I spent the last few hours of the year 2017 capturing the dramatic skies in a small protected landscape (Biedensand), a place I visit since years throughout the seasons.

We will continue exactly following this spirit of “We are all a big family of Photographers”. The new 2018 program will be online on school.fauland-photography.com very soon (Please check it out in the next couple of days).

Two special workshops already take place in January and February 2018:

On the 13th of January everybody who is interested in the FUJIFILM GFX 50S medium format system can join us for one day of Fine Art Architecture Photography in Berlin.

Motel One, Berlin.

All info and booking options can be found on the FUJIFILM SCHOOL Website.

On the 17th of February a small group of interested Photographers has the chance to explore the former Soviet Army areal Wünsdorf (less than one hour drive from Berlin).

Entrance hall. Theatre Soviet Army, Wünsdorf.

All info and booking options can be found on the FUJIFILM SCHOOL Website.

Feel free to contact us in case of questions. Both workshops come as an “all inclusive package” with catering, the possibility to test FUJIFILM cameras and lenses (please let us know in advance if you are interested in specific gear) and tons of input to push your photographic skills to the next level.

For now, I wish all of us a few peaceful days with family and loved ones before we kick off the final big party of the year and welcome the New Year 2018 …

Yours,

Five years later version 3 is soon to be on sale and you can be one of the first guys to get your hands on it by simply supporting the KickStarter campaign that is still running till Friday, Nov 10th at 11:59pm (pacific time).

I am more than excited and can’t wait to get my hands on this new sexy little guy

Stay tuned …

After the last press announcement, FUJIFILM also updated the lens roadmap. And it holds two true gems that will make many Fuji-shooters sending out preorders right away.

There will be the FUJINON XF8-16 / 2.8 R LM WR – the long-anticipated lens to complete the triple of  F2.8-zoom-lenses (XF16-55 / 2.8 and XF 50-140 / 2.8). This Super-wide angle lens (35mm equivalent 12-24mm) will find its fans under landscape and architecture shooters, when the XF10-24 is just not extreme enough. Additional plus points are obviously the wide open aperture and the fact that it will withstand nasty weather being a WR lens.

Second is the FUJINON XF200 / 2.0 R LM OIS WR – Wow, just repeat this slowly: 200mm F2! In the good old DSLR world that would have been a 300mm F2 lens. It is compatible to the 1,4x and 2x tele-converters which transforms it into a 280mm F2.8 and 400mm F4 tele lens. Exciting times ahead.

Last but not least a few words about new software. On the 7th of September the following press release came out:

“FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” enables users to quickly and easily convert RAW files with outstanding image quality, once a camera is connected to a Mac or PC via USB cable. Exceptional image quality is retained, as the X RAW STUDIO system utilizes the X Processor Pro in the camera instead of the CPU in the computer.

Due to the increasing size of RAW files, users have found batch conversion to be an issue, as it takes more and more time as a result. However, using the high performance “X Processor Pro” processor, this batch conversion is handled far more efficiently as a result. This new software is due to be available from late November 2017.

Using a powerful workstation in the studio would not stop me from processing .RAF files fast and efficient – the big advantage of the “in body .RAF conversion” using the new software is a uniform outcome in terms of image quality and color rendering and the possibility to use sooc .jpgs and add converted ones to one set of images without noticing any difference in color.

So much for today – Stay tuned …

Recently, we had a cool workshop up there. Check out the Fauland Photography School website or contact us for more info.

Stay tuned …

It is true. There’s a version 2.0 both of the camera wrist strap CUFF and the ultralight camera strap LEASH. Let’s have a closer look …

As a kid trashing the packaging of any present was sometimes more fun than the gift itself. That’s for sure different here. Still, I would like to point out how nicely designed the packaging is. All bits and pieces are safely packed and present themselves in the most elegant way.

Both are the next evolution of the existing versions (still on sale). In short, they are more elegant and come up with a few smart new features.

CUFF is the perfect on-demand drop protection for your smaller or mid-size camera. No worries you can also attach more heavy gear via the anchor link system (It holds up to 200+ lbs / 90+ kg !) if you want to. The length is easily adjusted from 5 in to 11,5 in (12 to 29 cm).

