First day with x100F. Second thoughts. Does form follow function?

[ktmei]

Honestly, in your specific situation I disagree with people saying that you'll get used to it and grow to like it - if you found it to be that bad at first sight. IMO it's one of those cameras that you "fall in love" with instantly - everything just fits. I know, some of you are used to PASM dials and such, but when you complain about such vital parts of the camera, I'm not sure there's any chance you'll get to truly love it and "squeeze" all its potential - which is how the X100 is meant to be used (again, my opinion).

Kind of hard to explain it but I guess we all had a camera like that in our lives (look at me, it's like I'm talking about a person lol).

I'm on board as well. The moment I took the T out of the box, I immediately fell in love with it and spent quite some money on accessories to pimp it out. In the OP's case, it would have been better if the money was spent on an IL Mirrorless instead of a Fixed focal. I've been through many camera bodies and I really, really love the 100 series, can say it cured my GAS.

 

[telefunk]

I've had a Fuji X100F for a day now. Before that my last digital camera purchase was a Canon T2i back in 2008 (!) (primary lenses are 28mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8). Before that I was an aficionado of vintage 35mm and did medium/large format photography.

Thoughts:

* Does form follow function? I can't help but wonder if the "vintage"-style controls are actually not as user-friendly as modern multi-function dials. Yes, I like the looks. But I'm not sure I like the ergonomics of changing the aperture with a ring (on a pancake lens) or the shutter speed with a dial.

* Bigger/heavier than I expected. Why? Is most of that from the large sensor?

* I'm not sure the point of a viewfinder. It was necessary with my 2008-era dSLR.

* Can't believe the default makes it so hard to turn on/off the flash. I guess a programmable Fn key should solve this.

* So far it takes nice pictures, but could I have attained the same image quality in a smaller/cheaper/more-user-friendly package without the vintage feel?

* The UI seems clunkly, though I could just be too used to Canon's UI. Kind of surprised that they aren't using a touch-screen to select focus points these days.

FWIW-- I will probably supplement this with buying a T6i dSLR, because that 85mm f1.8 lens I have takes oh-so-beautiful pictures.

Not yet sure if I'll keep this camera.

Bare with the camera for a while. I experienced huge distress changing cars, cameras, wives, kitchen mixers, mobile phones after many years of use. it takes a while to get used to something new...

 

[ppg677]

I like finding the camera has in-camera USB charging. It is one of those useful features I never even considered.

I'm generally enjoying the camera and an torn in whether to return in favor of something different (like the EOS M6 w/ 22mm).

I'm surprised to find the x100f lacks an in-camera HDR mode. Yes, I'm obviously quite aware of auto-backeting and using Photoshop (and RAW). But I like the out-of-box JPG from my Pixel phone better than the x100f!

 

[John Gellings]

I'm surprised to find the x100f lacks an in-camera HDR mode. Yes, I'm obviously quite aware of auto-backeting and using Photoshop (and RAW).

Chalk this up to the X100 and X-Pro series from Fuji being purist cameras for people who like old school controls and functionality. There are DR200 and DR400 modes, but that's about it.

 

[ppg677]

Another in-camera JPG comparison. Pixel phone vs. x100f. Taken within 30 seconds of each other. Google does invest heavily into photo processing software.

I will say that the x100f does a beautiful job of fill flash and people pics. I'm not gonna post people pics though. But they are fantastic!!

X100F:


PIXEL

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

I'm surprised to find the x100f lacks an in-camera HDR mode. Yes, I'm obviously quite aware of auto-backeting and using Photoshop (and RAW).

Chalk this up to the X100 and X-Pro series from Fuji being purist cameras for people who like old school controls and functionality. There are DR200 and DR400 modes, but that's about it.

You see this across most of the brands, and in electronics in general. Traditional manufacturers are slow to adopt software features which outsider computer and consumer electronics companies innovate with. Olympus, despite being a traditional camera company, has been good about embracing the software aspect of photography. Look at how long it too Fuji to add touch capabilities.

Similar things happened in the phone industry.

It's called disruptive technology.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

 

[Chris Dubea]

I came to my x100s from a Nikon D200. Chalk and cheese....

Where I knew intuitively how to get good shots from my D200 as I had had it for several years, the x100s was a struggle at first.

Drastically different controls, drastically different "philosophy", drastically different shape, etc, etc, etc.

It took me several months before I got comfortable with the Fuji. Months....

I was walking around Point Loma State Park outside of San Diego one day when the weather came in. I set the camera to bracket mode and grabbed three images which I combined in HDR Efex Pro 2 to produce this shot:

At that point, I knew I could sell the Nikon kit, which I did, and move forward with the Fuji. I still have a D70, but the Fuji is my primary camera.

The difference between you and I is I was motivated to conquer the x100 and its idiosyncrasies. It genuinely sounds like you aren't. No criticism here, just an observation.

If you are not motivated to tame the Fuji, then honestly you should return it. Else it will wind up in a drawer somewhere not being used. It's far too much money for that to happen.

Good luck with your choices.

--
Chris

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

Another in-camera JPG comparison. Pixel phone vs. x100f. Taken within 30 seconds of each other. Google does invest heavily into photo processing software.

I will say that the x100f does a beautiful job of fill flash and people pics. I'm not gonna post people pics though. But they are fantastic!!

