Amongst the euphoria!

[Pinphot]

Now that the X100 appears to be appearing in slightly greater quantities, and there is an increasing user base, how are the new user's experiences of the start up and wake from sleep performance?

There has been much written here and in other places about the flaky start up issues and I am wondering whether these issues are universal or just confined to a limited number of cameras.

Over the last two weeks, the issues, (in my own case), appear to be getting worse and worse, to the point where I have been missing quite important pictures, and it's really starting to get me exercised, to the point that I have nearly practiced physical violence on the camera:bang::bang:. I am not the only photographer I know who has serious issues here. A high fairly high profile and experienced photographer poster to the private email list at http://www.epuk.org/ that he was so frustrated with the unreliable start up of the camera that he was returning it for refund.

As I've said before, I suspect that the processing engine has been scaled up from a cheap point and shoot, rather than from the kind of processing engine we would normally expect to find in this price niche, which really compromises the reliability and performance. Amongst all the euphoria that is coming from the likes of Michael Reichmann or Steve Huff, are others on this forum not feeling slightly short changed at some of the performance issues, that really shouldn't be there at this price, or is it just me?

Mark

http://markpinder.wordpress.com/

 

[peripatetic]

I have only had one occasion where it failed to start in the two months I've had it; none since the new firmware, none since I got the fast SD card. I always (as with my DSLR) reformat the card as soon as I put it back in the camera after downloading my images.

I do agree that their processing engine is slightly underpowered for this type of camera, and that it is not suitable for all circumstances.

 

[Spyro]

Μark, what kind of card are you using?
No start up problems here since I went to 45MB/s, and write times seem as good as (entry level) DSLR.

On an unrelated note, my x100 is with Fuji at the moment because the little curtain in the viewfinder got stuck halfway down.

 

[jsrockit]

I've had mine freeze three times, but I believe it to be because of not allowing it to write to the card before switching modes. The M8 did this as well. Also, start up is slow (from a dead start or from sleep), so if you try to go into modes or shoot too quick, it'll get flaky. If I avoid these two things, it works great.

 

[willie_901]

Compared to the LUMIX G1, the only real performance issue has to to with manual focus being impractical in OVF mode and frustration in some EVF situations. In other words, it's not a rangefinder where manual focus works all the time for any situation. AF works whenever there is a focus point (region) with suitable contrast. I have no problem in EV 5 - 6 light when there is reasonable contrast near where I want to focus.

Start up times are not an issue, but you have to know what to do and how to do it. As mentioned above, a fast card, not messing with the card using your computer and avoiding power saving modes works for me. My camera was on stand-by overnight. I just got it out of the bag, did a shutter half press and held it. The camera started was ready to go in about 2 seconds.

The X100 is complicated to learn because it is two different cameras. It behaves one way in EVF mode and another in OVF mode. Also, parameters people expect to be sticky, don't stick when you change focus modes or if you chimp.

As RF owners, we know about parallax error, so AF at close distances using OVF shouldn't frustrate us (know know not to try, and why). Focusing with the EVF and switching to OVF to compose and shoot gives you the best of both worlds. When zone focusing is appropriate, RF uses will enjoy the OVF.

The camera can be very fast and very quiet. With different menu settings it can be very slow and very loud.

Manual focus has two different uses. In EVF it provides visual confirmation for critical focus. In OVF it tells you the set focus distance and the DOF. So in OVF, all MF gives you a digital display of the lens focus scale. At distances where parallax error is small, I use the AF/AE button to let AF find the initial focus point. Then a half-press of the shutter displays the equivalent of a lens-barrel focus scale. In practice this is quick and reliable. Yet people rant about how MF is useless on the X100.

Digital cameras are complicated. I realize many will find the X100 (and other digital cameras) too complicated. I also think some of the X100's operational design is poor. I think Fuji should have developed a manual supplement to help people get the most out of the hybrid viewfinder.

 

[j6ppc]

It just works for me. Wife mentioned she wanted pic of our Maine Coon 2 sec later...