The shiny metal piece allows a quick adjustment from loose and relaxed to tight and extra secure. When no camera is attached, the magnetic clasp allows to use CUFF as a stylish bracelet.

Having a look at LEASH, the most visible difference to version 1 is the stylish camel brown leather patch with a small black strap on top.  This forms a little loop allowing for one-handed fast adjustment of the length. The strap itself comes in light grey color.

Adjusting the length of LEASH 2.0 with one hand. Fast and simple.

Being small and light, LEASH fits in practically any pocket and allows for at least three ways to carry your camera: In super stable sling style, as shoulder strap or the classic way – around your neck. Thanks to the ultra smooth webbing it glides like a charm on any clothes you might be wearing. As seen in the image above, the length can be adjusted from 32 in up to 57 in (81 to 145 cm).

Especially when used with smaller non-DSLR style cameras the new anchors with their much thinner dual layer cables come in handy. As mentioned in the beginning – they are rated up to 200+ lbs (90+ kg) and feature a “replacement warning”. Should the inner red core ever become visible, it’s time to replace the anchor.

The new (top) and old (bottom) anchors, which does not have the described dual layer design.

PeakDesign proves again and again that even the ‘perfect piece of gear’ can always be improved. The enormous amount of thought that goes in every single aspect of any product of their range makes them a pure pleasure to use. In my case on a daily basis. They say ‘form follows function’ – I see that a little different: Functionality engineered to perfection should be housed in a ‘form’ that is unobtrusive, elegant, modern and timelessly beautiful.

While I personally prefer the SLIDE and SLIDE LITE for bigger and more heavy cameras like the FUJIFILM X-T2 (with battery grip) or even the FUJIFILM GFX medium format camera, LEASH and CUFF are perfect for any slightly smaller and less heavy camera.

I would say the only thing left to do is to send you directly over to the PeakDesign Website where you find all details and the full range of products.

Feel free to share your experiences with us …

Finishing note: 1% of each purchase supports ‘One Percent for the planet‘ (The Conversion Alliance).  

Let me go into this a bit more in detail. I used a FUJIFILM X-T2 with the battery grip attached. This gives 3 batteries (1300 mAh each) to allow something like 1000 to 1500 frames without changing batteries. Whenever there is permanent power available, the power adapter and DC-coupler come in very handy. In order to maximise the shooting time when no external power source is available it’s recommendable to reduce the power consumption as much as possible by going to ‘normal’ or ‘eco’ in the power management settings and switching off sensor cleaning. Depending on the time interval set, the camera might otherwise perform a cleaning after every single shot! The lens used was the FUJINON XF18/2.0 – a small and compact medium-wide-angle lens.

I prefer to set the focus to manual to avoid the camera trying to refocus – especially at night this can spare some trouble (a bright and clear, easy to focus spot during daytime might be just a black hole at night). For this time-lapse here, the camera was set to ISO-automatic (with a max. value of 1600 to keep the noise totally invisible) and f=4. In order to achieve a slightly cold overall look the white balance was set to 4300 K, and the PROVIA film simulation (with fine tuned shadows -2, high lights +1. Brightening up the really dark parts and pronouncing the high lights just a little).

Enjoy the final sequence here.  

Post Production was kept very basic here. The Image files are sooc (straight out of camera) as the overall look was carefully set up beforehand – no problem. Downsizing in Photoshop and then the creation of the time-lapse sequence with Quicktime Player. iMovie comes in handy to add a title or credits at the end. Et voila.

Thanks for watching and

Stay tuned ….

Follow the white arrow.

While most tourist guides would not even mention this borough of Berlin, I somehow do like the 70ies style architecture (There are some similarities to the Grands Ensembles in Paris. I said some …). Working lightweight meant using the FUJIFILM X-Pro2 with the XF 14/1.4. No tripod, Guerilla style – quick and constantly moving. Maximum sharpness is not the point here. It’s about light and how it is captured. Knowing that ISO values can be easily pushed up to 6400 – No problem. Even at night (after 22:00 in this case) the light pollution never gives a really dark environment (Teaser: There’s a project coming, where really dark skies are needed. This means driving out of town some 40 to 60km).

Gold and Velvia Blue.

