Considering going to Fuji X cam full time

[derekfulmer]

Hey all,

I'm currently using a D700 with grip and a 35 and a 50mm. I shoot mainly portraits documentary type shots for a few blogs and my own personal projects. I also have a bit of credit card debt to pay off so I am considering moving from my Nikon gear to a Fuji x100s or an X pro 1 entirely. Mainly to have a camera that is actually used regularly rather than sitting in the bag until a shoot or project comes along. I find myself seeing pictures while I am out and about and I feel that I'd be much more inclined to take an X camera out with me rather than my D700. My wife has a D7000 so I'd still have a DSLR at my disposal if need be. I tend to live in the 35mm ~ focal length so I feel like the x100s would be a good fit for me.

Just looking for some honest opinions.

 

[David_Manning]

I traveled for almost a year exclusively with an X100...and got great pictures. I enjoy the OVF experience of an RF-style camera.

I began to feel stagnant at 35mm field of view. I moved up to an X-Pro 1 and couldn't be happier. I have the 50mm equivalent lens now, and plan on buying the 28mm equivalent shortly.

I carried either one in an olive drab canvas shoulder bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. It was secure across my body (bandolier-style) and shoot with a Gordy wrist strap (no neck strap...I prefer not to have a camera dangling from me in public while traveling).

I took the X-Pro 1 to Rio de Janeiro last week and it was great. I didn't miss having a dSLR one bit. One thing though...I do have a nice point & shoot too, and it's a nice "carry all the time" camera, especially to social events where photography isn't the driving factor.

I hope this makes sense and helps.

 

[ShinX414]

if you don't mind the slower AF speed of the X-series (x100, x-e1, x-pro1) and the parallax effect of the viewfinder and the battery life then i don't see any reason why you shouldn't switch to the X-series.
And since you're comfortable with the 35mm focal length all the more reason to dump the weight and go for a lightweight system. Your shoulder will thank you for that.

 

[derekfulmer]

I traveled for almost a year exclusively with an X100...and got great pictures. I enjoy the OVF experience of an RF-style camera.

I began to feel stagnant at 35mm field of view. I moved up to an X-Pro 1 and couldn't be happier. I have the 50mm equivalent lens now, and plan on buying the 28mm equivalent shortly.

I carried either one in an olive drab canvas shoulder bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. It was secure across my body (bandolier-style) and shoot with a Gordy wrist strap (no neck strap...I prefer not to have a camera dangling from me in public while traveling).

I took the X-Pro 1 to Rio de Janeiro last week and it was great. I didn't miss having a dSLR one bit. One thing though...I do have a nice point & shoot too, and it's a nice "carry all the time" camera, especially to social events where photography isn't the driving factor.

I hope this makes sense and helps.

That adds a bit of perspective. Thanks!

 

[derekfulmer]

if you don't mind the slower AF speed of the X-series (x100, x-e1, x-pro1) and the parallax effect of the viewfinder and the battery life then i don't see any reason why you shouldn't switch to the X-series.
And since you're comfortable with the 35mm focal length all the more reason to dump the weight and go for a lightweight system. Your shoulder will thank you for that.

Is the battery life really that terrible?

Also, I'm shooting mostly portraits, does the AF speed such THAT bad?

 

[David_Manning]

Good points.

The X100s, of course, focuses fast. And, all the cameras can switch to EVF for critical framing/100% coverage.

The X series is actually incredibly flexible.

 

[derekfulmer]

Good points.

The X100s, of course, focuses fast. And, all the cameras can switch to EVF for critical framing/100% coverage.

The X series is actually incredibly flexible.

I want to pay off my credit card debt more than anything, but i feel like an X camera would suit my style more as well. Sort of seems like a good fit. Just hesitant to go Fujifilm entirely as I've shot DSLR (canon or nikon) for a while now. Worried about buying into a system that won't last, won't be supported by processing programs, etc.

 

[David_Manning]

Derek, I don't shoot sports... but the X100 focused fine, and the X-Pro 1 feels even snappier (about like my 5DmkII). There is an XF 60mm portrait lens for formal portraits, too.

In either case, I find both camera bodies fast enough for candid portraits and documentary work.

You should for sure try one before you commit...the X series seems to polarize quite a bit. People seem to love them or hate them. For me, it has the advantages of an M series Leica (size, handling) and the flexibility of a dSLR (100% VF coverage, zooms).

FWIW...the X100 feels great in hand, but the X-Pro 1 feels more like a professional camera.

 

[David_Manning]

Also, the X-Trans sensor is supported by adobe now, AND Fuji is the most proactive camera manufacturer I've seen with regards to firmware upgrades and improving their products. I don't think anyone on RFF would disagree with that...Fuji supports their products.

 

[derekfulmer]

Derek, I don't shoot sports... but the X100 focused fine, and the X-Pro 1 feels even snappier (about like my 5DmkII). There is an XF 60mm portrait lens for formal portraits, too.

