Actually the conversation refers specifically to the videos. I don't find the mood sour at all; rather, humorous. And with a fair share of frustration at the manufacturer. Personally, I find the fetishizing of this "object of desire" quite fascinating. Seems to be an utterly male phenomenon and tied to the notion of "hobby". Or the relation between "hobby" and personal identity or something like that. I can relate to that but not in photography, since I make my living at it. To me, cameras are just a means to and end and this Fuji thing is interesting enough but not an obsession as it seems to be for so many. But I'm not saying there is necessarily anything wrong with that. I have experienced similar "hobby" obsessions, for instance when I used to build my own bicycles or tend several big aquariums of fancy and very expensive Chinese goldfish. Anyway, the thread is about the videos, why not discuss the videos in a broader sociological context?
I don't think its too complicated to figure out the appeal of such videos and X100 itself.
X100 is a digital affordable Leica, plain and simple. A Leica is desired because it was the camera of jet-setting, globe-trotting photographers of the past - HCB, Ralph Gibson etc... It represented the life-style of a refined and cultured man who had a good bank balance, and a taste for adventure. A Leica in your hand, lets say in 60s and 70s meant you were actually somebody, while during 80s it meant you were part of the successful nouveau riche.
That aura still prevails, and people buy into it, because people are the same. Throughout history there was Leica sort of things that man aspired to owning. It is all simply about social status and male territorial displays. How do you differentiate yourself from the countless horde? You buy a Leica, a Harley Davidson, a Porsche. When you can do that, you're a success.
However, the only problem is that these days any kid with a part-time job and a $1000 credit card limit can buy a Leica M body in pretty decent condition. Ebay is full of Leica cameras and lenses and so is the classified in here. Then why still the mystique? Its because a majority of Leica cameras are film cameras. Film is still associated with art photography and photographers of the past. Using a Leica M is connecting to the past of photography itself, that very idea makes a Leica still a status symbol, not materially but artistic.
Fuji wants some of that Leica action with this dinky little camera called X100, and they're doing everything to play into that irrational psyche of man that wants to differentiate himself from others by 'products'. Are they succeeding, yes they're. Even if X100 lags like hell and has major flaws people still will buy it, so they could put it on the table in their local Starbucks. or do one of those show-and-tell things in a 'get-togather'. If Sigma could sell its overpriced and under-performing DP1 and 2, why not Fuji can do the same with a much better looking camera?
These videos might seem annoying and silly to some, but in fact they're extremely clever and subliminal. The annoyance that people feel by watching these videos is simply because of their inability to do the tests themselves.