The air was hot, a nice wind not making it feel like and the cloud formations moving fast. Perfect light for atmospheric cityscapes. I decided to pronounce the colors a little further and chose VELVIA as film simulation. In camera contrast adaptation: Shadows -2, Highlight +1.

Double tracks.

The white balance was kept to automatic here leading to a nice natural color reproduction. Did I mention the light was spectacular ?

Purple sky with UFO landing site. For the visitors there’s a nice sky-walk up on that hill.

Looking trough the viewfinder, first I did not like the fact that due to the 14mm focal length (21mm equivalent for a 35mm camera) the point of interest in this shot appeared rather small. I decided to give it a try and have to say I quite like the result. It adds to the mysterious mood of the scene. It could be a rain forest somewhere far away – No this ‘landscape’ is found in Berlin.

There is a time difference of around 40 minutes between these two shots. Same camera settings !

The shutter speed down to 1/7 and 1/3 of a second was a little challenging, but thanks to the perfect weight balance of the camera-lens combination, I managed to get enough sharpness into those frames. Hard to say which one I prefer.

A Ghost at the end of the bridge.

Even at f=2.8 and ISO maxed out (6400) it was border-line dark on the way back to the starting point. Placing the focus just approximately 1 m in front of me adds to the dream-like mood in this shot.

Skate Park after sunset.

While the foreground appeared pretty dark on location the reflected light of this bright street light on the right filled nicely in and makes the Graffiti on this ramp an interesting part of the overall composition.

All images are .jpg sooc (straight out of camera) – One thing I love about shooting with FUJIFILM X-series cameras. The X-Trans sensor renders color like no other digital camera I know. You decide beforehand which look you like for the scene, via Q-menu all settings are fine tuned within seconds – ready to shoot.

Thanks for watching and

Stay tuned …

What am I talking about? A couple of weeks ago, I had the idea to work on (and publish of course) a daily (!) image series, that would simply showcase single moments of my daily life as a Photographer, as seen through the lens of my camera – not conceptual works or serious projects – simply moments that triggered my interest in capturing them. The online portfolio can be found here: Single Moments. “At least one frame per day – That’s my ambition.” In this respect I already failed. Adding meaningless shots of arbitrary images would make no sense at all. What makes a shot worth being included in the collection? I would tell my students something like “The image has to grab your attention, tell a story – an interesting one of course – and be captured in a unique way to my the subject stand out”. Wow. That sounds impressive. In the past weeks there were simply too many images that I kept on the hard drives of my server without even considering them to be a single moment shot (aka SMS, I like that one. Have you seen my latest SMS can cause funny situations depending who you ask). I never really intended to burry the idea and stopp it, I only had the strong feeling the concept itself needs a modification and adaption to what I initially wanted to achieve with it. Long story short, my Single Moments will be published on this blog (at least for now) and be a mixed work of images, stories, thoughts and observations – pure and unfiltered.

I wish myself good luck with this and ask you – my dear reader – to kick me and remind me if you have the feeling I am drifting away. It can be done, no doubt about that. Have a look at Casey Neistat’s vlog on his YouTube channel. There’s an episode every other day and this means having the idea for an interesting story, his audience will appreciate, shooting the footage and then editing and publishing. Kudos for you, Casey as this is not your only job.

Here we go: The goals are set, the word is out. After this rather long introduction, Let’s start single_moment#00101082017. I had some idea, half an hour ago, but while writing this part here I got this eMail, I have to share with you (original in German language):

I wanted to sell a pair of shoes and got offered paid foot massages. Wow.

Short translation: This is an eBay advert I am running since quite a while. I am simply trying to sell a pair of shoes not in use anymore. A gentlemen, let’s call him simply Mr. Andreas is offering his services as a foot massage expert (well he claims to be still learning) and wants to pay me 20€ per hour. Only foot massages, nothing more or less. He’s 35 years old and good looking.

Let’s do the math: 5 hours while reading mail, writing letters, being on the phone …. Just kidding. This is fore sure one of the more bizarre eMails in my Inbox in recent weeks.

Stay tuned …

PS.: Would YOU write him back?

