Reading mode: Light Dark

I smile when I'm using this camera...

Go to last post
N

neildg28com

Member
Messages
14
Reaction score
4
Location
London, UK
As someone who owns and uses some of the finest DSLR cameras ever made on a daily basis I want something very different from my compact ‘walkabout’ camera. I make the vast majority of my income from taking pictures and I make the rest from teaching, writing and consulting about photography. For me to want to go out and just take pictures for the joy of it, the camera has to be fun to use. And it is on that simple point that Fujifilm are getting it so completely right with their x-series range. The X100 was a great start and the X10 was a brilliant companion. Since then we’ve had the X Pro1, the XE1, X100s and this X20 to enjoy. The single factor that unites all of these cameras is the pleasure you can take from using them when you spend so much time using other (better?) cameras.

That brings me to the next point. There’s no way that I’d use the X20 instead of a Canon EOS5D MkII or MkIII for a normal assignment but on my own time, taking pictures for pleasure and for the family the Fujifilm X20 is wonderful. It will be beaten at some point and it remains true that it isn’t the best compact in terms of image quality, speed, flexibility or any of a dozen other quantifiable factors. I propose to introduce a new scale based on the likelihood that you’ll actually bother to take the camera out and use it willingly and with a smile on your face. On that measure, and that measure alone, the Fujifilm gets a perfect ten. Right now, I’m off to the shops to get my morning paper; on foot and with my X20 over my shoulder…
 
I shoot editorial and corporate commissions two or three days a week, spend as much time as I can speaking to clients new, old and prospective, work on consultancy one or two days a month, blog about photography and get distracted by forums far too often.

I teach one day a week, five months a year plus the odd one-day workshop. The main area that I teach is the business and ethics of photojournalism - metadata, codes of conduct, workflow, editing skills, copyright, licensing and industry current affairs. One of the other tutors does a lot of work with students to get them to think about photographs that illustrate and tell stories rather than just pointing a good camera at random subjects and taking pretty pictures - which is, as you say, quite easy these days.
 
The fact that Mr Till persevered through 4 X-10's makes me smile. :-)

It sounds like he's not a man afraid of giving strong opinions..surprising then that hes stuck with the same camera model 4 times before he abandoned it
 
Wow. How do you handle those cams? My cuz has an X10 for almost two years and he takes it during his rock climbing and other than a dent in the flash casing, all is well.

Just wondering, after all that X10 snafus, why did you keep at it X3?

Anyways, you are right, the X20 is just a tool. It's noticeably better than my LX7 imagewise and I get to enjoy working with it as a pre-event survey tool as well as a street cam. Hell, I've seen people taking mediocre compositions with the D700 and D3S.

Some people may not like manual zooming in a P&S (I love it), nor the fact that the OIS is quite impressive in my experience (daresay when compared with my FF and DX rigs), nor even the OVF...

One thing is that most people, from "experience" can't really say anything solid if they never owned/used such a unit. An X10 is not quite the license to say one knows the X20. I own a D7000 and a D700 but the D7000 is a very different animal from my D7100 (especially when doing crazy WB and kinetic events and PP). And I can't say directly "from experience" any gospel against the D600...

Like anything else, it's a tool. Can't great pictures with it? Guess who is to blame? Heck, I've seen epic compositions with 3MP cellcams!

Liz
 
Last edited:
DaveyG said:
DaveyG wrote:

The fact that Mr Till persevered through 4 X-10's makes me smile. :-)

It sounds like he's not a man afraid of giving strong opinions..surprising then that hes stuck with the same camera model 4 times before he abandoned it
Click to expand...
It was the same with the F550EXR, I had four of them too, when you're waiting for a replacement and the replacements arrive faulty you have no alternative but to send it back and wait for another. Eventually though you give up.

I wanted to get some use from them so I could give a valid opinion in places like this, we're all entitled to a view and just because mine is different to yours it doesn't make it wrong.

Personally I find opinions from people that have just the one camera pointless, they for some strange reason like to stick up for it, trying to justify their purchase I guess.
 
Nukunukoo said:
Nukunukoo wrote:

Wow. How do you handle those cams? My cuz has an X10 for almost two years and he takes it during his rock climbing and other than a dent in the flash casing, all is well.
Click to expand...
Believe it or not I treat them as though it's a baby chick in my hand, I'm really fussy with cameras, in fact if I dented it like your cousin I would sell it and buy another.

