the feel of a camera...

[back alley]

…and the experience it offers the user.

not much real world difference between the fuji xe-1 with the 27mm on it and the fuji x100…very close in size…the x100 feels a bit heavier to me though i have not weighed them…

this may sound odd but i prefer the x100 'experience' to the xe-1/27 experience…even though i cannot explain the difference.

the xe-1 has the ability to accept different lenses on it so it will stay a part of my kit…but i reach for the x100 more…

anyone else in the same boat?
can you explain it?

 

[MiniMoke]

I feel absolutely the same thing. The X100 is simply feeling better in my hands than the X-E1 or other cameras.

Fixed-lens-limitation taken into account I still prefer the 100

 

[Tony Whitney]

The X100 is simply the best ever "go to" camera and I just love mine - even though I have some fairly exotic Leica and Nikon gear. Mine has a Lensmate thumb rest, Zhou tan leather half case, Fuji vented hood, Gordy strap and RFF 10-year anniversary soft release. I just love the darned thing and have shot some of my best images ever with it....TW

 

[Jamie Pillers]

The X100/s optical viewfinder certainly plays a role.

 

[Pioneer]

There are certain cameras that just "feel right" but that feeling is very personal. Everyone seems to have their personal favorites. But to me it is more than just a "feel" it is also an almost instinctive understanding of how the camera works. It is as if you enter a certain zone where you really are not even thinking about the camera and its controls, it is just happening because you know that particular camera so well. I own way too many cameras. Most of them are very capable cameras, but there really are only three or four that are that personal to me, and work so well for me, that they are my "go to" cameras.

 

[MiniMoke]

That's true, some cameras just fit naturally. No need to ponder settings, fumble for controls.... You just pull them to your eye and there's the picture you intended to take.

The X100 and Oly Trip 35 do this for me

 

[gavinlg]

The x100 for such a small camera is excellent ergonomically. I prefer the x-pro1 personally - mainly because the rear controls have a little more room and are a little larger. All the fujis are excellent..

 

[nektar]

I have the same feeling for my M2. Just works for me...
I love my x100 as well though and it is almost always with me. I just don't like the shutter button that much. Also (just?) a feeling.

 

[Spyro]

The OVF on the x100s seems clearly better to me than the xpro1, brighter or bigger, I'm not entirely sure, but better somehow. Because of that nice OVF (and split image focusing in the EVF which I also use) the camera invites me to shoot while looking through it. Unfortunately the camera is not built for that (not for my big hands anyway) and after about an hour it feels uncomfortable to me and I revert to my xpro1. I think I might let it go and get a 2nd body for my growing collection of fuji lenses, probably an XE2 with an RRS grip and plate. I cant wait to use split image focusing with speed-boostered C/Y and now FD and MD glass 🙂

 

[jackbaty]

I was just thinking this same thing as I upgraded the X100 firmware to the recently-released 2.0 version (highly recommended). I prefer the files from the XE-1 but nearly always grab the X100 instead.

 

[rbelyell]

ive come to the same conclusion recently as well. IQ has gotten to the point where many cameras in many formats can produce results that make us smile. playing field being roughly equivalent, naturally we turn to 'user experience' as the next frontier. imo the two reasons the x100/xpro vault themselves over others are the vf and the simplicity of the analogue dials. just last night i seamlessly went from aperture priority to manual exposure and was simultaneously able to set my SS simply by moving one analogue dial. most other camera requires 2-3 movements to accomplish this simple task. oh yeah, and an in-vf DOF scale, dont think any other camera has that!

and this is the crux of my next decision, what camera to be my primary digital back for legacy glass. the fuji has the extra analogue control and hybrid vf, but 1.5 crop and AA filter. the A7r shoots FF with mega resolution, no AA filter, and while it does have an analogue exposure comp dial, it has no SS dial and the vf is a question mark. great decision to have to make!

 

[froyd]

Can we make this required reading for the bores that drone on about a camera being just a light-tight box?

