Laowa Magic Format Converter For Astrophotography on GFX100

With the Milkyway core now setting before Sunrise in Florida another season of Milkyway photography is coming to a close for me and my friends. It was not an easy year to get out and shoot with COVID-19 and lots of cloud cover, but I did manage to test some equipment for pushing the GFX100 further doing Astrophotography.

Laowa’s Magic Format Converter has always interested me for creating faster/wider glass combinations on the GFX for astrophotography. Below you can see some brick wall test shots, which show that the adapter isn’t perfect (which made it difficult to square off and center), but it is significantly better with the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D than the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC. I decided to test Nikon mount lenses due to my partnership with Nikonrumors and I would like to test more Nikon glass in the future on the GFX so let me know if you have any suggestions, but cloud cover has become an issue for us in FL so I will probably only be able to test a few lenses a year.

The MFC is a unique tool that expands the image circle of full-frame glass for Nikon or Canon mount lenses by magnifying the image circle by 1.4x to eliminate or reduce vignetting, but you will lose one stop of light in the process. So the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D performs like the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D, but a more unique result is the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC, which is like a 34mm f/2, which would be great, but there is some heavy vignetting that can be corrected easily at low ISO but correction becomes more difficult at or above ISO 3200 due to noise.

I did not have any issues with infinity focus and it was very easy to get pinpoint stars with this combination. Surprisingly the distortion didn’t really show up when I was shooting astrophotography, so I was able to jump straight into editing to make the Milkyway pop. Out of the two lenses I tested, my favorite combination was the Laowa Magic Format Converter paired with the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D, but unless you use a Nikon F mount camera regularly the Laowa 17mm f/4 Zero-D might be a better investment since it is designed for the GFX and works great.

On the other hand, the Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC provides a unique fast wide lens for the GFX, but the vignetting is an issue for astrophotography. A Photographer could find applications for this combination, but there are a few fast wide lenses out there that might pair better with the Laowa Magic Format Converter. I will likely try to test some similar lenses to the 24mm f/1.4 in the future with the Magic Format Converter.

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NameMagic Format Converter (MFC)
Lens Structure5 elements in 4 groups
Focal Length MultiplierIncrease by 1.4x
Aperture ImpactReduce by 1-stop
Focus Mode / Aperture ControlManual
Dimensions69.6 x 44.1mm
Weightabout 360g
MountsCanon EF to Fujifilm GFX / Nikon F/G to Fujifilm GFX
Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Accessories, Fujifilm GFX, Fujifilm GFX 100, Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel, Fujifilm GFX 100S, Fujifilm GFX 50R, Fujifilm GFX 50S| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop Website Launched With 20% Off Your First Purchase


Fujifilm recently closed the Wonder Photo Shop in NYC, but the name is still around and Fujifilm has designed to redesign the website instead of shutting it with the store. Further, Fujifilm is offering fans 20% off your first purchase if you use the promotional code WPS2020 during checkout. Fujifilm sent out an email earlier today stating:

We are so excited to announce and welcome you back to the Wonder Photo Shop website! Get inspired to create more with your photos from the comfort of your own home. For being a valued guest at the shop, we would like to offer you 20% off your first purchase! Just use PROMO CODE WPS20 at checkout!*

We hope you love the new site and enjoy creating your first print or gift! Get started – HERE.

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Plus our owners’ groups
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Fujifilm X-T Owners Group
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Fujifilm X-E Owners Group
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NEW 7Artisan 18mm F6.3 Ultra-Thin APS-C UFO Prime Lens


7Artisan has its new 18mm F6.3 Ultra-Thin APS-C Prime Lens up to order on Amazon now.

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Current Fujifilm Fall Savings Are Coming To An End Today


GFX
Fujifilm GFX50R (Save $1000): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

X-Series
Fujifilm X-T3 (Save $500):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Fujifilm X-T3 + Grip (Save $500):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Fujifilm X-T3 + 18-55mm + Grip (Save $500):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Fujifilm X-T3 + 16-80mm (Save $500):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Fujifilm X-E3 (Save $200) Remaining Stock:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Fujifilm X-T200 (Save $250): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Fujifilm X100F (Save $300): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Fujinon Lenses
XF 35mm F1.4 R (save $100): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
XF 56mm F1.2 R (save $150): B&H Photo / Amazon  / Adorama
XF 90mm F2 R LM WR (save $150): B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Other Deals
Pelican Cases Discounted
X-Mount Lens Deals
Memory Card Savings
Power Banks

Battery Banks For Fujifilm Cameras
Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD
PowerCore+26800 PD
other more affordable options


New Apple Mac Pro: B&H Photo
New Apple iPad Pro and More: B&H Photo
New Apple iMac Pro: B&H Photo / Adorama
New Apple MBP: B&H Photo / Adorama
MacBook Pro (Savings still available): B&H Photo

Limited time iPad Pro Savings
iPad Pro Bundles:B&H Photo
iPad Pro: B&H Photo

Software Deals
Luminar 4 & Aurora HDR 2019 (Savings code FUJIADDICT)
ON1 Photo RAW 2020
Photolemur
Picktorial

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Fujifilm X Lab #6: Fujifilm X-S10 Discussed

Since the announcement of the Fujifilm X-S10 many photographers have wondered why? Well between this X Lab video and the interview the other day I believe Fujiflm is trying to be clear about the point. The X-S line is about being Small, Slim, Secure, Simple, and Stabilized. The Fujifilm X-S line was an engineering challenge that Fujifilm took on and it seems they have largely succeeded and it will be interesting how their advancements will affect other lines of cameras form Fujfiilm.

