emraphoto
Veteran
well, not one to review cameras really. hell, don't much care what folks are using BUT i thought i would offer up some thoughts and pictures.
WARNING - the images are of a graphic nature.
DISCLAIMER - i don't want the thread to get derailed by the subject matter. if anyone wishes to discuss the commission (subject matter) please send me a p.m. or email and i will be happy to talk.
DAY 1 (so far there is only day 1. more to follow)
i will approach this from an interface, reliability, user friendliness position. as far as technical details there are plenty of reviews about and truth be told i have pretty low standards. if it makes it past the picture desk i am happy.
the high iso capabilities from the camera are quite extraordinary. combined with the simple'ish interface and it's resemblance to the hexar af (which i love) i was inclined to buy. some folks find the single focal length an achilles heel and i understand their position. i, on the other hand, could shoot the rest of my life on a 35mm equivalent so the fixed lens is a non issue. i shoot a lot in aperture priority and dial in compensation as needed. the camera seems well suited for this approach. the shutter release is easily found with the camera to eye and smooth to release. i would prefer the afl/ael button be up around the jog dial for faster and more intuitive access but can live with it where it is. i have the fn button set up for iso and with that away i go. i am not a big fan of auto iso as 'sharp' is often not the look i am going for. i want control over shutter speed via my aperture selection.
the menu systems have been covered elsewhere at length so i will keep it short. they (menu systems) do seem a bit 1994 in layout and visual presentation. i don't find them to much an issue though as i generally stay away from them throughout the day. i set the camera up to shoot in about 2 minutes and have yet to change much. manual is still in the wrapper/box. if i could make 1 request to fuji it would be a graduated nd filter option.
the drive is a welcome addition and i do use it. specifically when i am very close and their is a tension in the air due to proximity. a bit difficult to explain or accredit to a particular camera however the X100 goes with the flow. rattling off frames with barely a whisper. with that said i so use a bit of shutter volume. silent makes me anxious. "is this thing working" sort of affair.
manual focus. now there are many folks committed to manual focus at times and i am one of them. there are also varying approaches to manual focus so i will stick to my own. i zone focus. a LOT. ael/afl button set for af lock, until you press again to release, works very, very well. as a matter of fact i damn near love it. it is consistent, predictable and allows me to leave the lcd off for the whole day. something i am rather keen on.
as i have yet to read the manual, or any manual for that matter, i have no idea what the jog/thumb dial is for. i suppose i should figure that one out.
the viewfinder is bright and clear. i shut off every possible drop of info i could and it provides the info i need and is uncluttered.
i am yet to dig into the RAW issue. i do prefer to shoot RAW and will fill in the blanks later.
file transfer is easy on the mac. having spent many a day lugging bags around i have jettisoned everything i could. card readers sit at home. USB to the macbook and away i go. the jpegs look fabulous to me yet due to my somewhat sloppy approach in shooting i need RAW to sort out WB issues later. another recommend to FUJI would be to create a door system for USB access etc. akin to what is on a 1d series camera. snug fitting and sealed. the hinged doors always seems flimsy to me.
i did notice one strange occurrence in transferring files. i lost a frame somewhere long the line and this has never happened to me before. i don't know if this is software (my end) related yet.
one battery held up for a full day of shooting. i am ok with that. after using a canon g10 and not having to charge for days on end i am a bit spoilt. i do generally buy multiple batteries when buying cameras so all is good on that end.
another quibble with FUJI would be the charger. i mean seriously FUJI?!?! who came up with that one? canon s90 style please. charger and flip out prongs. tight battery fit. it you are going to market the thing as the 'professional's choice' then understand what the pro needs. hint - needless plastic bits and cables isn't on the list.
the compensation dial does turn a little easy. this was brought up elsewhere. i have suffered too many occurrences where i started shooting only to realize too late that something wasn't quite right in the camera settings. i now have a habit of looking things over quickly before i shoot. minor quibble? depends on who you ask i suppose.
i haven't used the evf much. i find the optical version to be my cup of tea right now. will have to fill in this blank later as well.
so, day 1. pretty pleased with the camera. no major flaws detected and it appears to be a powerful little camera. great files, silent and intuitive once set to ones liking. i will post more as i move along.
pictures now!
WARNING - the images are of a graphic nature.
DISCLAIMER - i don't want the thread to get derailed by the subject matter. if anyone wishes to discuss the commission (subject matter) please send me a p.m. or email and i will be happy to talk.
