Voigtlander VM-X Close Focus II Coming February 2022

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 15, 2022


Voigtlander will intruduce a new Voigtlander VM-X Close Focus II adapter in February for 40,480 yen ($354.42 USD). The M to X mount adapter will allow infinity and close focus shooting. The adapter has grown from 4mm to 4.5mm which allows for a shortened focus distance and aluminum is being used instead of brass for its construction.

An adapter that allows you to shoot from infinity by attaching a Voigtländer VM and ZEISS ZM lens to a Fujifilm X-mount mirrorless camera. By operating the helicoid with a feeding stroke of 4.5 mm, it is possible to shoot “closer” from the shortest shooting distance of the lens body. Voigtländer L mount interchangeable lens can be attached in combination with the M bayonet adapter ring sold by us in the past.

Main features:
■ Voigtländer / VM, ZEISS / ZM lens exclusive design
■ Helicoid with a feeding stroke of 4.5 mm extends the shortest shooting distance
■ Metal ring full circumference knurling ensures excellent operability
■ High precision helicoid and high quality Silky operation feeling by knurling
■ Infinite lock mechanism prevents inadvertent out-of-focus

This adapter expands the range of the shortest shooting distance of each lens from infinity when the following lenses are attached, and focuses with manual focus Is possible. Since it is not equipped with an electrical interface, the metering method on the camera side is the actual aperture type.


This product is for VM and ZM lenses only. Please note that the warranty does not cover accidents or malfunctions of the camera / adapter / lens when a lens that is not listed in the interchangeable lens list that has been confirmed to be installed is installed, and we are not responsible for it. In addition, the list of interchangeable lenses that have been confirmed to be installed is a list that confirms that the listed lenses do not have physical interference with the adapter or camera, and does not guarantee image quality. Some of the interchangeable lenses on the list may have color fog around the screen depending on the camera used and shooting conditions.

Voigtlander VM-X Close Focus II: B&H Photo / Amazon

via cosina

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ML: Fujinon XF 70-300mm vs XF 100-400mm Comparison

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 14, 2022

Mirrorless lessons posted its Fujinon XF70-300mm vs XF100-400mm comparison, which is an interesting comparison because the Fujinon XF100-400 has been around for quite a while on X-Mount, but the XF70-300mm is a relatively new lens. You can watch the above video or you can read the excerpt bullet points below that I created for the video and save time.

