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A few comments on the X100

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owenleve

owenleve

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I wanted this camera from the day it was announced. Finally bought one a few weeks ago and have been using it often and learning it as I go. Here are a few comments which will no doubt be met with some hostility.

Quick background. I have an array of Nikon gear, D3, D700 being my main work bodies with a long list of pro lenses from 16mm fisheye to 300 2.8. I shoot sports, wedding and commercial work and photography is how I earn my money.

Okay, the x100....

What I have found most frustrating is the inconsistent focus, or lack thereof. From frame to frame of the same subject I very wildly varying results. Combine that with how often it hunts for correct focus both in daylight and in low light sometimes I want to just throw this camera away. When it decides to focus accurately and quickly it's great. When it doesn't, it's no better than my canon s95.

Panoramic mode. I've attempted a number of these without great success. Certainly nothing that I would make a print from. Still far better to stitch a series of images together.

Quirks. Tough to remember when you can use certain shutter speeds/aperture in manual mode, etc.. Why can't we use 1/4000th and 2.0? Why I say?

Physical buttons on the back, mostly the 'ok' button. Forget using your finger, fingernail is the only way to accurately push it.

Minimum focus range, less than ideal. Combined with what I feel is a not so great macro mode-again, due to difficulties focusing. The manual focus... maybe the one thing that is more frustrating than the auto focus.

Battery life. Even with moderate use the batter life is horrible. And, to make this worse the battery indicator is garbage. It goes from half to your camera dying within a few frames at times. EV comp dial gets turned if you look at it cross eyed.

The good...

Feels great, love the dials and love using it. The final images are pretty good. Compared to my pro gear, not great. I guess that's fair and to be expected though. Dynamic range is good. Like the sensor. Would like to see a full frame version of this camera with usable AF. Metering is really nice and accurate. Of course the viewfinder is neat, big whoop the novelty wears off quickly when you can't get a focus.

In short, I would NOT buy this camera again. It's a cool toy and a fad but for it's price point it's garbage. Yeah, yeah.. call me what you want, that's fine.

Anyway, wish I rented this camera before I bought it. Giving great thought to selling and taking a loss and moving on. I feel ripped off by thing.

To be fair, I have been spoiled by my Nikon gear. But still, the AF speed/accuracy is so bad I'm not sure why so many people rave about this camera.

bummed about my purchase, and now understand some of the posts I've seen from others that loved it and now don't.

If you are thinking of buying this camera use one for a day before you do.
--

http://www.courtlevephoto.com
http://www.courtlevephotography.com
 
2 things will happen if you do decide to keep it;

1 - You will get used to its quirks and learn to work with them and love the camera.

2 - The exposures will start to screw up as the aperture blades start to have problems (see sticky blade issue in other threads).

Sorry but this is inevitable. I have handled several of these cameras after returning the first one that I purchased and not one did NOT have the issue sooner or later. I firmly believe that the people who do not have the issue, don't know it's there as sometimes it is very subtle and hardly noticeable.
 
owenleve said:
Quirks. Tough to remember when you can use certain shutter speeds/aperture in manual mode, etc.. Why can't we use 1/4000th and 2.0? Why I say?
Click to expand...
Just technically, in a sort of generalized global picture of the situation, the reason that 1/4000th of a second is a problem at f/2 is because the aperture is wide open, and that large circle represents a lot of space for the shutter to open and close over.

Where as at f/16 or whatever, it's just a tiny circle, and that's easy for the shutter.

The shutter functions differently on the X100 than on most DSLRs. The blades move differently. I don't know why they picked that sort of shutter, but I share the info with you that I do know.

For remembering when you can use what, I took me quite awhile to realize that the shutter speed displayed in the viewfinder changes color. When it's red, you can still take the shot, but the shot while be over-exposed. But at least for me, when I am picking which aperture I want, and letting the camera pick the shutter speed, there's nothing to remember. I just make sure that my aperture is small enough that the shutter speed color is not red.

If I want to improve that situation, so that it's not red even in bright situations, I turn on the ND filter, which I have set up on the Fn button, so it's really easy to do.
 
Jay A said:
I firmly believe that the people who do not have the issue, don't know it's there as sometimes it is very subtle and hardly noticeable.
Click to expand...
Shooting RAW, if it's a bright day, sometimes I will just fire off a few shots in the same place from f/4 to f/16.

The f/16 shots are often at a long exposure time, maybe 1/30th of a second, in a park on a sunny day, with the sun at my back, but as they are just test shots, I don't need a tripod. But the F/16 shots look as well exposed as the f/4 ones.

Is just a basic and simple test as that not enough ? Thanks for any info.

In RAW, the ISO is fixed, but I'm not even sure why ISO would matter.

