Any last minute advice for someone new to fuji x100v?

[DynamicFun]

After months of deliberation, I have decided to rent a few cameras to test for replacing my aging canon 50d. The first one I am renting is the x100v.

I can't justify renting 3-5 cameras + lenses at the same time. So what would you focus on for testing each camera that you may use weeks or months apart?

I intend to rent a sony a7 iv and a canon r6/r5 at some point as well (or maybe whatever canon is announcing this month). Depending on how the x100v goes, I may also rent an x-t4 or x-s10.

Why the x100v first?

I only needed to rent the camera. No lenses, flashes or other equipment.
I have never used a mirrorless, and I wanted to see what a "basic" model gives me before I get my hands on the more flagship stuff.
I have a family focused event this weekend, where this camera will feel a lot more casual, both for me and my family, than my 50d or similar would.
The leaf shutter (with corresponding high flash sync) and built-in ND (I use ND + flash outside all the time) have really peaked my interest. (Is this a real physical ND? or something software based?)

My primary goal in replacing the 50d is better low light performance and better auto focus. My subjects are primarily my young sons, seven and two. The toddler has made in focus, properly exposed indoor low light photography very challenging on my 50d. The 50d otherwise performs well in all other capacities. Though there are plenty of situations where I can get better pictures on my iPhone 13 pro max (if not taking advantage of wide open apertures on the 50d or creative exposures).

What would you test for? What do you wish you could find out about the cameras you own before you bought them?

Experiences/stories are welcome!

Thanks!

 

[Robmas4229]

After months of deliberation, I have decided to rent a few cameras to test for replacing my aging canon 50d. The first one I am renting is the x100v.

I can't justify renting 3-5 cameras + lenses at the same time. So what would you focus on for testing each camera that you may use weeks or months apart?

I intend to rent a sony a7 iv and a canon r6/r5 at some point as well (or maybe whatever canon is announcing this month). Depending on how the x100v goes, I may also rent an x-t4 or x-s10.

Why the x100v first?

I only needed to rent the camera. No lenses, flashes or other equipment.
I have never used a mirrorless, and I wanted to see what a "basic" model gives me before I get my hands on the more flagship stuff.
I have a family focused event this weekend, where this camera will feel a lot more casual, both for me and my family, than my 50d or similar would.
The leaf shutter (with corresponding high flash sync) and built-in ND (I use ND + flash outside all the time) have really peaked my interest. (Is this a real physical ND? or something software based?)
My primary goal in replacing the 50d is better low light performance and better auto focus. My subjects are primarily my young sons, seven and two. The toddler has made in focus, properly exposed indoor low light photography very challenging on my 50d. The 50d otherwise performs well in all other capacities. Though there are plenty of situations where I can get better pictures on my iPhone 13 pro max (if not taking advantage of wide open apertures on the 50d or creative exposures).
What would you test for? What do you wish you could find out about the cameras you own before you bought them?
Experiences/stories are welcome!
Thanks!

Hello DynamicFun.

Based on your stated primary interests in your two sons (think action and movement), I would certainly place testing emphasis on the focus speed and accuracy first. I would not judge the performance of other Fujifilm bodies based on the X100V's performance alone. While it focuses noticeably faster than it's predecessors, I found a significant difference between it, and my XT3/XT30 with the F2 primes for example.

I just never considered the X100 series all that great for fast moving subjects, especially in low light situations. The V is however, an awesome camera when operated to it's strengths. It just wouldn't be my only camera.

 

[a_c_skinner]

I'd really, really, really look at the X-E4 and 27/2.8. You get the small form factor and low weight with the option of different lenses. If you end up with the X-T? series it is back up.

I take your point about the leaf shutter but that seems a modest sacrifice.

 

[DynamicFun]

Hello DynamicFun.

