Fujifilm X-T1 and Lee Filters

During the time with my Nikon D300 I always used regular (thread) filters (circular polarizers, and ND filters). Since the release of the Fujifilm X-T1 I wondered if a Lee filter system might be better / more flexible (not cheaper!!!!).

At the moment they offer the normal 100mm filter system and the new 75mm filter system (Seven5). The latter is designed specially for the smaller camera's (MFT, Mirrorless APS-C, etc.).

The Seven5 series is cheaper since it uses smaller filters (75mm versus 100mm), and since my Fujifilm X-T1 uses relatively small lenses this could be a winner (the kit lens has a 58mm filter thread). Until I found out that the new ultra wide angle Fujinon XF 10-24mm F/4 R OIS has a 72mm filter thread. And as you might guess, I'm really interested in that lens.

Fortunately, Lee has a 75-to-72mm adapter, so technically the Seven5 system can be used with that lens.

Adaptor ring thread sizes:
The holder attaches to the lens via a screw-in adaptor ring. The adaptor ring is available in the following thread sizes: 37, 37.5, 39, 40, 40.5, 43, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 60, 62, 67 and 72mm.

But 72mm versus 75mm doesn't leave much room on the vignetting side of it. Chances are that you get serious vignetting on the ultra wide end of the focal range (10-14mm), because of the filter holder attached to the lens.

Just to make sure, I dropped Lee an e-mail, and this is what I got in return:

“I tested a pre launch version of this lens last week on my XPro-1 - 10mm is very wide and the lens is the maximum size our 75mm holder can accept. You do get vignetting below about 12mm, which is still good given that is 15mm FF equivalent.

You would have no problems with the bigger system and a wide angle ring at 10mm, but the system is much larger and more expensive.

The s5 system works very well on all other X lenses - you just need to decide whether those last 2mm of focal length are really important to you.

Personally, I will be sticking with the 14mm prime (but upgrading to the X-T1)

I hope this helps.

With regards,

Tech Support - LEE Filters”

— - email

So, there yo got it; Accept additional vignetting on the ultra wide side, or invest in the more expensive 100mm filter system. But before I even invest in a filter system I need to see some independent reviews of that new lens. I might even get the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R. That lens is available at the moment and is highly recommended by several sites [2] / reviewers / users.

Choices, choices, choices

UPDATE: After much deliberation I bought the Lee 100mm kit with two adapter rings. One for the Fuji 18-55mm (58mm filter thread) and one for the Samyang / Rokinon 12mm f/2 (67mm filter thread). I also added the Big Stopper (10 stops ND) and the Little Stopper (6 stops ND) to my cart.

So in the event I decide to switch camera brand/systems with different lenses (filter threads) I can still use this filter system. I only have to get new/other lens adapters.

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Willem and filed under Gear, Photography, Personal, Tips'n Tricks and tagged lee filter seven5 75mm 100mm.

Fujifilm X-T1 Review

My interest in Fujifilm camera's was rekindled when they released the X-Pro1. When they announced and released the X-T1 this year I had to have one. Why, because it had everything that my old Nikon D300 doesn't have;

Lighter
Smaller
More Mpix (16 versus 12)
Lighter quality lenses
Capable of mounting Leica and Nikon lenses (through the use of third party adapters).
Tilt-screen
Electronic View Finder (EVF)

So my Nikon gear went on sale, and the X-T1 with the Fujinon 18-55mm 1:2.8-4 R LM OIS kitlens found a way into my camera bag, and I skipped the Sony A7(r).

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Willem and filed under Gear, Photography, Review and tagged x-t1 macro kipon adapter Sigma Fujifilm.

Export Photos From Lightroom As Fine Art Prints

Usually, I export my photos from Adobe Lightroom for print or for online display. The exports for online use (SmugMug, Flickr, or several online forums contain a watermark in the bottom right corner. Something that can be done by using the export module in Adobe Lightroom.

I wrote an article a while back on how to do this using Photoshop actions, but this time I want to use a different approach. One without (or at least minimizing) the use of Adobe Photoshop, and using the power of Adobe Lightroom (plugins).

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Willem and filed under Tips'n Tricks, Photography and tagged Adobe Lightroom fine art border mogrify.

Autumn Colors

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Willem and filed under Personal, Photography and tagged Autumn photos.

