Fujifilm X100T review

[borge]

Hey guys. I've used the X100T exclusivly for over a month now, together with the WCL and TCL converters, and decided to write a review based on my experience with the camera.

Check it out: http://indergaard.net/2015/01/05/fujifilm-x100t-review/

 

[taemo]

good review, quickly read it and your review seems to be mostly concentrating on the X100T but what about the converters?
I used to have an X100s and WCL converter, the TCL would be nice but the size is kind of putting me off.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Very nicely done review (and great images, by the way!).

As with taemo, I'm also interested in your experience with, and opinions about the TCL converter.

 

[nlubis]

Thanks for the review.
I might need to look into the X100T a bit more.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Im getting so tempted by these Fuji's!!

Thanks!!

 

[Vince Lupo]

I just picked up the X100T and the 50mm (equivalent) teleconverter, and I think it's a worthwhile accessory.

Size? Not really a problem for me personally -- I'm used to a Monochrom with a Noctilux around my neck, so the X100T with the teleconverter is not an issue. And it's very comfortable to use.

You need to remember to set the lens converter option in the camera's menu -- and make sure you select the right one! Ask me how I found that out......

BTW just measured and weighed the teleconverter lens -- 6.2oz, and it's 1.75" long, and about 2 5/8" wide at the front ring (it's a 67mm filter).

 

[KM-25]

A couple of things of note to those who might use the X100T beyond the “Camera Enthusiast” reviews that seem to be a hobby in of them selves. 90% of my use for digital including the X100 series is strictly for paid work as I really prefer film for as much of my photography as possible.

1. The OVF frame lines and associated superimposed LCD in dual view mode get quite dim when in low light, too much so for the focus aide as it becomes nearly unusable in low light, they need to make it a bit brighter or create a function to diffreentiate it a bit better. Overall the frame line brightness just seems out of whack below EV6-7, like it is dropping it to minimum brightness when the shutter speed is 1/30th, F2 at ISO 800.

2. This next one is a big one and I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Fuji USA about it this morning. Unlike previous X100 models or darn near ever digital camera ever made, the only way to view the menu or menu like items such as white balance, frame rate and what ever else you may program the 7 custom function items, you either have keep your eye in the viewfinder when in optical viewfinder mode or toggle the mode to the LCD to see the items in need.

In other words, this would be like either needing to keep looking through the viewfinder of a DSLR to see often used menu items or putting the camera into live view to see them on the rear LCD….not good at all. This is such an enormous workflow oversight on Fuji’s part that I honestly thought there was something wrong with my camera when I first used it.

Also, I don’t agree with the enthusiast’s assessment of the electronic shutter being of no use. Firstly, some of us in certain situations want the camera as quiet as can be. So for example, lets say you are shooting in a tightly packed group of people in a monastery in super low light, like EV-2. What a pro typically will do in that situation to overcome camera shake is shoot bursts of frames. I often do this at 6 fps for 3-4 frames, one always comes out *much* sharper than the other. In that particular use, the shutter noise can be detected much easier than if just one frame is taken. The use of the electronic shutter makes it to where you can shoot as many as you want as fast as you want and not be heard at all in terms of shutter noise. Also it tends to make the camera even more energy efficient as the electronic shutter takes only a fraction of the energy that the leaf shutter does.

All in all it is indeed a worthwhile upgrade, the 1/3rd stop aperture is SO nice considering I only ever shoot the camera in JPEG because of how good it treats the files in terms of white balance and exposure.

But that damn menu not showing up on the LCD in OVF mode issue….they need to get a firmware update to fix that and *QUICK*!!

 

[taemo]

I just picked up the X100T and the 50mm (equivalent) teleconverter, and I think it's a worthwhile accessory.

Size? Not really a problem for me personally -- I'm used to a Monochrom with a Noctilux around my neck, so the X100T with the teleconverter is not an issue. And it's very comfortable to use.

You need to remember to set the lens converter option in the camera's menu -- and make sure you select the right one! Ask me how I found that out......