  • Both lenses extent when zooming in
  • Fujinon 70-300mm is weather-sealed but made of high-grade plastics with a metal mount
    • The zoom and focus ring are covered with rubber and the zoom ring has some resistance, but not too much and the rotation arch is short for quick zooming
    • Has a locking mechanism that disengages when you operate the zoom manually
    • The aperture ring is metal but not very precise
    • Focus limiter and automatic/manual aperture switch
    • Stabilization is turned on and off in the camera and you might want to assign a custom button for it
    • It comes with a plastic lens hood
  • Fujinon 70-300mm is weather-sealed and feels like higher quality even though it is plastic also
    • The front element has a coating to resist water and make it easier to clean
    • Smoother zoom ring than the 70-300 lens
    • Small rotation arch to go from 100-400mm
    • Stronger lock switch
    • Aperture ring gives better feedback with more precision
    • Focus limiter and automatic/manual aperture switch plus an OIS switch
    • Comes with a plastic lens hood that has a cutout for rotating your filters
    • The 100-400mm comes with a tripod mount that can be rotated 360 degrees and even removed
  • In recent cameras, there is a setting called AF range limited that lets you set a custom limiter for any lens and it can be put on a custom button
  • The XF70-300mm is equivalent to 105-450mm and the XF100-400mm is equivalent to 150-600mm
  • Both lenses are variable aperture with the XF100-400mm having 8 points that is stepping up and the XF70-300mm having 4 points that it steps up
  • The XF70-300mm peaks at f/5.6 but results are excellent from wide open to f/8 and diffraction sets in at f/16 and the image are soft by f/22 and this is pretty consistent throughout the zoom range
  • The XF100-400mm peaks when you stop down one stop but results are excellent from wide open to f/8 and diffraction sets in at f/16 and the image are soft by f/22 and this is pretty consistent throughout the zoom range
  • The XF100-400mm at 400mm is best at f/8
  • Both lenses perform similarly when it comes to sharpness
  • Lenses of this kind rarely deliver good bokeh but both lenses are fine and the xf70-300mm is a little more round
  • No sign of chromatic aberration or distortion since it is corrected in the camera
  • Both lenses have mild vignetting but it goes away when stopping down one-stop
  • Both lenses take a strong light to get flare
  • XF70-300mm has one linear focus motor and the XF100-400mm has two linear focus motors, but there isn’t a substantial difference between the two lenses for tracking
  • No problem with small birds or distance animals on modern Fujifilm cameras
  • X-S10 and X-T4 had a similar keeper rate during a birds in flight test
  • XF70-300mm has a minim focus distance of 83cm and the XF100-400mm has a minim focus distance of 1.75m
  • XF100-400mm has smoother manual focus than the XF70-300mm
  • Both lenses have similar stabilization on modern IBIS bodies
  • You can leave OIS on all the time, but IBIS might be better when not moving consistently especially on the XF70-300mm
  • Both lenses accept the 1.4x teleconverter and 2.0x teleconverter
    • TC1.4x makes the XF70-300mm 147-630mm and the aperture becomes f5.8-6.8
    • TC2x makes the XF70-300mm 200-900mm and the aperture becomes f8-11
    • TC1.4x makes the XF100-400mm 210-840mm and the aperture becomes f6.3-8
    • TC2x makes the XF100-400mm 300-1200mm and the aperture becomes f9-11
    • TC1.4x on XF70-300mm has good results from f/8 to f/16
    • TC2x on XF70-300mm has good results from f/11 to f/16
    • TC1.4x on XF100-400mm has good results from f/11 to f/16
    • TC2x on XF100-400mm has good results from f/16 to f/22
    • AF slows down a bit with the TC especially with the 2x, but by the time he used the converters the light was worse
  • XF70-300mm has an attractive price and the XF100-400mm is more expensive
  • X-T4 and X-S10 perform the same with these lenses
  • There are other telephoto lenses for X-mount plus an XF150-600mm they are working on
  • The XF70-300mm is the clear winner due to price, performance, size, etc…
  • The XF100-400mm is great, but it is bigger and more expensive
  • The decision is if double the size, weight, price is justified for the extra reach

Fujinon XF70-300mm f/4-5.6:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

Fujinon XF1.4X TC WR: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Fujinon XF2X TC WR: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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BCN: Fujifilm Moves Back Into 2nd Place in Japan

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 13, 2022


Fujifilm has moved back into 2nd place in Japan thanks to the instax mini Evo. Once again Fujifilm’s ability to provide a unique classic analog user experience has helped it to sell a record amount of cameras.

The share of Fujifilm ‘s sales volume manufacturers in the digital camera market (combined compact digital cameras, single-lens reflex cameras, and mirrorless single -lens cameras) has skyrocketed. It surpassed Sony in December 2021 and moved up to second place for the first time since 2019. It became clear in the ” BCN Ranking” that aggregates the actual sales data of home electronics mass retailers and online shops.

Fujifilm was behind the top three companies in Canon , Sony , and Nikon from January 19 to November 2008, but in December 2008, sales of “instax mini LiPlay” and “FinePix XP140” Increased and the market share increased to 15.1%. It surpassed Nikon for the first time. After that, the market share remained around 10% until November 2009, and the battle for 3rd place with Nikon continued, but in December, the market share surged to 21.5%, surpassing Sony and rising to 2nd place.

Fujifilm’s share was boosted by the instant camera check “instax mini Evo” 　released in December 2009 . In the same month, the digital camera market’s share of unit sales by model was 10.7%, which was the top spot. You can take “emotional” photos with effects and print them. It is thought that the unique Currently, the compact type accounts for about 70% to 80% of the sales volume composition ratio of Fujifilm digital cameras by type. While camera manufacturers are reducing the handling of compact digital cameras, they are expanding their market share on their own routes.

BCN Ranking collects real sales data from approximately 40% of the Japanese retailers – this is not a worldwide market share report.