Based on your stated primary interests in your two sons (think action and movement), I would certainly place testing emphasis on the focus speed and accuracy first. I would not judge the performance of other Fujifilm bodies based on the X100V's performance alone. While it focuses noticeably faster than it's predecessors, I found a significant difference between it, and my XT3/XT30 with the F2 primes for example.

I just never considered the X100 series all that great for fast moving subjects, especially in low light situations. The V is however, an awesome camera when operated to it's strengths. It just wouldn't be my only camera.

The autofocus accuracy (generally for fuji) vs other options is really the only thing that kept me from just pulling the trigger on them.

I don't really see the x100v as my sole camera either (my wife is struggling with that idea!). If for no other reason than I genuinely enjoy shooting with a zoom lens more than with primes. Zooming with your feet just isn't a possibility when you just realized your kid is about to fly over a hill on a sled for an airborn shot and you have only a second or two at most to get framed up.

At the same time, I would definitely give up that "better" camera for one that is almost as good and allows and inspires me to use it more. The 50d often feels like a bit of effort, so I have to do some planning to include it.

From a purely technical stand point, I would assume the sony autofocus would be best. I just don't know if that translates into more frequently in focus and better pictures.

Do you have any experience with the new line of 1.4 r lm wr lenses? I am eyeing one of those as a "first" lens if I end up on x-mount.

 

[Nate Kong]

I can't speak for others, but when I test a camera for myself handling is #1 priority. How it feels in my hands. How it feels when holding one-handed, shooting vertical, shooting low, shooting high. Then I will play with menu and adjust to my liking and check how seemless it is to shoot without removing the camera from my eyes.

Then go out with it a few days. Shoot in different lighting conditions. Check how fast and accurate it is to focus. Image quality is the very last thing I check, because modern cameras are typically capable of creating great images, unless you get a really bad copy.

 

[DynamicFun]

I'd really, really, really look at the X-E4 and 27/2.8. You get the small form factor and low weight with the option of different lenses. If you end up with the X-T? series it is back up.

I take your point about the leaf shutter but that seems a modest sacrifice.

I really want that lens. I always have. Seems like the ultimate option on an x-s10 to me. The problem is the f/2.8 I have on my 50d (17-55) doesn't quite do it for my indoor photography with the kids (without flash, with flash, it can work). The f/1.8 stm lens does much better (but I don't like the focal length for indoor at 84mm ff equivalent. I keep backing into walls).

I know the ISO performance will be better on these decade newer cameras so I can go above 800 without getting a fair amount of noise. Hopefully that will help enable lenses like that one.

I also really like Zoom lenses. The practicality and ability to react quickly has always been appealing.

Why the X-E4 over X-S10? To save a bit of money? Any other reasons?

 

[Robmas4229]

Hello DynamicFun.

Based on your stated primary interests in your two sons (think action and movement), I would certainly place testing emphasis on the focus speed and accuracy first. I would not judge the performance of other Fujifilm bodies based on the X100V's performance alone. While it focuses noticeably faster than it's predecessors, I found a significant difference between it, and my XT3/XT30 with the F2 primes for example.

I just never considered the X100 series all that great for fast moving subjects, especially in low light situations. The V is however, an awesome camera when operated to it's strengths. It just wouldn't be my only camera.

The autofocus accuracy (generally for fuji) vs other options is really the only thing that kept me from just pulling the trigger on them.
I don't really see the x100v as my sole camera either (my wife is struggling with that idea!). If for no other reason than I genuinely enjoy shooting with a zoom lens more than with primes. Zooming with your feet just isn't a possibility when you just realized your kid is about to fly over a hill on a sled for an airborn shot and you have only a second or two at most to get framed up.
At the same time, I would definitely give up that "better" camera for one that is almost as good and allows and inspires me to use it more. The 50d often feels like a bit of effort, so I have to do some planning to include it.
From a purely technical stand point, I would assume the sony autofocus would be best. I just don't know if that translates into more frequently in focus and better pictures.
Do you have any experience with the new line of 1.4 r lm wr lenses? I am eyeing one of those as a "first" lens if I end up on x-mount.