The first part of the recently announced major Firmware Update is available for download here :

Firmware 2.00 (FUJI X-T2)        // Updated Owner’s Manual V2.00 //

Firmware 3.00 (FUJI X-Pro2)    // Updated Owner’s Manual V3.00 //

Firmware 1.02 (FUJI EF-X500)   // Check here to see if your flashgun needs this update !  //

As this is a adding a large amount of new and updated functions to both cameras, I am listing them here – hi-lighting some functionalities I consider especially interesting :

NEW FEATURES for the FUJIFILM X-T2 (using the firmware V.2.00)

• 1. Shooting RAW in Bracketing and Advanced Filters. The update enables you to use the RAW format when shooting not only in AE Bracketing but also in other Bracketing modes (ISO, Dynamic Range, White Balance, Film Simulations) and also in Advanced Filter modes.

• 2. Extended ISO 125 and 160 selectable. The update adds ISO125 and ISO160 to extended ISO levels available.

• 3. Programmable long exposure of up to 15 minutes. Long exposure in the T mode currently goes only up to 30 seconds. The update will allow users to extend it up to 15 minutes.

• 4. ON/OFF for 1/3-step shutter speed adjustment. The update allows you to turn off the Command Dial’s function to adjust shutter speed by 1/3 steps in order to prevent unintended adjustments.

• 5. Full-range ISO adjustments with the Command Dial. With the update, set the ISO “A” position to “Command” to adjust ISO sensitivity across the full range, including extended ISOs, with the Front Command Dial.

• 6. “AUTO” setting added for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting. The update adds an AUTO option for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting, that allows the camera to automatically define the minimum shutter speed according to the focal length of the lens attached.

• 7. Faster “Face Detection AF”. The update enables the use of Phase Detection AF for faster performance in Face Detection AF.

• 8. Improved in-focus indication in the AF-C mode. The update reduces focus hunting in the AF-C mode, making it easier to track a subject.

• 9. Addition of a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF. The update adds a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF, bringing the total number of available sizes to six. The new smallest size facilitates pin-point focusing. (* This function used with tether shooting will become available with “Tether Shooting Plug-in PRO for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® Ver.1.5.0”.)

• 10. Addition of “Portrait / Landscape AF Mode Switching”. The update allows you to specify separate AF mode and AF point settings for portrait orientation and landscape orientation.(* This function used with tether shooting will become available with “Tether Shooting Plug-in PRO for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® Ver.1.5.0”. If you are using Ver.1.4.0 or before, set STORE AF MODE BY ORIENTATION to OFF in AF/MF SETTING.)

• 11. Change of focus frame position while enlarging it. The update allows you to move the position of focus frame while enlarging it in Single Point in the AF-S mode or in the Manual Focus.

• 12. Activation of the Eye Sensor in video recording. The update allows you to use the Eye Sensor during video recording to automatically switch between EVF and LCD.

• 13. Change of ISO sensitivity during video recording. The update allows you to change ISO setting during video recording.

• 14. Re-autofocusing in video recording. With the update, half-press the Shutter Release button or press the button assigned to “AF-ON” function during video recording to re-do autofocusing.

• 15. Display live histogram during video recording. The update allows you to display a live histogram during video recording.

• 16. Optimization of external microphone’s input level. The update optimizes external microphone’s input level (lower limit revised from -12dB to 20dB) to reduce white noise when an external microphone with preamp is connected.

• 17. Addition of “Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display” in the View Mode. The update gives the “Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display” option in the View Mode that allows you to shoot through the viewfinder and check images on the LCD, just as you would with an SLR.

• 18. Constant “Dual display mode”. With the update, the small window in the Dual mode stays on even when you half-press the shutter release button.

• 19. Automatic vertical GUI for LCD. With the update, when you hold the camera in the portrait orientation, the camera will automatically display the GUI on the LCD in the same orientation.

• 20. Name Custom Settings. The update allows you to assign a specific name to Custom Settings 1 – 7. [How to set] IMAGE QUALITY SETTING>EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTING>CUSTOM1-7>EDIT CUSTOM NAME

• 21. Copyright information in EXIF data. The update allows you to register the photographer’s name and the copyright holder’s name in advance so that the camera automatically adds the information to EXIF data for each image. [How to set] SET UP>SAVE DATA SET-UP>COPYRIGHT INFO

• 22. Voice Memo function. The update enable you to record 30-second “Voice Memo” clips in the Playback mode. [How to set] PLAY BACK MENU>VOICE MEMO SETTING>ON (* When recorded images are displayed, press the front command dial for a while to start memo recording. When you remove your finger from the dial, it stops.)

