Fuji X-M1 Camera, who is it for?

 New Fuji X-M1

Nice clean layout with tilting 920k monitor 

Small with the 27mm lens

Still retro styled

This looks like a very nice addition to Fuji's X line of cameras, which I am very fond of, they are small and light and take terrific pictures with their large APS-C sensors.

The X-M1 is an entry level X camera that gives you Fuji's top of the line sensor (as of today), it is almost as small as their X-20 point and shoot camera and should appeal to people that want to step up their image quality from a point and shoot.
 Removed are the old style control dials and they have been replaced with modern consumer oriented dual control dials, the aperture can now be adjusted from a rear control wheel and the tilt LCD will be very nice for shooting unusual angles. It is not a complicated camera, it has been designed for beginner photographers and enthusiast's alike, while giving PRO DSLR like results (almost).

I look forward to the reviews, lets see how the auto focus pans out.

This is one I would like to try, personally I would stick with the Fuji primes, but the zooms they produce are not bad either.

Used with their XF 35mm f/1.4,  XF 14mm f/2.8 or the upcoming XF 56mm f1.2 one should be quite happy.

This will not be a cheap route to go, but it will give you super nice images in a very light package.

Fuji Site

Order it here: Fuji X-M1 

Ross

Images In Light

Creative Depth of Field

Image: 5D Mk III, EF 100 f/2.8L IS and EF 25mm Extender, f/3.2, 1/30 sec, tripod

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Image: 5D Mk III, EF 100 f/2.8L IS and EF 25mm Extender, f/3.2, 1/20 sec, tripod

By using a wide aperture and an EF 25mm Extender, I got in very close to shoot this iris in my yard, creating an abstract macro image.

The EF 100 f/2.8L IS lens is one of the best macro lenses you can put in front of a Canon camera, it has exceptional micro contrast and color rendition along with some serious resolution, its a fine  example of Canon updating one of its lenses for the digital era.

Ross

Images In Light

Sharpness, Resolution and Depth of Field

5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8L II, 28mm at f/16, 1/40 sec, tripod

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5D Mk III, EF 100 f/2.8L IS, and EF 25 Extension Tube, f/2.8, 1/40 sec, tripod

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Sharpness, Resolution and Depth of Field, these all play a major role in the quality of the final image.
All are chosen by the photographer ultimately.

Resolution is determined by the quality of the lens, not the camera, you put a cheap lens in front of a 22 megapixel camera, you end up with low resolution images, especially if shooting beyond f/8 where diffraction starts to kick in.

Depth of field which the photographer selects by choosing the aperture of the lens, (f/1.4 - f/64)

Sharpness is what all of this adds up too essentially, choose a high quality lens, use a method for camera stability and understand depth of field vs diffraction and you will end up with high resolution, sharp images.

I almost never go beyond f/16 in any of my images, 35mm format lenses are just not up to par with medium and large format type glass that can be shot at f/64, but using good methodology and knowing your equipment you can maintain high resolution images that are tack sharp.

I chose the two images above to demonstrate the wide depth of field that can be achieved with good lenses, while maintaining very high resolution and sharpness.

Ross

Images In Light

Hidden Secrets

 

 Oneonta Gorge

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Sacred Place

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 White pocket
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Should we reveal our secret places? A lot of photographers like to keep their secret places secret, I on the other hand don't mind letting on for the most part, the top image, Oneonta Gorge was one, a few people where trying to keep it secret, silly because its one of those difficult to get to places and not a lot of people are willing to wade through chest deep water to get there.

White pocket is a relatively unheard of place in Northern Arizona that is very difficult to get to, high clearance 4 wheel drive, navigation skills and some guts are required to make it all the way out there.

"Sacred Place" is a name I chose to give this image, which is a class 2 archeological site, I was asked by the park rangers not to reveal the location of this site and I will respect their wishes.

Some secret places are right in front of us and we don't even realize it, we just have to see.

Ross

Images In Light

The Redwood Forest

5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8L II, 24mm, f/11 at 1/80 sec, Zeiss circular polarizer.

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5D Mk III, EF 16-35 f/2.8L II, 32mm, f/16 at 1/13 sec, Zeiss circular polarizer.

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The Redwood forest of Northern California has been on my radar for quit a while now, just across the Oregon border, its a pretty good drive, fortunately there are plenty of beautiful coastal stops along the way down.

Fog can be a daily occurrence on this part of the coast, but it can add dramatic lighting if you are fortunate to be there when it is being burnt away by the morning sun.

One of the best times to visit is late May when the Rhododendrons are in full bloom and the wild flowers are sprouting all along the coast.

There are endless possibilities  for photographers along this part of the Pacific coastline, including one of my favorites, Bandon Beach, near Coos Bay a few hours north of the Redwoods.

5D Mk III, EF 24-70 f/2.8L II, 24mm, f/11 at 2.5 sec, variable neutral Density filter.

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Ross

Images In Light