X100 COLOUR in-camera conversion test

After posting my black and white conversion comparisons for the Fuji X100, I had some request to do the in-camera conversion on a colour photo, so here it is. I thought this photo would be good as it shows a range of colours, and also areas of differing degrees of contrast. 

I kept the film simulation to the standard 'Provia' and just as before went through each one in turn adjusting for every combination of Hard, Medium Hard, Standard, Medium Soft and Soft.

What I noticed, and this may just be because of the picture I chose, but the differences are far more subtle than the black and white ones.

Tonal curve experimentations

I've been following Brian Kraft's blog for a while now; I really like his photography. Anyway, it seems a lot of people, me included, have been after understanding how he gets the 'muted' tones (for want of a better phrase, sorry Brian no disrespect if that's not how you would call it) but answers seem to be scarce other than it's bespoke work in Lightroom.

Well, that set me thinking and I decided to start experimenting a little bit for myself. Now I'm not a Lightroom player, in fact the only Adobe product I have is Photoshop Elements 10 because I got it cheap in Amazon's black Friday the other year, but I do use (wait for it Fuji fans...) SilkyPix RAW file convertor that came packed with my Fuji cameras.

It's a different topic and discussion altogether, but it is a powerful tool and dose the job well in my opinion, however, for the sake of this post any package will do that allows the "digital darkroom's" curve tool.

I've done this as a kind of compare and contrast exercise placing the 'muted' version alongside the more typical, high contrast 'punchy' version. Everyone has their own taste and there is no right or wrong, but here it is: (I've used a scene which I photographed today in my dinner hour with my X100)

Black and White

Colour

As you can see, the changes are only subtle, but in my opinion effective. By pushing the black side of the curve starting point up (in this case about 15% up) and making sure the curve starts off pretty flat and under the diagonal, you get slightly more muted blacks while still retaining depth. It gives a kind of aged look and feel I think.

I realise this taste may not be for everyone, but I hope it shows that by pushing the "digital darkroom's" conventions and norms that there are some nice effects to be had.

I'm not a big fan of 'photoshoping' pictures to make them what they aren't, and these are just tonal adjustments with a colour profile added in SilkyPix.

Hope this was of interest - thoughts and feedback welcome!

X100 B&W in-camera conversion test

I'm not sure how useful this will be, but I was interested in the various in-camera effects that the Fuji X100 offers, particularly the black and white settings.

There are numerous RAW conversion effects available; from film simulation colour profiles, to black and white and sepia. Within each of these there are a number of further exposure enhancements. I guess these collectively represent the different films and exposure techniques available in the darkroom, all I know is that they can subtly change how your camera delivers its JPEG images.

I'll not dwell on each as they are well documented and discussed elsewhere, but essentially the standard/default colour profile is called Provia, then there are Velvia for rich vivid colours and Astia for softer results.

Lensmate "LM X100" thumb-grip

I have previously used the cheaper thumb-grips (like the ones with screw fasteners) on my X100, but they never really matched the quality of the camera and to be honest, I was always worried that the screw-tight mechanism might actually damage the camera! I have heard stories that over-tightening it by even a small amount can loosen the hot-shoe, or damage the electronic flash connectors.

In use

The Lensmate grip for the X100 is precision made; high quality steel and design and also very practical. One of the biggest bugbears I have with the X100 is how easy it is to accidentally adjust the exposure compensation dial. This is especially true if like me you carry it around in your coat pocket; taking the camera out nearly always dials in some exposure adjustments! The Lensmate grip covers both of the top dials which makes such accidental adjustments like this far less likely.

Upon receiving it, the first thing I noticed was how snug and accurately it fitted. It snapped on and required no screw fastening. It relies purely on an accurate hot-shoe fit and uses the exposure compensation dial marker which protrudes from the camera as a fixing point. Because the thumb-grip covers the marker, it provides another one in its place.

Importantly it does the job of providing a comfortable thumb rest very well. My hands aren't small, but the thumb-grip looks pretty universal. Maybe I should get my wife to have a go, her hands are quite petite! It means I can carry the camera in one hand very easily without having to grip areas which might press buttons or slip.

Then I tried getting it off. This isn't easy and it took some nerve as you need to gently force the whole grip upwards until it clears the height of the exposure compensation marker, then with the help of a nail grip on the top section it needs pulling backwards out of the hot-shoe. Easy after a couple of goes, but something to do carefully and patiently as it does involve a small amount of give in the hot-shoe. If after hundreds of on/off uses this loosens anything only time will tell, but I doubt it.

Colour

I got the silver version to go with my standard X100 and the colour is a pretty close match to the camera body itself, although not 100% identical - this is apparent in the pictures I have posted. This doesn't worry me, but if aesthetics are fundamentally important to you, then all I can say is it isn't 100% the same, more like 95% if that makes sense! Whilst I haven't seen or tried it, there is a black version to go with the al black X100 LE. Identical other than the colour it would seem.

Cost

I had to order mine direct from Lensmate. As I live in the UK, I had to wait about ten days and I got import duty added to the cost of the delivery charge. With the exchange rate at the time it cost me about £58 (GBP) all told. However, it arrived as promised, well packaged and nothing untoward.

