Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 for 300$

Ted's cameras shops have Fuji X-E1 in stock. I don't know if Ted's got the zoom kit or body only. I know that in other camera shops in Brisbane X-E1 body is available but the zoom kit or Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 lens are not. It looks like a very interesting business model to me: the zoom kit will save ~500$ over the separate purchase (based on prices in Ted's cameras). So, people not interested in zoom lens can make a couple hundred dollars from buying the kit instead of body only. Guess what would happen? Easy: the zoom kit is not yet available but the X-E1 bodies are on the display in Australian camera shops.

In other shops such as Digital Camera Warehouse, the difference is smaller (~350-400$) but still significant to stop me from buying the camera with the 60mm macro lens now and getting the XF 18-55mm OIS zoom later. I would rather save the money for XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 OIS expected to be released in the first half of 2013.

In meantime I am exploiting the Vivid (Velvia) mode on Fuji X10. The images are punchier (obviously), and generally very pleasant. The other thing I enjoy is Panorama option. It is possible to make a better panorame with a dedicated software and full-res images but for the web - the output from the camera is more than sufficient. 

Great Court, the University of Queensland | Fuji X10 (panorama mode), GIMP (levels)