In either case, I find both camera bodies fast enough for candid portraits and documentary work.

You should for sure try one before you commit...the X series seems to polarize quite a bit. People seem to love them or hate them. For me, it has the advantages of an M series Leica (size, handling) and the flexibility of a dSLR (100% VF coverage, zooms).

FWIW...the X100 feels great in hand, but the X-Pro 1 feels more like a professional camera.

Thanks for the info. Really appreciate it.

I've used an x100 a few times thanks to it being owned by a friend of mine. I think I had a more time with it, I could have really made it shine but the time I did have with it I really enjoyed it.

 

[rbelyell]

derek i actually physically traded my canon 5d (which i loved with zeiss contax glass) straight up for a 'new' x100 when it first came out. i never regretted it. some find it limiting, one FL. i look at it that i can take panorama for something like an 18mm fov, and the incredible resolution and full frame clarity allows me to easily crop to 75+mm fov. so i find it flexible in real life and also somewhat liberating.

i do also have a ricoh gxr m mount to satisfy my love for lenses and for manual focusing (which i wouldnt do with the x100 but would with the x100s), but ive traveled extensively with only the x100 and just love it, and the results never fail to make me smile. its a very very special camera.
tony

 

[macjim]

I dropped the Nikon DSLR (D600) camera that I had and bought the x100s to supplement my X-Pro1 kit. All Fujifilm X-Series now in my bag. :-}

 

[jsrockit]

Hey all,

I'm currently using a D700 with grip and a 35 and a 50mm. I shoot mainly portraits documentary type shots for a few blogs and my own personal projects. I also have a bit of credit card debt to pay off so I am considering moving from my Nikon gear to a Fuji x100s or an X pro 1 entirely. .

Might work for you, but some things to consider from a Fuji X user (X100s and X-Pro1 w/18mm and 35mm) point of view:

Crop sensor means wider lenses to get same focal length which means weirder converging line distortion vs. full frame. This is more of an issue with the 23mm on the X100 than with the 35mm on the X-Pro1, but something to keep in mind vs. your fullframe camera.

AF is slower... yes even the X100s is slower (especially with Firmware 1.01). There is no debating this.

I don't like DSLRs, so the decision was easy for me, but full frame does come in handy with wider lenses.

 

[willie_901]

The battery life is certainly shorter than the D700.

I carry a spare battery. If I was using the camera all day I would carry a second spare. The batteries are smaller and lighter than the D700's. For me carrying extra batteries is not a burden.

The batteries take longer to charge than the D700 too. You do have to pay more attention to batteries.

 

[derekfulmer]

Ugh. I feel really conflicted. I appreciate everyone's input. I think I'm going to rent am x100s before committing any further. I just would like this excess debt to be gone more than anything.

And yes, I do want a new piece of gear. I can't deny that. I admire street and documentary photographers a lot and think I could do those things more comfortably with a smaller set up.

 

[Eric T]

I was moving toward using the XPro-1 exclusively until I tried the Sigma DP2 Merrill. The DP2m images just blow me away. The Sigma is very limited - can't do low light or action photos. So I still need the Fuji and it does well.

 

[Photog9000]

As a retired/laid off newspaper photojournalist, I recently picked up the X100S to lighten my load. While the X100S does not have the focus tracking of my D2H bodies, I have found the focus quickness for portraits to be more than adequate. The lighter weight is appreciated by my back and the image quality just blows away my D2H. For what you say you are shooting and the focal length that you prefer, the X100S appears to be a good fit. Going the rental route is a good idea in that it gives you a quick look at the camera to make your decision. For me, I still trying to get use to a single focal length over carrying several zooms and a couple of primes...:bang:

 

[kbg32]

Is the battery life really that terrible?

Also, I'm shooting mostly portraits, does the AF speed such THAT bad?

I carry 4 extra batteries when I am out and about shooting. Better safe then sorry.

Yes, AF is slow compared to other cameras, but not terrible. It really bothered me at first, but the last firmware update helped a great deal. Not as quick as the Olympus OMD. Maybe the XE-2 will address this better. The IQ is fantastic though.

 

[willie_901]

I carry 4 extra batteries when I am out and about shooting. Better safe then sorry.

Yes, AF is slow compared to other cameras, but not terrible. It really bothered me at first, but the last firmware update helped a great deal. Not as quick as the Olympus OMD. Maybe the XE-2 will address this better. The IQ is fantastic though.

The batteries are smaller and lighter than the D700 era batteries. I would have no issue carrying four batteries for a long day of photography.

 

[jsrockit]

I photograph pretty extensively with the X-Pro1... as much as 10 hours in a day and have never needed more than two batteries. Of course, this does not mean 10 hours firing the shutter ...but maybe around 450 photos in the day.