Sony A7(r) Mirrorless Full Frame Camera

Sony launched the A7(r) camera today. It's a full frame camera without a mirror (like a Leica M). Also known as an Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera (MILC).
It was something I didn't expect (mainly because I'm not that into the Sony rumors). The release of a full frame E-mount camera startled me somewhat. Why? Because the E-mount cameras today (Sony NEX cameras) are well known to work with various lens mount adapters (e.g. Leica M-mount, Nikon F-mount, etc.).

This camera could replace my Nikon D300. I mainly use that camera for macro and the occasional telephoto. I can still use my Nikon lenses on this body through an adapter. Even my Leica M-lenses can be used. This could be the camera to rule them all (all being MY current cameras). It's light, small (smaller than the M9 or the new M type-240) and packs a lot of (photographic) power.

I know what I want for X-Mas

Steve Huff has some additional images from the camera in various setup's (mainly with Leica lenses :-))

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Willem and filed under Hardware, Photography and tagged Sony A7 A7r E-mount.

A Day At The Rijksmuseum

Last Monday we went to Amsterdam for a visit to the Rijksmuseum, and some general sightseeing in Amsterdam. The visit to the Museum was what you would call memorable.
First, I hadn't been there before. The times I wanted to go it was closed for renovations (which took more than 10 years to complete). Second, the museum got evacuated around 10:45AM.

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Willem and filed under Personal, Photography and tagged Rijksmuseum M9 evacuation model ship Rembrandt Nachtwacht Nightwatch Waterloo Black and White.

Under the Bridge

Shot this weekend with the Leica M9 and the 35mm summicron. I still love that camera.

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Willem and filed under Photography, Personal and tagged black and white bike sun light Leica 35mm summicron.

Muse - The Unsustainable Tour - Amsterdam Arena

Last night, me and the misses, went to the Amsterdam Arena to see Muse. The show was greater than great. A lot of new songs from their latest album 'The 2nd Law', and several oldies. They started around 20:30, and they wrapped things up around 23:00. 2.5 hours of musical happiness and an excellent show. Even our prime-minister Mark Rutte made an appearance on video (along with Frau Merkel of Germany).

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Willem and filed under Music, Personal, Photography, Video and tagged Muse muse setlist Arena concert.

>30 Nerds In A Zoo

Last weekend, I hooked up with >30 (other) photogs/nerds/geeks/whateveryoucallthem in the Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem (NL). Objective to capture some animals (on film or digital media), and to talk about everything (but not limited to) related to photography.

I attended several of these meetings over the years, and I must say that these outings are always a lot of fun. This time I brought my Leica M9 (28mm, 35mm and 50mm), and my Nikon D300 (with the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR).

Apart from the mainstream gear that was around (Canon, Nikon with their $$$ L/Pro lenses), there were some oldies as well. A Canon VT rangefinder (with a rapidwinder in the bottom plate) from the early 50's, with some Canon 39mm screw lenses that were almost as old as the camera.

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Willem and filed under Personal, Photography and tagged Nikon Leica M9 Canon zoo photos.

Apple Pulls Photo App Because Of Porn

There are lots of (portfolio) websites available for the enthousiast / pro photographers. Some are free, and some cost a couple of dollars/euros a year. The most popular are (in no particular order, but since I store my photos @ SmugMug....);

In general, Flickr is portrayed as a photobucket where people dump their photos and comment on others with the weirdest badges, just to get some attention.This was also the reason I stopped paying for my Flickr account.

Both SmugMug and 500px offer less 'noisy' features and lots of customization options, but the thing they all have in common; they offer an app (at least one) the give the users an excellent experience on their mobile devices (Android and iOS).
Also, each of these services allow (up to some degree) nude photos, and as long as it's artistic you shouldn't have a problem publishing your photos on these platforms. Especially when you mark them as nude/possibly offensive, etc.

This week, Apple pulled the 500px app from the Apple App Store, because it was too easy to find nude photos [1, 2], and this violates their terms of service. The funny thing is that most of these apps allow the user to find nude content, and Apple's mobile browser (Safari) being one of the worst.

Just today a got a new follower on Twitter with a username that didn't leave much to the imagination. I just followed the users website link (which opened in Safari) and 'stumbled' upon a Tumblr account with tons of nude photos. All it took was 1 click.
Talking about Tumblr.... They have their own app where you can 'subscribe' to these micro-blogs. So I guess that Apple needs to revise their App Store terms, because this is ridiculous.

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Willem and filed under No Way!!!, Apple, Photography and tagged 500px nude artistic Apple Store.