Fuji News!!!!
I would like to end the week with some important news for all the Fuji fans out there!
FIRST: I’m honored to announce that a few weeks ago it was made official that Jack Graham and I were named X-Photographers by Fujifilm Japan & USA. The designation of X-Photographer is a recognition of some of the the exceptional photographers that use the Fuji X-System worldwide. (their words, not mine) Over 200 photographers have been invited to join, Jack and I are two of the 18 photographers from the United States, so designated. Both Jack and I consider it a real honor to be included into this fraternity of wonderful photographers an artists. You can see our portfolios at the links below:
Jack Graham http://fujifilm-x.com/photographers/en/jack_graham/#07
Bill Fortney http://fujifilm-x.com/photographers/en/bill_fortney/#01
One of the great things about being apart of the Fuji X-Photographers family is Fuji agrees that we are still independent thinkers free to express our opinions on products and we are not “official” spokesman for Fujifilm, just very happy users of the great gear they make. Neither Jack or I would have agreed to be a part of any restrictive arrangement that did not allow us to remain unbiased and honest about our evaluaitons. We know that you trust us, and we would not risk that by being paid spokesman for any company. Having said that, I believe it is obvious that we are very satisfied with our Fuji systems!
SECOND: The first test of a new Fuji product coming Monday! If you read Fuji Rumors, (and I do everyday!), you have no doubt been reading speculation about upcoming Fuji product releases. You must remember that Fuji Rumors is a Rumor sight, so they can leak things they hear under the protection of it being a “rumor”. I have been aware of some of the products since my trip to the Fuji National Sales Meeting in Phoenix, but have been under a non-disclosure agreement and could not be specific about anything I saw or tested, and I did both!!!. “If” the new releases happens on Monday as “rumored” I will be releasing a first test of a new product from Fuji. I’ve had “said” lens in my possession for a couple of weeks and have been testing it and preparing a review slated for the day it is “officially” announced. Assuming everything goes according to plan, I will release that review in Monday’s blog. Get excited, it is a marvelous product.
THIRD: Jack Graham and I have a new wesbsite for Fuji users called Fuji X Photo Workshops and this is the link: http://fujixphotoworkshops.com/ at our new website you will find a listing of new workshops Jack and i are teaching aimed directly at Fuji X-shooters who want get the most out of their X-System cameras and lenses. We will feature articles on Fuji gear, Fuji News, and other informative stories. Please book mark us for your Fuji info and workshop locations. Our workshop in Mount Rainier this summer is already SOLD OUT, check next year’s events in Olympic National Park (May 2016) , The Great Smokies N.P. (April 2016), and Acadia N.P. (October 2016) Please come by and check us out!!!!
FOURTH: The joy of working with Fuji. I had a great time attending and speaking at the Fuji National Sales Meeting. I met a lot of great Fuji professionals and made a number of new friends. I was really appreciative of how they listened to my ideas, and requests and seemed genuinely interested in what we, (the users), wanted and thought. I think one of the reasons I’ve had such and easy transition to being a Fuji X System shooter is their philosophy and corporate culture. I know after my meeting with top executives that they are committed to building the best possible cameras and lenses and the firmware upgrades prove they hear us and are making significant changes to the products. The upcoming Firmware 4.0 for the X-T1 is going to make very major improvements in it’s auto focus system, I’m excited!!!
So tune in Monday for an exciting review, and ha e a great weekend!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Friday, May 15th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
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Hope you can come by SANP here in Knoxville and show us some of the great stuff you’ve been doing lately. We miss you down here 🙂
I hope to get to one of the Fuji workshops sometime. I have a 7 week old boy right now so my photography is all baby photography (and happy for it!). But I hope to do something different and get out in nature again this fall or next year.
Congrats on being one of the X Photographers! I hope you can add some real-world nature photography perspective. I love my X-T1 but Fuji could certainly use some work on making things better for us.
First Congratulations!!!
Tell the program committee to invite me and I will be right down!!
They are working hard to update the system for us “outdoor guys!”
Will do! I just emailed Kendall. Hope we can see you soon. 🙂 And I’m really looking forward to what’s next. BTW, just as a casual aside, if you’d like to glance at some of my Fuji pics (and some old Nikon ones), you can take a quick glance at my flickr page. You don’t need to critique or comment, just wanted to pass along some pics I hope you enjoy glancing at. 🙂
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nwcs0822/
God bless,
Neil
As always love looking at your work, great looking baby!!!!! Love your infrared of Sparks Lane one of the nicest I’ve seen!
Thank you! That’s very kind!
Just true!
Good news. Congrats on the recognition 🙂
Thanks Jon, I was very pleased with the opportunity.
Cool! Can wait to read your post!
Thanks, it will be worth it!
Well deserved and congratulations Bill! I look forward to your review of the news lens.
Thanks Mike!
Congrats Bill. No one deserves it more.
Any idea on when a firmware update might be coming and whether it includes an extended range of exposures for bracketing? Headed for Russia next week. Sure would be nice!
Not sure if it will get here in time for your trip! Don’t think extended bracketing is included.
Call me before you leave if you can!
Question to a newborn X-Photographer : Is X-T1 capable of High Speed Sync
with Fuji Flashes? I don’t think you have talked about its
Flash system yet…
I hate to say this, but I have no idea! I’m an available light guy, never use flash, well almost never. I will check, but I think the answer is no.
Bill, a little over a year ago we had our chance meeting at Old Car City. I had been researching mirrorless and the Fuji System specifically. After spending a couple of hours with you and seeing your passion for the system, I went home and continued to study. It took a couple more months of researching, and sharing emails with you before I finally made the plunge. At first I was a little disappointed. Most issues were due to my own lack of understanding what this camera system was capable of. Now after a couple of great firmware updates with the best yet to come in June, and continuous reading the owners manual, consuming every review, every tutorial, YouTube video on the system, I’m so glad I made the switch!
In addition to adding some incredible images to my personal portfolio, I have recently contracted with some local Real Estate agents to shoot their listings. I use the Fuji 10-24 zoom for 95% of my work and my clients can’t get over the quality that this system produces.
I’m so glad that Fuji has honored you and Jack. Now for the one request that will make this nearly perfect system perfect. Please, please, give us at least a 5 to 7 bracket capability for HDR. Currently I will shot a -2 bracket which will give me a -2,-1,-3 output, then shoot a +1 bracket giving me a +1, +2, and 0 image. It’s a work around but being able to get that with a single click would be great. I’m probably preaching to the choir on this one and I’m sure you have at least hinted to the Fuji gurus how many users would like this to happen. Thanks again for all you do!
Thanks Jim, trust me I’m pushing hard on the bracketing issue!!!!
Congrats with the X-photographer acknowledgement! Long time overdue…
A fellow X-photographer living in Dubai
Bjorn