016.

Pre-order:

Please feel free to register your interest in this new product.

Shoe Mount Flash EF-X500 – External flash to extend your photography

As a new product release it may pale into significance when compared to the release of the X-Pro2 but for many this flash is significant and highly anticipated by owners of the X-T1 and future owners of the X-Pro2.
We will share official images of the new external flash once they become available. 

Key Features:

• High speed synchronisation
• Multiple flash TTL auto functions
• Weather and dust resistant
• Compatible with Fujifilm X-T1 and X-Pro2

Availability:

The new Shoe Mount Flash EF-X500 is expected to be available in-store from May 2016.

Pre-order:

Pre-order on this flash will be available in the coming weeks.

Fujifilm X70 – The smallest and lightest X-Series model with an APS-C size sensor

Fujifilm announced their smallest and lightest fixed lens X-Series model with an APS-C size sensor.

Key Features:

• The Ultimate APS-C sized sensor compact X
• New 18.5mm wide angle lens
• X-Trans™* CMOS II & EXR Processor II
• Manual Dial Operation
• Auto Mode Selector Lever
• Fastest AF 0.1 sec
• New Tilting LCD & Touchscreen Monitor
• New Digital Tele-Converter

More Product Info:

For more information on the X-70 click through to HERE.

Availability:

The New Fujifilm X-70 is expected in-store for February 2016.

Pre-order:

Please feel free to register your interest in this new product.

Fujifilm XP90 – The latest rugged lightweight compact from Fujifilm

Fujifilm have announced the latest model to be added to their rugged compact range.

Key Features:

• Waterproof to 15 metres
• Shock-proof to 1.75 metres
• Freeze-proof to -10 degrees
• Dustproof
• Double locking mechanism for battery and memory card compartment
• 16.4 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
• 10 frames per second
• 5 x optical zoom with a 28mm wide angle
• Optical Image Stabilisation
• 11 Advanced Art Filters
• High Dynamic Range Capture
• Full HD movie capture

Availability:

The Fujifilm XP90 is expected in-store from March 2016.

Pre-order:

Pre-order on the new Fujifilm XP90 is not available at the moment.

Read More

Shooting to tell a Story

Photography is an amazing way to tell a story and to shine a light on what matters to you. Visual imagery is emotive, real and helps an audience to understand the passion of the photographer. Shooting in a documentary or journalistic style is a great way to produce a strong and coherent body of work on a subject you are passionate about.  It can be a hard-hitting topic like a demonstration at town hall, or a light-hearted topic like your child’s first swim lesson. There’s no limit to subject matter.

As a beginner it may be a challenge to move away from the standard point and shoot photography that takes up much of your time. But getting out there and giving it a go is the first step to improving, and to telling your story.  

Here are some tips that’ll help you to be ready when you start to shoot what matters to you:

Get ready 

Be prepared with batteries fully charged (both primary and spares) and test them in-camera - this will also give you the opportunity to ensure all necessary gear is in good working order. Pack your bag with two things in mind - what equipment do I want to take and what equipment do I absolutely need.

And triple-check your camera settings before you leave.

Think through your story

What matters to you? What story do you want to tell? What shots will you need to capture to tell that story? Having a pre-determined idea of the story and shots will help you to tell the story effectively. Be patient as you may not get the shot straight away. The photographic style you choose can say a lot about the subject and the aim should be to always show the reality of the subject’s situation. The challenge is to capture the humanity in the scene and this comes from practice, patience and experience.>

Research

You may need to do some homework before you start.  Check with the organisers of the event to see if there are any restricted subjects or areas and if you need a permit to shoot in a specific location. You may need to get permission from Council or a business owner. Your behaviour in meetings and in the lead up to the shoot may make a difference about what access you are granted – be professional and build credibility. If it's a public event held on public property then you should generally be fine to simply show up and shoot.  

Context

Take note of locations, dates, times and names as you shoot because the photos will need to be given context with a few words attached to each image.  People need to know what they are seeing and their significance within the context of your shoot. Remind yourself often that you are shooting to tell a story. Ask yourself, what shots, information and context does an audience need to understand what matters to me?  

Equipment

The equipment required is dependent on the story type. For some stories, being unobtrusive and ‘under-the-radar’ is essential, so therefore using a compact but high-quality camera is important.  Some suggestions are Fujifilm X100S, Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Sony A7R . These are all compact cameras with serious sensors and high quality optics yet they are hard to notice and whisper quiet when shooting with them.

If there is no need for a low-profile then feel free to equip yourself with what you think you will need.  

Suggested equipment

• Wide angle lenses
• Large aperture lenses
• Flash (like a 600EX or SB 910)
• Gorilla Pod
• Flash Triggers
• Monopod

Read More