28th February 2012, Suajana Club – Fujifilm launches its first premium interchangeable lens camera featuring the new X-Trans CMOS sensor, X-mount and hybrid multi-viewfinder. This event was held at Saujana Club this morning.

The brief specifications are:-

• Fujifilm-designed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor
• Novel colour filter array to suppress colour moiré, no optical low-pass filter
• EXR Processor Pro image processor
• Dual-magnification hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder
• Analogue dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation on top of camera
• All-new, fully electronic X lens mount; 17.7mm flange-to-sensor distance
• Three ‘XF’ lenses at launch: XF 18mm F2 R, XF 35mm F1.4 R, and XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro
• Prime lenses have traditional-style aperture rings (1/3 stop increments) and large manual focus rings
• Revised rear-panel control layout
• On-screen ‘Q’ control panel and redesigned tabbed menu system
• Focal-plane shutter, 1/4000 sec max speed
• 3.0″ RGBW 1.23M dot LCD

Hands-on Preview

I had the opportunity this morning to caress the camera and its 3 lenses. The cameras were set in high resolution jpeg mode and they allowed visitors to use their own SD cards for testing.  I brought along the Fujifilm F200 EXR to capture some of the opening reception images. Firstly I was surprised that after using the SD card formatted for the F200EXR on the XPRO1, the file numbers run consecutively without missing a number.

First impression, the camera design looks old school, similar to the rangefinders of the 1950’s. There is a hybrid viewfinder similar to that of the  Contax or Leica genre. The body does not feel as solid or as well built as the Leica though. We are not comparing apples to apples here in terms of price. The camera came with 3 purposely built prime lens, 18mm f2.0. 35mm f1.4 and 60mm f2.4 macro. Taking into account of the 1.5 cropped sensor, the effective focal length of the lenses are 27mm, 52mm and 90mm. There is a handgrip accessory which was attached to the bottom plate of the camera. This provided a good grip on the camera body similar to the hand grip attachments of the Leica and Voigtlander. The negative side was that you have to remove the grip every time you need to change the SD card or battery.

The focusing of these lenses were must faster than the X100 however are not in the Nikon or Canon category in terms of focusing speed. I had a lot of problem locking the focus and shifting it. Perhaps it is the settings. I managed to take a few pictures with the Fuji XPRO 1 and the 3 lenses using the high resolution jpeg mode that was set on the cameras. The files off the camera without post processing looked a bit jaded thought it exhibits good dynamic range capabilities. I believe the RAW files with post processing will be able to compete with the best of its field.

I have encountered parallax error with the 60mm lens a common problem with rangefinder cameras. I believe it could be a setting problem…..the guys manning the station could offer no explanation.

This camera is expected to be sold at RSP RM 5,600 body only and a complete kit with 3 lenses at RSP of RM12,700. Personally I think with its limited range of lenses and accessories, it would take a lot of convincing before professional photographers would use it.