First look preview of X100 at dpreview.com

The only thing new to me spec-wise is the "jog" dial now known to have 3 positions: push-in, left and right. Despite Fuji calls it "convenient command lever" and generally believed it is for flash control; I believe, firmware permitting, several functions could be assigned to that jog control. [I would select a few focal positions for a medium f-stop to do zone-focusing. You know: push-in to activate at medium focal position, left for far, and right for close.]

The jog dial is for adjusting the Fn setting, as I've said multiple times. It's very unlikely it will be initially set to adjust zone focusing, and from what's been released so far, I don't think zone focusing presets will be possible with any button combo on the X100.

Please, please stop saying the x100 was your idea. Many people have thought of similar camera designs (including myself), and it's Fuji's designers who came up with this particular implementation. Unless you were contracted to provide the design for this by fuji, could you please stop saying that?
 
It will be interesting to see if all the interest translates to sales. So far Canon and Nikon haven't jumped into this arena but if the sales look promising, there's not reason why they couldn't. There are rumours of a Nikon "pro mirrorless" camera coming out. As DSLR sales slow down, as I hear they are, the big two are going to be looking to expand into more niche areas that they have been neglecting.

Personally this looks great but I'm not too interested until I see how others like a final production unit with finalized firmware etc. I've bought and sold enough digital cameras to be pretty cautious.

Fuji has certainly done a great job ginning up interest though.
 
......However, I'm with Frank and I'm not sure that I would plunk down my money for the privilege of being one of Fuji's beta testers. And that's the reality of any radically new electronic product or software.......

Notice I didn't say I will pre-order...only that "my money is ready". However, I now do not have any deal-breaker in mind.

Funny thing, THE deal breaker for me is a decorative-only lens focusing ring...even if I use AF a lot.
 
......Please, please stop saying the x100 was your idea. Many people have thought of similar camera designs (including myself), and it's Fuji's designers who came up with this particular implementation. Unless you were contracted to provide the design for this by fuji, could you please stop saying that?

Can you take a joke? :D

That was what I posted long ago regarding Fuji inviting user "opinion" commonets. Many naysayers say the X100 is not to be believed...asking input after the camera has been shown, as if Fuji needs YOUR input.

I likened it to the brilliant Microsoft TV ad that "Window 7 was my idea"...most people, except those never watch TV know that joke.
 
It's not JUST RF users who have been clamoring for years for a smaller alternative to carrying a DSLR - DSLR owners have been asking for one, too, and they're just as obsessed with the search for the 'perfect' compact digital camera, as we are here. I would say that's the one area where DSLR shooters and RF shooters have a LOT in common, actually.

I don't think it's a "niche" if nearly every thoughtful photographer on the planet is looking for one. :D If Fuji gets this camera right, it's going to be huge. I think a lot of us here who might have been saving for an R-D1 or M8 might opt for this camera instead.

Time will tell. I don't think the X100 will be as ubiquitous as most think it will.

Realize that the majority of DSLR owners are novice amateurs (not serious photographers) who buy only one camera with kit lens, not camera geeks who buy multiple cameras.

Many people will think it is too expensive in comparison to other models.

R-D1 and M8 users are a very miniscule niche for sure.

Seriously, the VF is what does it for many people on here. Realize that most consumers don't even know the difference. Without consumers, it'll be a niche camera regardless of how many serious photographers buy one.
 
Last edited:
I saw those when someone posted the link earlier and they look very good. I'm still surpised that dpreview have nothing image wise to go with their review though! It makes their effort nothing more than leaflet talk IMO.

The site is Norwegian, a language I´m familiar with ;)

They are in fact a bit surprised themselves, they are not normally allowed to post IQ revealing pictures when reviewing a pre-production camera. They are impressed with the IQ, considering it not being a production model. They conclude that Fuji will have to do something pretty drastic (i.e. muck it up) for this not to qualify as a groundbreaking camera when it comes on to the market.

EDIT: Forgot to say, the pictures are legit. They are taken in and around Oslo.
 
Last edited:
I have a hunch that a lot of DSLR owners buy them BECAUSE they are big and look "professional". Small cameras seem unmasculine or something. Also a lot people need or think they need huge zooms. Walk around one day and count how many DSLRs you see with prime lenses on them.

It is a niche market for sure but perhaps the DSLR market is so saturated that the big guys are going to have to look to niche markets to keep growing.

I saw some stat recently that the m4/3 market is about 5% in the US but about 40% in Japan. So maybe Fuji is really aiming at their home market and those of us in the rest of the world, the US in particular, are just unintended beneficiaries.
 
Making pre-orders... haha :angel:

Hmmmm. Or deleteing some of their old posts? ;)

Seriously though, if this camera is not someone`s cup of tea, it may appeal
to others (like me). So why waste your own time peeing on others`
enthusiasm? If you do not like something, just do not buy it.
Choice is good.

Regards,
Al
 
The Norwegian guy answered questions here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1012&thread=37552213

(I can't wait to hear the reactions to this)

"hueur wrote:

Thank you.​

And what about AF speed ?​
Kinda slow, to be honest, and not at all the responsiveness I'm hoping for in the final version, but I think this is one area where much will be done to improve performance towards launch."

Not what I wanted to hear, but i'm not looking for blazingly fast AF like in my D700. The way the camera feels is good to hear.
 
......Seriously though, if this camera is not someone`s cup of tea, it may appeal to others (like me). So why waste your own time peeing on others`enthusiasm? If you do not like something, just do not buy it.
Choice is good.......

Hear, hear...
 
I saw some stat recently that the m4/3 market is about 5% in the US but about 40% in Japan. So maybe Fuji is really aiming at their home market and those of us in the rest of the world, the US in particular, are just unintended beneficiaries.

No doubt about it. One look at Tokyo Camera Style lets you know Japan is an entirely different market.
 
This is not really a rangefinder. It is an autofocus point-and-shoot with a fancy viewfinder and some manual controls.

One of the reasons to still shoot manual focus cameras is the complete control over the focus position that you do not get with autofocus, especially in low light situations.

Until we know how well this camera works in low light, I personally would not part with my money for it.

The last digital camera I bought was a Fuji W1 3D. I have been very disappointed with the W1. The focus on the two sides does not match. I had to send the first one back it was so bad it was not even usable stopped down. The camera has some nice feature including the display, but they do not make up for the piss poor performance.

I truly like my Fuji 6X9s, but I am in no rush to buy the X100. I will wait and see if you early adopters are happy or think you wasted your money.
 
I don't know what a proper definition of a rangefinder camera is.. and who cares, really.
However, the Fuji does have manual focusing, using a ring around the lens (how retro!). So... is this any less a rangefinder than, say, the Contax G cameras?

The Fuji: optical or electronic viewfinder; lots of room around the framelines for us eyeglass wearers; auto or manual focus; quiet shutter; adjustable ISO and whitebalance on the fly; a fast enough 35mm lens; and a body shape of classic proportions. Assuming image quality proves to be excellent for 8x10 prints... PERFECT for me. Thanks Fuji!
 
Back
Top Bottom