First Tentative Steps with Fuji X-E1

[Rob MacKillop]

Well, it is beautiful to behold, and I know instantly that we are destined to be good friends. The lens is beautiful, and together with the body feels very comfortable in the hand. I set it to Velvia and to jpeg plus raw. Here are the untouched jpegs. I couldn't open the raw files (.RAF) in Camera Raw 6.7, although the RAF files open from the X100. So, at some point I'll have to read the instructions!

Not great shots, but I was just messing around with it. Also set it to "Pete" format...

Guitar 3 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Guitar 3bw by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Guitar 4 by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Music Books by RobMacKillop, on Flickr

Even does arty shots


Rhona by RobMacKillop, on Flickr​

 

[Pete Askew]

Looking good Rob. And it even does blurry shots - definitely showing promise!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

That's the "Rob" mode

 

[Brian Moore]

It has a funny aberration that lens; it shows one of your books as if it's upside down.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Black and white version of the first image now added.

Brian, I'll have to send it back to Fuji...

 

[Glenn Clabo]

Falling into the Pete Format Cult? Oh the humanity!
(Nice color and detail)

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Resistance is futile...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Mmmmmm digital Velvia - nice!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Indubitably!

 

[Larry Bolch]

Well, it is beautiful to behold, and I know instantly that we are destined to be good friends. The lens is beautiful, and together with the body feels very comfortable in the hand. I set it to Velvia and to jpeg plus raw. Here are the untouched jpegs. I couldn't open the raw files (.RAF) in Camera Raw 6.7, although the RAF files open from the X100. So, at some point I'll have to read the instructions!

Photoshop CS6 is now capable of fully demosaicing the X-Trans sensor, but I have been slow to upgrade. For the interim, I downloaded the current version of Adobe DNG Convertor which gives me access in CS5. Lots of images on-line, and no one has complained.

 

[Beth Carter]

enjoy your new friend. looking good so far. sorry, i can't help out with the acr conversion, i've never used it.. always preferred lr.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

My setup is Camera Raw or now the Silkypix Raw Converter, Photoshop Elements 10 and the full Nik Suite.

Can anyone explain why Camera Raw can cope with RAF files from the X100 but not the X-E1? Something to do with camera profiles needing updating?

That said, the Silkypix software seems more advanced than Camera Raw.

 

[Beth Carter]

i just tried ps cs6 and couldn't open .raf files from either the x-e1 or x-pro 1.. have to check to see if i have the latest updates.

 

[Larry Bolch]

My setup is Camera Raw or now the Silkypix Raw Converter, Photoshop Elements 10 and the full Nik Suite.

Can anyone explain why Camera Raw can cope with RAF files from the X100 but not the X-E1? Something to do with camera profiles needing updating?

Vastly different sensors. The X100 uses the standard Bayer mosaic color filter array, with four sensor cells covered by two green, one red and one blue filter. This was patented by Bryce Bayer at Kodak in 1976. The X-Trans uses a radically new colour filter array with a 6×6 pseudo-random array that emulates the look of film. The math to process such an array was only developed about five or six years ago, and would only be familiar to a recent PhD recipient. Few programmers understood it, and it took about a year to learn to the point that they could translate it into computer source code.

The X-Trans was in development for four years at Fuji. Being pseudo-random, no softening AA filter was needed, producing images with the highest possible edge contrast—accutance—without being subject to moire. Fuji worked with the authors of Silkypix, since it is the normal RAW converter bundled with their cameras. Even with Adobe now having cracked the problem, I expect that subsequent versions will be able to extract even more quality out of the RAF files in the future.

At the moment, it is the most advanced sensor technology in digital photography.

That said, the Silkypix software seems more advanced than Camera Raw.

It was until a few days ago when the release candidate was announced. Both Lightroom and Photoshop use the same Adobe Camera RAW module. Tests show that it performs very well.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Very interesting, Larry. Thanks for that. A candidate version (correct me if I'm wrong) is one step on from a beta test? Should be near full launch soon, I guess.

- - - Updated - - -

Very interesting, Larry. Thanks for that. A candidate version (correct me if I'm wrong) is one step on from a beta test? Should be near full launch soon, I guess.

 

[Larry Bolch]

It is one step past beta test—in final testing, so it should be released very soon.

I might recommend joining an X-camera specific forum. There is one on DPReview but it seems to be taken over by hostiles. Very rude and confrontational people. This one is well monitored, has loads of knowledgeable people willing to take the time to explain these very new cameras and all in a very polite manner. Scanning the archives can also provide rich lore.

Portal - Fuji X Forum

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Hanks, Larry. I've also downloaded the Xpro1 app on my iPad. It looks very well produced.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I use ACR and CS6 Rob - and have the latest release candidate installed and working nicely - previous versions of ACR also did a nice job, but the latest one is even nicer!

Elements 10 will run up to ACR 6.7, which does not support X-E1 RAW I believe

Elements 11 will run ACR 7.2, which does support X-E1 RAW

The List of cameras added to 7.2 were:

Canon EOS 650D / Rebel T4i
Canon EOS M
Fujifilm XF1
Fujifilm X-E1
Fuji FinePix F800EXR
Leaf Credo 40
Leaf Credo 60
Leica S
Leica D-LUX 6
Leica V-LUX 4
Nikon Coolpix P7700
Nikon 1 J2
Panasonic DMC-G5
Panasonic DMC-LX7
Panasonic DMC-FZ200
Pentax K-30
Samsung EX2F
Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Sony Alpha NEX-6
Sony Alpha SLT-A99V
Sony DSC-RX100

Should be an upgrades option when you're in the Adobe software - as with all Adobe products, you end up upgrading to keep with the latest cameras - it sucks, but that's how they make money and stay in business

I had to update ACR in CS6 to support X-Pro1 - and there have been several releases that have improved things from Adobe's initial offering, as Larry mentioned

If freeness is desired/required - I believe you can run a free App called the Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter

Adobe - Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter : For Windows : Adobe DNG Converter 7.2

This converts the X-E1 RAW file to a standard DNG file (Digital Negative format from Adobe) - which Elements 10 can then open I believe.

An extra step but a free one - worth checking out

 

[Nihat Iyriboz]

Enjoy it in good days, Rob. Beyond the nice colors, contrast, I like the simplicity of its design.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Nihat.

Chris - thanks for that. Makes a lot of sense. I got an offer just this week for 50 per cent of Elements 11. Might just go for it.