BTW just measured and weighed the teleconverter lens -- 6.2oz, and it's 1.75" long, and about 2 5/8" wide at the front ring (it's a 67mm filter).

thanks for the info, might check the TCL converter out then

I went back and got me an X100, way lighter than the M6+35cron or Hexar AF
I have a GR for 28mm and 21mm, the GW3 adapter fits on the X100 too if I really want 28mm on the X100 but why bother when I have the GR 😛 but I'm thinking of including a 50mm, 70mm or 90mm on my travel light gear.
I just picked up a used X20 yesterday for $300 but a TCL might be nice to have as well, good thing its front is 67mm as I gave away all my 77mm filters

 

[Addy101]

2. This next one is a big one and I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Fuji USA about it this morning. Unlike previous X100 models or darn near ever digital camera ever made, the only way to view the menu or menu like items such as white balance, frame rate and what ever else you may program the 7 custom function items, you either have keep your eye in the viewfinder when in optical viewfinder mode or toggle the mode to the LCD to see the items in need.

In other words, this would be like either needing to keep looking through the viewfinder of a DSLR to see often used menu items or putting the camera into live view to see them on the rear LCD….not good at all. This is such an enormous workflow oversight on Fuji’s part that I honestly thought there was something wrong with my camera when I first used it.

Hmmm, it is different from what you're used to, but it is perfectly sane to do it this way. It makes sense to use the same screen to do both your framing and your menu settings IMHO. My Sony camera does the same. To me it is nonsensical to remove my eye from the viewfinder and have to look at the screen on the back just to change a setting in the menu.

There you have it, different people, different needs 😱

 

[taemo]

Hmmm, it is different from what you're used to, but it is perfectly sane to do it this way. It makes sense to use the same screen to do both your framing and your menu settings IMHO. My Sony camera does the same. To me it is nonsensical to remove my eye from the viewfinder and have to look at the screen on the back just to change a setting in the menu.

There you have it, different people, different needs 😱

the problem imo is that the tiny EVF are not adequate for a heavy menu system present on the x100 series and even the A7, the Q and Fn menu helps for the key menu but when you need to access a couple more obscure settings, thats when a bigger screen comes in handy.

in regards to the tcl-x100, i see that it's for sale at the camera store for 249 cad$ + tax, cheaper than buying used from the states, picking one up tomorrow 🙂

 

[KM-25]

To me it is nonsensical to remove my eye from the viewfinder and have to look at the screen on the back just to change a setting in the menu.

But some of us need the option as too much hang time with a camera stuck to your face is not desirable in certain shooting situations. It's very common for me to swap settings while on the run, having to constantly tap the view mode button in between shots to see the options is rather disruptive and I am sure as hell not going to walk and look through the finder at a menu...that is indeed insane.

Fuji needs to being back the option we had in the other two models.

 

[bhop73]

1. The OVF frame lines and associated superimposed LCD in dual view mode get quite dim when in low light, too much so for the focus aide as it becomes nearly unusable in low light, they need to make it a bit brighter or create a function to diffreentiate it a bit better. Overall the frame line brightness just seems out of whack below EV6-7, like it is dropping it to minimum brightness when the shutter speed is 1/30th, F2 at ISO 800.

Hmm.. The framelines on mine are the same brightness all the time, even in pitch black it's well lit. I can cover the lens and the whole front of my camera and see the framelines perfectly. I wonder if yours is broken, or if there's some setting for this?

2. This next one is a big one and I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Fuji USA about it this morning. Unlike previous X100 models or darn near ever digital camera ever made, the only way to view the menu or menu like items such as white balance, frame rate and what ever else you may program the 7 custom function items, you either have keep your eye in the viewfinder when in optical viewfinder mode or toggle the mode to the LCD to see the items in need.

In other words, this would be like either needing to keep looking through the viewfinder of a DSLR to see often used menu items or putting the camera into live view to see them on the rear LCD….not good at all. This is such an enormous workflow oversight on Fuji’s part that I honestly thought there was something wrong with my camera when I first used it.

But that damn menu not showing up on the LCD in OVF mode issue….they need to get a firmware update to fix that and *QUICK*!!

I also hate this. It's annoying. If I were just changing something small like the iso, sure, it's fine to look through there, but for anything else that requires some deep menu items (turning on external flash for example) ...having to change the view mode just to navigate the menus sucks.

 

[borge]

1. The OVF frame lines and associated superimposed LCD in dual view mode get quite dim when in low light, too much so for the focus aide as it becomes nearly unusable in low light, they need to make it a bit brighter or create a function to diffreentiate it a bit better. Overall the frame line brightness just seems out of whack below EV6-7, like it is dropping it to minimum brightness when the shutter speed is 1/30th, F2 at ISO 800.

