NEW! Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4R OIS Zoom Review

Fujifilm X-E2 w/ XF 10-24mm f/4R OIS zoom @ 12mm, ISO 800, 1 second at f/5.6

For a gallery with a variety of samples, click the image or… Fujifilm XF 10-24mm Samples

We finally received a small shipment of the new ultra-wide-angle Fujifilm 10-24mm zoom lenses and I have also received my own personal one. By and large, I am very impressed with this new zoom which is equivalent to a 15-36mm zoom on a full-frame camera. It stays at a fixed f/4 throughout its zoom range and also has an amazingly effective OIS unit - the Optical Image Stabilizer. I did a series of shots at 10mm in near darkness with a 0.8 second exposure, so nearly a full second. Of the ten photos, two were unusably blurred, three were a bit blurry but would still make decent 8x12 inch prints I'd say, but five were actually tack sharp, looking almost like they were shot on a tripod. That is the advantage of having an effective stabilizer on an ultra-wide lens! I have also done a handful of shots at 1 second at around 17mm focal length and while the hit rate is a little worse, even that is doable if you try hard. Examples of both are in the above linked gallery. However there can be a disadvantage to OIS…

REMINDER - A COUPLE OF GREAT WORKSHOPS COMING SOON!

STORYTELLING WITH HEART
Friday, April 4th
Use coupon code 'friendsofbeau' for a 10% discount on any workshop packages.

There are all kinds of workshops out there that teach you how to use a camera or light a scene but this is the first of its kind that teaches you how to build and tell remarkable stories. During the workshop Stillmotion will spend a whole day sharing techniques and methods to help you build your stories - customizing each workshop experience by using stories submitted from the class. That is followed by an in-the-field shoot where you get to shoot with Stillmotion, ask questions, and collaborate with other filmmakers. 

THE NEED LIGHT? SPEEDLITE!  TOUR
Monday, April 21st
Daytime Workshop Tickets ONLY $109 with Discount Code NLSLBEAU

Demo Steadicam Merlin2 for Sale

We have one Demo Steadicam Merlin2 Camera stabilizer for sale. These are no longer available and will be in even greater demand now. This unit came out of the box just once for a trade show, so it is in "like new" condition!

Features include:
• The robust design features a rigid camera plate, multi-angle viewable level, and larger easily adjustable knobs for secure camera mounting and ease of use
• A secure gimbal lock allows for precise tuning
• The lens platform adjusts to various heights and angles to help support longer lenses and camera bodies
• The ergonomic handle affords a comfortable grip for hours without undue fatigue for either right or left handed users
• All parts are stainless steel, aluminum or brass for corrosion resistance
• Dovetail plate and gimbal are retrofittable with original Steadicam Merlin
• Top dovetail plate has been designed to clear battery doors on most DSLR cameras

Regular price $599.95           Demo Unit Price $499.95           SOLD

Phase One - Capture One Pro 7 sale!

If you haven’t tried a current version of Capture One, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl. A trial version can be downloaded here: Capture One Pro 7 Trial. Until the end of March, we have a sale on in-stock copies for a mere $225… regular price is $299.

Capture One has evolved substantially over the last few years and not only does the present version offer the same excellent workflow, colour fidelity and amazing skin-tones that Capture One has always been known for, but there are now image database tools with image management similar to Adobe Lightroom, an incredibly well implemented set of perspective correction tools for architectural work, a superb lens correction module and much more.

In addition, if you are a Fujifilm X-system shooter, using the unique, moiré resistant but “hard-to-demosaic” X-Trans sensor, then Capture One deserves a good, long look too. While Adobe raw conversions from X-Trans sensors have come a long way in the last year, you will still be able to extract far more fine detail with many other raw converters like Capture One Pro, especially in shadow areas.

While there are other programs that offer excellent X-Trans raw conversions, like Iridient Developer and PhotoNinja, neither of these offers a full package that can completely replace Adobe Lightroom like Capture One is able to. In addition, those other programs do not offer anywhere near the same breadth of versatility that Capture One offers, like the aforementioned perspective and lens correction tools, the ability to act as an image database programs etc. In addition, the colour reproduction you get from Capture One is top notch, whether you shoot with a digital back, a digital SLR or a Fujifilm camera.