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Fujifilm announces X-T1 Graphite Silver edition and new 50-140mm and 56mm X series lenses

By Marcus Wong - on 11 Sep 2014, 12:22pm

Fujifilm announces X-T1 Graphite Silver edition and new 50-140mm and 56mm X series lenses

 Barely half a year after the launch of the X-T1, and Fujifilm has released an update to their flagship professional camera.

The X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition features a new luxury multilayer coat on the body, with three coats of paint applied, giving it a smooth finish, luxurious shine, and a slight tint that changes subtly depending on how the light hits the body.

Perhaps more compelling to users will be the inclusion of a new high-speed electronic shutter that goes up to a maximum speed of 1/32000. As with the X100T, this high-speed shutter will allow for wide-open apertures even in brightly-lit conditions, and the electronic shutter will allow for a completely silent shooting experience that can be adjusted in 1/3 stops from 1 sec – 1/32000.

The X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition also gains the Classic Chrome Film Simulation mode first featured in the X100T, and the ability to temporarily disable image quality settings from the view finder image via the Natural Live View function, so that you can view the scene as your eye does, just like you would through an optical viewfinder.

Existing X-T1 users don’t have to worry about being left out though, as Fujifilm says these features will be enabled for their cameras in a firmware update planned for December 2014, as will another 10 improvements as listed below:

  1. Direct selection of AF Area -The update will let users select the focus area using the 4-way controller, without pressing the Fn key.
  2. Unlocked AE-L/AF-L buttons - The function of the AE-L/AF-L button will be interchangeable, depending on the user’s preference.
  3. Variable Focus Area during MF - When working in Manual focus mode, users will be able to change the size of the focus area during Instant AF using the AF-L button.
  4. Direct selection of Macro mode - In Autofocus mode, the option to turn Macro mode on or off function will be available without the need to access the pop-up menu.
  5. Q Menu customization - Items and layout of the Q Menu can be customized to your personal preference.
  6. New video frame rates - 50fps, 25fps and 24fps options will be available with the update. 50fps and 25fps allow video editing in the PAL regions, such as Europe, and 24fps offers a cinema-like view.
  7. Manual shooting in Video mode - The update will enable ISO sensitivity selection prior to shooting videos, as well as the ability to adjust aperture and shutter speed during movie recording.
  8. Phase Detection AF support for Instant AF - In Instant AF mode, which is operated by pressing the AF-L button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF, providing faster focusing speeds.
  9. Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas - Users will be able to interlock the AF area position with the Metering area when Spot Metering mode is selected.
  10. Expansion of shutter speed in Program Shift mode - In the current Program Shift mode, the slowest-speed setting is 1/4sec, but this will increase to a maximum of 4secs.

The X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition will retail at a RRP of S$2199(Body only) at all authorized Fujifilm retailers, but availability is yet to be announced.

Some more images of the X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition:

The X-T1 GS with handgrip attached.

The X-T1 GS (rear).

The X-T1 GS control dials.

 

Also announced, are the FUJINON XF50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens and FUJINON XF56mm f/1.2 R APD Lens, two quality lenses for Fujifilm’s X series cameras.

 

The FUJINON XF50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR lens offers a focal length of 76-213mm (35mm format equivalent) with a constant f/2.8 aperture through the entire range. Featuring 23 glass elements in 16 groups – of which five are ED lens elements and one is a Super ED lens element with low dispersion characteristics comparable to fluorite – maximum reduction of chromatic aberrations are achieved, while Fujifilm’s unique HT-EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) and their new Nano-GI (Gradient Index) coating technology combine to ensure that ghosting and flare are tightly controlled.

Seven rounded aperture blades create smooth circular bokeh effects, and the internal zooming mechanism means the lens doesn’t change length, ensuring that the balance remains even throughout the zoom range. The FUJINON XF50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR boasts the world’s first Triple Linear Motor with three linear motors mounted at equal intervals of 120o around a lighter focus lens for fast, quiet autofocus, and a minimum focusing distance of just 1m throughout the zoom range, making it great for close-ups.

The lens measures approximately 82.9 x 175.9mm, and weighs 995g, and is also weather and dust resistant as well as freeze-proof up to -10oC, making it a perfect companion for the X-T1. A viable alternative to the Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 WR OIS for those who want their wide open apertures perhaps?

No local pricing or availability have been announced as yet, but the indications are that it will be available internationally from December 2014, while the list price for Japan should be around 174,500¥.

 

Finally, the FUJINON XF56mm f/1.2 R APD is a fast lens that will provide X-series cameras with an equivalent focal length of about 85mm (35mm format equivalent). It too utilises Fujifilm’s HT-EBC on all lens surfaces and features 11 glass elements in eight groups, including one aspherical lens element and two extra low dispersion lens elements. Measuring just 73.2 To indicate this apodizing effect, the lens features an aperture ring showing the effective aperture value in red.

The difference between the actual aperture value selected and the effective aperture value indicates the effectiveness of the apodization filter. Because this effect is most effect at large apertures, an ND filter is included that adjusts brightness in three levels.x 69.7mm, and weighing just 405g, the XF56mmF1.2 R APD is also ground-breaking in that it’s the first of Fujifilm’s autofocus lenses to include an apodization filter that offers an even more pronounced bokeh effect.

Again, no local pricing or availability have been announced as yet, but the indications are that it will be available internationally from December 2014, while the list price for Japan should be around 164,500¥.

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