XF 18-55mm lens control review, your experience?

McQuestion wrote:

Thanks for sharing! I couldn't find the EXIF on Tumblr, but figured that's about where you were shooting. Interesting that you're using the X100 and adapter, I was looking at that earlier today, wondering if that might be a good solution. It's been a long, long time since I used a camera with a fixed prime... Hmmm...

(Ha! Ken Rockwell LOVES the X100 and bills the X100S as "The World's Best Digital Camera.")

I've used a DSLR in small theater settings before, improvisational comedy, so I can relate to feeling anxious about being disruptive. I have a big laugh, so that covers the shutter, and it's not uncommon for photographers or staff to be in the crowd taking photos or filming, but still I'd prefer to be as stealthy and unobtrusive as possible.

I have Sony gear, but I really like the Fuji images and system. The way the images hold together at high ISO is phenomenal. I wasn't looking when the great lens sale took place, or I'd have probably jumped in at that time. Now with the XE-1 on discount, I'm looking really closely at that camera. Just not sure about the processing power compared to the XE-2 for speed and focus, and the question about shutter noise is also on my mind...

Any closing thoughts or words of wisdom?

I just saw that you can see the EXIF in the dashboard view of Tumblr, that shot was ISO 1600, F/2 @ 1/125.  Note that the lighting was actually very good, she had a white spotlight on her.

Yeah Ken Rockwell and his irrational exuberance

Here is my advice - keep doing what you're doing.  Understand the challenges and quirks before you pull the pin, and don't sell the Sony!  At least not until you have  gone through the learning curve with a Fuji.   I've been a Sony A-mount user since the a100 and love(d) that system (a100, a55, a57).  I spent a year researching the x100 (prior to the last FW update) and knew what I was getting into.  At that time x100 users fell into two camps: those who cursed it for what it couldn't do, and those who produced amazing images.  I figured if they can do it, why can't I?  So I bought one.

It took months for me to trust the x100, so it was my second camera that I only used now and then.  I primarily shot aperture mode but dang I missed shots here and there.  In spite of taking some very nice photos (mostly in better lighting) I began to question the wisdom of my purchase.  Then  I started using manual settings and everything changed.

Fuji will freaking ignore your "minimum shutter speed" and I am NOT one of those guys who can take a shot hand held at 1/15.  Once I quit letting the camera make decisions (shutter, ISO, etc) and took control of the settings I got the results I wanted and gained trust in it.

About two years later I bought the X-E1.  It was so inexpensive with the kit lens (even though I prefer a prime) I had to do it.  And yeah slow AF, and other quirks but I'm very pleased with it.  If I had the money at the time I would have gotten the X-E2, I played with both in a store and the difference in AF, response and EVF is measurable.  I just couldn't justify the cost at that time.  Within the next year I will likely upgrade the body, or possibly get the 56mm and call it good.  My plan is the x100 is my every day camera and the X-E1 is for studio work, who needs fast AF in a studio?

Speaking of Burlesque, you have quite a burlesque scene there in Austin I believe, I always see someone from Austin performing at local (Dallas) events.  You should check it out, and look me up if you ever get out this way.

Cheers!