Decided NOT to purchase X100..some reasons

[zoooming]

Some seriously nice pics Ray.

It makes me wonder what some of the posters expect from an X100 that only costs around $1200 yet they're comparing it to 5DMkII's, ridiculously expensive Leicas etc. etc.

I thought the X100's purpose was a point n shoot type body, designed with pros in mind, that was going to produce better than average images, particulalry in low light, and put the fun factor back into photography. It seems to have done this for most owners quite well. If you're going to get 'real serious' then go ahead and spend the 'big' money but that's where the comparisons should probably stop.

Hardly a single model from any make of camera seems to escape criticism from some quarter these days. I think some posters are overly critical and simply expect way too much 'bang for their buck' in their search for the ideal camera.

Zoooming

First off, I have ZERO quarrel with anyone deciding to purchase or NOT to purchase any given camera for whatever reason makes sense to them. The X100 is a very particular type of camera, not even remotely for everyone, and I wouldn't want it as an only camera. But I love it as one of my cameras. My others are the EPL3 and the GRD3.

As far as street shooting, the X100 can be very good, but only if you adapt your shooting to its strengths. I did quite a bit of street shooting with it in the first months I owned the camera and I didn't lose many shots to poor AF, but that's only by adapting to how it works rather than asking it to work for how I shot. The way that I found worked was to use the ovf almost exclusively, watch the scene develop in and beyond the camera's frame-lines, half press to pre-focus as the scene develops (which takes care of the focus time and any shutter lag because the aperture dance happens between the half press and the shutter release) and then releasing the shutter at the "decisive moment". If you try to do it all in one motion, you're gonna miss some shots because the AF is not that fast and there can be some lag in the system. Its NOT a good hip-shooting camera for those same reasons - even if you're using zone focus, there can be some lag. I've had some success with shooting from the hip, but I've missed my share of shots too. Other cameras (like any of the latest gen m43 or the Ricoh GRD or GXR with their snap focus) are much better for this type of shooting. I ultimately decided that the X100 is not my favorite street camera because I don't like shooting at close quarters with a camera to my eye. As a fine Philly street photographer said not too long ago, the X100 is a great camera, but not when you're trying to "see with your hands". So, I don't shoot much street with the X100 anymore, but I shoot extensively with it for other stuff because I find it so much fun to use and the results are so consistently good.

Anyway, good luck with your other cameras. They sound like a good combination. I personally LOVE the EP3 (I chose the EPL3 because of the flip screen, but I liked the EP3 more in some ways). Here are a few street shots from the X100 (not shots of streets!) and I have a set of them on flickr at:

 

[Billy1]

Excellent shots Ray! Keep them coming.

Bill

 

[andregani78]

Why people still talking about that.

I am with the X100 for 3 weeks and absolutely happy with! Auto ISO 200-3200, Aperture Priority and you just have to think about the PICTURE.

he X100 is the tool that I need in order to make my photographic journey smooth. I am NOT A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPH. The X100 is the tool to make photography fun again.

BS
Andre

 

[Jay A]

The reason I started this thread was because I had participate in several other threads, both commenting and asking questions about the camera during the week I spent with it trying to decide whether or not to purchase it. I did make mention in some of the other threads that I had an opportunity to try one out before purchasing. The entire week was a learning experience with the camera and in the end, I decided that it was just not for me as I already use the other cameras that I had mentioned and figured there wasn't really any benefit to my purchasing the Fuji. I never dissed it, never said it was a lousy camera, and actually mentioned more than once that it is a good camera. I even mentioned that I was still considerdering purchasing it because of its wonderful low light capabilities. However I think the 5D MKII is probably good enough for me in that capacity and I just don't see that spending the $1200 or so on the Fuji is a wise decision for me.

The specific reason for THIS thread was to let the people who I had been in conversation with and who were also very helpful to m,e know that I had chosen not to purchase... nothing more nothing less. Since most were helpful and cordial in their responses I didn't want to just 'go away' without an explanation to them as to why I was no longer participating in the threads about the Fuji. In my first post here I said that I might get some criticism for this thread as I knew that it might be taken the wrong way, but I decided to start it anyway for the above reasons.

THAT said, I think your "why dont you commit suicide" remark and the entire tone of this message is not only uncalled for but quite frankly rather disgusting. I have been a member of dpreview for several years now and have seen some pretty nasty stuff, but I think this one wins the prize.

I do hope you're proud of yourself

I'm sure many things in your life could be improved in your next incarnation, but you stubbornly stick with this one? Or perhaps you have realised it's not the 'perfect situation' that keeps you clinging to life, but something else ..?

No reason to waste our time with such pointless posts of yours which only confirm you are confused, don't know exactly what you want. Otherwise you'd just move on, but you only want to spoil other people's joy with your "rationale" that apparently "needs no answer because you have settled your mind".

Yeah, right.

 

[zoooming]

I respect your background and ability Jay and like you I own a 5DMKII (as well as a 'few' Canon pro cameras). I would have bought an X100 a while back but took an opportunity to buy 2 nice lenses at a 50% discount instead. So now will probably wait to see what Fuji comes up with next time.

It's a bit unfair to be comparing the 5DMKI to an X100 because they are designed for different purposes. The mere fact that the X100 comes so close speaks volumes for the value it provides. I consider it a great little camera for those who can't afford something more expensive and a 'fun' camera for those pros who have a 'lazy $1200' to add it to their current range of gear.

Maybe Fuji's next offering may change your mind?

