Fuji X70 first thoughts, and Profile Bracketing

Hi All,

Firstly, thanks for the encouragement when I first posted that my X70 stopped making photos for no apparent reason a couple of weeks ago. All is well since then and I'm just ecstatic about this camera. I will be purchasing a hood, external charger, second battery, and a pair of filters (UV, polarizer). Wrist strap: probably a Barton 1972. Then I'll probably acquire a Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 5 or 10 to carry it all.

A few things have confused me. The focus point kept moving around during early usage. I use a single point, center (unless I deliberately move it). I discovered that the touch screen feature was moving the focus point when I brushed the camera. Advice: keep the touch screen off unless you have a specific desire to use it.

I'm still struggling with custom settings: I cannot figure out a way to tell a custom setting to overwrite itself with the current camera settings. All I can figure out is to erase the setting and then set it to the current camera settings. I'm sure it's just confusion on my part.

I wish wish wish I could turn off the control ring, rather than just set it to a different function. Quite a number of times I've found myself in 35mm or 50mm crop mode without realizing it. Now I have to pay attention to that, and it's one more thing I have to think about. I should not have to do that if I don't want to.

I will post a full review in a month or two. I've mostly just been shooting nothing in particular, getting to know the camera.

Here is something I've discovered which is extremely valuable to me: The film profile bracketing on the Drive button. It's very nice to have the film profiles. In fact, the Classic Chrome sort of drew me to the camera (when will we see an update for Acros???!!!). The problem with film profiles, especially color, is that it's very hard to know which to use, or even what the differences are. Then I had a revelation: use profile bracketing and compare identical shots and begin to get a feel for what the film profiles offer. What I've started to do is select the three profiles I'm allowed and then just go out and shoot. When I return to the computer I compare the shots on my calibrated monitor and see what I like. Of course, the shooting situation dictates a profile choice (landscape/travel vs. people pictures, etc.), but you get the idea.

Here is a sample set of Provia, Velvia, and Classic Chrome. Again, no great shakes of a photo, but I'm just experimenting. Click on one of the photos to enter dpReview gallery mode. Then you can flip through the photos quickly and see what I mean about a good comparison. (more commentary after the photos)

Provia

Velvia

Classic Chrome

(yes, the parking lot is on a grade, the camera was level!)

I like that the camera makes a single exposure and then just creates three jpeg files in the different profiles. I've had cameras in the past that would make three different exposures for something like this.

What I'm discovering is that, outdoors, the Provia and Velvia are much more to my taste than Classic Chrome. I don't know if you can see much difference here on dpReview, but on my calibrated monitor, the difference can be dramatic. Although I was drawn to Classic Chrome prior to purchase, it has be come obvious to me that I will only use it when I want to invoke a particular feeling; it's just not right for me for everyday photos. I'm still in the process of looking at the Astia and two Pro Neg options. I really want to "know" what to expect and intelligently choose a simulation for the situation at hand.

At this point I have no real complaints with my X70. It replaces my Lumix LX7 quit nicely, despite being a fixed 28mm rather than a 24-90mm zoom. The comparatively huge sensor delivers just as I hoped it would. If you have any reservations about this camera because of the bad press that the lens has received at times, pay no attention; the lens is truly excellent, even in the corners for my uses.

Jim Pilcher
Summit County, Colorado, USA
Life is good in the woods