Guess I'm a beginner after settling on X-S10 :)

Joined the Fujifilm adventure last year with an X-E3. Really liked that, but gave it to my teenage son in a moment of fatherly generosity.

So, bought another for myself. And, then an X-Pro2. Thought that would be my 'keeper', so sold the second X-E3. But... I had a long hard think about what I really wanted a Fuji set up for. Small and lightweight for travel and street. The X-Pro2 is beautifully made, but just a little too large for me. And, I didn't need the OVF. Or, the second card slot. So, that was sold too.

Considered getting an X-E4, but then started looking at the X-S10 as... 1) I'm getting older and I value IBIS; 2) I don't need all of the dials (lovely though they are to look at) as I always shoot Auto ISO and only need to adjust A & SS, occasionally EC. On the X-Pro2 I always had SS on 'T' anyway!

So, jumped on a bargain on eBay and received my new camera yesterday. Immediately, I know I've made the right choice (for me). Ergonomically, the camera just fits my hand and is actually smaller than I realised. AF is snappy. Controls are where I want them to be. And, I'll be able to use it in a similar manner to my Sony FF system, so I'm unlikely to get confused when switching. IQ goes without saying.

My only complaint? The way many reviewers snobbily label the camera "for beginners" because it doesn't have all the dials, only has one card slot and isn't quite as robust or retro-looking as other models. I admit to being an amateur, but I like to think I'm a little past the beginner stage.

Congrats on finding a camera you really gel with.

Regarding the amateur aspect, the X-S10 is a mid-level Fuji, on par with the X-T30 which no one calls amateur. The X-T200 is the entry-level Fuji with a viewfinder.

DustyBin said:

My only complaint? The way many reviewers snobbily label the camera "for beginners" because it doesn't have all the dials, only has one card slot and isn't quite as robust or retro-looking as other models. I admit to being an amateur, but I like to think I'm a little past the beginner stage.

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I could not agree more. Labelling a camera for beginners is somewhat condescending. These cameras and lenses are capable of delivering stunning images that can be published or used in some professional capability. It's the person behind the camera that counts more.

However, I am going to contradict myself a little, by saying that there are three features in addition to image quality that I would seek from a camera were I to be making a living from photography. They are: two card slots for back up; weather resistance to enable me to shoot on locations booked before the weather forecast was available (this also implies a more robust construction); and fast, accurate AF.

It's Easter weekend, the sun is shining, so let's get out there and take some great photos!

Congrats, that's why Fuji makes so many different models. You found the one that works best for you.

Photography should be fun! Don't worry about what others are using, if this camera makes you take more photos because it's easier to use then I call that a winner.

DustyBin said:

Joined the Fujifilm adventure last year with an X-E3. Really liked that, but gave it to my teenage son in a moment of fatherly generosity.

So, bought another for myself. And, then an X-Pro2. Thought that would be my 'keeper', so sold the second X-E3. But... I had a long hard think about what I really wanted a Fuji set up for. Small and lightweight for travel and street. The X-Pro2 is beautifully made, but just a little too large for me. And, I didn't need the OVF. Or, the second card slot. So, that was sold too.

Considered getting an X-E4, but then started looking at the X-S10 as... 1) I'm getting older and I value IBIS; 2) I don't need all of the dials (lovely though they are to look at) as I always shoot Auto ISO and only need to adjust A & SS, occasionally EC. On the X-Pro2 I always had SS on 'T' anyway!

So, jumped on a bargain on eBay and received my new camera yesterday. Immediately, I know I've made the right choice (for me). Ergonomically, the camera just fits my hand and is actually smaller than I realised. AF is snappy. Controls are where I want them to be. And, I'll be able to use it in a similar manner to my Sony FF system, so I'm unlikely to get confused when switching. IQ goes without saying.

My only complaint? The way many reviewers snobbily label the camera "for beginners" because it doesn't have all the dials, only has one card slot and isn't quite as robust or retro-looking as other models. I admit to being an amateur, but I like to think I'm a little past the beginner stage.

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Well, imho, most reviewers (at least on youtube) are simply free/paid commercials for the camera companies. They get either money, free camera gear to keep or test as an incentive to make more value for the companies and in return more exposure and clicks/revenue on youtube for themselves. So much for disclosures and "I-am-very-unbiased" reviews.