Yes I recently purchased the 33/1.4 and although I have really only had a chance to do "test" shots, I absolutely love it. On my XT3 or XT30-II the focus is fast accurate and almost silent.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Elegance! Size. Weight. If you are going for a small camera go for it. You've suggested a camera that lacks IBIS so that seems out of the game.

The 23/2 is a nice lens too.

 

[DynamicFun]

I can't speak for others, but when I test a camera for myself handling is #1 priority. How it feels in my hands. How it feels when holding one-handed, shooting vertical, shooting low, shooting high. Then I will play with menu and adjust to my liking and check how seemless it is to shoot without removing the camera from my eyes.

Then go out with it a few days. Shoot in different lighting conditions. Check how fast and accurate it is to focus. Image quality is the very last thing I check, because modern cameras are typically capable of creating great images, unless you get a really bad copy.

For me, the only real camera I have ever handled is my 50d. I definitely know there are features I want (control over minimum shutter speed would be nice in modes other than shutter priority). And mirrorless benefits. I throw out quite a few images because I exposed on the wrong thing. I am hoping mirrorless will eliminate that with live exposure. What metering mode I am in, should matter a whole lot less by just adjusting another parameter or exposure compensation dial. But on the 50d I need to be in the right metering mode to get the shot right the first time.

Absolute image quality definitely is not the priority. But that's quite different from properly exposed, in focus results. Any camera that ups those numbers while being a joy to use will be amazing.

Personal story: I only recently switched to primarily using aperture priority from full manual. Why? because I wanted to start using auto iso. And the 50d basically locks iso at 400 when you turn on auto iso in manual mode (this makes no sense to me. but, that's what my camera does). But in aperture priority, it will go the full range to keep the shutter fast enough for the reciprocal rule (I think that's the right one). So, I started using aperture priority with auto exposure, and got a noticeable increase properly taken photos. Nice.

Canon's "newer" fV mode looks really intriguing to me. It should be very functionally similar to using fuji's manual dials on an x-t4. Quickly letting you control what the camera does without leaving the viewfinder.

Did you have any moments that just "clicked" for you?

If you can't tell, I am excited!

 

[DynamicFun]

Elegance! Size. Weight. If you are going for a small camera go for it. You've suggested a camera that lacks IBIS so that seems out of the game.

The 23/2 is a nice lens too.

I actually really want IBIS. But I also know that it likely won't make much difference since I have to keep shutter speeds up a bit for my subjects. Keeping the shutter speed slow is not a priority.

So it's not a deal breaker. All the other ones have IBIS. (That's actually why R/RP were not mentioned)

One dream (and I don't know how feasible it is yet) is to not need flash to get great pictures inside. So, any of these cameras will feel small if I don't have a flash on top of it. Every one of them is considerably smaller or lighter or both than my 50d.

Ironically, my house has a ton of natural light during the day. So I often want a flash as fill light inside or outside during the day (this is more of a want, the pictures generally end up good without flash inside during the day). I won't completely escape that outside. Harsh light is harsh light.

 

[a_c_skinner]

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[DynamicFun]

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[Chas J]

I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this but the biggest 'surprise, surprise' I got when first using a Fuji camera was how slow and unreliable the autofocus system was compared to other brands that I have.

As I understand it, the newer bodies and lenses are better but the combos that I have are poor. All this is by way of saying don't expect too much from Fuji with regard to autofocus.

You will see what I mean when you rent other types / brands that you mention.

FWIW ... and let the castigating begin !.

 

[DynamicFun]

I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this but the biggest 'surprise, surprise' I got when first using a Fuji camera was how slow and unreliable the autofocus system was compared to other brands that I have.

As I understand it, the newer bodies and lenses are better but the combos that I have are poor. All this is by way of saying don't expect too much from Fuji with regard to autofocus.

You will see what I mean when you rent other types / brands that you mention.

FWIW ... and let the castigating begin !.