DavidX
Established
Seems fair and no particular surprises; vindicates both those who've lauded the IQ and despaired of the bugs. In terms of a purchasing decision who knows? - Too late for me. Personally I think there's much good info there and I'll go through it carefully - particularly to tweak my settings for OOC jpeg output. I hope Fuji take it seriously and work on the firmware...
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bwcolor
Veteran
Lots of information to digest. Good review and seems fair. I wonder if Fuji is up to the task of making major revisions to the firmware. I suspect their response will have much to do with X100 owners buying future Fuji products.
dougi
Established
I was useful at the very least to demonstrate the DR setting etc influences and measurements. More inclined to use the DR now!
willie_901
Veteran
The review is fair and accurate. Hopefully it will prevent some prospective buyers from frustration and disappointment while preparing others to take full advantage of what the camera does do well.
I find the AFS mode in EVF to be faster than the review describes, especially in low light. I also find the RAW files to have more highlight information (DR=100) than the review suggests. I'm not really sure what DR 200 and 400 effect the raw data except that they under expose.
I became aware of most of the issues during the initial two weeks of ownership. For me, I was able to find a set of operational strategies that match my needs. Most of the time I switch from OVF to EVF (where I focus, usually with AFS) then back to OVF. For scenes where the subject is 15 ft or more away, and the light is bright, I just stay in OVF mode. I use auto ISO (200 to 1600) and assign the function button to implement the ND filter. I only do raw and I never do movies or panoramas.
I personally doubt Fuji has the technical ability or the will to make significant improvements in the firmware. Some minor changes may be implemented though.
Three things really bother me. The AF region size is not sticky and there's no reason for it not to stay how it's set. I like to bracket exposures as a precaution. The bracketing mode should be sticky as well. The battery charger is pathetic.
I take the camera with me wherever I go. I missed many practice shots during the first couple of days because the camera didn't work the way I assumed it would. Once I spent some time with the manual and experimented with the camera in an organized way, I have not had a problem.
I find the AFS mode in EVF to be faster than the review describes, especially in low light. I also find the RAW files to have more highlight information (DR=100) than the review suggests. I'm not really sure what DR 200 and 400 effect the raw data except that they under expose.
I became aware of most of the issues during the initial two weeks of ownership. For me, I was able to find a set of operational strategies that match my needs. Most of the time I switch from OVF to EVF (where I focus, usually with AFS) then back to OVF. For scenes where the subject is 15 ft or more away, and the light is bright, I just stay in OVF mode. I use auto ISO (200 to 1600) and assign the function button to implement the ND filter. I only do raw and I never do movies or panoramas.
I personally doubt Fuji has the technical ability or the will to make significant improvements in the firmware. Some minor changes may be implemented though.
Three things really bother me. The AF region size is not sticky and there's no reason for it not to stay how it's set. I like to bracket exposures as a precaution. The bracketing mode should be sticky as well. The battery charger is pathetic.
I take the camera with me wherever I go. I missed many practice shots during the first couple of days because the camera didn't work the way I assumed it would. Once I spent some time with the manual and experimented with the camera in an organized way, I have not had a problem.
Spyro
Well-known
it looks fair to me too.
In a nutshell: great recipe, top-notch materials (lens - sensor - body - VF), but the food needed a bit more time in the oven. Still edible.
In a nutshell: great recipe, top-notch materials (lens - sensor - body - VF), but the food needed a bit more time in the oven. Still edible.
sper
Well-known
The review was pretty good. They pointed out a lot of negative stuff which seems to add up on the surface of the review, but at the end they gave it a silver award.
I'm starting to realize this is a camera people are either going to love or hate. For me, I love it. But a lot of people just can't get over it's quirks.
I feel like it's a gift. $1,200 to me is a bargain compared to Leica. I would pay MORE if I was even buying like a Bessa R2A and a Zeiss 35mm lens, which this is similar to in quality. I'll never be able to afford an M9, and the M8 isn't worth it. But to get a similar experience digitally that I get with my Bessa's is awesome, even if it's 'not a real rangefinder' it's a version of what I rangefinder is for the modern age! It SHOULDN'T be a rangefinder, in 2011. There is no need for one.
So anyways, I'm loving my X100, and I'm starting to get that some people are not. Their loss, IMHO. *shrug*
I'm starting to realize this is a camera people are either going to love or hate. For me, I love it. But a lot of people just can't get over it's quirks.
