Finally got my X30 - keep my X10?

Hi All Xx0 fans

So I did it, finally, just bought an allegedly almost unused X30 with an original half case. I have the X10 that I so far have used for my fishing hikes, and then X-E2 and X-T1 with various lenses for more "serious" fotography (not sure yet what I am more serious about - flyfishing or fotography ).

So I wonder, shall I keep the X10, and if yes, when to use in particular vs. the X30?

Thanks for your valuable thoughts.

Cheers Dan

Some say the X30 is more highly evolved, and better in every way. Others say the X10 EXR sensor was better for DR and its jpeg colors are unmatched. If I owned both (I had two X10s and three X-S1 since 2012), I'd take them out and shoot the same subject. I'm guessing you'd like each for different reasons, and keep them both. I would. It doesn't have to be "either or", unless you want/need the cash from the X10. I confess to having sold some models of cameras in the past, only to buy again down the road.

Whether you elect to keep your X10 rests solely with you. I've maintained the X-10, X-20, and X-30 only because all three cameras perform superbly. In addition, their form factors are totally unique and may never be replicated again. And even today - IQ-wise - they are relevant to be sure.

As an aside, I tend to keep cameras whose IQ levels have impressed me. Heck, even to this day I'll periodically reach for the ole' 5 MP Olympus E-1 (the first Four Thirds camera) that was announced back in 2003. The IQ capabilities of that camera are still relevant today and you'd never believe that well-taken E-1 images can match many of the higher MP cameras out there.

For example - here's a shot taken with the Olympus E-1 and the Panasonic-Leica Vario 14-150 F3.5-5.6 OIS lens (equivalent to a 28-300 MM focal reach). Look at the detail and sharpness levels (not to mention the superb color tonality) in this shot (...and only 5 MP's to boot).

[ATTACH alt="Click on the "original size" link below the image to bring up a much larger, more detailed file. "]2183363[/ATTACH]
Click on the "original size" link below the image to bring up a much larger, more detailed file.

So if you were me (and you're not....haaaaaaaaaaaa), I'd hold on to the X-10. Because I know if you sold it, you'd eventually be regretful that you did. And yes, the X30 is a killer camera, isn't it!!!!!

--
Life can be good - if you allow it!
Bernd ("Ben") Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA

I'm not sure that the X10 will do anything that the X30 cant do. It is slightly smaller and I prefer the smaller size for skiing. ( it fits inside a pocket)

I have not tried to sell my X10 as it is showing some signs of wear, after 7 years of travelling, and therefore is probably worth more to me than the low price for which it might sell. It is still fun to use!

Regards,

The X10 is a discontinued model and has two 'upgraded' models following it, so its resale value is correspondingly depressed. My X10 which I bought this year is a late production model (33xxx serial no.) and is in mint condition, but I paid a silly (low) price for it.

I believe it is, by a whisker, the best of the three iterations, but it's a buyer's market now, and you won't get what it's worth if you try to sell it.

Unless you desperately need the money, I'd say it was a keeper.

Thanks All for your kind and valuable comments. Yes, I tend to want to keep both - fortunately, I don't need the money for either to pay for the other. It's more about finding the time and occasions to use both and the other gear I have (Ben, how do you handle that, just out of curiosity?).

@Papa48: particularly found your second photo a reason to keep the X10, thx

Any further thoughts always welcome.

Cheers Dan

...that's the big question. Sometimes it can become part of a self-induced stress scenario (that is, "OMG, which camera to bring/use for a given event"). When I reach that point, I try and keep it simple. Knowing that each camera I keep (talk about being a camera hoarder) is capable of superb IQ levels (within its given performance envelope), I will often take two or 3 cameras with me. I then keep in mind the way different cameras render colors (color tonality).

For example, if I'm doing mostly scenics - in particular, in the Fall with all of the autumn colors - I'll reach for my Samsung cameras (i.e. either the NX500, NX300, or NX30). Samsung has a very dynamic color tonality that lends itself well to scenics - but not necessarily for skin tones. If I'm shooting mostly people scenarios, then I'll focus on either Fuji, Olympus or Canon cameras.

Then if I know I'm going to be using external flash scenarios - I'll reach for Fuji or Canon. That's not to say that other cameras don't do external flash well. We just all have preferences with regards to how colors are rendered for scenarios such as scenics, architectural, people/portraits, or general.

The key here (well, it is for me) is that superbly performing cameras of the past usually will have left a lasting impression with their users. Once you get rid of that camera(s), it is only a matter of time before you lament having sold it (them). I've been there in the past and I've regretted having done so - in particular, knowing that the cameras in question were unique (such as the X10 is). So now I'll periodically make it a point of reaching for and shooting with these older cameras and I'm never disappointed, in particular, if you shoot RAW because RAW conversion software capabilities and features are constantly improving.