 

[Godfrey]

As I pick up my new camera, take the lens cap off, and flip the power switch on, my hands sing. It all feels just right: the shape and materials of the body, the locations of the controls, the incredibly clear, large image in the viewfinder. The dials are just right. When I turn on AF, the response is instantaneous—the shutter delay infinitesimal.

Most of my other digital cameras are going up for sale, and several of my film cameras too. This is what I've been looking for. The right feel, the right responsiveness, the right size and weight. And, of course, superb image quality.

I am happy. 🙂

G

 

[willie_901]

Like numerous others, after the 2.0 firmware release I dusted off my X100 and started using it again.

What I realized is I really enjoy almost everything about this camera. In fact, I used to carry the XP-1 and 18/2 lens everywhere and I switched back to the X100. It is just a bit smaller but somehow, for me, it's a better everyday camera. Besides the size, part of this is the overall experience or feel of using the camera.

AT this point, the X100 has two limitations. First, in night scenes the lens creates artifacts (halos) around bright, point source lights. These artifacts are highly angle dependent. Occasionally they are a significant distraction. Second, at ISO 1600 - the maximum value via to electronic amplification - if you overdo pushing the shadows in post you will see banding. When the shadow regions resemble what you eye saw this banding is not an issue. Some people like the aesthetic of pushed shadow regions, others prefer a more noire-esque approach.

Besides feel, I enjoy that a silver X100 is non-threatening in public. People assume it's a film camera and for some reason don't think film images can appear on the internet. Compared to the stereotypical DSLR with a huge Zoom lens the XP-1 is also mostly transparent, but it does draw a bit more attention than the X100.

 

[helen.HH]

Yes agreed...Its ALL about copping a 'Feel' ...😱

A Canera either has that Magic, that Mojo and gets your Creative Mind out the door shooting
Or why bother

I love a RF & Film ...nothing can compare, par excellence
BUT
I have a digi X1 and was not really using it much Till i bought the 36 mm VF for the camera
Suddenly I now Love the feel and manuvering the camera and it now has me Enjoying digi 😉

 

[FrankS]

This user experience that is being discussed here, is the main issue I have with digital cameras in my first hand experience. I haven't used a digital camera yet that can hold a candle to the user experience of my classic film cameras with their traditional controls. I would further extend that to the user experience of the whole image making and printing process of film and darkroom. Digital leaves me feeling empty and unsatisfied, even when the end product, the image, is successful. I'm only speaking for myself of course.

Edit added: for a hobby, which by definition is a pleasant use of time, greater convenience and speed is not necessarily a desirable thing. It's like my motorcycle hobby. I enjoy tinkering with older bikes in order to ride them. If I had a new bike with fuel injection and computer chips, requiring no fussing with, I would not be able to get to know it as well and the riding experience would be more superficial, lacking in that fundamental relationship between man and machine. Again, I'm only speaking for myself.

 

[Rogier]

The X100 resamples much more a "real" camera.

Thats why I am waiting for the new Nikon announcement.

 

[Stuart John]

Well I prefer my X-100 over my X-E1 interns of viewfinder experience. The X-100 is finally the digital replacement for my Canonet. Really though my most comfortable cameras to actually use not carry around are my F100 and my D700. Those two just fit perfectly in the hand. The command wheels are a natural evolution from aperture rings and shutter speed dials. They just do everything so well. The X-100 and X-E1 are quite fiddley to use in comparison.

 

[burancap]

I agree with the feelings here. I was on the fence with a new purchase and decided that the X100 ergonomics plus the continued Fuji support is exactly what I have been searching for. I just bought an X-E1 as I think it will be the perfect complement to my X100 when I want to go wider or longer.

 

[mdarnton]

There are certainly some interesting things going on with user friendliness. I have certain 35mm cameras that I like with certain focal lengths, and I can't get into those lenses on other cameras. Very bizarre, when you think of it.