 

[Gid]

I've had mine for ten days and I've shot just over 300 frames. Zero problems that weren't as a result of my unfamiliarity with the camera. I'm using 30MB/S Sandisk cards and start up from cold or sleep is a couple of seconds. Images are sharp and very good at high ISO. Auto ISO is great (never thought I would use this). The OVF is just lovely and bright. Focusing is on the money in auto (and faster than I thought it would be) and once you get the hang of it manual focusing (zone) works a treat with no wait for focus to engage. All in all a very competent camera, but it isn't a DSLR and it isn't a rangefinder so if you are looking for the speed or functionality of either you'll be disappointed. The form factor and portability are great as are the manual controls.
Now for all this and some pleasant outings with the camera and some nice images, I don't love it. I can't quite put my finger on the reason why, but I haven't gelled with it. Its almost as if its neither one thing or another. I feel sort of detached from the process. So much so that I am now considering an M8.2 or M9 (if I can sell the other gear I have and a kidney). So, for me, the jury's out.

 

[jsrockit]

Wow, so many people disappointed in this camera. So many complaints about using an LCD to compose and when a company finally gets away from that concept, there are so many complaints. I think it is due to people thinking they were getting a Leica M from Fuji which was just unreasonable.

 

[Keith]

Wow, so many people disappointed in this camera. So many complaints about using an LCD to compose and when a company finally gets away from that concept, there are so many complaints. I think it is due to people thinking they were getting a Leica M from Fuji which was just unreasonable.

Leica handed out a new release camera a few years back that had the totally unannounced ability to turn black synthetics purple ... then poured a little oil on the waters by sending everyone a couple of IR filters. (woo hoo) And it cost a lot more than $1300.00!

There was no way this Fuji was going to fill every criteria and people shouldn't be too harsh in judging the X100 which is in effect a bit of a concept camera. Maybe in a year from now they'll release the X100.2 and each and every shortcoming of the X100 will have been adressed but then of course your current camera becomes a paper weight value wise!

Life's cruel! 😀

 

[Pinphot]

Wow, so many people disappointed in this camera. So many complaints about using an LCD to compose and when a company finally gets away from that concept, there are so many complaints. I think it is due to people thinking they were getting a Leica M from Fuji which was just unreasonable.

Erm no, not really. Digital camera technology has matured to such a point that startup reliability should be a non issue, concept or no concept. The camera is no longer a concept either, it is a reality. If Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Sony et al, can do it on a £500 camera, Fuji should be able to do it on a £1000 one.

I'm not expecting a Leica M for the money, but I am expecting something with a more robust processor that doesn't get in the way at a critical moment and cause me to miss shots because the hardware has chosen that particular moment to crash or become flaky or become reluctant to boot up, especially when my living depends on the reliability of the tools I use.

I've not had this issue with any other digital camera, (above a point and shoot), I've used in the last 5 years including my Panny GF1 which has a smaller body than the Fuji, so squeezing a decent processor into the space should be a non issue. I like the x100 a great deal when it's working as it should, my issue is that it has let me down at some rather critical moments of late, and it's starting to frustrate me.

Mark

http://markpinder.wordpress.com/

 

[jsrockit]

Mark, I'm sorry you took what I said personally. My statement wasn't directed at you. You never answered the "what card are you using" question...

 

[Pinphot]

Mark, I'm sorry you took what I said personally. My statement wasn't directed at you. You never answered the "what card are you using" question...

Oops sorry, 😱 I didn't take it personally or likewise mean to cause offence, hope my reply wasn't too strident, I didn't mean it to be. I'm actually using an 8GB Sandisk Extreme Pro 45mb/s, so a fairly well specified card.

I suppose I've posted this, as I really do want the x100 to be very good, and I just feel that there are one or two issues that shouldn't really be issues considering the current state of digital camera development. I'm aware of needing to format cards in camera and eject properly etc, i've just found that recently these workarounds don't always seem to work, and it often seems to be at the most inopportune moments. I'm finding X100 ownership a bit like my old Contax G2's, very rewarding on the whole, but every now and again, the ghosts in the machine will just do something to really wind me up.

Cheers,

Mark

http://markpinder.wordpress.com/

 

[jsrockit]

I'm finding X100 ownership a bit like my old Contax G2's, very rewarding on the whole, but every now and again, the ghosts in the machine will just do something to really wind me up.

Very fair statement... I feel the same way.