Nukunukoo said:
Just wondering, after all that X10 snafus, why did you keep at it X3?
Click to expand...
The fourth one was because they came up with the firmware update that was supposed to fix the orbs, as you know it never worked, I know that too because I tried it.

Nukunukoo said:
Anyways, you are right, the X20 is just a tool. It's noticeably better than my LX7 imagewise and I get to enjoy working with it as a pre-event survey tool as well as a street cam. Hell, I've seen people taking mediocre compositions with the D700 and D3S.
Click to expand...
I've seen that too, most good studio photographers are lost when out in the real world without their lights and reflectors.

Nukunukoo said:
Some people may not like manual zooming in a P&S (I love it), nor the fact that the OIS is quite impressive in my experience (daresay when compared with my FF and DX rigs), nor even the OVF...

One thing is that most people, from "experience" can't really say anything solid if they never owned/used such a unit. An X10 is not quite the license to say one knows the X20.
Click to expand...
So what is so different about the X20 then? Rub off the X20 logo and most people wouldn't know the difference. The OVF is just as naff as the X10's, the sensor is worse looking at the images posted on the web. Below is my list of negatives from the X10.

1. Poor/erratic focusing with false confirmation or locking onto anything but your intended target even when set on centre AF point only.

2. Temperamental AF switch, often leaving the camera on AF/C even when the switch is set to AF/S or MF.

3. Loose OVF housing and wonky dioptre only giving a clear image at one or the other end of the zoom range.

4. Temperamental on/off switch.

5. Orbs.

Now the orbs are fixed and don't exist on the X20 but all the other failings still exist even on the X20 and I've read about them here on the FTF.
 
Yeah. Definitely X10 bummers. I do have one really recent X20 gripe. While the focusing is fast, AF-C does not seem to live up to its name. Mebbe I'm DSLR spoiled by my expectations, but even the LX-7 C-AF feels faster (read: more accurate).

For what it's worth, if the "LX-9" had a bigger sensor, exposure dial and a Control Ring- I would get it without even thinking. Which, btw, might actually happen!

Liz.
 
Nukunukoo said:
Nukunukoo wrote:

Yeah. Definitely X10 bummers. I do have one really recent X20 gripe. While the focusing is fast, AF-C does not seem to live up to its name. Mebbe I'm DSLR spoiled by my expectations, but even the LX-7 C-AF feels faster (read: more accurate).

For what it's worth, if the "LX-9" had a bigger sensor, exposure dial and a Control Ring- I would get it without even thinking. Which, btw, might actually happen!

Liz.
Click to expand...
The X10/20 might look the part, but looks aren't everything. :P
 
Mais78 said:
Mais78 wrote:
Mais78 said:
Nukunukoo wrote:

For what it's worth, if the "LX-9" had a bigger sensor, exposure dial and a Control Ring- I would get it without even thinking. Which, btw, might actually happen!

Liz.
Click to expand...
what do you think of this? http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...siast-compact-with-evf-as-sister-model-to-lx7

Do you happen to know how, with Panasonic, you choose aperture when in AV you assign the Control Ring to Zoom?
Click to expand...
Sorry, I forgot to mention Focus... :-P

Liz
 
Nukunukoo said:
Nukunukoo wrote:
Nukunukoo said:
Mais78 wrote:
Nukunukoo said:
Nukunukoo wrote:

For what it's worth, if the "LX-9" had a bigger sensor, exposure dial and a Control Ring- I would get it without even thinking. Which, btw, might actually happen!

Liz.
Click to expand...
what do you think of this? http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...siast-compact-with-evf-as-sister-model-to-lx7

Do you happen to know how, with Panasonic, you choose aperture when in AV you assign the Control Ring to Zoom?
Click to expand...
Sorry, I forgot to mention Focus... :-P

Liz
Click to expand...
??
 
Either a separate Focus or Zoom ring and not a single control one. In the case of LXes, I like a separate Focus Ring, considering how wide the aperture can get. Then another Control Ring for Zoom and other parameters such as exposure, openings, etc. Essentially, two rings with one dedicated for either Focus/Zoom instead of the current Aperture.

