A huge thanks for your amazing generosity … and an impending challenge for the X100.

Keith

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
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Now that I’m on the X100 waiting list, thanks to some rather unique events (and people) during the past few days here, I’m contemplating what this camera may be capable of and how it will measure up in the environment it'll be thrown into eventually.

When I shoot gallery openings my routine is quite regimented because I know exactly what’s required and I rarely step outside the bounds I’ve set myself for these events. It minimises mistakes, cuts down on post processing and to date the D700 hasn’t really put a foot wrong in this tricky environment. I shoot exclusively with a 35mm ZF Distagon at f2 with ISO set to 3200 and occasionally 6400. I use aperture priority with matrix metering and occasionally use the AE lock if I think the matrix system may not be reading the scene correctly. After battling the M8’s high ISO short comings when I started doing these events the Nikon has been an absolute joy and I have nothing but praise for the camera. By it’s SLR nature though focusing can be a little tricky occasionally in the very low light of a dim gallery.

Looking at the specs of the Fuji it appears to be ideal for exactly what the D700 currently does for me. It has a 35mm f2 lens, seems to be extremely capable at 3200 or 6400 ISO, will obviously have a large bright viewfinder, can be focused manually, has various metering options and is a fraction of the size of the Nikon. When I first read about the camera these stats immediately stood out and I thought … “Wow, what a tool for shooting gallery openings if it’s as good as they say it is!”

I just photographed an opening last week and as they aren’t that frequent I won’t have another for several weeks from now. When the next one does come around I should be in tune with the workings of the X100 and I can pit it directly against the D700’s stellar performance in the challenging gallery environment … I can’t wait and even if it can't quite match the Nikon blow for blow, it'll be one hell of a backup! :)
 
I think I speak for all of us when I say "you're welcome".

Good idea, looking forward to see pictures.

One thing to keep in mind focusing-wise is that you don't have a rangefinder - it's scale focus and you have to guess distances. So manual focusing doesn't get you very far in crowded indoor settings. You may end up autofocusing a lot.

Also, be sure to pack the right bag ;)
 
rxmd said:
Good idea, looking forward to see pictures.

One thing to keep in mind focusing-wise is that you don't have a rangefinder - it's scale focus and you have to guess distances. So manual focusing doesn't get you very far in crowded indoor settings. You may end up autofocusing a lot.
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Or possibly focusing with the EVF ... I was reading the manual earlier and they do warn that the EVF won't react as fast as you may need in some circumstances but I generally have plenty of time for my shots so who knows?

Time will tell no doubt ... and maybe the autofocus will be able to cope but that seems unlikely as the Nikon's certainly didn't with an AF lens when I tried it initially before resorting to manual focus!
 
Keith,
It's good to hear the 35/2 ZF is working for you.
And I'm at awe at how this forum got together on the X100. Hard to imagine any other 'virtual' community that could've done that.
Best of luck.
 
Apparently in MF mode you can use the back AF button to initiate AF and get it close to being in focus, and then adjust with the manual focus ring, which in EVF mode when touched will magnify a selected point 7 or 10 times, reverting to the original whole EVF after manual focussing has been done. It sounds really good.
 
Good on yer Keith! It was a pleasure to support a fine upstanding bloke such as yourself.

You're lucky with the price in Aus - if you convert to UK price to AUD it comes in at $1600!!

Cheers
Simon
 
35mm ZF Distagon at f2

35mm ZF Distagon at f2

I use the 35mm ZF Distagon at f2 with the Nikon D3 for similar shooting situations.

Excellent lens with a wonderful color signature! It is literally on my camera 90% of the time.

I had an M8.2 and a M9. Past 800 ISO on either produced terrible color work and obviously cannot shoot at 3200/6400 like the D3/D700. Too bad as the M lenses produce just gorgeous results at base ISO of the M digital.

Looking forward to seeing your work with a X100!

I am supposedly on a "pre-order" list with Amazon and hope to have one soon as well.

Cheers from America!
 
nlubis said:
Keith,
It's good to hear the 35/2 ZF is working for you.
And I'm at awe at how this forum got together on the X100. Hard to imagine any other 'virtual' community that could've done that.
Best of luck.
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That Distagon has to be the finest 35mm lens I've used. I was surprised at how long it was when it arrived ... the new version must be a monster!

Yes ... we do have an amazing virtual comminity here. Pity I still only have a 'virtual' X100 at this stage. The wait will kill me now! :p
 
Keith, a talented guy like you could make nice images with a coffee-can pinhole camera. Whatever comes out of your X100 will reflect your good eye and skills, so the challenges of tough lighting in galleries be damned. You'll make it work.
 
Congrats Keith, glad to have helped :) I too am in line for a X100 and also wondering if it could possibly replace the D700 and my 35mm f1.4 AIS, which I usually stop down to at least f2...we shall see!
 
Um, I don't want to rain on the parade, but I suspect the OP's going to be disappointed: the full frame D700 is not going to be beat by an APS sized sensor; and the focussing is not going to be rangefinder style-- more like the D700 on live view, and would the OP ever consider that in a gallery opening? (I have the D700 and an M8)
 
goffer said:
Congrats Keith, glad to have helped :) I too am in line for a X100 and also wondering if it could possibly replace the D700 and my 35mm f1.4 AIS, which I usually stop down to at least f2...we shall see!
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I think the D700 is a hard act to follow for any camera ... I see the Fuji as being the perfect method for getting gallery candids when space is a little cramped and I really want to blend in rather than be 'the photographer' that everyone is aware of! When you aim a DSLR at people they really react in a way that I never experienced with the M8.

This will be fun! :)
 
No way to be disappointed: Keith won't use the X100 to replace the D700 or any other camera or lens... He'll use it because it's small and light and fast. I bet he'll get great images with it after only a few days of use...

Cheers,

Juan
 
jmcd said:
Keith,

With that X100 and a splash of High Karate, you are going to be irresistible! :D
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Do they still make that? I was in a shop the other week and saw Brut 33 on sale, made me smile! I however did not Splash it all over! :D

Enjoy the X100 Keith!
 
When do you get you hands on the little beast?

Don't know about you but the suspense is killing me, it's worse than being a kid at Xmas.
 
I fail to see how a crop sensor could be as good as a D700 unless you don`t use The 700 to its full potential, ie large prints.

Certainly it will be a darn site easier to handle and more quiet.
 
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