X100 - Back to the Future

[Frankie]

So, back to the X100 itself. Complaints about lack of Leica-like features are best discussed in other threads.

MSRP: $1000 [not BPS, not Euro] announced at Fuji press conference [Source: BJP video]

Known features:

• Favorite functions assignable: Fn button [left of shutter release]
• Manual aperture selection: f2~16 + A
• Manual shutter speed selection: B~1/4000 + A; sync speed unknown.
• MF [via lens ring]; MF, AF-S, AF-C selection [body/left]
• Manual AFL/AEL [back/right]
• Manual exposure compensation: +/- 2-stops in 1/3 stop
• O/EVF [0.5X]: 90% coverage frameline projected in OVF and 100% coverage in EVF mode, focus point user selectable.
• Displayable dataset/graphics: so far seen include WB, Exposure-remaining, L/F (?), ISO, Shutter speed, f-stop, histogram, exposure compensation bar scale, artificial horizon, DoF/distance scale (also seen displayable in LCD), grid.
• DISP/BACK button toggles dataset display/none in O/EVF
• DoF range coupled with aperture selected
• 23mm f2.0 lens for APSC [=35mm; if digitally cropped to 6Mp = 46mm]
• ISO 200 to 6400 [+/-1 stop boost to ISO 100~12,800 supported]. User selectable directly via Fn button.
• Standard tripod socket in bottom near centre
• mini-HDMI and micro-USB port access door [body right]; battery/SD card hatch [bottom/right]
• Magnesium top/bottom plate.
• "Convenient command lever" [function unknown] at right thumb position
• Direct WB and RAW access buttons [back/right]
• Standard threaded cable release in shutter button
• Filter size: 49mm [confirmed]
• Flange to sensor distance: 26mm [measured, to be confirmed]
• Accessories: two-piece camera case; electronic flash, vented [tilted] lens hood, adapter ring [49mm female thread for filters and external bayonet mount for lens hood]
• Battery: NP-95
• 3-stops ND filter

Please post if more details are found...ideally with a link to the source.

 

[sebastel]

• Flange to sensor distance: 26mm [measured, to be confirmed]

beside my doubt that we need another speculative thread - what do you mean with "flange"?
since the X100 has a fixed lens, there is no flange, and consequently there can not be a flange distance!

 

[Frankie]

beside my doubt that we need another speculative thread - what do you mean with "flange"?
since the X100 has a fixed lens, there is no flange, and consequently there can not be a flange distance!

The flange is where the lens barrel first meet the camera body...Leica bodies usually have that surface almost flush with the camera body. And. the flange distance is 28mm less 50u [tolerance].

This thread is not speculative, rather a compendium of known or reported camera specifics. If not interested...

 

[Frankie]

This was posted elsewhere before but worth repeating:

The OVF has an optical magnification of 0.5X [and is independent of the EVF]. It has a horizontal FoV 33% larger than the 23mm (=35mm) frameline or ~72.5-degrees...enough for a 26mm equivalent lens at 100% coverage. [From my own photogrammetric measurements.]

All [Leica/Zeiss...] RF framelines are smaller than actual coverage...~85%; and coverage inaccurate...dependent on focal distance. [A Leica 35mm frameline is actually 40mm in coverage and offset somewhat at close focal distances.]

The X100 frameline is claimed to be tighter...at 90%. The firmware generated frameline graphics is parallax compensated [based on encoded lens focus ring position...and can be instantly recalculated with the changing focal distance] and thus also more accurate [not set at 1m...].

The EVF sees what the sensor sees...100% coverage and accurate. At 100%, the EVF view is 11% larger than the 90% OVF frameline. A graphic illustration is available in the X100 web site. The EVF is modern ground glass and much finer. [All sorts of focusing-aid ideas could be added later...via firmware updates.]

There is no [known] focusing aid for the OVF, except AF-S and AF-C. One report of peaking as a focus indicator is noted.

 

[BillBingham2]

The customization of the CMOS mostly revolves around the tiny lenses that match the sensor to the lens. IMHO this will provide VERY high IQ, but it is also the reason that they will not be quick to come out with a removable lens version. To follow this pattern each lens would require a unique lens to bend those little light rays that the edges of the sensor.

B2 (;->

 

[PKR]

Are there any known electrical specs. batt voltage current drain..? The battery in my S5 is identical in appearance to the Nikon D200, D300 battery, but has a different embedded controller for charging. Fuji may again use a common battery (form factor) with some proprietary charge controler.

