X-Pro 1?

[sweathog]

I had an X-Pro1 for a short while. Like a lot of cameras it gets a bad reputation because of pixelpeeping keyboard warriors. Sure, there are a few negative points - but every camera is a balance of usability, cost, and suitability.

I would recommend visiting a store and trying out the X-Pro1. You'll know very quickly if it's OK for you or not. The 'flaws' will either be an issue or not - just like all other cameras.

As you're in the UK, it's worth keeping an eye on the used section on the WEX website. They seem to get a lot of X-Pro1s in for trade. 12 month warranty on used and good condition X-Pro1s go for about £170. If the camera is OK for your needs then it's a seriously good value secondhand purchase.

I think it's also worth considering the important factor of Fuji lenses and future upgrades. There's a lot of good quality Fuji lenses and other bodies. I think Fuji X is a great system to get into and the future looks solid and good.

Wow. WEX do certainly have very competitive prices! You've opened up a dangerous territory for me with this, Richard. I'm due a trip into central London at the end of the month so will definitely see if I can get my hands on one to play around with. I've played around with a couple in the past, but never with the amount of knowledge behind me that I have gained from here.

 

[fenixv8]

Its a great piece of equipment. I have purchased it to compliment my M240 and I am very happy with the results. I enjoy shooting low light it with and the coming from Nikon DSLR bodies, the auto focus doesnt bother me. IT sperfect for street, workflow is really nice and with the x pro 2 coming out prices are really good. I would highly recommend it. along with my M-mount lens I have the fuji 35mmf2, 24mm f1.4. The 35mm f2 is a must have. You are going to love the hybrid vf.

 

[KEH]

It is a lovely body. Slow, but lovely. Like Joe, however, I simply could not use the viewfinder because of the lack of adjustable diopter settings (I wear glasses).

Kirk

 

[Frontman]

I found the X-Pro 1 to be a superb camera. I took it to Europe with me on my last holiday, and it was perfect for the trip. Sharp images, wonderful colors, there was nothing not to like about it. The camera is a little large, but surprisingly light, far lighter than my D700. My favorite lens was the standard 35/1.4, but I also had the 14/2.8 and 18/2. I enjoyed the X-Pro very much, but ended up selling it and getting an X100T, which suits my digital shooting needs better.

If the X-Pro 2 is as good as people expect, it might be worth waiting for, I think I will have to to borrow one from Fuji and see how tempted I am by it. But the X-Pro 1 is still an amazing camera, with amazing IQ.

 

[Frontman]

It is a lovely body. Slow, but lovely. Like Joe, however, I simply could not use the viewfinder because of the lack of adjustable diopter settings (I wear glasses).

Kirk

I like the fact that the X-Pro uses standard Nikon-size diopter lenses, the same size as which come on the FE/FM/FM2, etc. These are easy to find, and very cheap as well.

 

[Trius]

Anyone who nit-picks the X-Pro1 ignores the plain, simple fact that it is capable of superb photographs in the hands of someone who just uses it and doesn't obsess about how it is "outdated", has this or that deficiency, etc. Some of my shots with my first 35mm, a Konica C35-V (scale focus) still make me smile.

Obsessing over specs is a fool's game.

 

[sweathog]

If the X-Pro 2 is as good as people expect, it might be worth waiting for, I think I will have to to borrow one from Fuji and see how tempted I am by it. But the X-Pro 1 is still an amazing camera, with amazing IQ.

As much as I'd love to jump on to the newer kit, if I wait until I can afford the 2 I may be waiting a long old while. Perhaps you can get Fuji to send me one as well 😛

 

[2WK]

The Xpro AF isnt as bad as everyone says it is. Especially with the latest firmware, it improved quite a bit. When I had mine, I found I had much higher hit rate when you put the AF in Continuous mode (where the recticle becomes a +). It is a system that takes some getting used to though. It would surprise me sometimes in a good way. For example it can hunt when there is a very low contrast scene if you try the half press focus and recompose...but if might work first try if you just fully press the shutter down for a more of a Snap shot. It also works well if a subject is moving towards you, almost predictive AF. Like others have said turn off the energy saving options and put it in high performance. Just be sure to carry 3 extra batteries if you are on a job. I also found I had much better results processing the files in Capture One vs Lightroom.

 

[Trius]

The Xpro AF isnt as bad as everyone says it is. Especially with the latest firmware, it improved quite a bit. When I had mine, I found I had much higher hit rate when you put the AF in Continuous mode (where the recticle becomes a +). It is a system that takes some getting used to though. It would surprise me sometimes in a good way. For example it can hunt when there is a very low contrast scene if you try the half press focus and recompose...but if might work first try if you just fully press the shutter down for a more of a Snap shot. It also works well if a subject is moving towards you, almost predictive AF. Like others have said turn off the energy saving options and put it in high performance. Just be sure to carry 3 extra batteries if you are on a job. I also found I had much better results processing the files in Capture One vs Lightroom.

With respect to AF, that's exactly the opposite of what I've been doing. So now I will reverse all ... I do have three extra batteries. 😀

As far as processing RAW goes, I don't own Lightroom - the only way I have to process is Raw Processor 64, SilkyPix or OS-X Preview. On a lark recently I took a raw file and ran it through all three. SilkyPix and Preview gave nearly identical results - colour matched (to my eye) and was true to the original scene, but SilkyPix output was just a tad brighter. Raw Processor 64 gave much different colour and was lower contrast.