Instax Mini Evo: B&H Photo / Amazon

Via BCNR, Photorumors

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Leica is Catching up as Fujifilm Loses its Way

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 13, 2022


I have long been a Leica M fan starting with my Leica M3 in the 1980s and ending my journey in frustration with the M240 largely due to the introduction of the Fujifilm GFX100 which made an M impossible for me to justify, but Leica is catching up. I know Fujifilm’s audience has grown a lot since the launch of the X100 and X-Pro1, but those cameras made the X mount what it is today and many that bought in were Leica owners and people that couldn’t justify the expense of a Leica M.

Fujifilm has always done well among Leica enthusiasts because they emulated a lot of what photographers love about the Leica M while providing a modern take. I used to meet with Leica semi-regularly when I was writing for Leicarumors and Leica was aware of the similarities, but unconcerned even as I watched many Local M photographers I knew jump ship for Fujifilm. They were also aware of the value proposition a camera like the Sony a7R provided, but they argued there was no need for the resolution among other things.

It’s been more than a few years now since I gave up on Leica, but it seems Leica is finally ready to catch up and remain relevant in many ways just as Fujifilm seems to be abandoning the Leica philosophies that built the brand. The new Leica M11 should be able to rival the Sony a7RIV and even the Fujifilm GFX50 line of cameras with Leica’s 60MP BSI sensor that offers 14 stops of dynamic range. Leica is even doing something innovative with their new 60MP sensor offering a 36MP 15 stop mode that uses pixel binning that could be very useful for photographers that prefer enhanced dynamic range over resolution while still getting a decent size file with a base ISO of 64.

Don’t get me wrong Fujifilm is still continuing to impress me with innovative cameras like the X-Pro3, but the new rear screen wasn’t well-received by many and the camera seems to be intentionally low volume with Fujifilm showing no intention of offering discounts, plus it was announced in 2019. Personally, I would love to add the X-Pro3 to my bag if it matched the X-T4 price point, but I feel like Fujifilm is getting a little greedy just like Leica was when they offered the M with an outdated sensor. Now the issue for me becomes do I want to use a large heavy GFX camera that’s getting further from operational perfection with each iteration or do I want to go back to the M again and enjoy the experience. Honestly, I am not sure and I will have to wait and see what Fujifilm does about the GFX50R line of cameras since I find the GFX50S II and GFX100S completely unappealing and now own several tens of thousands of dollars of GFX glass in addition to a $9,999 GFX100 body.

There is something about the whole exposure triangle analog experience that cannot be replaced by an algorithm and multifunction programable buttons. Fujifilm photographers that pick the X-Pro3 largely understand the importance of this experience, but they wanted it in a more modern camera than Leica was willing to make and now it seems that is starting to change in the Leica world. If you have never had this kind of experience you owe it to yourself to borrow or rent an M camera and see for yourself, but it will take time to adjust too. As for me, I am patiently waiting to see where Fujifilm GFX goes, I enjoy my GFX100, but I wish it was more like the GFX50S which I love and miss almost as much as my M.

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Tascam CA-XLR2d-F XLR For Fujifilm Preorders Started

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 12, 2022


The Tascam CA-XLR2d-F XLR can now be preordered from B&H Photo.

Key Features
  • Adapts XLR Mics to Camera Input
  • FUJIFILM Mount for Digital Audio & Power
  • HDDA Preamp + Analog/Digital Converter
  • Provides 48V to Condenser Mics
  • 3.5mm Stereo Microphone Input
  • 3.5mm Output for Headphones/Camera
  • In-Camera Recording Ensures Picture Sync

Capture high-quality, low-noise recordings from your favorite XLR microphone directly to your FUJIFILM camera with the Tascam CA-XLR2d-F XLR Microphone Adapter for Mirrorless Cameras. This version includes an accessory shoe that takes advantage of FUJIFILM’s hot shoe to provide a cable-free digital audio connection to the camera—avoiding any deterioration in sound quality and eliminating the work of synchronizing images and sound in postproduction.

