Fuji X10 - First Impressions

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whitecat

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I just got my Fuji X10 in the mail and my first impressions are very favorable. I appreciate workmanship and hold it high on the list when I look for a camera. If you appreciate the "build" of a camera body like the Leica M, a Contax T3, a Nikon TI, a Contessa....etc, this will not disappoint. The only other digital camera I have ever used is the Canon G12 and I personally like this one better overall.

The camera is small and medium weight, like a Zeiss 35 body equivalent compared to a Leica body. The controls snap into place and the viewfinder is clear and sharp. The hand controlled zoom is one of the reasons I got it and you can see the changes in the viewfinder. A few advanced features like sweep panorama and capability of changing your focus spot size and positioning. There is much more but I haven't gotten that far as yet.

I have snapped less than 50 photos and am impressed with the quality so far. I haven't gotten into the tech aspects as yet but more to come.....
 
I fully agree with your first impressions of the X10. Unfortunately mine is going back to the store today for a return. Shooting outside yesterday around midday in aperture priority f8 and 100 iso set the camera shot at 1/75 for a very slightly over exposed image. My Sekonic 398 recommended about 1/400 for the same scene. Set the camera to manual f8 1/400 100 iso and the image was 2 stops under exposed. Still scratching my head and unless the store can show me it was operator error, which is always a possibility, it will be returned. A bit of a disappointment as I really think I could have gotten to like this camera.

Bob
 
I just went out and took a few with my meter by my side. After comparing exposure it seems to be right on for me so far.
 
Nikon Bob said:
Shooting outside yesterday around midday in aperture priority f8 and 100 iso set the camera shot at 1/75 for a very slightly over exposed image. My Sekonic 398 recommended about 1/400 for the same scene. Set the camera to manual f8 1/400 100 iso and the image was 2 stops under exposed.

Bob
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Bob - from what you've written, it sounds as though the cameras meter got the exposure right (ish) and your Sekonic was out by 2 stops... Try metering an easy non-contrasty subject like grass or a grey card with both camera and meter and see if they then differ significantly.
 
mickster said:
Bob - from what you've written, it sounds as though the cameras meter got the exposure right (ish) and your Sekonic was out by 2 stops... Try metering an easy non-contrasty subject like grass or a grey card with both camera and meter and see if they then differ significantly.
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I just metered the same scene now and the Sekonic in incident mode suggested f8 /1/800 @ 200 iso. I set 200 iso as that is the native iso on my D700. I metered the scene with my D700 and 50/1.4 set to f8 and aperture priority. With matrix metering the D700 gave f8/1/800. I have the D700 set to a permanent -1/3 exposure comp to avoid blowing highlights so the meters don't exactly agree but are close enough as to be the same.

In any event it may have been operator error on my part with the X10, insert red face. At the store, even though I had hit the reset for the X10 to go back to factory settings, the X10 was in super macro mode. That may have accounted for metering. I returned it anyway not trusting my self or the camera. Other than that I liked the camera so I just may try another at a later date.

Bob
 
Just a quick update, the store called and said the camera misbehaved metering wise for them too. So. I will try another one when a fresh batch comes in.

Bob
 
Only played with a sample at the Fuji showroom, and it is a nice camera. I particulary like the way it turns 'on'. It is very intuitive IMO. The finder is a big step up from other digicams tunnelvision, but how I wish it would include some information.
 
Bob, yes, give it another try. One feature it has which I really like in the advanced mode is what I call night time HDR. In low light it takes 4 rapid photos and puts them together with extra consideration for shadow detail without blowing the highlights. I have not had much time to post pics yet but it is really a winner.
 
I got to toy around with it just earlier today, I highly prefer the x100 over the x10, the build is not as hyped up as people are speaking about imho..
 
Shade said:
I got to toy around with it just earlier today, I highly prefer the x100 over the x10, the build is not as hyped up as people are speaking about imho..
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I understand not everyone will care for the X10, but what did you find objectionable about the build quality? Your statement is rather broad.
 
I got tired of waiting for images (I know everyone's pretty busy anyway) so I went out today and grabbed one of these little beauties... I seriously think my Ricoh GRD III is about to be replaced !!!

Cheers and thanks for the case of GAS !! :D
Dave
 
Not busy Dave just no camera and you are welcome, enjoy the little beauty.

Bob
 
hehe.. Thanks Bob - I honestly believe this is one of the most "solid" feeling P&S cams I've held in a long time - that's for digital and film combined - I have never been so lucky as to own a Contax T3 but I can only imagine it's somewhat similar in "heft" as the X10.

Cheers,
Dave
 
dcsang said:
I got tired of waiting for images (I know everyone's pretty busy anyway) so I went out today and grabbed one of these little beauties... I seriously think my Ricoh GRD III is about to be replaced !!!

Cheers and thanks for the case of GAS !! :D
Dave
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Oh Hey Dave
wow...You might retire the grd3 for the x10
Love to see a few shots PLEASE !
I was out Today at OWS shooting Film
and really wished I has a small digi w/ me for some shots

Considering the X10 or a ricoh ( have had ricoh grd 1 & 2 in the past)
 
dcsang said:
hehe.. Thanks Bob - I honestly believe this is one of the most "solid" feeling P&S cams I've held in a long time - that's for digital and film combined - I have never been so lucky as to own a Contax T3 but I can only imagine it's somewhat similar in "heft" as the X10.

Cheers,
Dave
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Enough about the weight already ... some photos please! :D
 
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