The beginner / advanced nomenclature maybe makes it more straightforward to present equipment to the public, but eventually it is mostly about skills and experience, though of course there are cases where certain features are handy or required. Imho.

Put that "beginner X-S10" in the hands of any experienced camera user and they will make excellent pictures.

Congrats on the new camera. The bottom line is to buy/use whatever camera "speaks" to you and is the best tool to further your photography.

I personally did not like the X-S10 but that is the wonderful thing about Fuji (as others have noted)..there are multiple model styles and obviously some appeal to you. For me? The X-T3/X-T4. Cheers

As Dad’s we are always second class so we need to just adapt to labels

DustyBin said:

Joined the Fujifilm adventure last year with an X-E3. Really liked that, but gave it to my teenage son in a moment of fatherly generosity.

So, bought another for myself. And, then an X-Pro2. Thought that would be my 'keeper', so sold the second X-E3. But... I had a long hard think about what I really wanted a Fuji set up for. Small and lightweight for travel and street. The X-Pro2 is beautifully made, but just a little too large for me. And, I didn't need the OVF. Or, the second card slot. So, that was sold too.

Considered getting an X-E4, but then started looking at the X-S10 as... 1) I'm getting older and I value IBIS; 2) I don't need all of the dials (lovely though they are to look at) as I always shoot Auto ISO and only need to adjust A & SS, occasionally EC. On the X-Pro2 I always had SS on 'T' anyway!

So, jumped on a bargain on eBay and received my new camera yesterday. Immediately, I know I've made the right choice (for me). Ergonomically, the camera just fits my hand and is actually smaller than I realised. AF is snappy. Controls are where I want them to be. And, I'll be able to use it in a similar manner to my Sony FF system, so I'm unlikely to get confused when switching. IQ goes without saying.

My only complaint? The way many reviewers snobbily label the camera "for beginners" because it doesn't have all the dials, only has one card slot and isn't quite as robust or retro-looking as other models. I admit to being an amateur, but I like to think I'm a little past the beginner stage.

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If anybody questions you, just take out your Sony A7III and whip them in the face with it.

Photography like many hobbies that cost a lot of money does attract a few snobby attitudes though.

I think Fuji photographers, in general have to deal with the "why aren't you shooting full frame question" often also...

I did not study photography, but studied film. In that arena, nobody cares about "full frame"... not really, people are using Super 35 size/ Red, Arri, Blackmagic, and all their weird sizes, etc.

I do prefer photography though, as it's more of a singular pursuit.

I've settled into the XT* XE* pattern. What I didn't expect was to like the XT* so much... as I don't really like the bigger size... however, the trade off of the dials and large evf + wr are beneficial to me and realized Fuji will never offer this kind of stuff on the smaller XE/XT** cams. Gotta have both, for me. I wouldn't be completely happy with one or the other only. I'll get the XT3 when I have some more money saved up.

DustyBin said:

Joined the Fujifilm adventure last year with an X-E3. Really liked that, but gave it to my teenage son in a moment of fatherly generosity.

So, bought another for myself. And, then an X-Pro2. Thought that would be my 'keeper', so sold the second X-E3. But... I had a long hard think about what I really wanted a Fuji set up for. Small and lightweight for travel and street. The X-Pro2 is beautifully made, but just a little too large for me. And, I didn't need the OVF. Or, the second card slot. So, that was sold too.

Considered getting an X-E4, but then started looking at the X-S10 as... 1) I'm getting older and I value IBIS; 2) I don't need all of the dials (lovely though they are to look at) as I always shoot Auto ISO and only need to adjust A & SS, occasionally EC. On the X-Pro2 I always had SS on 'T' anyway!

So, jumped on a bargain on eBay and received my new camera yesterday. Immediately, I know I've made the right choice (for me). Ergonomically, the camera just fits my hand and is actually smaller than I realised. AF is snappy. Controls are where I want them to be. And, I'll be able to use it in a similar manner to my Sony FF system, so I'm unlikely to get confused when switching. IQ goes without saying.

My only complaint? The way many reviewers snobbily label the camera "for beginners" because it doesn't have all the dials, only has one card slot and isn't quite as robust or retro-looking as other models. I admit to being an amateur, but I like to think I'm a little past the beginner stage.

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If Alex Webb can sing the praises of, and use an Olympus P&S, I don't think you need to worry about your camera choice.