The accessory shoe also allows the camera to supply the adapter with power for the analog-to-digital converter and the 48V phantom power needed for condenser microphones. Two AA batteries will also power the unit, and the 3.5mm output jack will connect to just about any camera’s 3.5mm audio input using the supplied cable, meaning the CA-XLR2d-F can work as an analog audio adapter with a wide variety of mirrorless/DSLR cameras. The audio output can also serve as a headphone jack for real-time monitoring in the field.

Note: Digital hot-shoe compatibility with FUJIFILM X-T4, X-S10, and GFX100S cameras will be available via product updates expected within 2022.

Select the Best Microphone for Your Application
Choose the appropriate microphone or input that matches your application. From a single shotgun mic for interviews or dialog to dual dynamic or condenser mics for stereo imaging or the entire audio mix fed from the master mixer, using the line-level capability, the CA-XLR2d-F supports a wide variety of shooting applications.

HDDA Mic Preamplifier for High Sound Quality with Low Noise & Wide Dynamic Range
The CA-XLR2d-F is equipped with a high-definition discrete-architecture microphone preamplifier that can process anything from room tone to explosions, making it well suited to a wide range of sets and environments. Each input supports microphone/line-level switching and a +48V phantom power supply. The CA-XLR2d-F allows input of dynamic microphones, condenser microphones, and line-level audio signals from a mixer.

Designed for a High Degree of Freedom
A cold shoe on the top panel expands setting flexibility. The shockmount mechanism is vibration and noise resistant and allows you to connect various microphones. With two combo XLR-1/4″ input connectors and one 3.5mm stereo mini microphone input jack, the CA-XLR2d-F has the flexibility to adapt to the gear necessary for the job and work in a wide variety of shooting scenarios. A 3.5mm output terminal with headphone mode provides latency-free direct monitoring or analog camera connection.

Built-In Processing with User-Friendly Control for Clean and Clear Recordings
Internal processing options such as Auto Level, a Low-Cut Filter, and a Limiter are on board, all using convenient switches. The 1+2 LINK function allows you to adjust the L/R volume simultaneously when recording in stereo. The unit supports 16/24-bit rates and 48/96 kHz sampling rates.

FUJIFILM Digital Interface Kit
Tascam has collaborated with FUJIFILM Corporation to create an in-camera recording solution for XLR mics using the digital hot shoe connection. This provides a cable-free digital audio transmission directly into the camera along with a buss power supply from the camera to create an efficient and highly mobile solution.

Digital product compatibility includes:

  • FUJIFILM cameras: X-T4, X-S10, and GFX100S (via product updates expected within 2022)

For analog setups, the included 2 x AA battery box, cold shoe mount, and adapter cable, which connects the CA-XLR2d’s 3.5mm output to a camera’s 3.5mm mic input jack allowing the CA-XLR2d to work as an analog audio adapter and deliver high-quality sound from XLR mics to a wide range of existing camera users.

Analog product compatibility includes:

  • Nikon mirrorless cameras:  Z 9, Z 7II, Z 6II, Z 7, Z 6, Z 5, Z fc, and Z 50
  • Nikon digital SLR cameras: D6, D780, D850, D7500, and D500
  • Numerous mirrorless/DSLR cameras with a shoe mount and 3.5mm external audio input jack

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Silver Fujifilm X-T3 Marked Discontinued at B&H Photo and Low Stock Elsewhere

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 11, 2022


Fujifilm isn’t discontinuing the X-T3 quite yet, but it looks like they are simplifying the production by not producing it in silver, which might be due to supply chain issues. Fujifilm recently announced an even more affordable X-T3 without charger last year so it will probably be around for a while alongside the X-T4 and maybe even a future X-T5 as the pinnacle of X mount cameras without IBIS.

Supply chain issues have led to a lot of belt-tightening throughout the industry with companies like Sony not taking orders for multiple cameras. During times like these, it is best to allocate resources to SKU’s that sell well with a good profit margin. For Fujifilm, this is likely the X-T4 and GFX100S, which can both be hard to find in stock.

If you want a silver X-T3 Amazon has a few bodies left and Adorama still has a kit in stock.

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Posted in Fujifilm X-T3, Fujifilm X-T4| Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment