Fujinon XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OS in three days!

Yes, the lens is  coming! The short tele option for Fuji X mount. According to the rumors the new XF55-200mm lens has dual linear motor, so hopefully the autofocus speed will be similar to XF18-55mm lens. The announcement supposed to be at April 17, and the release is scheduled for May 2013. The big question is: how much?

The third zoom, wide-angle XF10-24mm F4 R OS is still planned this year. The wide-angle lens does not dual linear motor, but it is wide angle, so it should be a big problem. Actually, I may end up with XF10-24 and XF55-200: I don't need fast autofocus in rainforest, and 200mm might solve the problem of flowers on tree :)

UPDATE: according to the rumors XF55-200mm has four linear motors. Sound like SUV, or FWD :)

Another day with Fujinon XF60mm Macro

I rented XF60mm F2.4 R Macro lens early this week. The lens came with an old firmware, so yesterday I updated software for the camera and lens. It did not help with the autofocus speed. The problem is at least partially in local weather: it is windy. More than half of my shots are out  of focus. But when it is focused - wow! It is good. Obviously, wind is the one of the worst enemies of macro, and yesterday I mainly tried macro. On top of it, I went for shooting after the work, and the light was somewhat suboptimal. But again, this is my common "real life" situation. Photography is a hobby and recreational activity for me. It is not test for lens. I am trying to figure out an optimal solution for my macro shooting, so, it is "lens and me" thing.

The lens has two faces: on one hand, it produces great images. On other hand, the autofocus takes time. I guess the lens requires certain skills, as any other specialised device.

Rainbow Warrior

Fuji X-E1 & XF18-55mm

The famous Rainbow Warrior was docked in Brisbane, and I went to see the ship. Obviously, 60mm Macro lens on camera with APS-C  sensor is not the best choice for street shooting, so the macro was replaced by 18-55mm zoom, and off I went. It was an open day for the ship, and it was advertised in local press, so it was croudy.

Switching between 60mm and 18-55mm was very interesting experience for me. I do like convenience of the zoom. The XF60mm can produce amazing photos, but I am satisfied with pictures taken with XF18-55mm lens. While I appreciate the quality, it is not an absolute requirement for me to have the best possible resolution or sharpness or local contrast. And the autofocus speed is just lightning fast :)

Fuji X-E1 & XF18-55mm