parasko
Established
Can anyone explain to me how electronic manual focusing works? Sorry but I really am coming from a rangefinder background and I don't understand how 'electronic' and 'manual' can combine?
rivercityrocker
Well-known
It uses a technology that some folks call fly-by-wire. This means that when you turn the "focus" ring of the lens you're not actually physically moving any of the lens elements. The camera detects the movement of the focus ring and electronically moves the lens elements using the same motor that the AF uses. The problem is that there is a bit of lag time between the when you turn the ring and when the lens responds.
It also doesn't feel like you're manually focus. There's no resistance in the focus ring because it's literally just a plastic ring that spins. Some people don't like it.
VertovSvilova
Well-known
The X100S has an electronically coupled focus-by-wire manual focusing ring, rather than a physical one. There are several electronic aids such as a distance scale, and also you can magnify the scene in the EVF to check focus. There is also a unique "split image" style of magnified focusing that gives you dual images to check. Then finally it has focus peaking (electronic white lines around the object when it's in focus.)
It works, but is slower than using AF and slower then true analog manually focusing; at least in my own personal experience of manually focusing mechanical lenses and cameras.
This is the trend with mirrorless cameras that don't have a true optical finder (the Leica M digital being the only one on the market so far.) It works, but it's not the same. One can adjust to it pretty easily. Although to be quite honest I find myself using AF with the EVF in the Fuji most often. The XE-2 would probably be a better choice for me, personally (plus it has interchangeable lenses.)
EDIT: sorry, someone already posted the answer to your question before I had the time to send my post....
KenR
Well-known
For the money the X100s is a great camera. It is not a handmade Leica, nor does it pretend to be. It is a well made almost rangefinder that is a pleasure to use in auto and manual exposure modes and in auto and manual focus modes. With the money that I saved buying the Fuji, I can afford to take it on some nice trips and actually use the thing.
Man, I'm a Fuji fan, but this is kind of right. They are the lesser of evils in digital, but ultimately cannot compare to the feel of many film cameras...especially one of the elite film cameras. The X-E1 and X-Pro1 feel a lot better without the tic tacs and mcdonald's spinner.
semordnilap
Well-known
I use my x100s almost exclusively with the optical viewfinder. It is smaller than the xpro 1 and the viewfinder may be brighter?
I use it on manual focus mode, but I don't manual focus: there's an ae/af-l button on the back that engages the autofocus while the camera is in manual focus mode. It's a nice way to control focus and have instant response when you press the shutter, as you're not waiting for the camera to focus on shutter press.
As everyone says, it's not a leica, but you know, it depends on what you like best about your leica. My preferences are reasonable size, optical viewfinder, and manual focusing. The fuji drops only one of those, but has other things, including low light performance and better dynamic range, that are missing from the m8 & m9.
Would I like it better if there were a real rangefinder in it? You bet. But it's a nice camera and easy to use. And frankly I like having information on shutter speed, aperture, focus distance, exposure comp, and histogram all available in the optical view.
And I'm glad that it doesn't feel like a leica... My m8 feels heavy & big after using the fuji!
I use it on manual focus mode, but I don't manual focus: there's an ae/af-l button on the back that engages the autofocus while the camera is in manual focus mode. It's a nice way to control focus and have instant response when you press the shutter, as you're not waiting for the camera to focus on shutter press.
As everyone says, it's not a leica, but you know, it depends on what you like best about your leica. My preferences are reasonable size, optical viewfinder, and manual focusing. The fuji drops only one of those, but has other things, including low light performance and better dynamic range, that are missing from the m8 & m9.
Would I like it better if there were a real rangefinder in it? You bet. But it's a nice camera and easy to use. And frankly I like having information on shutter speed, aperture, focus distance, exposure comp, and histogram all available in the optical view.
And I'm glad that it doesn't feel like a leica... My m8 feels heavy & big after using the fuji!
aizan
Veteran
for me, there are two even larger problems with manual focusing:
1) it has no end stops, i.e., it has "infinite spin."
2) the amount that the focus distance moves depends on the rate that you turn the ring, i.e., turn it fast and the focus distance changes a lot, or turn it slow and the focus distance changes little by little (or not at all if you go slow enough).
in practice, this means that you can't change scale focus distances like you can with a tabbed rangefinder lens. users must rely on the camera's autofocus capabilities, which are improving but not yet equivalent.
rivercityrocker
Well-known
There are a lot of problems with the "fly-by-wire" system. We could be here all day...