 

[Frankie]

Also:

The EVF panel...I believe that is the correct name...when not used as EVF, serves as a display panel for firmware generated datasets and could be superimposed onto the OVF as numbers or graphics.

Such datasets so far observed include [encoded] measurements (knob/wheel positions): shutter speed, aperture, focus, exposure compensation...; internal gyroscope [artificial horizon]; also from menu input: ISO, Exposure-remaining, L/F... and from LUT: DoF... and menus resources: grid...

When EVF is operating then also: histogram, [actual] focal distance, focusing aids...

 

[PKR]

Also:

The EVF panel...I believe that is the correct name...when not used as EVF, serves as a display panel for firmware generated datasets and could be superimposed onto the OVF as numbers or graphics.

Such datasets so far observed include [encoded] measurements (knob/wheel positions): shutter speed, aperture, focus, exposure compensation...; internal gyroscope [artificial horizon]; also from menu input: ISO, Exposure-remaining, L/F... and from LUT: DoF... and menus resources: grid...

When EVF is operating then also: histogram, [actual] focus distance, focusing aids...

There is likely an accelerometer in the mix to add a quick change of display position or wake-up if in standby.

 

[Frankie]

Are there any known electrical specs. batt voltage current drain..? The battery in my S5 is identical in appearance to the Nikon D200, D300 battery, but has a different embedded controller for charging. Fuji may again use a common battery (form factor) with some proprietary charge controler.

The only thing known [from picture in Internet] is that it uses NP-95 battery [not NP-90 as previously posted, see also Post 1]. Up to 1,800 mAh version are available and inexpensive. Also used by Sony and Casio cameras.

 

[PKR]

The only thing known [from picture in Internet] is that it uses NP-90 battery. Up to 1,800 mAh version are available and inexpensive. Also used by Sony and Casio cameras.

looks like 3.7 volt. so 3 volt logic with a bump to 5v where needed.. yes?

 

[Frankie]

The customization of the CMOS mostly revolves around the tiny lenses that match the sensor to the lens. IMHO this will provide VERY high IQ, but it is also the reason that they will not be quick to come out with a removable lens version. To follow this pattern each lens would require a unique lens to bend those little light rays that the edges of the sensor.

B2 (;->

Offset micro-lens is a technique also used in M8/9. It helps neutralize vignette'ing caused by pixel hooding.

The M8/9 must have been base-lined at 50mm focal length. No doubt the X100 is base-lined at 35mm equivalent.

Elsewhere, it has been reported that the M8/9 6-bit encoding is not really necessary for the 35mm focal length. Does that mean a 25mm equivalent in the X100 would also be acceptable without correction [same angular ratio]?

 

[Frankie]

looks like 3.7 volt. so 3 volt logic with a bump to 5v where needed.. yes?

Brian Sweeney, where are you?

 

[PKR]

Brian Sweeney, where are you?

No hurry.. this will be fun. I'll likely learn a few things..

I have a pal who designs sensors.. I don't know if he has time for this.. I'll shoot him an email well. see.

 

[semilog]

OVF:
• live histogram
• live focus scale with DOF range at current aperture indicated

• EVF-mediated DOF preview
• Hot shoe with hot, gnd, data contacts (TTL flash metering?? Whose system??)
• 720p video (will a GH1-like hack be possible?)
• MTF plots for 35/2 lens are published by Fuji (as usual, the details of how these MTFs were generated are not disclosed)
• In-body ND filter for full aperture/moderate shutter speeds in bright scenes.

 

[sebastel]

... a compendium of known or reported camera specifics. If not interested...

actually, i am quite interested in that camera. but ... it is still in development, so ANY spcification known up to date is speculative.
for collecting the _real_ specs, you'll need to wait until the camera is finally available on the market.

 

[PKR]

Fuji EXR Super CCD this is the S + R Pixel design.





www.fujifilm.com/photokina2008/pdf/release/super_ccd_exr_e.pdf - Sep. 22, 2008

 

[f16sunshine]

The point about the lens being matched to the sensor brings up a thought. Can we expect zero distortion as in camera software can correct any prior to output to memory card (RAW or jpg)?

 

[f16sunshine]

I refer strictly to barrel or mustache distortion obviously not from perspective.

 

[coelacanth]

The point about the lens being matched to the sensor brings up a thought. Can we expect zero distortion as in camera software can correct any prior to output to memory card (RAW or jpg)?

Interesting point. Are there fixed lens cameras out there that apply distortion correction PRIOR to RAW data output today?

 

[f16sunshine]

Sug
It's my understanding that all P&S cams small sensor cams have digital distortion correction. The tiny lenses would otherwise distort quite wildly.