Fujifilm unveils the M-mount adapter for X-Pro 1

Fujifilm has announced that it will release an M-mount adapter for the Fujifilm X-Pro1 interchangeable lens digital camera system, made specially to enhance the experience of taking photos with the professional X-Pro1 digital camera. The all new M-mount adapter is designed to expand the lens selection of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 interchangeable lens digital camera system, and give photographers a wide range of shooting capabilities.

"Since the introduction of the Fujifilm X100, Fujifilm has made a commitment to expanding the functionality of the X-Series, and today we are very pleased to offer customers a premium accessory that they can truly be excited about – an M-Mount Adapter for the Fujifilm X-Pro1," said Go Miyazaki, Division President, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, Fujifilm North America Corporation. "We listened very carefully to our customers about their desire for an M- Mount for the Fujifilm X-Pro1, and we are proud to announce that this accessory will be available soon for everyone."

Similar to the Fujifilm X-Pro1's exacting design standards, the precision made M-mount adapter is engineered to deliver good results for discerning photographers. The M-mount adapter comprises three parts: an aluminium mount for the body, a stainless steel mount for the lens, and an aluminium central tube. This construction enables an accurately-maintained distance of 27.8mm from the lens mount to sensor, which is crucial for delivering high quality and high resolution images. The camera side of the M-mount adapter features an array of electronic connections that automatically pass information to the Fujifilm X-Pro1 body based on pre-registered lens profiles. With firmware version 1.10 or later, this information is transmitted by pressing the Function button on the side of the adapter, which allows users to access the M-mount adapter Settings menu on the rear LCD.

While attached, the M-mount adapter still allows users to enjoy the benefits of the Fujifilm X-Pro1's Hybrid Multi Viewfinder. The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor both offer a 100 percent field of view, and the Optical Viewfinder (OVF) displays a bright frame corresponding to the focal length in use. The Fujifilm M-mount adapter provides ultimate control by allowing users to create and fine tune lens profiles through the X-Pro1's Mount Adapter Settings menu. This menu allows X-Pro1 users to profile up to six lenses. There are four pre-sets for 21mm, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm lenses, plus two optional settings for additional optics.

With the Fujifilm M-mount adapter attached, profiles can be user-defined, based on distortion, peripheral illumination and colour shading corrections. Three levels of distortion correction are also available to combat barrel distortion on wide-angle lenses, and pincushion distortion on telephoto lenses. Users can select from Strong, Medium or Weak correction, or simply turn any correction off.

Here are a few of the key features of the Fujifilm M-mount adapter:

• Three-piece aluminium and stainless steel construction
• 27.8mm lens mount to sensor distance
• Electronic connections and Function button
• Compatible with Hybrid Multi Viewfinder
• Lens profiles and corrections available through Mount Adapter Setting menu (firmware version
• 1.10 or later must be installed for using above features)

The M-mount adapter will be available in June 2012 for $199.99 (approx Rs.11,186). Specific availability and pricing for the Indian sub-continent hasn’t been announced yet, so stay tuned to this space for more details.