In any case, after 2400 shots, I seem to be doing well. I think.
 
Jay A said:
2 things will happen if you do decide to keep it;

1 - You will get used to its quirks and learn to work with them and love the camera.

2 - The exposures will start to screw up as the aperture blades start to have problems (see sticky blade issue in other threads).

Sorry but this is inevitable.
Click to expand...
Hilarious. Everyone will have a sticky aperture? You have zero proof of that. Just by handling "several" you have deemed that all 100,000+ X100's are faulty? Absolutely hilarious.

--

http://fujifilmimages.aminus3.com/
 
owenleve said:
I wanted this camera from the day it was announced. Finally bought one a few weeks ago and have been using it often and learning it as I go. Here are a few comments which will no doubt be met with some hostility.

Quick background. I have an array of Nikon gear, D3, D700 being my main work bodies with a long list of pro lenses from 16mm fisheye to 300 2.8. I shoot sports, wedding and commercial work and photography is how I earn my money.

Okay, the x100....

What I have found most frustrating is the inconsistent focus, or lack thereof. From frame to frame of the same subject I very wildly varying results. Combine that with how often it hunts for correct focus both in daylight and in low light sometimes I want to just throw this camera away. When it decides to focus accurately and quickly it's great. When it doesn't, it's no better than my canon s95.
Click to expand...
There probably have been thousands and thousands of posts on how poorly the X100 focuses. Did you miss every one of them? This is a very well known complaint.
owenleve said:
Panoramic mode. I've attempted a number of these without great success. Certainly nothing that I would make a print from. Still far better to stitch a series of images together.
Click to expand...
I have printed several panoramas and found them to be quite exceptional. This is one Fuji feature that actually works. You must be doing something wrong. Try to improve.
owenleve said:
Quirks. Tough to remember when you can use certain shutter speeds/aperture in manual mode, etc.. Why can't we use 1/4000th and 2.0? Why I say?
Click to expand...
You've never heard of a leaf shutter before, have you?
owenleve said:
Physical buttons on the back, mostly the 'ok' button. Forget using your finger, fingernail is the only way to accurately push it.
Click to expand...
Agreed. This button is terrible. And it is replicated on the X10.
owenleve said:
Battery life. Even with moderate use the batter life is horrible. And, to make this worse the battery indicator is garbage. It goes from half to your camera dying within a few frames at times.
Click to expand...
Yep, the indicator is garbage. However, I can shoot a whole day without draining the battery. 300-350 shots.
owenleve said:
EV comp dial gets turned if you look at it cross eyed.
Click to expand...
Mine is rock solid. Never moves without me setting it.
owenleve said:
The good...
Click to expand...
owenleve said:
In short, I would NOT buy this camera again. It's a cool toy and a fad but for it's price point it's garbage. Yeah, yeah.. call me what you want, that's fine.

Anyway, wish I rented this camera before I bought it. Giving great thought to selling and taking a loss and moving on. I feel ripped off by thing.
Click to expand...
You will take little to no loss on your X100 assuming it is in mint shape. There are still quite a few people looking to buy.
owenleve said:
To be fair, I have been spoiled by my Nikon gear. But still, the AF speed/accuracy is so bad I'm not sure why so many people rave about this camera.
Click to expand...
While the autofocus is not SLR quality, it is not that bad . I routinely pick up my X100 instead of my Fuji S5 Pro because I consistently get the shots I want from it.

--

http://fujifilmimages.aminus3.com/
 
rattymouse said:
Hilarious. Everyone will have a sticky aperture? You have zero proof of that. Just by handling "several" you have deemed that all 100,000+ X100's are faulty? Absolutely hilarious.
Click to expand...
Yes, maybe. But after you spoke with a friend of yours, that knew somebody that works at Fuji China, and gave you some small number (or whatever that story was, I forget now) ... when you started saying the numbers where around a third of 1% or whatever ... that was pretty comical too. :-)
 
Thanks for this input. I've just been looking at getting the X100 for a holiday in Europe. As well as learning about defective shutters, checking your website indicates to me that you know what your on about so I'm looking at something else.
Again thanks,
Bill
 
Bill Gore said:
Thanks for this input. I've just been looking at getting the X100 for a holiday in Europe. As well as learning about defective shutters, checking your website indicates to me that you know what your on about so I'm looking at something else.
Again thanks,
Bill
Click to expand...
I wish I would have checked his web site before I took my X100 on a trip to Hong Kong. It would have saved me big time from having to look at so many X100 images. I am going to Thailand next week. I will check his web site to learn why my X100 isn't good enough to go with me there.