DAY 1 (so far there is only day 1. more to follow)
i will approach this from an interface, reliability, user friendliness position. as far as technical details there are plenty of reviews about and truth be told i have pretty low standards. if it makes it past the picture desk i am happy.
the high iso capabilities from the camera are quite extraordinary. combined with the simple'ish interface and it's resemblance to the hexar af (which i love) i was inclined to buy. some folks find the single focal length an achilles heel and i understand their position. i, on the other hand, could shoot the rest of my life on a 35mm equivalent so the fixed lens is a non issue. i shoot a lot in aperture priority and dial in compensation as needed. the camera seems well suited for this approach. the shutter release is easily found with the camera to eye and smooth to release. i would prefer the afl/ael button be up around the jog dial for faster and more intuitive access but can live with it where it is. i have the fn button set up for iso and with that away i go. i am not a big fan of auto iso as 'sharp' is often not the look i am going for. i want control over shutter speed via my aperture selection.
the menu systems have been covered elsewhere at length so i will keep it short. they (menu systems) do seem a bit 1994 in layout and visual presentation. i don't find them to much an issue though as i generally stay away from them throughout the day. i set the camera up to shoot in about 2 minutes and have yet to change much. manual is still in the wrapper/box. if i could make 1 request to fuji it would be a graduated nd filter option.
the drive is a welcome addition and i do use it. specifically when i am very close and their is a tension in the air due to proximity. a bit difficult to explain or accredit to a particular camera however the X100 goes with the flow. rattling off frames with barely a whisper. with that said i so use a bit of shutter volume. silent makes me anxious. "is this thing working" sort of affair.
manual focus. now there are many folks committed to manual focus at times and i am one of them. there are also varying approaches to manual focus so i will stick to my own. i zone focus. a LOT. ael/afl button set for af lock, until you press again to release, works very, very well. as a matter of fact i damn near love it. it is consistent, predictable and allows me to leave the lcd off for the whole day. something i am rather keen on.
as i have yet to read the manual, or any manual for that matter, i have no idea what the jog/thumb dial is for. i suppose i should figure that one out.
the viewfinder is bright and clear. i shut off every possible drop of info i could and it provides the info i need and is uncluttered.
i am yet to dig into the RAW issue. i do prefer to shoot RAW and will fill in the blanks later.
file transfer is easy on the mac. having spent many a day lugging bags around i have jettisoned everything i could. card readers sit at home. USB to the macbook and away i go. the jpegs look fabulous to me yet due to my somewhat sloppy approach in shooting i need RAW to sort out WB issues later. another recommend to FUJI would be to create a door system for USB access etc. akin to what is on a 1d series camera. snug fitting and sealed. the hinged doors always seems flimsy to me.
i did notice one strange occurrence in transferring files. i lost a frame somewhere long the line and this has never happened to me before. i don't know if this is software (my end) related yet.
one battery held up for a full day of shooting. i am ok with that. after using a canon g10 and not having to charge for days on end i am a bit spoilt. i do generally buy multiple batteries when buying cameras so all is good on that end.
another quibble with FUJI would be the charger. i mean seriously FUJI?!?! who came up with that one? canon s90 style please. charger and flip out prongs. tight battery fit. it you are going to market the thing as the 'professional's choice' then understand what the pro needs. hint - needless plastic bits and cables isn't on the list.
the compensation dial does turn a little easy. this was brought up elsewhere. i have suffered too many occurrences where i started shooting only to realize too late that something wasn't quite right in the camera settings. i now have a habit of looking things over quickly before i shoot. minor quibble? depends on who you ask i suppose.
i haven't used the evf much. i find the optical version to be my cup of tea right now. will have to fill in this blank later as well.
so, day 1. pretty pleased with the camera. no major flaws detected and it appears to be a powerful little camera. great files, silent and intuitive once set to ones liking. i will post more as i move along.
pictures now!
Attachments
skibeerr
Well-known
Thanks for this Emraphoto, much appreciated.
It seems to do what its supposed to do, take photo's in a good way.
It seems to do what its supposed to do, take photo's in a good way.
nlubis
Well-known
Thanks for sharing.
I'm also finding my way with the camera.
I'm also finding my way with the camera.
emraphoto
Veteran
well in all seriousness, i am unsure what the folks are talking about when they say 'for pro photographers who know their way around a camera'. it was profoundly easy to set up and get rolling. shutter, aperture, compensation and whatever you decide fn should be.
nlubis - thrilled you are liking it. very potent little machine.
skibeerr - it does take photo's very well and surprisingly (for a compact digital) the way i want. i am not sure what took so long but FUJI seems to have gotten it as close to right as anyone so far.
nlubis - thrilled you are liking it. very potent little machine.
skibeerr - it does take photo's very well and surprisingly (for a compact digital) the way i want. i am not sure what took so long but FUJI seems to have gotten it as close to right as anyone so far.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
yes, it's a great camera, had the chance to try one in london. maybe I can afford one after the summer...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Great review ... I like the way you've highlighted the camera's pure potential rather than focus on a few fairly insignificant weaknesses that let's face it ... can be worked around!
Every interesting new camera that gets released these days seems to be measured by what it can't do!
Every interesting new camera that gets released these days seems to be measured by what it can't do!
