Camera of the year 2012? Stuff UK says: “Fuji X-10″

Camera of the year 2012? Stuff UK says: “Fuji X-10″:

image courtesy: Fujifilm

Very good JPEG quality, impressive dynamic range and noise performance, fast, sharp, excellent in-camera raw conversion, good handling, bright optical viewfinder… this are just some of the PROS that dpreview (click here) noted about this camera. Dpreview says that the “X10 offers much to like for those who are willing to sacrifice pocketability for external controls. As such, it easily earns our Silver award.” Read the Stuff.tv review here, according to them it’s the “best advanced compact around, and a retro-tastic joy to use.” The X-10 beats also the Olympus OM-D E-M5, Canon EOS 650D, and, yes, even the Sony NEX-7. Click here to the award 2012.
On ebay you find all the Fuji X-10 available here on slidoo (click here). Just choose your country to filter the results and find all the X-10 available in your country.
The X-10 is now to have at Amazon US with a $50 price drop, for $550 (click here to see the X-10 at AmazonUS).
At Amazon Germany there is a 22% price drop on the Fuji X-10 (click here to see)
At Amazon Italy there is a 100€ price drop: X-10 click here
At Amazon UK there is also a price drop: (click here)
No price drop at Amazon FRA (click here)

X-E1 or X-PRO1: that is the question!

X-E1 or X-PRO1: that is the question!:

You surely remember the digitalliving review, one of the most discussed reviews on fujirumors. If you did not read it, click here to read.
The question was: X-PRO1 or X-E1? Digitalliving had a clear answer: “All in all, the X-E1 beats the X-Pro1 in every aspect, apart from the hybrid viewfinder. Cheaper, easier, and same image quality.” Also fixelpix was cought in this dilemma, as we wrote in this post here.

It’s one of the most asked questions in the reviews I’ve read. And the answers are different. And now, that the X-E1 is finally available also in the US market, is it really better to buy the X-E1 rather than the X-PRO1? Is it better to save the money, buy the X-E1, and buy an additional lens with the money you saved? Here are an autofocus comparison and four more reviews:

AF

In this video matthewemaddock compared the AF speed of X-E1 and X-PRO1. Seems to focus at the same speed, but, at least in this video, the focus is quite loud. (see the video here).

First review:

This time another German review makes the same question, but the answer is different (click here to read): The X-PRO1 beats the X-E1 in nearly every aspect, except two: 1) the external jack-connection 2) the electric remote release.
Combined with the new FUJINON XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, the X-E1 is better for videos. But for those who set priorities in photography, the OVF is simply better than the EVF. The battery life of the X-PRO1 is also much better, if you use the OVF (but it’s a bit worse if you use EVF.)

Second review:

(derekclarkphotography review) X-E1 or X-PRO1? This review says that there are more similarities than differences between the X-E1 and the X-PRO1. But there are a few differences.
The X-E1 is easier. Maybe to easy? The X-PRO1 however feels quite nice in his hands. He says he will wait for the Gariz half case to be available for the X-E1, not only to protect the body, but to “add a bit of weight and make it a bit more comfortable in the hand.” I looked for all the Gariz half cases available for X-series worldwide on slidoo.com (see results here). There are also the first full cases of other brands available for the X-E1. See them all here!
The EVF of the X-E1 has a high resolution, the addition of the diopter is great.
He also says that “one thing I should point out is that although the shutter sound is as awesome as the X-Pro1, there is an extra noise as the shutter closes that sounds almost like a rapid wind on of film, very short, but I wasn’t sure if it should be there.” According to what Fuji UK told him, it’s the sound it should make.
And at the question, X-PRO1 or X-E1 he answers: “If I didn’t own any X cameras, I would buy the X-Pro1, but if you’re looking for something smaller, lighter, less expensive … then the X-E1 is the one to buy.”

Third review:

photomadd.com: X-E1, X-PRO1 or X-100? “I’d still go for the X-Pro1.  That’s coming from a position of using the X-Pro1 for the past 7 months though, I’ve got an attachment to it.  If I was starting over from scratch I might not think the X-Pro1 was worth the extra £400 (street price)... The saving over the X-Pro1 allows you to (just) buy an additional lens, and if you’re starting out that is likely to be more important than the body as it will give you more flexibility.” At the end he also says, that if he should choose between the X-E1 and X-100, he would go for the X-100. “There is something about it that isn’t replicated in either the X-Pro 1 or X-E1“. [also Ken Rockwell chose the X-100: "In case everyone forgot, the Fuji X100 is still... my favorite over the Fuji X-Pro1 and Sexy One (X-E1)."]