--

http://fujifilmimages.aminus3.com/
 
Well for Gods sake, whats it coming to if you can't thank a poster without attracting censure, in my case a feral Fuji fanboy. Well Mister rattymouse lets see what you posted earlier in this thread about the X100:

"There probably have been thousands and thousands of posts on how poorly the X100 focuses. This is a very well known complaint."

"Agreed. This button is terrible. And it is replicated on the X10."

"Yep, the indicator is garbage. "

"While the autofocus is not SLR quality....."

So thats you fanboy, your own words condemn you. Keep your unsolicited dopey comments to yourself, and don't interfere with me again.
 
Jay A said:
2 things will happen if you do decide to keep it;

1 - You will get used to its quirks and learn to work with them and love the camera.

2 - The exposures will start to screw up as the aperture blades start to have problems (see sticky blade issue in other threads).

Sorry but this is inevitable. I have handled several of these cameras after returning the first one that I purchased and not one did NOT have the issue sooner or later. I firmly believe that the people who do not have the issue, don't know it's there as sometimes it is very subtle and hardly noticeable.
Click to expand...
Complete tosh. My aperture blades are fine. I have had the camera since 15th March and taken many thousands of images with it.

Are you really so stupid as to believe that what happens to you happens to everyone?

--
Fuji X100 Fanboy #1
X100 blog -> http://peri.org.uk/wp/?tag=blog
 
It's a leaf shutter.

The same reason that you can flash-sync at any shutter speed and the shutter is silent.

For a professional photographer not to understand this is... surprising, but not in the context of your overall reaction.

--
Fuji X100 Fanboy #1
X100 blog -> http://peri.org.uk/wp/?tag=blog
 
Of photographers for whom this camera is not suitable:

1. P&S novices looking to trade up. (not you obviously)

2. Young, dynamic go-getters who won't settle for anything less than the best in all aspects of life. Photographic ability not relevant. (you I suspect)

3. No-nonsense hard-nosed pros for whom a camera is essentially and primarily a tool. Any other features are really of very little importance. (you I suspect)

From your website I would have predicted that you would not be a prime candidate for the X100.

There have been a few reactions just like yours, curiously all from users of high-end Nikon DSLRs. (Perhaps Canon users have lower expectations.)

But many of us, some of whom are also professionals, find it just the thing. People who love Canonettes, OM1s, Leica and Zeiss rangefinders. Often of a certain age. Always of a certain temperament. The kind of photographer who shudders at the thought of doing sports photography.

I don't doubt that you have the skill and talent to learn to get the best out of the X100, but I doubt very much that you would have the patience or frankly would see the point of doing so.

They are still in short supply everywhere, so you should be able to pass it on for little financial loss.

I think that close to 100% of people who rented an X100 for just a day would not buy one - it takes longer than that to grasp the gestalt.

Many of us find the AF fine for our purposes, but compared to Canon 1-series or Nikon D3 level it almost doesn't qualify as AF at all.

I am Fanboy #1, but I do not take issue at all with posts like yours, to the contrary I think they are extremely valuable to warn off those whose temperament is not suited to it. Your subjective reaction to this camera is valid and valuable.

--
Fuji X100 Fanboy #1
X100 blog -> http://peri.org.uk/wp/?tag=blog
 
Answer the question:

Are there any alternatives?

If your answer is "YES at least half-a-dozen, don't be ridiculous!" Then it's not the right camera for you.

If your answer is "Well maybe a Leica M9 and 35 'cron, but otherwise no." Then you will likely love it.

--
Fuji X100 Fanboy #1
X100 blog -> http://peri.org.uk/wp/?tag=blog
 
Bill Gore said:
Thanks for this input. I've just been looking at getting the X100 for a holiday in Europe. As well as learning about defective shutters, checking your website indicates to me that you know what your on about so I'm looking at something else.
Again thanks,
Bill
Click to expand...
Bill

Absolutely nothing wrong with taking on-board feedback from users of cameras, but I would not make my own personal buying decision based upon that. What for many might seem problems, for others they dminish with the joy of using the X100.

For me personally, I never think about any shortcomings when I use mine as I love using it very much. I have some large panormas printed and up on my study wall that I took in the Lake District that I know I would not have got with a DSLR as I wouldn't have taken one along on a day's hiking due to the weight. And the image quality from the X100 raw files is superb. I have a few hundred pictures taken at my daughter's pre-prom party held at our house all taken with the X100 and all very acceptable. It really can be a joy to use.

You really should try one for yourself before making a decision - always best to rely on your own judgement to keep the comments of others in perspective. You never know, you may love the X100 after a short time. Of course you may not, but at least you know you made the decision against your own criteria and in person.

Simon

--
http://sclamb.zenfolio.com/
 
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