sjavid
Member
There has been so much written about the x100, which had caused me a lot of confusion and concern about purchasing one, that I’m compelled to share my personal impressions as a new x100 owner.
I am a 50-year-old photographic enthusiast, not a professional photographer. I take photos for my own pleasure as a creative outlet/escape from the stresses and routine of life. I have a PhD in image processing, but in fact am not a technical digital photographer – strange isn’t it? (I must confess that I do read Sean Reid’s reviews but I find there’s much more to choosing a camera/lens then optical perfection.)
I have owned many cameras. My favorites have been a Pentax KX, several Minox 35s (not the 110 spy camera, rather the collapsible rangefinder), an Olympus Pen, and a Leica M8. There are several other cameras I have owned (analog and digital) from Cannon, Minolta, and Nikon.
If a quality Minox 35 like digital rangefinder with a large sensor and basic manual controls were to come out I’d buy it in a heartbeat, as the Minox was my ideal travel camera (though it wouldn’t be my only camera). How I long for a faithful quality digital equivalent to the Minox 35 rangefinder! (I hope some manufacturer is listening)
I am fine with either manual focus (either zone or manual) or autofocus. I am fine with being restricted to a prime lens (either 35mm or 50mm equivalent) and definitely value a large aperture over a zoom. I usually shoot in aperture priority mode but want the old-school manual controls (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO) easily accessible. I prefer to use menus as little as possible (but don’t want to be overwhelmed with lots of small buttons).
Given all this, you’re probably wondering why I sold the M8? I truly loved it but I couldn’t justify the investment I had in it for how frequently I used it and I was always worried about it, like really worried.
So, having read all the reviews on the x100, and postponed purchasing one at least twice waiting for next generation (perhaps the X1 Pro?), I finally gave in and ordered an x100.
The x100 has a lot of features (way more then I’ll ever use, and way more than I want) so I am early in what looks to be a steep learning curve. I am getting used to the menu layout, I don’t think the menus are particularly bad or good. It will take a while, but I think using this camera will become second nature as I adapt my working style to it.
The build quality of the x100 seems on par with the cost, its not a Leica and not a plastic toy, rather somewhere in between and sufficient for me. My hands are on the large side so I’m getting used to the camera’s size – specifically there are a lot of buttons on the back of the camera which is taking some getting used to in working them efficiently. Unlike many reviewers, I don’t feel, at least initially, that the dials are too easy to accidentally adjust (this is no doubt because I am an enthusiast and not a professional photographer where such ergonomics matter a lot).
So far the autofocus and startup time are fine for my use (I bought a fast card and formatted it in camera). I really love the IQ, manual controls, optical viewfinder, and low perceived noise at high ISO – these really make this camera!
The x100 is definitely a keeper for me. So much so that I’ve ordered some extra batteries, lens hood, aEP-5S “Thumbs Up”, and a full case from kaza-deluxe.com (haven’t seen mention of them on this forum but so far ordering from them has been a pleasurable experience). BTW, never felt the need for a “Thumbs Up” with the M8, but with my large hands and the left side of the x100 being so cramped with viewfinder in front and many buttons along left side in back, I’ve decided to give the “Thumbs Up” a try.
Hope this short impression helps those who are on the fence regarding giving the x100 a try. If I’m reading reality right, there will be several x100s hitting the market as soon as the X1 Pros are shipping, so, if you are on the fence perhaps this is a good time to give an x100 a try, either new or used?
I am a 50-year-old photographic enthusiast, not a professional photographer. I take photos for my own pleasure as a creative outlet/escape from the stresses and routine of life. I have a PhD in image processing, but in fact am not a technical digital photographer – strange isn’t it? (I must confess that I do read Sean Reid’s reviews but I find there’s much more to choosing a camera/lens then optical perfection.)
I have owned many cameras. My favorites have been a Pentax KX, several Minox 35s (not the 110 spy camera, rather the collapsible rangefinder), an Olympus Pen, and a Leica M8. There are several other cameras I have owned (analog and digital) from Cannon, Minolta, and Nikon.
If a quality Minox 35 like digital rangefinder with a large sensor and basic manual controls were to come out I’d buy it in a heartbeat, as the Minox was my ideal travel camera (though it wouldn’t be my only camera). How I long for a faithful quality digital equivalent to the Minox 35 rangefinder! (I hope some manufacturer is listening)
I am fine with either manual focus (either zone or manual) or autofocus. I am fine with being restricted to a prime lens (either 35mm or 50mm equivalent) and definitely value a large aperture over a zoom. I usually shoot in aperture priority mode but want the old-school manual controls (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO) easily accessible. I prefer to use menus as little as possible (but don’t want to be overwhelmed with lots of small buttons).
Given all this, you’re probably wondering why I sold the M8? I truly loved it but I couldn’t justify the investment I had in it for how frequently I used it and I was always worried about it, like really worried.
So, having read all the reviews on the x100, and postponed purchasing one at least twice waiting for next generation (perhaps the X1 Pro?), I finally gave in and ordered an x100.
The x100 has a lot of features (way more then I’ll ever use, and way more than I want) so I am early in what looks to be a steep learning curve. I am getting used to the menu layout, I don’t think the menus are particularly bad or good. It will take a while, but I think using this camera will become second nature as I adapt my working style to it.
The build quality of the x100 seems on par with the cost, its not a Leica and not a plastic toy, rather somewhere in between and sufficient for me. My hands are on the large side so I’m getting used to the camera’s size – specifically there are a lot of buttons on the back of the camera which is taking some getting used to in working them efficiently. Unlike many reviewers, I don’t feel, at least initially, that the dials are too easy to accidentally adjust (this is no doubt because I am an enthusiast and not a professional photographer where such ergonomics matter a lot).
So far the autofocus and startup time are fine for my use (I bought a fast card and formatted it in camera). I really love the IQ, manual controls, optical viewfinder, and low perceived noise at high ISO – these really make this camera!
The x100 is definitely a keeper for me. So much so that I’ve ordered some extra batteries, lens hood, aEP-5S “Thumbs Up”, and a full case from kaza-deluxe.com (haven’t seen mention of them on this forum but so far ordering from them has been a pleasurable experience). BTW, never felt the need for a “Thumbs Up” with the M8, but with my large hands and the left side of the x100 being so cramped with viewfinder in front and many buttons along left side in back, I’ve decided to give the “Thumbs Up” a try.
Hope this short impression helps those who are on the fence regarding giving the x100 a try. If I’m reading reality right, there will be several x100s hitting the market as soon as the X1 Pros are shipping, so, if you are on the fence perhaps this is a good time to give an x100 a try, either new or used?