I feel like it's a gift. $1,200 to me is a bargain compared to Leica. I would pay MORE if I was even buying like a Bessa R2A and a Zeiss 35mm lens, which this is similar to in quality. I'll never be able to afford an M9, and the M8 isn't worth it. But to get a similar experience digitally that I get with my Bessa's is awesome, even if it's 'not a real rangefinder' it's a version of what I rangefinder is for the modern age! It SHOULDN'T be a rangefinder, in 2011. There is no need for one.
So anyways, I'm loving my X100, and I'm starting to get that some people are not. Their loss, IMHO. *shrug*
Spyro
Well-known
^^Ι'm the same as sper, I absolutely love it, quirks, twists, bugs and all. I would hesitate to recommend it to everybody, people need to study it themselves before they make up their minds.
But for someone like me who shoots this lens 90% of the time, loves the RF camera form factor and ergos but not necessarily the actual RF focusing (ie loves a Contax G or Hexar AF) this camera a no brainer and I'd gladly pay double what Fuji is asking for.
But for someone like me who shoots this lens 90% of the time, loves the RF camera form factor and ergos but not necessarily the actual RF focusing (ie loves a Contax G or Hexar AF) this camera a no brainer and I'd gladly pay double what Fuji is asking for.
j6ppc
Member
I think the review was fair.
I like the camera a lot and bought it after much research.
It is my constant companion.
I like the camera a lot and bought it after much research.
It is my constant companion.
DavidX
Established
Have to agree - when it was first announced I thought "Gee, If I were rich I'd buy it any price, but I hope it comes in under $2K" and it did. I think it's great value. Even with all the faults - to have given us that viewfinder, that lens, that potential... gosh, I'm getting all emotional.
j j
Well-known
Why would firmware improvements be too much for Fuji? It's only a bit of programming.
jpmac55
Established
It's still a fun camera despite the flaws highlighted in the review.
It proves once again the quest for the perfect camera continues. I don't have high hopes for a mega firmware fix either. As for the camera Fuji set it's sights on, the Leica X1 lives another day.
It proves once again the quest for the perfect camera continues. I don't have high hopes for a mega firmware fix either. As for the camera Fuji set it's sights on, the Leica X1 lives another day.
Not really. The X1 is a good camera... but the X100 is still the better, more mature, camera. Faster AF, OVF/EVF built in, better high ISO quality, faster lens, etc. The X1 was just simpler menu wise... that's about all it has on the X100.
Most people don't take the time to read the manual and set-up the X100 to their liking. If you do so, many (not all) of the cons are eliminated.
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Gid
Well-known
I've just read the conclusion and it seems fair.
@Willie_901
I have mine set up and use as you do and it just works. I took off the cheap UV filter I had on the lens and what a difference. I was getting lots of flare and strange lighting effects when shooting with the sun high and on the edge of the frame but after removing the filter, problem gone. I spent quite a bit of time tweaking the camera last night and experimenting and I'm now much happier with it - was on the verge of ditching it the other day. I think its a camera you have to work at and I'm going to work at it some more.
@Willie_901
I have mine set up and use as you do and it just works. I took off the cheap UV filter I had on the lens and what a difference. I was getting lots of flare and strange lighting effects when shooting with the sun high and on the edge of the frame but after removing the filter, problem gone. I spent quite a bit of time tweaking the camera last night and experimenting and I'm now much happier with it - was on the verge of ditching it the other day. I think its a camera you have to work at and I'm going to work at it some more.
doolittle
Well-known
jpmac55
Established
Defining 'better' is subjective. If someone has been on the fence between the two camera's:
This review isn't going to make it any easier nor will it get the line started for the X100. Photo hobbyist's will likely concede the IQ for both camera's is excellant. The mature camera obviously is the X1, you know what your getting since it's been out for over a year. The recent Leica firmware improved AF, not enough to win a stop watch race but enough to satisfy many existing X1 owners.
If you want an OVF, the X100 is your clear choice. That is why I bought mine. The ISO quality is amazing, too. Personally, I prefer the X100. I just don't think we'll be going to the X1 funeral anytime soon.
nksyoon
Well-known
The charger has a piece which helps hold the battery against the contacts - this piece is not fixed and can come loose - a friend has already lost his.
Looking at this image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crmarks/5690821992/
It's the piece at the opposite end from the contacts.
Looking at this image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crmarks/5690821992/
It's the piece at the opposite end from the contacts.
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Ah, I see... I use mine with the cable laying flat... no wonder why I never noticed this.
Spyro
Well-known
I just bought a usb battery charger for $10 from ebay and plug it directly to my laptop... I hate adapters with cables, there's already too many cables on my desk.