Liz
 
Nukunukoo said:
Nukunukoo wrote:

Either a separate Focus or Zoom ring and not a single control one. In the case of LXes, I like a separate Focus Ring, considering how wide the aperture can get. Then another Control Ring for Zoom and other parameters such as exposure, openings, etc. Essentially, two rings with one dedicated for either Focus/Zoom instead of the current Aperture.

Liz
Click to expand...
Thanks but not sure it answers my question: with the LF1 if you assign the control ring to zooming how do you change the aperture in Av?
 
PAUL TILL said:
PAUL TILL wrote:
PAUL TILL said:
DaveyG wrote:

The fact that Mr Till persevered through 4 X-10's makes me smile. :-)

It sounds like he's not a man afraid of giving strong opinions..surprising then that hes stuck with the same camera model 4 times before he abandoned it
Click to expand...
It was the same with the F550EXR, I had four of them too, when you're waiting for a replacement and the replacements arrive faulty you have no alternative but to send it back and wait for another. Eventually though you give up.

I wanted to get some use from them so I could give a valid opinion in places like this, we're all entitled to a view and just because mine is different to yours it doesn't make it wrong.

Personally I find opinions from people that have just the one camera pointless, they for some strange reason like to stick up for it, trying to justify their purchase I guess.
Click to expand...
 
neildg28com said:
neildg28com wrote:

I cannot think of a camera that I'd WANT to use that is as handy as the X20, has an optical viewfinder and produces decent files. My whole point is that this camera is a joy to use. Carrying a small camera over your shoulder is absolutely no hassle.
Click to expand...
 
neildg28com said:
neildg28com wrote:

As someone who owns and uses some of the finest DSLR cameras ever made on a daily basis I want something very different from my compact ‘walkabout’ camera. I make the vast majority of my income from taking pictures and I make the rest from teaching, writing and consulting about photography. For me to want to go out and just take pictures for the joy of it, the camera has to be fun to use. And it is on that simple point that Fujifilm are getting it so completely right with their x-series range. The X100 was a great start and the X10 was a brilliant companion. Since then we’ve had the X Pro1, the XE1, X100s and this X20 to enjoy. The single factor that unites all of these cameras is the pleasure you can take from using them when you spend so much time using other (better?) cameras.

That brings me to the next point. There’s no way that I’d use the X20 instead of a Canon EOS5D MkII or MkIII for a normal assignment but on my own time, taking pictures for pleasure and for the family the Fujifilm X20 is wonderful. It will be beaten at some point and it remains true that it isn’t the best compact in terms of image quality, speed, flexibility or any of a dozen other quantifiable factors. I propose to introduce a new scale based on the likelihood that you’ll actually bother to take the camera out and use it willingly and with a smile on your face. On that measure, and that measure alone, the Fujifilm gets a perfect ten. Right now, I’m off to the shops to get my morning paper; on foot and with my X20 over my shoulder…

--
www.dg28.com

neilturnerphotographer.co.uk
Click to expand...
Neil, I agree mostly with your judgment of the X20 especially about the fun factor.

I do however rate the X20 lower than you as a landscape/scenery camera. Be it Jpeg or RAW, this camera as it is now does have - imo - a serious problem with detail smearing. I also have a X100 and I can't help but wonder what the X20 could have been with a conventional Bayer sensor and non-EXR mode.

I do like the X20 and have shot some very nice images with it but at the moment I value it "a close but no cigar" camera.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucdeschepper/
 
Last edited:
Luc de Schepper said:
Luc de Schepper wrote:
Luc de Schepper said:
neildg28com wrote:

As someone who owns and uses some of the finest DSLR cameras ever made on a daily basis I want something very different from my compact ‘walkabout’ camera. I make the vast majority of my income from taking pictures and I make the rest from teaching, writing and consulting about photography. For me to want to go out and just take pictures for the joy of it, the camera has to be fun to use. And it is on that simple point that Fujifilm are getting it so completely right with their x-series range. The X100 was a great start and the X10 was a brilliant companion. Since then we’ve had the X Pro1, the XE1, X100s and this X20 to enjoy. The single factor that unites all of these cameras is the pleasure you can take from using them when you spend so much time using other (better?) cameras.

