X100 one week in

[j6ppc]

This will be light on details (since we all have them already) and instead focus on my impressions after having had & used the camera for a week.

OVF/EVF use tends to be about a 50/50 split for me.

AF has been reliable for me in both modes; MF would be nice to have firmware update anyone?

I really like the almost silent shutter. The fact that the camera looks like a $50ish pawnshop film camera rather than a $1200 modern camera is also quite helpful especially in an urban environment.

I'm very pleased with the IQ particularly since I can now play with RAW files although the jpegs the camera produces are pretty darned good too.

Speed seems like a non issue to me. I do find I'm using it like a film camera though- using OVF/EVF exclusively with previews turned off- I don't look at the images until I get home.

I'd read about this camera at (exhaustive) length before buying it and honestly could not be happier about it.

Sure it has some warts. Maybe Fuji will address them (or not). I'm not giving it up for anything.

It is the first digital camera I've ever wanted and could afford that sees the way I want it to rather than doing my thinking for me.

I don't have to think about it- everything I need to tweak for an image is externally available after the initial menu diving session.

If anything I'd only like to have 2 things-
1. A distance scale on the lens (the VF has one tho)
2. An external ISO knob.

This afternoon's effort attached, slight flare I did not retouch waiting for my hood...

 

[willie_901]

I have no speed issues either.

I use the San Disk Extreme Pro 8 GB card. Ishoot in raw. I never do anything with the card when it's in my Mac. I load the card, import via LightRoom, eject the card and reformat in-camera only. I use no power saving options whatsoever.

 

[NickTrop]

DP Review posted a thorough review of the camera a couple days ago, if anyone is interested. Rated it a "73".

DPReview Conclusion Excerpt:
The X100 is without doubt one of the most highly-anticipated cameras of recent years, due to its combination of traditional, 'rangefinder-esque' design and the innovative technology of its hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder. The good news about the X100 is that in certain key respects - its basic operation, viewfinder, and image quality - it's excellent, and more than lives up to the pre-release hype. The bad news is that in some other regards - notably shot-to-shot speed and firmware design - it's decidedly flawed.

The X100 is without doubt one of the most idiosyncratic cameras we've ever come across. It veers wildly between being delightful to use and deeply frustrating, depending on which functions you're trying to access. It has flaws that we never expected to see on a camera in 2011, including the inability to manually focus or change the ISO of AF point while it's writing to card - a process that can take an inordinate amount of time. And the sheer quirkiness and bugginess of its firmware means that you have to keep a close eye on it all the time, lest the camera forget or change key settings on you without warning.

Yet despite all of its manifest flaws, the X100 is a camera that's become a firm favorite in the dpreview offices. Its drop-dead gorgeous looks and excellent build make it a camera that begs you to pick it up and take it out with you, and the image quality it returns at the end of the day is nothing short of superb...

Ultimately, perhaps the biggest problem for the X100 is that it's competing in today's marketplace with the new breed of compact Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras, and it's not exactly cheap in comparison. These tend to offer a more compact-camera-like user experience...

Sadly the way its firmware and behavior have been implemented limit that appeal still further - quite likely ruling out many film enthusiasts attracted by its styling and manual controls. It's too flawed to earn our outright recommendation...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmx100/page25.asp

Full in-depth review above. I bolded part of their conclusion because it sums up my thoughts on this one, which is "Meh - it's too pricey for APS-C, other compact offerings - and I would include compact DSLRS here offer a better value (without the annoyances cited in the DP Review article) ...

 

[jsrockit]

I bolded part of their conclusion because it sums up my thoughts on this one, which is "Meh - it's too pricey for APS-C, other compact offerings - and I would include compact DSLRS here offer a better value (without the annoyances cited in the DP Review article) ...

But failed to BOLD:

"Yet despite all of its manifest flaws, the X100 is a camera that's become a firm favorite in the dpreview offices. Its drop-dead gorgeous looks and excellent build make it a camera that begs you to pick it up and take it out with you, and the image quality it returns at the end of the day is nothing short of superb..."