The video above has very bad translated subtitles which you can read the summary of below, but they do go along with the them of other interviews. Fujifilms goals had a lot of thermal constraints they had to work around, but now that the camera is finished it does seem to be a great value for those not looking to switch or get an inexpensive camera with great image quality.

  • Heat disputation in the X-S10 was a concern, but they managed it by making the whole body into a metal heat sink.
  • Considered making the camera without IBIS first, but were able to make it small enough.
  • The IBIS helps improve the image quality though.
  • The design used to use more springs, but they were able to reduce them while preventing slippage.
  • They didn’t want IBIS to be useless so they worked hard to make the performance better.
  • There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning.
  • Fujifilm had to change to a new design that could be miniaturized
  • The new command dial feels good and clicks into place and is easy to understand
  • The auto mode now uses simulations

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Fujifilm X-S10 Development Staff Interview: Small, Slim, Secure, Simple, Stabilization

Camera Kitamura interviewed the preson in charge of the Fujifilm X-S10’s development. You can see part 1 above and the summary will be below in addition to part 2.

  • The Fujifilm X-S10 was developed to be smaller than the X-T4
  • The S in X-S represents many things Small, Slim, Secure, Simple, Stabilization
  • The new grip lets you hold more of the cameras weight with your right hand
  • You can hold the camera better with just one hand with the new grip
  • The new grip is to help people new to X cameras
  • The battery in the grip is now vertical instead of horizontal making the grip bigger and providing more space in the body for IBIS
  • The designer also thinks that the new grip is more natural for users
  • The new dial is designed to make the camera more familiar to photographers coming from other systems
  • Happy they added custom settings to the dial instead of having it in the menus
  • Adding a PSAM dial gives the X-S its own identity
  • The X-S is a gate way camera into the X series and it’s important to adopt things like PSAM to keep it simple
  • Really likes film simulations
  • Fujifilm is known for image quality and film simulations are a part of that
  • You can find the optimal film simulation easily with the X-S
  • Putting film simulations and advanced filters on a dial lets you find the right one quickly
  • Does not think the selfie screen (variable angle screen) won’t be on every camera in the future
  • The new selfie screen doesn’t match the personality of every camera
  • The X-S is inferior to the X-T, but it has good enough functionality
  • The X-S does have the same color as other high end cameras, which is useful for youtubers
  • Would be great to have an LCD tilt in three directions

Summary of Part 2

  • People expect IBIS today
  • Fujifilm wanted to add shake correction that doesn’t affect image quality to their cameras but making the tech smaller took time
  • Their IBIS systems were restricted to larger body cameras like the GFX and XT4
  • Fujifilm’s IBIS is evolving
  • They had to reduce the correction stages to make the IBIS smaller
  • X-H1 to X-T4 made the IBIS system 30% smaller and lighter
  • The X-S emphasizes video while ensuring heat dissipation
  • IBIS doesn’t fix everything there is also subject blur when a subject is moving quickly
  • Increasing shutter speed is also important when image quality matters
  • It’s Fujifilm’s desire to allow you to take a stable picture even in low light situations
  • The X-S adopts the X-T4’s AF system
  • X-T4 is better at AF-C and subject tracking though
  • Right now there are 18 film simulations
  • If you come from the film days you know what you’re getting with film simulations
  • If you press the Q button after using the dial for simulations the camera will give you an explanation of the film simulation
  • Many young people have never shot film
  • Now you can master film simulation
  • The ability to AF at -7EV is almost AF in the dark
  • -7 EV is based on the XF50mm f/1 R WR and it is -6 EV with a f/1.4 lens
  • Fujifilm X-T4 and X-S10 have the same low light AF
  • Low light is where cameras beat smart phones, but they are getting better
  • Larger sensor cameras have better pixel pitch for image quality
  • Auto/SP is a new mode that picks the best film simulation mode automatically
  • The auto simulation mode picks between Provia/Velvia/Astia and adjusts color chrome blue automatically when a large blue sky is detected
  • You can also capture RAW while shooting in auto mode so you can pick other simulations later if you want along with adjust color chrome, clarity, dynamic range, etc…
  • Auto/SP kind of acts like an auto scene mode
  • The X-S10 is an easy camera to use but it is also a deep camera

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