Fourth review

There is a Spanish review at dslrmagazine.com (translated version) that concentrates only on the comparison between X-E1 and X-PRO1. In short, there is a gap between the models. So they have a different target. But they say that the X-E1 is a complete camera.

Which one would you choose? Would you buy the X-PRO1 or the X-E1 (maybe with additional lens) ?

Mirrorless news roundup…(and Kai makes new EOS-M review!)

Mirrorless news roundup…(and Kai makes new EOS-M review!):


Kai from digitalrev re tested the Canon EOS-M. Just watch the video
The EOS-M is pretty much in Stock everywhere. Just check on our Slidoo ebay (and login to change country).
More news:

Canon EOS-M test at Fotopolis.

Canon EOS-M leatherette skins at Dc.watch.

Sony NEX-6 test at Mobile01 (translation here).

Carry Speed VF-3 Universal LCD View Finder (ThePhoBlographer).

See you tube trends - now with flashmobs

Pick of the Day: YouTube Trends http://inside.flipboard.com/2012/11/14/pick-of-the-day-youtube-trends/

M 4/3 owners - Olympus 17mm f/1.8 Prime

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 Prime to Cost $500 and Hit Stores in December http://www.petapixel.com/2012/11/14/olympus-m43-17mm-f1-8-prime-to-cost-500-and-hit-stores-in-december/

21 October, 2012 - Fuji X-E1 Review

21 October, 2012 - Fuji X-E1 Review:
Fuji continues on a roll with a new entry in its exciting X series of cameras, the X-E1 which Nick Devlin has been working with and testing for the past little while.
Nick's review is now online.

         

"You and Jeff did it again!  A great series of videos.

I've watched the earlier Camera to Print series as well as the LR 2 & 3 videos and as usual, I learned

new technique and ideas even though I've been behind a camera for 45 years.

Additionally, the rapport you two have is most engaging, enjoyable, and totally different than the sterile video tutorials from others (I'm afflicted with being a visual learner). 

Again, a great series of videos that have helped me grow once again." 

...

Found this nice great review on:   overclock.net  while i was looking for a new Monitor, kudos for djriful

[ Review & Tests ] Crossover 27Q LED-P Pivot Edition & Gallery with Apple Cinema Display

Crossover 27Q LED-P Pivot Edition
Review + Gallery + Downloads

I've been hearing about 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors from Korea. These monitors have the same manufacturer brand LG as for Apple and Dell monitors. The well known Apple Cinema Display and Dell U2711. Myself I have the Apple Cinema Display for some time and always wanted to have a second screen at the same specification but it was too much to afford a second $1100 screen.

There are several brand from Korea: Yamakasi, Crossover, PCbank, Shimian, Davi, First Semiconductor & MOTV. There might be more...

I've chose the Crossover 27Q LED-P Pivot and I ordered from the seller Green-sum on eBay last week, it took them 2 days to confirm and ship out at their door and the actual DHL shipping was very efficient ship over the weekends at an incredible speed.

Crossover 27Q LED-P Specification:






The Package
So, I received my package on Monday afternoon and the condition of the box has no damages.






First Look
The monitor weigh about 7kg which is way lighter than my Apple Cinema Display (11kg) to my measurement. It's very light for a 27" and it is much easier to find VESA desk / wall mount without worrying about its weigh limitation.





Crossover Logo
I'm not too fond of the logo but as long the monitor quality is perfect, I'm all good.





The OSD Buttons
From left to right - Decrease Brightness, Increase Brightness & Power On/Off & Power LED. These buttons are located at the back and the RED LED indicated sleep or standby mode and the BLUE LED means actively running.





The Rear
The whole monitor including the front are made in metal there are no plastic except the stand. The frame is painted with black gloss and white gloss color.





Bottom Stand
Metal bottom house in plastic. Look & feel solid to me.





Swirl Left & Right
Both side max is about 40' degree you can turn.