Thanks for sharing!

Hi All

Just an update: the purchase I made proved to be faulty, with dust in the lens. The seller conceded to having omitted to say so in his sale infoematoon, so I was able to return it. I now just was able to buy another X30, this time in silver (my favorite anyway), allegedly hardly ever used - and best of all, at 75% of the price of the previous one

This leaves me money to invest in accessories - any suggestions re battery, charger and sun hood? And anything else, if so be. The Lensmate Thumbrest is a given - very happy with it on my X-E2 / 27 mm pancake.

I am very happy!

Cheers Dan

P.s. on the X System forum, there is an interesting thread on going back to older models - interesting read.

DJF65 wrote:

DanFry said:

This leaves me money to invest in accessories - any suggestions re battery, charger and sun hood? And anything else, if so be.

Click to expand...

A real physical polarizing filter will enable you to capture some photographs that you could not capture otherwise, and, with the EVF of the X30 you will be able to see the effects clearly as you are framing and composing. Note: post-processing “polarizing filter” controls can mimic the effects of a physical polarizing filter, but cannot duplicate what a polarizing filter can accomplish (except, perhaps, on Canon cameras with dual pixel sensors, but, even then, I am dubious). Unfortunately, only one polarizing filter will fit the threads the X30’s unusual size lens (Marumi). If you have the Fujifilm lens shade, you have a choice among 52 mm polarizing filters while the shade is attached. See this thread.

I can totally relate to the stress of which camera to take out, and to regretting selling one. I wish I still had my Ricoh GRD4. I don’t use the X30 much but know I’d regret selling it.

Just got the X30, in silver, looks like new, with less tham 150 exposures... My wife likes it too, so I may not have a problem with which camera to use... Accessories are already on order - lens hood and cap, and I will probably buy a Lensmate Thumbrest and a soft release button.

Not sure yet about a polar filter as suggested - may rather go for a moderate ND filter to be able to limit the aperture.

Cheers Dan

DJF65 wrote:

DanFry said:

Not sure yet about a polar filter as suggested - may rather go for a moderate ND filter to be able to limit the aperture.

Click to expand...

A polarizing filter can give you the equivalent of a neutral density filter up to -3EV on a bright day (the situations when you are most likely to want an ND filter); but a neutral density filter cannot selectively eliminate reflections from windows or the surface of water to allow capture of what is on the other side of the window or beneath the surface of the water as a polarizing filter can.

some examples here (link)

more detailed discussion here

Hi prime,

Thanks for claryfying, didn't know that the pol filter actually reduces all the light. Thought that it just eliminated certain wavelenghts effectively reducing glare and hence improving color saturation. But I don't really understand the details how this is so. Would you have a link to information to better understand this?

Thanks Dan

DJF65 wrote:

DanFry said:

Thanks for claryfying, didn't know that the pol filter actually reduces all the light. Thought that it just eliminated certain wavelenghts effectively reducing glare and hence improving color saturation. But I don't really understand the details how this is so. Would you have a link to information to better understand this?

Click to expand...

In this day when the Web provides often too much information (a good proportion of it false), a little work with DuckDuckGo will turn up literally thousands of discussions and articles about polarizing filters. Do not take all of them at face value, as some of the authors are merely exhibiting their ignorance; but sites like photo.net and Luminous Landscape tend to attract a sufficient number of serious photographers that crowd pressure winnows out a lot of the chaff.

One easy starting point is a very short entry on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarizing_filter_(photography)

here is another quick-and-dirty, but at least not misinforming, article: https://luminous-landscape.com/polarizers/

Depending on whether you find “doing your homework” a chore to get over with or a delight that opens new horizons, there are many opportunities ahead with a polarizing filter.

Thanks, prime, for the info and links - will study this topic as I aim at focusing my photography on landscape.

Cheers Dan

DJF65 said:

Just got the X30, in silver, looks like new, with less tham 150 exposures... My wife likes it too, so I may not have a problem with which camera to use... Accessories are already on order - lens hood and cap, and I will probably buy a Lensmate Thumbrest and a soft release button.

Not sure yet about a polar filter as suggested - may rather go for a moderate ND filter to be able to limit the aperture.

Cheers Dan

Click to expand...

I've definitely needed the ND filter. I remember having a hard time finding how to attach a filter. I think I remember I had to get the Fuji clear filter/lens hood set, and then you could attach a more readily available step-up ring to that one. the actual filter size on the X30 lens is virtually impossible to find, weird size.

Keep both and leave one in the car,you never know what will happen one day.

concorde 1954 said:

Keep both and leave one in the car,you never know what will happen one day.

Click to expand...

I always have my X10 in the car, and otherwise meanwhile the X30 if not more when I go for a walk. Still learning what to use when, like yesterday, when I regretted not having brought the 50-200 / X-T1 along as well.

Cheers Dan