Fujifilm XT-1 Batteries.

I read a lot of camera and related forums, and a common complaint is the battery life experenced in modern cameras.
Here's my take on it, in particular the fuji XT-1 as its the one I know most about. 
The solution is simple, buy more batteries, at least three, there're not expensive they charge very quickly are very light to carry and quick and easy to change.
I have three, all different "Brands" I can't tell any difference in capacity.
While your buying some more batteries get another charger as well, both available through Ebay. I bought a charger that will charge in the car and from the mains. 
Stop complaining, modern cameras are small and powerful photographic computing tools that consume power, end of story.
If you remember or still use Film, think of batteries as a bit like "film" for a digital camera, I doubt you would head out for the day with only one roll of film.

Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 Lens

 Three days ago I bit the bullet and purchased my first Fujinon XF series lens.
Up until then I had only used adapted vintage Pentax lenses. After much review and forum reading I decided on the 35mm f1.4, it having an equivalent field of view as a 52mm lens in 35mm film format and "fast" at f1.4, I considered it the best choice for general walk around and low light.
It has an aperture ring with 1/3 f stop positions so you can fine tune your aperture. The pictures are stunning.

• Close Focus:  28cm
• Iris:                   7 blades
• Contruction:    8 elements in 6 groups (includes 1 aspherical element)
• Weight:            187gm

I did a very quick "Coma" test last night in the back yard. It was clear, but of course "light polluted" I can say at f 2.0 there is almost no coma, just a little bit which is fantastic, I would never get that result on a fast Vintage lens. I'm very excited about our next trip to some dark skies.
more to follow.

It turns out the skies around Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsular are pretty good for Astrophotography. The following picture is a stack of 15 images aligned and stacked using "Hugin" and "Enfuse" and post-processed using "Gimp" all under "Linux" "Ubuntu". Software Details Here.

Southern Cross Region, Milky Way

Blairgowrie Victoria Australia 13/3/2015
38° 21' 38.0988'' S  144° 46' 30.4968'' E

Fujifilm XT-1 Fujinon 35mm f1.4 @ f2.0 14 X 5 second exposures ASA 6400

Fixed tripod. Rotated 90 degrees right.

Whilst this lens may not have been designed for close up work, you can seen from the following pictures that it does a pretty good job of it.
With a bit of cropping you could be excused for thinking it was a macro lens.

A Butterfly in the Back Garden

Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 @ F2.8 200asa

Praying Mantis. XF 35 f1.4 @ f2

Fujinon XF 35mm 1.4 @ f2 400asa 

Back Yard Rose and Aphid. Fujinon XF 35mm @f2

Fujinon 35m F1.4 @ F5.6

Local Park

Fuji XT-1 Vintage Lens Adapters

There are a plethora of different lens adapters available for Fuji X series cameras.
The following picture shows some of mine, you'll also notice the "Quick Release" tripod adapter, sometimes called an "L" bracket.

All of the these fittings except the L bracket were purchased for under $A20.00 from Chinese suppliers selling on "Ebay" 
The quality of the "CNC" machining is very high, in fact close to perfect, as is the finish.
The only issue is the bayonet part that suits the vintage lens, this does seem to vary in quality, so pay a little extra for this type. I have one labeled "Kiwi Fotos" for my Pentax K lenses it's very well made throughout. The one in this picture is not as good, but works fine.

The "M42" thread adapter is spot on for most M42 lenses. Big note though some lenses and the Takumar 50mm f1.4 would be one of them, bottom out on the adapter before reaching infinity. I solved this by "turning" away some of the flange that follows the threads, easy for me as I have a lathe.
With this adapter you can loosen three Hex screws and rotate the threaded section so the lens lines up properly, which is nice.

The L mount bracket fits perfectly no complaints at all.