I use GIMP for post work, I haven't committed to any other processing $oftware yet.

 

[shawn]

I only use AF-S on the X Pro 1 in the single focus mode. I tend to adjust the size of the focus box, larger seems to be better. Press the 4 way controller (as if you are moving the focus point) then use the command dial on the back to change the size of the focus box.

Play around with some of the settings in RPP64 and you should get the contrast back up. The Ektar simulation in that program is beautiful on Fuji files.

If you have a current Mac Photos should handle the RAF file too. Two other options to look are Iridient Developer and Affinity Photo. I just started working in Affinity and have been very impressed so far. It is a full RAW developer and full photo editor as well and could replace GIMP. Only $50 and they have a free trial too.

Shawn

 

[Trius]

I only use AF-S on the X Pro 1 in the single focus mode. I tend to adjust the size of the focus box, larger seems to be better. Press the 4 way controller (as if you are moving the focus point) then use the command dial on the back to change the size of the focus box.

Play around with some of the settings in RPP64 and you should get the contrast back up. The Ektar simulation in that program is beautiful on Fuji files.

If you have a current Mac Photos should handle the RAF file too. Two other options to look are Iridient Developer and Affinity Photo. I just started working in Affinity and have been very impressed so far. It is a full RAW developer and full photo editor as well and could replace GIMP. Only $50 and they have a free trial too.

Shawn

Thank you - I had downloaded the Iridient trial but haven't installed it yet. I didn't want to start the clock until I was more familiar with the X-Pro itself. I'm slow.

 

[shawn]

Iridient does well too. Be sure to try the Fuji film packs for Iridient. They mimic the film preset for JPGs.

http://www.iridientdigital.com/downloads/Iridient_FujiX_APSC_Presets5.zip

The RAF monochrome modes (in the detail section) work well too.

Also be sure to try shooting JPEG as well. The Fuji does them well.

Shawn

 

[ampguy]

XPro1s should run about $99 now that the Xpro2 is out.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

XPro1s should run about $99 now that the Xpro2 is out.

That is perhaps optimistic!

 

[rogue_designer]

I shoot the XPro1 more than any other camera I own. It's a very solid shooter once you get use to it. I usually use M-mount manual focus glass on it, with zero issues. But I also have many of the fuji lenses. For what I shoot (street), I rarely notice any noticeable lag or other issues unless the light is very poor. And when the light is very poor, I rarely let the camera do the hard work anyway.

It's obviously not going to compete with the big SLRs for autofocus speed, and it's low light performance tops out around 1600 iso - but frankly, that's all I need or want. As long as I do my job, the camera does its job. It's very rare that I find a botched exposure or other issue that I cannot trace to MY screw up.

 

[PhotoMat]

The Fuji X-Pro1 a terrible camera, I tell you. I don't know how I've managed to put up with such inferior technology for the past four years.


Hit or miss metering:

Poor manual focus with Fuji's fly-by-wire focussing, especially in dimly lit conditions:

Poor performance in low-light -- impossible to focus:

Mediocre performance with non-legacy lenses:

Poor reproduction of foliage, particularly in the greens:

In conclusion:

The X-Pro 1 is rubbish. RUBBISH I scream! Yet I am stranded ... destined to wander the photographic wastelands until I am one day rescued with the delivery of the perfect image-making machine. Until then ...

 

[Jamie Pillers]

The Fuji X-Pro1 a terrible camera, I tell you. I don't know how I've managed to put up with such inferior technology for the past four years.

Hit or miss metering:

Poor manual focus with Fuji's fly-by-wire focussing, especially in dimly lit conditions:

Poor performance in low-light -- impossible to focus:

Mediocre performance with non-legacy lenses:

Poor reproduction of foliage, particularly in the greens:

In conclusion:

The X-Pro 1 is rubbish. RUBBISH I scream! Yet I am stranded ... destined to wander the photographic wastelands until I am one day rescued with the delivery of the perfect image-making machine. Until then ...

Matt, thanks for posting all this garbage; it'll help others from making the mistake of buying Fuji. Sad isn't it… the less-than-mediocre image quality we have to put up with from those d**n Fuji engineers. 😛

 

[f16sunshine]

The Fuji X-Pro1 a terrible camera, I tell you. I don't know how I've managed to put up with such inferior technology for the past four years. Hit or miss metering: Poor manual focus with Fuji's fly-by-wire focussing, especially in dimly lit conditions: Poor performance in low-light -- impossible to focus: Mediocre performance with non-legacy lenses: Poor reproduction of foliage, particularly in the greens: In conclusion: The X-Pro 1 is rubbish. RUBBISH I scream! Yet I am stranded ... destined to wander the photographic wastelands until I am one day rescued with the delivery of the perfect image-making machine. Until then ...

"Until then..." ?

It's probably best if you just crawl under thatvrock in the last image.
I'll be down there waiting myself. Stupid Fuji!!

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

haha, great pictures, Matt!

 

[jsrockit]

Anyone who nit-picks the X-Pro1 ignores the plain, simple fact that it is capable of superb photographs in the hands of someone who just uses it and doesn't obsess about how it is "outdated", has this or that deficiency, etc. Some of my shots with my first 35mm, a Konica C35-V (scale focus) still make me smile.

Obsessing over specs is a fool's game.

Of course, but that doesn't mean that we all photograph the same things the same way and that its deficiencies aren't real for some users. Why get offended?