Alternatives

There are alternatives, both more expensive and cheaper. As I have already mentioned, I worried about the cheaper ones and sold mine on, but they are perfectly functional and as long as you take care in fastening them they shouldn't damage anything. I have heard of people wedging the grip in with a small bit of card which eliminates the need of the screw fastener.

Match Technical provides a high quality and more expensive (to the tune of $125) alternative, but I can't comment on this. Looking at their site, it does look like a nice piece of kit though!

EDIT 18th March 2013
A forum post asked if this thumb-grip would fit on the newer X100s. Well, according to Lensmate, it will. A direct quote from their website:

Engineered specifically for the Fujifilm X100, ( this also fits the new X100S) it provides an ergonomic thumbrest while protecting the freely turning EV dial from unwanted changes. The sculpted thumbrest relaxes the grip on the camera, reducing camera shake allowing slower shutter speeds. 

The bead blasted finish is as touch friendly as it is attractive. Easily attached via the hot shoe, it is held securely by a small channel which fits over the EV dial index marker locating it precisely. 

We are working on a new Thumbrest for the Fujifilm X100S that does not include the extended right hand side. email us at susan.sales@lensmateonline.com if you wish to be on an interested parties list. We should have a prototype photo up next week with availability beginning of May.

Manfrotto MKC3-P01

I bought the Manfrotto MKC3-P01 to go with my new Manfrotto Unica VII bag which I won recently. Anyway, seeing as I have now had chance to go out and give it a try, I thought I would give my impressions. This isn't a technical review (it is basically a Manfrotto tripod with the usual thumb-grip type leg fasteners and a well design ball head - loads of technical reviews online I'm sure), more of an opinion of what I think of it from the experience I have of it.

First off, the tripod is pretty light at about 1Kg, meaning that with my two Fuji cameras and a couple of accessories in the shoulder bag AND the tripod in the special compartment, it doesn't weigh down on the shoulder as much as I thought it might. If you are walking around town for a few hours, say doing street or architecture type stuff, then this tripod added to the weight of your normal gear shouldn't be to much of a drag.

It is designed to fit into the Unica VII bag's bottom compartment, which it does once the centre column is reversed and the head tucked inwards - it doesn't take much doing. Note that I originally purchased the MKC3-H01 which does not fit, even though the leaflet that comes with the bag suggests it does!!

It extends out enough for what I might use it for around town. I sometimes like to do long-ish exposure street shots, or the occasional panoramic, and I rarely have need for anything more than the 5'4" (165cm) this tripod offers.

Disappearing umbrellas

It's pretty sturdy, but not like my 190XPROB quite obviously, so no good for any serious landscape stuff I guess, but then I don't think it would be purchased for this kind of thing in the first place. The legs hold together without any movement that I could tell, but when I was out with it the other day, it was windy and it did shake about a bit, so I held it down and slightly more secure by hand.

The overall feel and quality is exactly what you would expect from Manfrotto (and a £45 tripod - lets be realistic here): very good! Although the camera plate is plastic, it fits snugly and doesn't have any give, which I was pleasantly surprised about. It's also easy to clip in and out of the holder.

I can't say what it'd be like with any heavy DSLR + huge lens type setup, but with my Fuji X-Pro1 + 35mm, it was sound. The spec says a max load of 1.5Kg.

My conclusion: £45 well spent and I see me using it more than my expensive, and heavy, 190XPROB.

Lincoln in the rain

The wife and I visited Lincoln today and it was pouring with rain all the time we were there. Not to worry, the umbrella's were out. I took this photo walking under the road tunnel near the rail crossing and like the abstract effect and strong contrasts.



This next photo was taken with deliberate motion blur to create (what I think is) an Impressionist-like paint-like effect.

And so everybody was trying to keep dry. Well everybody except the suites! I actually really like this one, the colours and feel of it look very film-like.

Whitby Abbey

This is a view of the Abbey from between the Whale Bones, which form a kind of gateway to the port.

 And this is a view from the North Pier looking back towards Whitby, with the Abbey just visible.

Whitby

Whitby, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.

Taken from the south side, it was a very bleak, cold, wintery day but still the tourists came and walked up the jetty.

Whitby

Whitby, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.

A rain cloud bursts in the distance, beyond the lighthouse. 

Lincoln

Lincoln, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.

This is a view looking north up the river towards Lincoln Cathedral. The modern university building in the foreground contrasts with the 800-odd year old cathedral.

Communication breakdown

Bandage

Grammar School Road, Brigg - Past and Present

Grammar School Road, Brigg - Past and Present, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.

Taken near Brians DIY, this is a view of Grammar School Road in Brigg before the bypass was built from an old postcard I have collected.

The house in view is now demolished and is where my grandad used to live - a shame that houses lile thi sget demolished in my opinion.

Exhibition Uses a Computer to Generate Every Possible Photograph http://www.petapixel.com/2013/02/07/exhibition-uses-a-computer-to-generate-every-possible-photograph/

Walk this way

Untitled, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.

Read

Read, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.

Red

Red, a photo by steve1401 on Flickr.