I haven't experienced this, but I have experienced that the EVF gets quite dim in low-light environments. So much so, that I always have to control the EVF light level manually. The auto function simply adjusts the light level far too low in low-light scenarios.

2. This next one is a big one and I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Fuji USA about it this morning. Unlike previous X100 models or darn near ever digital camera ever made, the only way to view the menu or menu like items such as white balance, frame rate and what ever else you may program the 7 custom function items, you either have keep your eye in the viewfinder when in optical viewfinder mode or toggle the mode to the LCD to see the items in need.

In other words, this would be like either needing to keep looking through the viewfinder of a DSLR to see often used menu items or putting the camera into live view to see them on the rear LCD….not good at all. This is such an enormous workflow oversight on Fuji’s part that I honestly thought there was something wrong with my camera when I first used it.

I completely agree with this statement. I've also used a Sony A7S for an extended period of time, and Sony cameras works in the same way, but even more extreme: Even image playback will not show on the rear LCD, but only in the EVF.

Also, I don’t agree with the enthusiast’s assessment of the electronic shutter being of no use. Firstly, some of us in certain situations want the camera as quiet as can be. So for example, lets say you are shooting in a tightly packed group of people in a monastery in super low light, like EV-2. What a pro typically will do in that situation to overcome camera shake is shoot bursts of frames. I often do this at 6 fps for 3-4 frames, one always comes out *much* sharper than the other. In that particular use, the shutter noise can be detected much easier than if just one frame is taken. The use of the electronic shutter makes it to where you can shoot as many as you want as fast as you want and not be heard at all in terms of shutter noise. Also it tends to make the camera even more energy efficient as the electronic shutter takes only a fraction of the energy that the leaf shutter does.

As stated in the review, it is based on my own usage of the camera. For me the electronic shutter is not something that I have needed at all. But it can be nice for people that need it, of course. I don't feel it is needed for silence though, considering the leaf shutter of the X100 cameras is near dead silent.

 

[borge]

good review, quickly read it and your review seems to be mostly concentrating on the X100T but what about the converters?
I used to have an X100s and WCL converter, the TCL would be nice but the size is kind of putting me off.

Thanks. I'm gonna write a follow-up review on the accessories that I use for the X100T: WCL-X100, TCL-X100, Instax Share SP-1 and lens hoods.

I'll have to wait a while though since my X100T is currently sent back to Fuji for repair / remapping of the sensor. I got "lucky" and got a bright white stuck pixel that is easily visible in all images recently.

 

[vagab0nd]

Nice review and nice photos, borge.

re: TCL-X100 - I like the weight that the TCL adds to the the X100, it seems to balance it out more while I'm walking with it around my neck. And as someone who really likes more compact cameras, I don't mind the extra size of the lens.

 

[borge]

Nice review and nice photos, borge.

re: TCL-X100 - I like the weight that the TCL adds to the the X100, it seems to balance it out more while I'm walking with it around my neck. And as someone who really likes more compact cameras, I don't mind the extra size of the lens.

The TCL looks kinda big, but it's very light and makes the camera balance as you say. I actually prefer using the camera in portrait mode with the TCL on, as it acts like a natural support for the hand.

 

[willie_901]

This isn't helping my desperate attempt to avoid selling my X-Pro 1 and a few primes in order to pick up a X-100T with both TCLs.

 

[burancap]

This isn't helping my desperate attempt to avoid selling my X-Pro 1 and a few primes in order to pick up a X-100T with both TCLs.

Agreed. I have often considered doing just that and I would have jumped already if it weren't for the excellent stabilized 55-200. Well, that and the hope of the P2. For now, at least, the P1 and the 27 is close enough.

 

[cz23]

....For now, at least, the P1 and the 27 is close enough.

My feeling also. Especially considering that after $2K for the X100T and accessories one has the same files.

John

 

[taemo]

I picked up my TCL-X100 yesterday and it's growing on me, after primarily shooting with light and small M lenses for a good year I find this lens big and heavy on the X100 but definitely not as heavy as a 50mm f/0.95 though.

I like how I finally have an AF 50mm lens again and this with my GR gives me 2 cameras that allows me to shoot at 21, 28, 35 and 50 in a small package.

Not a pixel/IQ peeper but I like the images that I got from my test shots