Early Adopters

[bwcolor]

What camera systems were not ready for prime time upon introduction? I'm just wondering if waiting six months might just result in receiving a better camera. Of course, firmware is upgradeable. I remember the flap over the focusing with the Canon 1DMKIII, which was addressed with firmware updates and not hardware upgrades.

 

[Catto]

Well, actually...it was eventually fixed with a sub mirror replacement in many samples of the camera after several months of firmware attempts. Mine needed that, but I wasn't really seeing the problem beforehand - I got it done for resale value anyway.
R

 

[jsrockit]

Many cameras work just fine right from the start. Think of how many cameras are released each year and the amount your hear complaints about.

 

[willie_901]

D200 (high-ISO banding:solved with firmware) and M8 (IR contamination solved by providing two free IR filters) are two that come to mind. There must be others.

 

[jsrockit]

D200 (high-ISO banding:solved with firmware) and M8 (IR contamination solved by providing two free IR filters) are two that come to mind. There must be others.

Yes, but more work than don't.

 

[_larky]

Without the early adopters, things wouldn't move at the rate they do. Technology is driven forward by them, they help solve the issues, they don't mind the issues as they have a problem to fix. Early adopters in the tech world are crucial.

 

[former member]

The Nikon F2 and Nikon F5 are two that come to mind. Motor backlash on the F2 and shutter failure on the F5. The M8- problems with the CCD that were ironed out.

This let's out the "bleeding edge" cameras such as my DCS200 and F3AF.

Nikon D2H- strong magenta cast to skin tones, went back to the D1 issues but seemed to be worse.

Olympus OM-1md. 15% infant mortality rate out of the box when used with motors, at least in the camera store that I worked at. We talked customers out of buying them..

 

[Arjay]

Oh well, I can understand Roger's rant, being a geezer myself...

I may not be buying the X100 right from the first delivery batch, but I feel that it is good enough and offers a sufficiently attractive price/performance ratio to still be attracted. Of course, the old times appear in my memory under a golden light too, but I'm realistic enough to recognize the advantages of new tools as they become available. Granted, EVF may not be the the end-all when viewing scenes illuminated by fluorescent light, but then that's only a small fraction of all shooting situations I will encounter with this camera (... and then there's still the OVF).

It could be worse ...

 

[kdemas]

Contax N Digital (see my avatar). Camera was extraordinarily late and arrived with firmware glitches and buffer problem. Tremendous disappointment to many and a final nail in the Contax coffin.

Personally I liked the camera for certain applications...but that's another story.

One more...early nikon D70 buyers and the BGLOD (blinking green light of death). Happened to me, less than pleasant.

 

[former member]

I tend to be lucky on "bleeding edge".

Kodak DCS200ir- one of the very first, because I had Kodak make it, still works after 18 years.

Nikon E3 Full-frame (done with mirrors and optics) 1.3MPixel DSLR from 1997, still working.

 

[gavinlg]

I fail to see how everyone seems to be so scared of firmware updates to fix little problems - all you do is download it onto your camera and the problem is fixed!

 

[Catto]

I fail to see how everyone seems to be so scared of firmware updates to fix little problems - all you do is download it onto your camera and the problem is fixed!

Because with the 1DMkIII (an NZD$8000 pro camera) it took six months of firmware attempts for them to realise it was the submirror, and issue a recall notice? It's not ALWAYS a firmware fix - and updates aren't always immediate...

I'd forgotten about the 1Ds MkIII problem with certain memory cards, too - where the buffer wouldn't write completely, and some images would go missing; but only with that brand of card, and only in certain circumstances. Happened to a friend of mine, lost a number of images while waiting for the fix.

All that said - I'm not cancelling my X100 order unless a real showstopper actually appears. The ratio of cameras that are fine to cameras that have significant problems on release is pretty favourable, I think.
R!

 

[bwcolor]

Yes, but more work than don't.

How is that new X1 firmware working for you? Maybe we should call it vaporware. So, is the X100 one that will work? It seems that it is coming to market in a rush. Circulated cameras that have been discussed to this point are only partially functional. I realize that this is probably a design stage representing progress of a couple of months ago, but it does seem to be a rushed product with new technology.

 

[bwcolor]

All that said - I'm not cancelling my X100 order unless a real showstopper actually appears. The ratio of cameras that are fine to cameras that have significant problems on release is pretty favourable, I think.
R!

I'm not suggesting that you do cancel. We need your feedback prior to putting in our purchase. Fujifilm is a good company and the product will be excellent. I spent my money on a bunch of Contax SLR stuff in the last month, so I need to wait anyway. This looks like a first rate camera and perfect for me, but I will wait for some months prior to putting in an order and then I will probably need to wait months to get a camera.

 

[hitmanh]

HERE.





..........

Yes, beacuase people picking up new technology early never benefits anyone else at all and we should wait until technology is magically mature before making it available to anyone...

 

[hitmanh]

BTW. I don't agree with that rant.

I have a X100 en order. 🙂

My apologies, the quoting messed up, I was trying to get Roger's comment in there rather than you.

 

[jsrockit]

How is that new X1 firmware working for you?

I don't get your point. My X1 worked great right out of the box. Sure, the AF is slow, but it works right.

I love how everyone assumes I regret buying the X1 when in reality it is one of my favorite cameras ever... yes, EVER! ... even without a firmware update.

That said, I'm hoping the X100 fits nicely between the X1 and M8.2 usage wise for me.

 

[_larky]

The X1 looks stunning. I mean, styling wise, it's lovely. If it had fast focus and no lag I'd buy that puppy and stick a VF on the top.

But until then I'll buy the X100 and stroke it gently...

 

[bwcolor]

I don't get your point. My X1 worked great right out of the box. Sure, the AF is slow, but it works right.

I love how everyone assumes I regret buying the X1 when in reality it is one of my favorite cameras ever... yes, EVER! ... even without a firmware update.

That said, I'm hoping the X100 fits nicely between the X1 and M8.2 usage wise for me.

Actually, I realize that you like the X1. I wanted to buy an X1, but could not get over some of the things that I did not like about the camera. So, I've seen many of your posts, because I was interested in your sense of things. I was on the run and should have made my post a bit clearer. The point was suppose to be that camera companies are not always quick to react to problems with their cameras. The X1 upgrade firmware has been a topic of discussion for a long time. Folks are hoping for faster autofocus and a few other improvements. I suspect that Leica wants to get the firmware out, but it must be difficult to meet the expectations.

 

[foolproof]

Without the early adopters, things wouldn't move at the rate they do. Technology is driven forward by them, they help solve the issues, they don't mind the issues as they have a problem to fix. Early adopters in the tech world are crucial.

nail on head, end of