Two camps... those that don't like the camera, so they dismiss it as a point and shoot. And those that like it, understand it, so they realize it is much more than a point and shoot.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Yeah, way to split the world neatly in two camps and make sure you're in the right one.
Personally I understand it and like the idea of it precisely because it is a point and shoot - having a few manual input dials makes it hardly less so, like the other fixed-lens autofocus compacts - the aforementioned 35Ti and Contax T3, or the Panasonic LC-1 is probably closest (all rather nice cameras). I guess that makes me fall out of your camp system.
What I don't understand is much of the rabidly rose-tinted commentary in these threads. Does this get me back again into the wrong camp?
I'm sorry we had to revoke your membership to our camp. Please pay your fees and we will reinstate you immediately.
Actually, the dials do make it not a point and shoot. The T3 did not have an aperture ring (it had an aperture dial though)... it didn't have an EVF, manual focus abilities with a lens ring, nor did it have a shutter speed dial. It also didn't have external flash capabilities, a fast lens, etc. The optical VF is very simple compared to the Fujis. The 35Ti... the same. The LC-1... I agree, but that's not a P&S either. (I agree, they all are nice)
What features make a camera not be a P&S?
Manual focus only? Interchangable lenses?
P&S was traditionally used for cameras that do not need the user to do anything but point it at your subject and trip the shutter. Most digital cameras (outside of the rangefinders) and AF film cameras have auto modes that allow one to do this... that must make them P&S as well.
As far as rose tinted... forgive us for being excited about something. Perhaps we should all be so jaded to post about cameras we don't care about and have no intentions of using. It would make RFF a better place.
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gavinlg
Veteran
35ti - No manual mode, no shutter speed control, no shutter priority mode, small viewfinder with very little autofocus information or customization etc
t3 - No manual mode, no shutter speed control, no shutter priority mode, small viewfinder with very little autofocus information or customization.
The Panasonic lc-1 is actually a DSLR - it has a mirror and interchangeable lenses and is a manual controls camera. 4/3 sensor ruined it unfortunately. Nevertheless, no more a point and shoot than any other DSLR out there.
Get over it - the camera is well past the point n shoot level of control and ergonomics.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
The camera you mean is the L-1, not the LC-1; the latter appeared five years earlier, in 2003. It's a high-end fixed-lens autofocus zoom point & shoot with manual focus override, an aperture ring and shutter speed dial.
These definitions aren't dictionary stuff anyway. I use it more or less synonomously with "fixed-lens autofocus compact" and I'm not too strict about the latter. However, if "point & shoot" sounds like an insult to either you our your camera and you can't bear the thought of using one, feel free to define your terms any way you choose so that the X100 isn't one.
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rxmd
May contain traces of nut
As posted earlier, I use it more or less synonymously with "fixed-lens autofocus compact", with a loose understanding of what's compact. Feel free to use it any other way if it makes you happy!
I forgive you. I'm merely surprised at quite how hyperactively enthusiastic some of you guys are. I'm expecting a lot of good pictures from the guys in your camp once the thing's out.
Jamie123
Veteran
Well, there is a manual scale focus mode on the 35Ti and it does indicate the focus distance. But yeah, it's still a P&S.
As for the X100 I wouldn't say it's a Point and Shoot but it is something like the digital version of a Minolta Hi-Matic, Canonet, etc. Quite simply it's a fixed lens rangefinder for those who can't/don't want to spend the money for an M9.
Personally I don't think the X100 is revolutionary and I'm not really interested in buying one (wouldn't mind having one but it's not something I would spend money on). What I do find interesting about it is to see that now that larger sensors are becoming cheaper companies are willing to try something that's a bit out of the mainstream.
It won't make my photos any different than what I take with the M8.2 or X1 or M4 or R3a...
Why do we have to prove anything to internet X100 detractors just because we are excited about a camera? Am I not allowed to use my money the way I want? Even if my photos suck horribly, does that mean I shouldn't be allowed to talk about a camera on a public forum?
I'm surprised that people who are not into this camera feel the need to come into threads about it and get mad at those who do like it... that doesn't make sense to me.
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rxmd
May contain traces of nut
You don't have to prove anything, and you don't have to get worked up. Nobody is mad at you.
As for the rest, it's just that when people rhapsodize enough about how a camera does everything for them, one does begin to have some hopes for their picturial output.
andersju
Well-known
FWIW: I happened to go past Fujifilm Square in Tokyo today. Went in and they had two X100 production models for demonstration - sweet camera, I still want one - and lots of sample prints of various types (landscape, close-ups, portraits, ..) in about A2 size, if I recall correctly. Anyway - they looked GREAT, which was all I needed to know. 
(Also: from March 11 to March 23 they will have an "exhibition by leading Japanese photographers of images taken with Fujifilm’s new FinePix X100 digital camera".)
(Also: from March 11 to March 23 they will have an "exhibition by leading Japanese photographers of images taken with Fujifilm’s new FinePix X100 digital camera".)semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
So you've thoroughly characterized its MTF and color separation characteristics at a variety of apertures, focal distances, and ISO settings then. Delighted to hear that.
Or are you just saying it's not as good as a Canon 5DII with a ZE 35/2?
I mean the following quite seriously: specifically what are you saying? I ask, because I strongly suspect that you are typing words that don't actually have any technical meaning.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Why on earth should they? We're in a thread that started from a description of pictures as "breathtaking".
I don't think anyone does a detailed technical analysis every time they decide whether they like something or not.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
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gavinlg
Veteran
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
fdigital said:
Well, you two seem to agree on this, and you seem to have decided you like it. This being so, it would be great if you could share some of the results of the solid technical testing you've done (as you suggested to the other poster, MTF and color separation characteristics at a variety of apertures, focal distances and ISO settings etc.)
Hic Rhodos, hic salta.
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gilpen123
Gil
Our local Fuji rep let us try the X100 today and IMO is a superb camera and very suitable for my style of photography. Shutter lag is minimal, whisper silent shutter, light but not fragile and a nice retro RF look. Write time for raw is a bit slow and sharpness out of the camera needs a bit more sharpening. because there were many in the cue, I was not able to do high ISO tests, anyway here are some sample pics, 1st 2 at f2.0 and the rest at f4.0.
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rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Nice pictures. And your local Fuji rep seems to be located in a great place for trying out cameras
gilpen123
Gil
The test was done inside a famous historical park in the heart of Manila, Fort Santiago. There are cultural shows during weekends and many tourists come and see a part of Philippine history.