Zoooming

The reason I started this thread was because I had participate in several other threads, both commenting and asking questions about the camera during the week I spent with it trying to decide whether or not to purchase it. I did make mention in some of the other threads that I had an opportunity to try one out before purchasing. The entire week was a learning experience with the camera and in the end, I decided that it was just not for me as I already use the other cameras that I had mentioned and figured there wasn't really any benefit to my purchasing the Fuji. I never dissed it, never said it was a lousy camera, and actually mentioned more than once that it is a good camera. I even mentioned that I was still considerdering purchasing it because of its wonderful low light capabilities. However I think the 5D MKII is probably good enough for me in that capacity and I just don't see that spending the $1200 or so on the Fuji is a wise decision for me.

The specific reason for THIS thread was to let the people who I had been in conversation with and who were also very helpful to m,e know that I had chosen not to purchase... nothing more nothing less. Since most were helpful and cordial in their responses I didn't want to just 'go away' without an explanation to them as to why I was no longer participating in the threads about the Fuji. In my first post here I said that I might get some criticism for this thread as I knew that it might be taken the wrong way, but I decided to start it anyway for the above reasons.

THAT said, I think your "why dont you commit suicide" remark and the entire tone of this message is not only uncalled for but quite frankly rather disgusting. I have been a member of dpreview for several years now and have seen some pretty nasty stuff, but I think this one wins the prize.

I do hope you're proud of yourself

I'm sure many things in your life could be improved in your next incarnation, but you stubbornly stick with this one? Or perhaps you have realised it's not the 'perfect situation' that keeps you clinging to life, but something else ..?

No reason to waste our time with such pointless posts of yours which only confirm you are confused, don't know exactly what you want. Otherwise you'd just move on, but you only want to spoil other people's joy with your "rationale" that apparently "needs no answer because you have settled your mind".

Yeah, right.

 

[Jay A]

Well the thing is I was NOT comparing the cameras, but merely stating that since I own a 5D MKII and a Leica M8, I didn't think it made sense for me to purchase the X100, that's all. I had originally wanted to take a look at the X100 to see if maybe I could sell off the M8 and 35 lens I have for it so that I could get some money which I could use to pay off some bills. However after using the X100 I just decided against doing so. That's all.

 

[Midwest]

I enjoyed those Rattymouse. Many who post 'street shots' specialize in photos too far away to be of interest, or else people walking away from the camera. Your shots have interest and human involvement up-close. You could post a tutorial; I've seen many people who would benefit from it.
--
Art is far superior to "artsy".

 

[rattymouse]

I enjoyed those Rattymouse. Many who post 'street shots' specialize in photos too far away to be of interest, or else people walking away from the camera. Your shots have interest and human involvement up-close. You could post a tutorial; I've seen many people who would benefit from it.
--
Art is far superior to "artsy".

Thank you for the very kind words. I'm glad you appreciated the images.

--

http://fujifilmimages.aminus3.com/

 

[zoooming]

I know you weren't 'comparing' the 5DMKII with the X100 but the mere fact that the two can be mentioned in the same context is a big positive on the X100's part.

Like you I decided not to buy the X100 (purely for financial reasons at the time) but their next model will probably be too hard to resist.

Zooomng

Well the thing is I was NOT comparing the cameras, but merely stating that since I own a 5D MKII and a Leica M8, I didn't think it made sense for me to purchase the X100, that's all. I had originally wanted to take a look at the X100 to see if maybe I could sell off the M8 and 35 lens I have for it so that I could get some money which I could use to pay off some bills. However after using the X100 I just decided against doing so. That's all.

 

[SAERIN]

Show your work X1 images in your DPR Gallery.
--
saerin

 

[LaFonte]

I use the X100 also for more scientific purposes to get very sharp details of materials for further processing. I also use 5FMK2 for that same purpose with prime lens. In general I am probably more happy with the x100 results in all sharpness and noise free image. It is only when I really need 24megapixel details I take the 5dmk2, but it seems I have to shoot 2x more images than with x100 to get enough samples with the satisfactory sharpness.

So YMMW. You can compare the two cameras only if you put a specific task and then compare how each performs for that task only.
If I shoot a sports for example then evidently the findings will be different.

 

[Jay A]

Rattymouse...are you representing these images (the ones labeled "Defining Moments" from a few posts back) as ones shot with the X100? If so, why is the camera info stripped out of the exif data and why have you posted some of these same images on the fred miranda site under the heading as follows;

"All images here made with Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 lens."

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1046430/1

Am I missing something here?

 

[rattymouse]

Rattymouse...are you representing these images (the ones labeled "Defining Moments" from a few posts back) as ones shot with the X100? If so, why is the camera info stripped out of the exif data and why have you posted some of these same images on the fred miranda site under the heading as follows;

"All images here made with Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 lens."

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1046430/1

Am I missing something here?

Jay,

In the "heat" of the argument, about what was and was not street photography, I transitioned my thought process to that, rather than cameras. I cannot see those images now as I am at work (flickr doesnt load here), but going from memory, I do recall that the first 2 to 3 images, and maybe the last were shot with the S5 Pro and the rest with the X100. I did not intend for this to happen would have preferred that I kept it to X100 images.

If you want, I can review them and double check which are which. Later of course, when I am not at work. (FYI, Flickr strips EXIF info all the time, not me).

--

http://fujifilmimages.aminus3.com/

 

[rattymouse]

Numbers 1,2, and 3 are with an S5 Pro. All the others were shot using my X100. Sorry for the confusion.

--

http://fujifilmimages.aminus3.com/