Photo news: X helped tried out and Sigma's Cine-Primes

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Art thrives on controversy. And that also applies when it is perhaps only about snapshots in which someone else sees something completely different from the snapshot. And the opinions in our editorial team about the Fujifilm X-HF1 aka "X half", which was presented two weeks ago, are also somewhat controversial. Although it works digitally, it can be operated like an analog one, including the technically unnecessary transport lever, and only shoots in half format, i.e. upright – in the same way that most young people take pictures with their smartphones.

While the columnist – and most of the commentators in the Heise forum two weeks ago – were quite critical of the X half, my colleague Christine Bruns had a lot of fun. She was able to try out the camera in Hamburg this week. It seems as if Fujifilm has really taken the idea of, let's say, analog to its logical conclusion. Christine writes:

With the X helped around the Elphi

"The Fujifilm X half is a tiny camera for anyone who likes to experiment with photography. However, the sensor is not a half-format, which would correspond to an APS-C, but a 1-inch sensor, i.e. less than half of it. However, this is not a problem for the intended target group, because in addition to Instax users who want more than instant pictures, the focus here is primarily on young people: smartphone users, fans of small retro digital cameras and those who like to take analog photos but are permanently afraid of the time and expense of film development. For these target groups, the small X half is a playful overall package. Fuji's film simulations are supplemented by filters that bring reflections, blurring, color edges or vignettes into the image. Exaggerated contrasts, pop colors - if you want to playfully discover and capture the world, you can let off steam with this little lightweight.

And those who prefer to be surprised can insert a virtual movie. For example, you can use Fuji's Etherna film with 32 images. Once inserted, it can no longer be changed, you have to photograph through it. Release the shutter, operate the transport lever, search for a new subject. There is no review, because the film has to be developed first. To do this, the camera is connected to the smartphone, where the X-half app acts as a digital developer. The film is selected and dispensed, then the user can watch as one image after another on the digital negative film is transformed into a positive and output. The images can then be shared or printed.

Fujifilm has come up with a nice scenario, but for some experienced photographers it may not be taken seriously. The crux lies in the sensor, which does not deliver raw and is also very small. The images cannot withstand high magnifications or high ISO values. However, anyone who prints them on their Instax printer and hangs them on the fridge will enjoy them if they are not put off by the 800 euros for the small compact camera."

So much for a first experience report, a full test will appear soon on the c't Fotografie website. What Christine mentions at the end is also what I see as the biggest criticism of the X half: the price. 800 euros is far too much for an educational toy alone, and even more so for the image quality on offer. Many a smartphone comes with a 1-inch sensor for a similar price – even if it is not fully utilized in portrait mode – and can do much more than just take pictures. The analog feeling is available, for example on the second-hand market, for less money, of course: you really have to wait longer for developing and pay for it, just like the films. But perhaps Fuji has really created a new category, analog operation with a digital result.

13 Cine fixed focal lengths from Sigma

An established, but for most photographers equally exotic category will soon be served by Sigma: the "large format cine lenses", i.e. the expensive glass that gives sophisticated cinema films their typical look. Minimal depth of field, manual focus of course, crisp sharpness if required, showing every pore in a person's face on the big screen. And, for many, this is also part of it: sensor noise or lens flares are mercilessly transported into the result.

The new lens line also owes its name to the Japanese region where it is manufactured, Aizu. Sigma intends to offer a total of 13 devices, and the company has already published most of the technical data. The focal lengths range from 18 to 125 millimeters, and the maximum aperture for all lenses is T1.3. This requires a lot of glass, even at 25 millimeters it is 1.7 kilos, but the uniform design means that the weight only varies by 100 grams from this focal length up to 75 millimeters. This is important for gimbals and cranes, which then only need to be slightly readjusted.

The lenses are offered for Sony's E-mount and the PL bayonet, where they also transmit data to the camera (Zeiss Extended Data per PL), and will be launched in two waves: the first eight models with 25 to 75 millimeters at the end of summer 2025, the five others later – Sigma is not yet saying exactly when. The company is also keeping the prices to itself; rumor has it that they will start at around 8,000 US dollars. This is not an exaggerated demand in this segment, if the optics can really compete with Arri or Zeiss in terms of quality.

Why the Nikon F became so successful

Until the Z-mount of the mirrorless Nikons, almost every system camera of the brand worked with the F-mount for half a century. And the F lenses can also be adapted to the Z cameras. This bayonet was introduced with the Nikon F as early as 1959, and the camera itself was then built for a whole 14 years – - a feat that no innovative device can achieve today. Why the Nikon F, contrary to the usual cliché, was not only so successful as a reportage camera and set standards was wonderfully explained by Knut Gielen in our article "Camera classic Nikon F - the beginning of an era". The piece is therefore also recommended for a long read over the Whitsun weekend.

(nie)