Spyro
Well-known
Nice, the pictures look good and it's good to know the camera didn't stand in the way of getting them. I decided to trust it for some of the most important photos of my life (the birth of my daughter) and didnt regret it, even though I've already returned it to fuji once for a stuck VF curtain.
Re charger, this is a very common battery which means there's all sorts of chargers on ebay for $10. Flip out prongs, cordless, USB chargers, car adapters, you name it. Here's a couple of links:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NP-95-Charger-F..._Photographic_Accessories&hash=item43a70640c0
http://cgi.ebay.com/Battery-USB-Cha..._Photographic_Accessories&hash=item415a5bed6a
I got the little USB one, it works.
Re charger, this is a very common battery which means there's all sorts of chargers on ebay for $10. Flip out prongs, cordless, USB chargers, car adapters, you name it. Here's a couple of links:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NP-95-Charger-F..._Photographic_Accessories&hash=item43a70640c0
http://cgi.ebay.com/Battery-USB-Cha..._Photographic_Accessories&hash=item415a5bed6a
I got the little USB one, it works.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Thanks for those links Spyro ... that USB device looks like the go to me!
How long does it take to charge a battery from dead flat?
jky
Well-known
Very nice photos! Love the composition on the first one.
Re: Fuji
Thanks for sharing your experience. The X100 recently returned on my radar after having played with one at the local shop. Keep us updated...
Re: Fuji
Thanks for sharing your experience. The X100 recently returned on my radar after having played with one at the local shop. Keep us updated...
back alley
IMAGES
the thing that keeps me looking back and wondering about buying one is the images.
they look great on my screen.
they look great on my screen.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I'm sure you wouldn't regret getting one Joe ... I think you'd have a ball with it. The optical viewfinder and the frameline layout are just superb!
I'd suggest soon though before the used market changes in case you don't actually like it ... which seems unlikely! Mine's managed to convert me to the 35mm field of view which I was never really a fan of.
back alley
IMAGES
for better or worse there is a shortage locally...
emraphoto
Veteran
you sir, are the MAN! thanx
i have the little machine all charged up and will be shooting more over the next few days.
the X100 seems a very capable reportage tool. i can pack it all day and attract no attention. i am quite keen on having a little camera around my shoulder or neck and nothing else these days. no bags, chest vests, multiple bodies and such for me.
FUNNY SIDE STORY, FEEL FREE TO SKIP - i was out and about the other day and i came across a pair of wedding/lifestyle? shooters at the old faithful spot (think old building, red bricks, ivy and whatnot). the lead was sporting a couple of big dslr rigs with speedlights and big zooms and the assistant had this crazy velcro? vest with cameras stuck all over him?!? it looked like he was breastfeeding cameras?!?! i don't normally laugh at others but man oh man, it was a shockingly funny scene.
Joe - i am a big fan of the RD-1 cameras. awesome interface and beautiful files. i know you like lenses a little longer and the RD-1 seems well suited to that with the crop and 1:1 finder. i reckon the thing really fits your approach well. with that said, if you wanted to roll a little wider, the X100 is quite the solid little machine. beautiful files, light and compact and i can quite easily forget the digital nature of the thing when shooting. no LCD and familiar layout. something the RD-1 excels at as well.
emraphoto
Veteran
for those who care - the images are jpegs almost straight out of the camera. minor dodge and burn work on 1 and level tweaks.
AM*shoots*SF
Newbie
^ your 3 pics have a softness and graininess that does not seem standard jpeg out of the x100. Did you set up in camera or use post production to get those effects? They work great with the subject matter and create a mood btw.
gavinlg
Veteran
I love your work dude, please post more if you feel so inclined!
Spyro
Well-known
^ Ι agree with AM*shoots*SF, they look like well-scanned c41. It suits them.
Keith I haven't actually timed it sorry, I usually forget it on for hours...
Keith I haven't actually timed it sorry, I usually forget it on for hours...
emraphoto
Veteran
I will have a look at the camera in the a.m. and try and figure out what i did. I will have a look at the exif as well.
emraphoto
Veteran
Thank you my friend. I will keep adding my thoughts and images as i get to know the X100.
isorgb
Well-known
emraphoto, excellent "review".
I like read story about camera on the hard job instead of tests, tests, tests. I like the way to get to know the new camera like yours.
By the way, I think that you can take good(!) picture with every digital camera.
Those picture are "strong". I can't describe my thoughts more and better, my English is still poor (but I'm working hard on this!).
...
and again: "please post more if you feel so inclined!"
I like read story about camera on the hard job instead of tests, tests, tests. I like the way to get to know the new camera like yours.
By the way, I think that you can take good(!) picture with every digital camera.
Those picture are "strong". I can't describe my thoughts more and better, my English is still poor (but I'm working hard on this!).
...
and again: "please post more if you feel so inclined!"