• 23. Extended AE Bracketing. The update extends AE Bracketing from the current 3 frames +/-2EV to up to 9 frames +/-3EV.

• 24. Addition of “Shoot Without Card” mode. With the update, you can have the “Shoot Without Card” mode turned OFF so that the camera cannot shoot when there is no SD card inserted. [How to set] SET UP>BUTTON/DIAL SET

All the eight functions in bold were on my personal wish list. All filmmakers will enjoy No. 12 to 16. As usual, one little firmware update and we hold a “new camera” in our hands.

NEW FEATURES for the FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (using the firmware V.3.00)

• 1. Shooting RAW in Bracketing and Advanced Filters. The update enables you to use the RAW format when shooting not only in AE Bracketing but also in other Bracketing modes (ISO, Dynamic Range, White Balance, Film Simulations) and also in Advanced Filter modes.

• 2. Extended ISO 125 and 160 selectable. The update adds ISO125 and ISO160 to extended ISO levels available.

• 3. Programmable long exposure of up to 15 minutes. Long exposure in the T mode currently goes only up to 30 seconds. The update will allow users to extend it up to 15 minutes.

• 4. “AUTO” setting added for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting. The update adds an AUTO option for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting, that allows the camera to automatically define the minimum shutter speed according to the focal length of the lens attached.

• 5. Faster “Face Detection AF”. The update enables the use of Phase Detection AF for faster performance in Face Detection AF.

• 6. Improved in-focus indication in the AF-C mode. The update reduces focus hunting in the AF-C mode, making it easier to track a subject.

• 7. Addition of a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF. The update adds a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF, bringing the total number of available sizes to six. The new smallest size facilitates pin-point focusing.

• 8. Addition of “AF Point Display”. With the update, you can choose to have AF Points constantly displayed in Zone AF and Wide / Tracking AF, making it easier to track a subject. [How to set] AF/MFSETTING>AF POINT DISPLAY

• 9. Addition of “AF-C Custom Setting”. The update adds “AF-C Custom Setting” for specifying focus-tracking characteristics. Choose from five presets according to your subject’s type of movements. [How to set] AF-C CUSTOM SETTING

• 10. Change of focus frame position while enlarging it. The update allows you to move the position of focus frame while enlarging it in Single Point in the AF-S mode or in the Manual Focus.

• 11. Addition of “Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display” in the View Mode. The update gives the “Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display” option in the View Mode that allows you to shoot through the viewfinder and check images on the LCD, just as you would with an SLR.

• 12. Shorter EVF display time-lag. The update shortens EVF display time-lag in the AF-C mode so that you will not miss a photo opportunity.

• 13. Name Custom Settings. The update allows you to assign a specific name to Custom Settings 1 – 7.  [How to set] IMAGE QUALITY SETTING>EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTING>CUSTOM1-7>EDIT CUSTOM NAME

• 14. Copyright information in EXIF data. The update allows you to register the photographer’s name and the copyright holder’s name in advance so that the camera automatically adds the information to EXIF data for each image. [How to set] SET UP>SAVE DATA SET-UP>COPYRIGHT INFO

• 15. Voice Memo function. The update enables you to record 30-second “Voice Memo” clips in the Playback mode. [How to set] PLAY BACK MENU>VOICE MEMO SETTING>ON (* When recorded images are displayed, press the front command dial for a while to start memo recording. When you remove your finger from the dial, it stops.)

• 16. Extended AE Bracketing. The update extends AE Bracketing from the current 3 frames +/-2EV to up to 9 frames +/-3EV.

• 17. Addition of “Shoot Without Card” mode. With the update, you can have the “Shoot Without Card” mode turned OFF so that the camera cannot shoot when there is no SD card inserted. [How to set] SET UP>BUTTON/DIAL SETTING>SHOOT WITHOUT CARD

And last but not least one of my personal hi lights: With the EF-X500 flash updated and the new firmware for the X-T2 HSS flash photography up to 1/8000 sec. is working !!!! I did only a quick test in the office – there will be a dedicated post about this interesting topic asap.

Stay tuned …