Is the X100 my best option?

[Black]

James,

I have the X100. Its a fantastic camera, but don't expect it to perform miracles out of the box. Its well documented as having its foibles and if you get one, you'll just have to learn to love it in spite of that. The IQ is excellent and its low light performance is quite remarkable. And yes, its very pretty and unassuming. All bonuses in my eyes.

I don't think the lens hood is in anyway essential, but, again, it does look pretty. I occasionally like a bit of lens flare, in any case (I'm always a season or so behind in photographic fashions and trends).

Try before you buy, then buy with your heart and not with your head and you'll be all the happier for it.

 

[Black]

Oh and I've just added you on Twitter lol

 

[peripatetic]

I love my X100.

Was lucky enough to get one very early back in mid-March. Simply brilliant.

Lots of stuff on my blog.

 

[paulfish4570]

my lens hood twist locks. 't'is a nice hood ...

 

[bigeye]

James:

For what you describe, Rockwell thinks that it's best and he is quite thorough. It's a "consumer" build and not what you'd expect from a Leica, but it is 6k cheaper and does take great pictures.

Spent several first weeks of July in your town - lovely (I don't know if I could live with a single lens there...).

- Charlie

 

[Matus]

As you did not mention any particular requirements, I would say that you should also have a look at Sony NEX-5N (lens line grows only slowly, but the cameras seems to be good and there is very good EVF available), Ricoh GXR (there are 28/2.5 and 50/2.5 APS-C modules and Leica M-mount APS-C module which seems to be very good too) or Samsung cameras (N something). ANd of course the m4/3 which is currently probably the most matured system in the mirror-less market.

 

[majid]

I've owned a Panasonic GF1, Leica X1, still own a Leica M9 and bought my wife a GF3X. The X100 is the camera I carry in my jacket pocket every day (the M9 comes out on weekends).

M43 image quality just isn't up to snuff on the models I had (the GH2 and GX1 may be better, but all Olympus cameras use the older sensor). The X1 is slow to focus and has a slowish lens. The M9 is not compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket, unless you use a pancake lens like the 28mm Elmarit ASPH.

On paper the Sony NEX and Samsung NX should be formidable competitors, but the NX performance is lackluster for an APS-C sized sensor, and the NEX lenses are simply humongous and take the system out of compact territory.

On the minus side, the X100 ergonomics are funky. Too many menus, and the EV compensation dial always gets knocked to -2 in my pocket. It's definitely not a camera I'd give my wife (hence the easier ot use GF3X), but for an advanced amateur, there is no other game in town for a compact high quality camera with an optical viewfinder.

 

[Turtle]

yes, this really is a AF camera, but the manual focus works fine as a 'zone/hyperfocal focusing' tool, where you set your focus point. When not directly manually focusing my Leica M, this is how I work, so it works for me. it does not, however, suit manually focusing to a specific point. Good luck with that!

I got the hood to allow me to leave filters off but still protect the lens. I am sure it will help guard against flare too. Its not a tiny conservative design and will likely work well.

IQ is superb. High ISO nips at the heels of my 5DII and might even match it. All I know is 3200 shots look great in colour, so in B&W they will be amazing. I've not used mine for anything serious yet, but here is a camera that no matter the new discoveries will still be a serious image taking tool for me well into the future, I think.

 

[bhop73]

I dunno, but I love mine..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bhop73/sets/72157627534453297/

 

[Gid]

Took me a while to really like mine, but I do now. IQ and high ISO performance is terrific as has already been said. In an interview with one of the Fuji marketeers it was stated that January would bring something that would make X100 users very happy (IIRC) in addition to rumours of a non fixed lens version being announced in February. If you like a fixed 35 equivalent lens then the X100 is a good choice, but only you can decide that.

 

[Snacks]

The X100 has made it so easy and comfortable for me to take photos that I have absolutely no regrets. I like landscapes and more open scenes so the 35mm equivalent lens is fine and the spirit level and and grid overlays are lovely, but the general handling and quality of the camera and the images it can produce make it great in general. The only serious question is whether or not you can be happy with a single focal length. I've not tried the X10, but it might be worth a thought.

P.S. One gripe: there is a lot going on at the back of the camera - need more space for my thumbs. Otherwise, worth the money.
P.P.S. I'm glad I didn't wait to get home to the UK to buy it. IIt's slightly more economical to buy from/in the US.

 

[emraphoto]

as for it's build. i have dragged mine through 8 countries in the last 8 months. it has been used mercilessly and exposed to rough use without a hiccup.

i know of a countless number of working folks who are also using one with very few, if any complaints. if it can survive the kind of abuse these folks experience, i assure you it is up to the task of most.

 

[emraphoto]

annie and her fuji

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/08/142139753/leibovitz-takes-pilgrimage-for-artistic-renewal