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Jon,
I'm having pretty much the same experience. This is the camera I've been waiting many years for. I find that the quirks of this camera are very easily worked around. And, as you say, once you do a brief menu dive, the camera is set up and you're good for a day of shooting. The image quality is superb.
Jamie

P.S.: I'd also love to have the ISO dial.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Its interesting to compare the web reviews and user comments, especially users that current or former slr or rf film camera users. I'm one of those, and I find that nearly all the negative stuff is not anything I need. For example, I love to do my street photography with an aperture priority, zone focused camera. The X100 is perfect for that. And its auto focus capability is superb... it hasn't misfocused yet!

As far as write times go... when I used a film camera, I never blasted away as fast I could wind the film anyway. And I'll trade any 'slowness' this camera might be deemed to have for an outstanding viewfinder, ISO-on-the-fly, and a built-in ND filter ANYTIME!! 🙂

 

[NickTrop]

But failed to BOLD:

"Yet despite all of its manifest flaws, the X100 is a camera that's become a firm favorite in the dpreview offices. Its drop-dead gorgeous looks and excellent build make it a camera that begs you to pick it up and take it out with you, and the image quality it returns at the end of the day is nothing short of superb..."

No - didn't bold it. But I did include it... Not dissing the camera at all - if you must have a rangefinder-esque form factor, this one comes closest. Also, I agree that the lens itself is a good value if you must shoot 35mm. But if you're not married to this form factor or focal length at f2, the camera isn't an especially good value in my opinion. And, based soley on reviews, seems to have a surprising number of quirks. DPReview is a "trusted source" and to say that "they're surprised in 2011...." is a pretty strong statement.

 

[jsrockit]

No - didn't bold it. But I did include it... Not dissing the camera at all - if you must have a rangefinder-esque form factor, this one comes closest. Also, I agree that the lens itself is a good value if you must shoot 35mm. But if you're not married to this form factor or focal length at f2, the camera isn't an especially good value in my opinion. And, based soley on reviews, seems to have a surprising number of quirks. DPReview is a "trusted source" and to say that "they're surprised in 2011...." is a pretty strong statement.

Fair enough... and even though I have the camera and I love it, I agree... there are better deals out there if you are not married to RF style form factor and a fast 35mm lens.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Personally I hope Fuji stops making this camera immediately. It'll then become the cult camera of all time and its value will sky rocket! 🙂

 

[j6ppc]

another week in and all I can say this camera is a constant, welcome, companion. One can hope that the upcoming firmware update will help resolve some niggles. Happy still in any case.

 

[scottwallick]

The X100 is an excellent camera. Firmware bugs have been reported. I just haven't had any problems. It is silent. And small. And fast. And I can make just as good photos with it as I can with the M9. The IQ is exceptional, far better than the GF1 and 40/1.7.

If the X100 turns out to be a one-off, it's going to be an epic cult camera. If Fujifilm continues to develop the 'X' series, well, things could get interesting. The X100 has the best viewfinder/viewfinder system I have encountered.

When my nephew was born this past Sunday, I grabbed the X100 over my M9 (full disclosure: baby photo).

 

[Richard G]

The images are not only great, but the JPEG processing almost never blows the highlights. Tiny, frame lines an M3 would kill for (not just because they're 35), and full manual controls available. Very light to carry all day, which I do.

 

[jsrockit]

When my nephew was born this past Sunday, I grabbed the X100 over my M9 (full disclosure: baby photo).

I was scared to look, but it's actually a nice "baby" photo.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Fair enough... and even though I have the camera and I love it, I agree... there are better deals out there if you are not married to RF style form factor and a fast 35mm lens.

I'm surprised nobody's accused people who like the X100 of being "Fuji Apologists". Well, yet.

You know how juvenile people can be on the intertoobes.