Height Adjustment
Lowest is about 12.8cm from the desk to the bottom of the viewable display. Full extended height is about 21.2cm from the desk to the bottom of the viewable display. When I said viewable display means skip / not to count the frame. Just the viewable area where the bottom of the TFT is, so this give an idea for those with different monitor side by side.





Maximum Height
Full 90 degree tilt... well not exactly, I think it's about 86-87 degree tilt and I believe the mechanic in there has a tiny flaw.

Warning: Please make sure you tilt your monitor upward for room before rotating it vertically otherwise you will hit the bottom stand.







The Sticker
The model serial number is marked: 201207000079: I assume this is the year 2012, month 07 (July) and 79th produced model.





Connections
Top to bottom - Power connector & DVI-D input.





DVI-D
DVI-D Cable close up view. There are good nice quality cable unlike cheapest cable I've seen.




Power Brick
This power brick is huge as a house red brick. Heat wise is about 35-40'C when touched after running for hours. Nothing serious and it is about the same temp like laptop power brick temperature. This brick has the standard connector that I can switch easily without needing to buy an adapter.






Power Cable for Korea
No comment.





Ghetto US/CAN Power Cable from HP Desktop
So I dug up an old cable for my HP desktop PSU and it works perfectly but looks ugly. BUT it will be under my desk...






Crossover Side by Side with Apple
Oh... Apple is jealous here.






Bezel Thickness
Crossover (LEFT) & Apple (RIGHT) I actually love the bezel thickness from Crossover. It makes the TFT display looks a lot bigger than Apple.





Test: Brightness
This is the lowest brightness I can go on these two monitors; Apple has can go even lower and one more notch it just turn off the LED light.



This is the max brightness, both looks essentially same now.





Test: Light Bleed
Crossover has no light bleed but in this picture you see some odd color or some odd uneven pattern. Well most monitors are like this.



This is the Apple; it has a huge light bleed at the bottom right and left in which I am quite disappointed for paying this much. Crossover kills it.





Test: Reflectiveness
Crossover (LEFT) & Apple (RIGHT) has more reflectivity due to the tempered glass.





Test: Input Lag
Crossover is 6ms GtG and Apple one is 12ms GtG. The reason below both shows the exact same due it is not GtG test. I'll will retest this again later.

Crossover on the LEFT & Apple on the RIGHT.



Updates #1: Apparently, the input lag on Apple Cinema Display is better than the Crossover for a margin. And there are frame shuttering on the Crossover which I am not sure if it is my GPU or the Cable.

The following images are shot in high speed DSLR; it shows more ghosting on the Crossover vs Apple.







Updates #2: I had both monitors mirrored and ran Mass Effect 3 due it gives exceptional stable framerate to test. This was filmed on iPhone 4 and I pick out one of the frame with ghosting on. Here is the result; both monitor perform the same ghosting effect and secondly I prefer the Crossover due it has less reflective in dark area of the game.




Test: On & Off Delay
This is a really a short video to test the power on and off delay time between Crossover (LEFT) and Apple (RIGHT).

Conclusion
Crossover 27Q Pivot is a $350-$400 (July 2012) range monitor and Apple/Dell are $999 mark. To pay $999 price tag doesn't mean you can get a perfect monitor. Even through they said guarantee no dead pixel from Apple and Dell. There are still issue with light bleed. Apple and Dell monitors are calibrated but you can do it yourself as well with Catleap and Crossover.

I managed to tweak my Crossover to the same profile as my Apple. Just take 10-20min to calibrate. If you know how.

In this review, my Crossover has 1 dead pixel and 3 stuck but those stuck can be fixed and I am not picky about the dead pixel unless it is very visible.

This is a 1440p monitor at a 110 PPI. 1 dead pixel in 110 PPI screen is barely visible unless you put your head 20-30cm to the screen.

These 27" monitors are meant to view at 60cm or 2 feet.

I'll say these monitors worth at its price and not more. If you're lucky to get a near perfect one but from the result it is about 85%+ to get a good one vs a DOA or many dead pixel.

Suitable for photo / video / graphic editing? Yes, due you can calibrate the monitor by yourself.


Monitor Comparison Chart
Coming soon... I need a break.


Screen Test & Fix
http://www.flexcode.org/lcd2.html


Calibrated ICC Color Profile Download for Crossover 27Q

CalibratedDisplayProfile-2.zip 3k .zip file

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