Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/04/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The only thing I want to know is: will they make a digital XPan :-) On Tue, Apr 21, 2015 at 5:13 PM, H&ECummer <cummer at netvigator.com> wrote: > Morning Luggers, > As I mentioned in yesterday's posting I stopped by the Fujifilm Building > in Roppongi and picked up a replacement lens hood for my 35mmf1.4. > At the front of the main floor next to one of the galleries showing > contemporary photos all taken with Fuji cameras (naturally) there was a > showcase > full of prototype lenses. > > I was wearing my Tilley photo vest and carrying my XT1 with motor drive > with the 35 f1.4 mounted and so Mr. Takashi Ueno > came over to talk. He is in the Sales and Marketing Division of Imaging > Products, spoke quite good English and volunteered that he was involved > in the design of the XT1. In the showcase were three lenses that > particularly interested me - the 100 - 400 zoom - which is BIG Bulky and > heavy - weighing > in just under the weight of the Nikon 80 - 400VR zoom at about 1.4Kg. To > keep the weight down some carbon fibre is used in the construction. The > maximum aperture is f5.6 and the lens will take an extender reducing the > aperture to f8.0 - which means the extender must be a 1.4X or so. That > would bring the lens focal length in 35mm terms up to 400 X 1.5 = 600 X 1.4 > = 840mm f8.0. > > Now, if the AF in the Fuji bodies could approach the speed and accuracy of > Nikon professional bodies, then Fuji > could be a contender in sports and wild life photography. Based on my in > field experience in Africa they are not there yet. > > In the cabinet was a 35mm f2.0 both in chrome and black finish. Takashi > San pointed them out proudly as an alternative to my 35 f1.4. I asked if > they were like the > Leica 35 Summicron in design and Takashi smiled and said he didn't really > know. > > Also in the cabinet was a 90mm f2.0 which I had not seen mentioned in > internet postings. It is a big imposing lens and will be the equivalent of > a 135 f2.0 in 35mm terms. As I left the store I mused how Fuji has adapted > to the digital world while Kodak didn't make it. This showcase store in > Roppongi, in some of the highest priced real estate on the planet, > indicates that they are doing very well and looking to fill our camera bags > with more desirable goods in the future. I came away quite impressed and > with a future shopping list in my head. > Howard > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- // richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com> // http://facebook.com/richardmanphoto // https://instagram.com/richardmanphoto