Is all the excitement rational?

[btgc]

Makes me think we are all a smaller niche then we think we are...

Count me in for 2/3. I'd like having that thing for $333, delivered, but I realize what Nick said. It is milestone camera, just name someone similar digital camera made before X100.

When I got small P&S for kid, I thought "if someone would make similar camera, just for real use". What got me so excited? Reasonable size, fixed focal length (but it's Bressonian 50mm eq.), fixed focus (I could accept zone focusing or fast AF), and optical VF. LCD can be turned off to enjoy peep-free snapping, just like with Konica POP. It's rather toy camera, but it is so easy to use compared to typical menu-drive, zoom-equipped digicam.

I'd love to see manufacturers catching up this race instead of megapixels, smile detection etc.

 

[samuelphoto]

Rational? I think it is most definitely rational. This offering from Fuji is simply (and importantly) filling a product gap that we RF users have been looking for for almost a decade. Sure, there are some unanswered questions (mine have to do with focusing) but given Fuji's track record, the announced product specs/features and the supposed $1K price point, I'd say that, unless it has some major unanticipated warts, they are filling a huge unmet want/need and it will be an absolute smash for all of us that can't affort do plunk down 10 Grand on a M9 system. I don't know how big that global market is, but I would guess it's well in the 100K plus range, which could make it a $100m product. Keep your eyes peeled for the preorder list, 'cause you could have a long wait for this one.

 

[ampguy]

Ok

Ok

I don't see how this is being compared with an M9, M8, or even NEX or u4/3 without the ability to change lens, or even knowing the capabilities of the sensor or fixed lens.

Sure the OVF/EVF is innovative, but there is so much about this that is unknown, and that could end up not coming off the first time - lens may be a disappointment, sensor could be bad, EVF/OVF could not work well, batter life could suck, UI/menu/interface could suck, shutter lag, or write times could be slow.

I'm sticking with an M8 for digital, and Hexar AF for film. They're proven, their issues have solutions, they can use or have attached, world class glass.

Not trying to be a negative nancy here, just realistic, at this stage of what we know about the prototype.

Rational? I think it is most definitely rational. This offering from Fuji is simply (and importantly) filling a product gap that we RF users have been looking for for almost a decade. Sure, there are some unanswered questions (mine have to do with focusing) but given Fuji's track record, the announced product specs/features and the supposed $1K price point, I'd say that, unless it has some major unanticipated warts, they are filling a huge unmet want/need and it will be an absolute smash for all of us that can't affort do plunk down 10 Grand on a M9 system. I don't know how big that global market is, but I would guess it's well in the 100K plus range, which could make it a $100m product. Keep your eyes peeled for the preorder list, 'cause you could have a long wait for this one.

 

[Roger Hicks]

An awful lot of people are projecting their fantasies onto this camera because (a) it's pretty and (b) it's (relatively) affordable. And I can confirm that it looks just as desirable when you handle it as it does from the specs and pics.

Would I buy one? Probably not, because an M9 (or even an M8) is a much more versatile camera. But if I had neither, I might very well think, "Yes, this looks like the first digicam I could actually be happy using." Even so, as others have said, I'd want to see (and try) a fully working camera before buying it.

Cheers,

R.

 

[J. Borger]

Overhyped, because there was not much else worthwile at Photokina.

 

[jsrockit]

Overhyped, because there was not much else worthwile at Photokina.

The latter may be true, but it certainly isn't over-hyped yet. If Fuji delivers, then the hype is warranted.