Fuji X100/X100S 50mm Equivalent for $35

By now, it's pretty clear that when I travel and bring a digital camera, it's usually the Fuji X100S.

The only thing Tyler and I have usually griped about it is that it's not the greatest focal length for some nice portraits occasionally. The widest I'll usually go for an up-close portrait is a 50mm.

We didn't want to buy another small camera system just for that focal length capability (such as the Fuji XPro1 or a Sony A7R). $$$$$$$

After we saw that Fuji posted a photo showing a new teleconverter lens for the X100/S, we simply didn't want to wait for that.

After googling for a while and hunting on eBay, Tyler found a fantastic and affordable combination to get that 50mm look on a X100/S for just $35. (Don't forget you'll also need the little adapter ring needed to use a lens hood with the X100/S).

He found a 1.5X teleconversion lens for about $30, and a 49mm-58mm step up ring for about $5. Granted, the lens is a little difficult to find so cheap. He saw one go for £1 and another for $80-100.



For what it is, I think it's a fabulous deal. We just wanted to use it for some quick portraits occasionally. Granted, the image quality falters towards the edges of the frame, and I'm sure the one Fuji comes out with in April or May will be better quality and perfect on the edges (but of course, more $$$).

However, for what it is, I can't complain. Autofocus still works too! Best to use it in the EVF mode since the size of the lens blocks a lot of your view in the OVF. Check it out yourself here (and see the degree of slight distortion towards the edges) -



Standing at the same distance, image on the left was shot with the teleconversion lens, image on the right is shot without it.

It's great in the center of the frame, but starts to warp at the edges of the frame. Here's another example: Note the white edge of the doorway next to Peanut.



Updated to add another example of the edge distortion/prisming effect:



Anyway, I'm excited to use this! It's a fabulous set up for what it is, and I still can't wait to see the teleconversion lens Fuji comes out with later this year.

UPDATE! More photos and thoughts here: http://anniehallphoto.blogspot.com/2014/07/fuji-x100x100s-50mm-equivalent-update.html

Documentary Lifestyle Sessions | Steven & Hibi

One new thing I'd love to focus on this year is doing more documentary lifestyle sessions. Being candid, unobtrusive, and honest with my photography has always been a top priority whenever I work with my camera, unless my client and I are specifically aiming for a particular purpose, in which case I take more control. What makes me happiest, though, is when I get to capture the way I see something with my camera in a documentary fashion - merely observing, anticipating, and telling a story through unstaged photographs. I think more people should embrace this style of reportage photography, because they rarely get to see this side themselves - a more natural, real them, and their story gets told more easily.

I aim to start photographing family and other sessions in this way, not only because it's less stressful for the ones being photographed, but also mostly because all they have to worry about is being themselves, and I will take care of the rest.

Hong Kong - Part VI: Departure

.... and goodbye to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong - Part V: The Peak

Whenever Hong Kong is mentioned between photographers, Victoria Peak is always mentioned. It's the "top of the world" of Hong Kong. My family didn't schedule a night tour at the Peak, but my cousin and her husband (who are into photography, too!) took me there and gave me the chance to capture the stunning view.

Hong Kong - Part IV: Hong Kong is a Delight to Photograph

A few more frames that I really enjoyed from Hong Kong. If it weren't for what I'm trying to do with my photography and my obvious lack of fluency in Cantonese, I would love to live there.

Also, those egg waffle things are DELICIOUS :)

Hong Kong - Part III: Tai O, Big Buddha, and Ngong Ping 360

... and one frame in the beginning showing the popularity of Jackie Chan's hand print at the Avenue of the Stars had.

The Tai O, Big Buddha, and Ngong Ping 360 adventure included a boat ride along the sea, a bus ride up to the Big Buddha which included a long hike up many flights of stairs, a tour around the Ngong Ping village which had tons of cute shops, and finally a ride back down by the cable car. By then it was getting dark, but the lights that came on down below looked beautiful.

Hong Kong - Part II: More scenes of Hong Kong

A couple more of some favorites of Hong Kong through my lens.

Hong Kong - Part I: Arrival

For two weeks in November I traveled to Hong Kong with my mom and brother. I hadn't been in about five years, so it was really, really exciting to finally go again. Plus, I was armed with a Fujifilm X100 this year instead of the little pink Sony Cybershot I brought 5 years ago. For the next few posts I hope to show you just a tiny bit of how I saw Hong Kong. Please enjoy!

The Way I See --- Alex Grey at 1015 Folsom, San Francisco

I've always thought one of the kindest things someone could say to a photographer wasn't just, "I love your pictures," but instead, "I love the way you see," because that also means "I love your pictures, and I will love the pictures you have yet to shoot." By posting some more personal work -things I shoot in my free time, photos of events I attended and such, and things not related to weddings and stuff, I can let people see the way I see around me.

And hopefully, those people fall in love with the way I see, which is most important to me as the big picture.

On Thursday I had an interesting experience attending an event that I would never have attended on my own. Tyler and I and a couple of his friends went to Alex Grey's book release and live painting. We were actually hesitant to bring cameras because we thought we might not be allowed to or that it might disturb the event. Boy were we wrong! I brought my handy X100 just in case. It was very loud and incredibly crowded. We waited in line to have Alex Grey sign the poster our friend just bought for about two hours, and then just as we got to the front of the line, Alex Grey left the table and disappeared for another hour until it was time for the live painting session. Oof! Boy, there was a lot of waiting. Being at the very front of the stage, it was so interesting to see how much it resembled a concert, except that the performance was three artists painting (Damon Soule, Alex & Allyson Grey, and Roman Villagrana). Watching them paint reminded me of the raw, unfinished work that photographers also go through to create a final image. Initially, what they were working with didn't seem to be my cup of tea - Allyson Grey was tracing over symbols with pink acrylics and Alex Grey was thoughtfully painting marijuana leaves - but I figured the end product would look pretty amazing. Most importantly, it was really interesting to see everyone there and the Greys being celebrated for how they saw the world.

What I particularly enjoyed was to take out my camera and shoot a few photos.

This is how I saw the night. Please enjoy.

Digital Snaps From the Collective Past | Fuji X100

Just a few digital snaps from my previous little adventure to downtown Gilroy's antique shop. All images shot with the Fuji X100. I just love how one person's old, old junk is now another person's vintage treasure and sold for much more than it used to cost. I just love the old milk jars!

Streets of San Francisco

Trying my hand at some good old black and white street photography. Images shot with the Fujifilm X100.

Fujifilm X100

See blog posts with the Fuji X100 here.
See blog posts with the new Fuji X100S here.

I picked up a Fujifilm X100 recently and I have been having a blast shooting with it.  I'm going to Hong Kong in a few months and I wanted a quality camera I can bring with me without weighing me down or generating too much attention (wow, that's a big camera!).

It's definitely got the little annoyances that I was prepared for from reading reviews online, such as the autofocus, its power up speed, and generally the menu interface and such. I decided to get one because carrying around the D700 was troublesome, heavy, and got a lot of attention. I wanted something compact with the superior image quality I craved so much. My Canon S95 just didn't compare to the quality of my D700 nor the convenience of the camera I always have with me - the iPhone.

I love having the X100 around. It's extremely quiet, discreet, and compact and gorgeous enough to wear around my neck without feeling silly. The image quality is amazing, and I love the fixed focal length. Here are some shots I got with it around Henry Coe Park, Fremont Peak, and San Francisco.