I had a similar gripe about the regard had for the m4/3 kit I used to use. I just said to myself, "Oh, yea? We'll see about THAT!", and proceeded to go out and prove them wrong.

--
"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't."
------ Chief Dan George, Little Big Man
@ bobtullis.com & flickr.com/photos/bobtullis
.
My opinions are my own and not those of DPR or its administration.

Yeah I don't get how so many reviews label the camera as beginner or intermediate. You aren't really going to find much better in the APS format than the S10. It's buffer is slower, so it isn't going to work for sports photographers, but the focusing is by far the worst aspect of ALL Fuji mirrorless cameras making the entire X series lineup a very poor choice for a pro shooting sports.

The PASM dials are found on basically every pro level camera, so using that as a reason seems really ridiculous to me. When I switched from my Nikon pro FF camera to the XT-2, I never really got on with the top dials that look cool but require more fiddling around and really bad ergonomics.

Now that I have an S10 I really, really enjoy the actual process of shooting again. Yeah it would be nice to have weather sealing, but there really wasn't a such thing for almost any pro DSLR until recent years. Finally I have my very light, yet ergonomic camera that handles like the pro FF camera I had before.

Enjoy your new camera. If your happy with it that’s all that counts.

I love the way Fuji dealt with the PASM, especially C1-C4.

Dividing gear into 'pro' and 'beginner' categories is rather silly because there are amateurs taking shots of their cats with GFX cameras while people regularly make money shooting weddings on affordable DSLRs. I think there's a decent argument to be made that the X-S10 is closer to the current ideal of a 'pro' camera because the control scheme is the same as that on the majority of cameras used by professional photographers. You could argue that Fuji's retro controls are made for people who like to take their time and derive pleasure from using the camera itself, rather than people who needs to produce reliable results quickly and under pressure. Not to say that pros don't use Fujifilm, but professionals surely isn't their core market.

It's probably a good thing that people fixate over 'pro' cameras and features because it drives amateurs like me to spend their money on things they don't really need, which is surely what is keeping the camera industry limping along!

Emile Dorkheim said:

Dividing gear into 'pro' and 'beginner' categories is rather silly because there are amateurs taking shots of their cats with GFX cameras while people regularly make money shooting weddings on affordable DSLRs. ...

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Do you think that the X-T200 and X-T4, for example, should be categorized the same? They are divided based on their capabilities, not what people do with them.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

DustyBin said:

Considered getting an X-E4, but then started looking at the X-S10 as... 1) I'm getting older and I value IBIS; 2) I don't need all of the dials (lovely though they are to look at) as I always shoot Auto ISO and only need to adjust A & SS, occasionally EC. On the X-Pro2 I always had SS on 'T' anyway!

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I began my photography journey with analog cameras but I have no sentimental attachment to their user interface. I much prefer having the front/rear command dials and custom presets. On my X100V I like that Fuji has kept the SS and exp comp dials well away from the command dials which are easy to access.

Neverlost99 said:

As Dad’s we are always second class so we need to just adapt to labels

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At some point in dad-live, yes. Fortunately, this will also change again when the kids grow older. :-D

OmarCCX said:

I love the way Fuji dealt with the PASM, especially C1-C4.

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One of my several reasons for NOT getting an X-S10 as second body is that I DO NOT like the way Fuji does PASM! In particular, what I do not like is that they make shutter-speed jump between front and rear command dial.

It is one of the things that I could really not get used to on my Canon. It is horrible ergonomics, in my opinion.

I don't mind PASM too much as such. But you should be able to develop some muscle-memory for which function is on which dial. Aperture on the front-dial, in all modes, if aperture is applicable to the mode. Shutter speed on the rear dial, in all modes, if shutter speed selection is applicable to the mode.

Nikon PASM dial cameras work that way.

Please, Fuji, change this! If the X-H2 will have a PASM dial, then please make the command dials work like they do on Nikon and not like they work on Canon!

Please!

I'm sure they will change that. It seems like a huge oversight on Fuji's part and I can't imagine they don't get a ton of complaints about that.

Tim van der Leeuw said:

Please, Fuji, change this! If the X-H2 will have a PASM dial, then please make the command dials work like they do on Nikon and not like they work on Canon!

Please!

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If the X-H2 has PASM, then I'll PASSM (pass) on it:-D

I really don't want to be a snob. If someone wants a camera with PASM then more power to them. As long as we continue to have choices that is a good thing.