That brings me to the next point. There’s no way that I’d use the X20 instead of a Canon EOS5D MkII or MkIII for a normal assignment but on my own time, taking pictures for pleasure and for the family the Fujifilm X20 is wonderful. It will be beaten at some point and it remains true that it isn’t the best compact in terms of image quality, speed, flexibility or any of a dozen other quantifiable factors. I propose to introduce a new scale based on the likelihood that you’ll actually bother to take the camera out and use it willingly and with a smile on your face. On that measure, and that measure alone, the Fujifilm gets a perfect ten. Right now, I’m off to the shops to get my morning paper; on foot and with my X20 over my shoulder…

--
www.dg28.com

neilturnerphotographer.co.uk
Click to expand...
Neil, I agree mostly with your judgment of the X20 especially about the fun factor.

I do however rate the X20 lower than you as a landscape/scenery camera. Be it Jpeg or RAW, this camera as it is now does have - imo - a serious problem with detail smearing. I also have a X100 and I can't help but wonder what the X20 could have been with a conventional Bayer sensor and non-EXR mode.

I do like the X20 and have shot some very nice images with it but at the moment I value it "a close but no cigar" camera.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucdeschepper/
Click to expand...
+1

You are right, I gave it the same mark in my review here http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/51552180 but that's too generous, it is missing a 24mm lens and fine detail to be good in landscape.

The funnny thing is that the more I look at the pictures the more I like the "oil paint" effect (should I be worried?), it is kind of a different product from 6D, more artistic, I see myself developing the RAWs in a total different way.

Anyone experienced the metering issued I experienced (see my review)?
 
Last edited:
PAUL TILL said:
The build quality isn't in the same league, you'll be extremely lucky if its all still working and nothing has dropped off by Christmas.
Click to expand...
 
I wouldn't call what I shoot with it "landscape" and so the mark that I gave was for the kind of pictures that I shoot that fall onto the edge of landscape. I'd be happy to drag that mark down one notch.

There isn't really a category in which to give a mark for what I shoot and so all of the marks are largely irrelevant anyway!
 
Kevin Patrick said:
Kevin Patrick said:
PAUL TILL wrote:
Kevin Patrick said:
DaveyG wrote:

The fact that Mr Till persevered through 4 X-10's makes me smile. :-)

It sounds like he's not a man afraid of giving strong opinions..surprising then that hes stuck with the same camera model 4 times before he abandoned it
Click to expand...
It was the same with the F550EXR, I had four of them too, when you're waiting for a replacement and the replacements arrive faulty you have no alternative but to send it back and wait for another. Eventually though you give up.

I wanted to get some use from them so I could give a valid opinion in places like this, we're all entitled to a view and just because mine is different to yours it doesn't make it wrong.

Personally I find opinions from people that have just the one camera pointless, they for some strange reason like to stick up for it, trying to justify their purchase I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
PAUL TILL said:
PAUL TILL wrote:
PAUL TILL said:
DaveyG wrote:

The fact that Mr Till persevered through 4 X-10's makes me smile. :-)

It sounds like he's not a man afraid of giving strong opinions..surprising then that hes stuck with the same camera model 4 times before he abandoned it
Click to expand...
It was the same with the F550EXR, I had four of them too, when you're waiting for a replacement and the replacements arrive faulty you have no alternative but to send it back and wait for another. Eventually though you give up.

I wanted to get some use from them so I could give a valid opinion in places like this, we're all entitled to a view and just because mine is different to yours it doesn't make it wrong.

Personally I find opinions from people that have just the one camera pointless, they for some strange reason like to stick up for it, trying to justify their purchase I guess.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

lukethefur
Seeking an every day carry camera, and I'm in love with the Fujifilm - but is it too big?
Replies
10
Views
8K
UncleVanya
UncleVanya
MJ_Photo38
Fujifilm X-Pro2 appreciation post
Replies
8
Views
7K
Bob Smart
B
JFScheck
  • User review User review
Fujifilm X100VI Review: A Worthy Upgrade from the X100V
Replies
8
Views
49K
Jimmmy
Jimmmy
sukamiya18
  • Solved
Fujifilm X-A3 as a (mostly) manual modern-retro compact camera, yay or nay?
2
Replies
24
Views
13K
MJ_Photo38
MJ_Photo38
N
May I ask for advice to know what camera I should buy?
Replies
14
Views
15
Nemuri-Neko
N

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top