gilgsn
Established
I am saving up for a X100S or X-E2. The X100S is first on my list. It won't replace my m4-P but I plan on using it for evening/low-light shots. They are two different things in my mind. Digital has it's advantages.. I probably won't mind it being a bit behind DSLRs, because I've never owned a DSLR so I wouldn't know! My last camera before returning to photography after a long hiatus was the Nikon F3. I took to the Leica immediately. There is nothing else like it, no doubt. I am sure the X100S will feel quite flimsy compared to my Leicas, but I am prepared for that. The last autofocus I've ever owned was an EOS-600, around 22 years ago! I am sure the Fuji will be better than that.. There is always manual focus.. I could pick at the X100S all day and find flaws, compare it to Leicas or other brands, but why bother? Most cameras $1K and up should function reasonably well and render decent images. I picked the X100S because it is the closest to a rangefinder experience, and for the silent shutter. I couldn't care less about megapixels and the flurry of details usually debated. I just want to be able to frame my subject, press the button and have the camera fire immediately. I hear manual mode is the fastest; fine then, works for me. If the Fuji craps out, I'll have my M4-P or IIIc with me anyway.. If the M8 could still be repaired, I would get one instead, but it looks like parts availability is a real problem..
Gil.
Gil.
taemo
eat sleep shoot
the X100 is around $600 on the used market
X100s is around $1200
M9 body alone is $3600+ used, if you want a 35mm cron then you are looking $1600 alone.
I agree that the GR is compact and excellent but IMO it's not a direct competitor to the X100/s.
The GR has no VF, 28mm view, 35mm crop at 10MP.
Never had issues shooting with gloves on, after all if you are shooting it like an M9 then really all you are accessing is the aperture and dial. Changing the ISO is equally as hard with the M9 and the X100s IMO but yeah the X100/s buttons can be small at times, especially when you are trying to change the ISO quickly.
Just from my experience but I never liked using Manual Focus on the X100s, sure I tried zone focusing with it but wasn't overly sold by it. only thing I used the MF is to focus in the dark but other than that always had it in center AF
The X100/s is nice to have along a film camera but it is not replacement.
back alley
IMAGES
Can the apple compare to an orange?
parasko
Established
I loved reading this. I'm from Sydney (Australia) and I've probably worn gloves twice in my life
Wiyum
Established
In my opinion, no, and it is my biggest complaint about the cameras (I'm an X-E1 and X100s user, and a very happy one at that).
See, the auto ISO in the x100s is really quite good, and works perfectly in aperture or shutter priority (each engaged by setting the respective dial to A, not via some mode dial). However...
In manual mode, the auto ISO will choose an ISO (if in range) that generates what the camera thinks is a correct exposure. If you disagree with the camera's selection, there's really nothing you can do about it. If you adjust the shutter or aperture, it will adjust the ISO to compensate and you're right back where you started. And the exposure compensation dial, so useful in aperture and shutter priority to control exactly this situation, does not work in manual mode with auto ISO.
The result is that I'm almost never in manual mode, even though I'd occasionally like to be (I'd still mostly be in aperture priority). But once you are in manual with auto ISO, you have no ability to adjust exposure whatsoever. Easily my most requested firmware fix.
FA Limited
missing in action
are you constantly changing exposure compensation when you use the camera? i find the X100 is pretty bang on most of the time, maybe needing a bit of + at the beach. personally i don't like the Shutter/Aperture and Auto ISO because you could be using slower shutters speeds or higher ISOs than necessary.
I like to dial in -1/3 to 2/3 exposure compensation on sunny days to avoid highlights being blown. In manual mode with auto ISO, Wiyum is spot on. I use mine in shutter priority mode with auto ISO and then only go fully manual when I need a specific depth of field (like wide open).
FA Limited
missing in action
which cameras have the exposure comp on Manual with Auto ISO? it seems most manufacturers do not have it. i know canon and fuji do not for sure and that pentax does.
Yeah, Pentax and Ricoh.
nongfuspring
Well-known
I can't say for sure, but I imagine manual with auto ISO with exposure comp will be added in the not too distant future.
Fuji seems to be consistently knocking things off my firmware wishlist this year (peaking, focussing speed, minimum shutter speed, max/min ISO) so I'm optimistic.
Fuji seems to be consistently knocking things off my firmware wishlist this year (peaking, focussing speed, minimum shutter speed, max/min ISO) so I'm optimistic.
danielsterno
making soup from mud
FYI- I have M6/and recent M5 with a few lens and x100 which combined of the two does it for me. My suggestion is to keep the M7 if you can afford it and either rent x100 or get a used one. Here is a good RFF forum thread of x100(s) images: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106406
good luck
good luck
Stuart John
Well-known
I've had the X100 for a while. It was for me the digital Canonet that Canon never made. At first I loved it then I took it to a party and realized just how frustrating the AF really is using the OVF. Fuji have now updated the firmware to V2. It's better than 1.3 but I am using the camera less and less for some reason. It's also become very obvious to me that I actually prefer those big ugly jelly mould DSLRs. I might give a Sony A7 a try but I am not too sure if I will be keeping the X100. I've already let my X-E1 go and don't regret that one bit.