X100F:


PIXEL

Google knows that phone cameras are all about convenience and laziness which is why they heavily post process the photos automatically. I agree that Fuji could stand to have better HDR as a option in the camera instead of relying on people using an external device to process.

I would point out that while the grass looks better, the sky around the sun looks nasty and blown out in the PIXEL photo, but that's what happens when you apply aggressive HDR. There is always a compromise.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

 

[John Gellings]

I'm surprised to find the x100f lacks an in-camera HDR mode. Yes, I'm obviously quite aware of auto-backeting and using Photoshop (and RAW).

Chalk this up to the X100 and X-Pro series from Fuji being purist cameras for people who like old school controls and functionality. There are DR200 and DR400 modes, but that's about it.

You see this across most of the brands, and in electronics in general. Traditional manufacturers are slow to adopt software features which outsider computer and consumer electronics companies innovate with. Olympus, despite being a traditional camera company, has been good about embracing the software aspect of photography. Look at how long it too Fuji to add touch capabilities.

I actually like Fuji for this reason. I wish they'd purify it even more! I've never been a fan of the Swiss Army Knife philosophy.

 

[ppg677]

Update: well after shooting for a few days, I was planning on keeping the Fuji x100f. Until I started noticing some softness in the left side of the pictures. As I posted in a new thread, I think I pretty much confirmed this with a quick not-totally-scientific test.

So the camera is going back. And since I have a vacation next week, I think I'll just order the Canon M5 + 22mm pancake.

I appreciated the high-quality feel of the camera. I appreciated the in-camera USB charging. I appreciated the nice fill-flash. I even started to appreciate the viewfinder.

I did not appreciate the subtle flaw I found in detail, the lack of any kind of in-camera HDR mode, the unreliable Android application (it frequently crashed), the multi-button presses for enabling/disabling flash (even with the Fn-key remapped!).

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

Unless you want a viewfinder all the time I would suggest the M6 where it is removable. While they both do the same kind of tilting, the M6's screen rotates up 180deg while the M5's rotates down 180deg which means that feature on the M5 is not really usable on a tripod or if you set the camera on something.

Aside form that and some slight differences in the button/dial locations, they are the same basic camera.

 

[nixda]

Update: well after shooting for a few days, I was planning on keeping the Fuji x100f. Until I started noticing some softness in the left side of the pictures. As I posted in a new thread, I think I pretty much confirmed this with a quick not-totally-scientific test.

So the camera is going back. And since I have a vacation next week, I think I'll just order the Canon M5 + 22mm pancake.

I appreciated the high-quality feel of the camera. I appreciated the in-camera USB charging. I appreciated the nice fill-flash. I even started to appreciate the viewfinder.

I did not appreciate the subtle flaw I found in detail, the lack of any kind of in-camera HDR mode, the unreliable Android application (it frequently crashed), the multi-button presses for enabling/disabling flash (even with the Fn-key remapped!).

The problem with such tests is to make sure that the camera sensor is absolutely parallel to the test chart/subject. So, I would recommend setting the camera on a tripod, do that test, then rotate the camera (ideally inside down) to see if the fuzziness is now on the other side.

 

[ppg677]

Unless you want a viewfinder all the time I would suggest the M6 where it is removable. While they both do the same kind of tilting, the M6's screen rotates up 180deg while the M5's rotates down 180deg which means that feature on the M5 is not really usable on a tripod or if you set the camera on something.

Aside form that and some slight differences in the button/dial locations, they are the same basic camera.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

Yeah, I'm still deciding between M5 and M6. I read that the M6 does *not* have some "touch to drag" AF feature that allows you to select focus points while using the EVF. No idea if that is a super useful feature or not.

My thinking for the M5 was that it would do a better job of handling my bigger primes (i.e. 85mm f1.8) when I occasionally use them with the adapter.

 

[ppg677]

Yeah, I'll try it again. Camera was tripod mounted. But it appears it was not perfectly parallel to the wall.

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

Unless you want a viewfinder all the time I would suggest the M6 where it is removable. While they both do the same kind of tilting, the M6's screen rotates up 180deg while the M5's rotates down 180deg which means that feature on the M5 is not really usable on a tripod or if you set the camera on something.

Aside form that and some slight differences in the button/dial locations, they are the same basic camera.

Yeah, I'm still deciding between M5 and M6. I read that the M6 does *not* have some "touch to drag" AF feature that allows you to select focus points while using the EVF. No idea if that is a super useful feature or not.

My thinking for the M5 was that it would do a better job of handling my bigger primes (i.e. 85mm f1.8) when I occasionally use them with the adapter.

The grips look almost the same so I doubt the M5 will handle your larger lenses better. IMO, touch to set AF point while using the EVF is a good feature. I played with both and preferred the second dial location on the M6 better where it was under the exposure comp dial. The M5's built in flash is centered with the lens, which you may like. Something else to think about is that you can't use an external flash and the EVF simultaneously with the M6. You can angle the M6's built in flash up with your finger, but I don't think you can on the M5.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com

 

[Norm Bates]

Yeah, I'll try it again. Camera was tripod mounted. But it appears it was not perfectly parallel to the wall.

Send X100F camera back. Too many thing you do not like, find wrong about X100F, and maybe is not good fit for you. Save money, G.A.S. and shoot with M5. Maybe buy or add M6 to your kit if you cannot controlling G.A.S.
And, most important of all is to enjoy holiday, take many pictures, and not to worry about more new gears.
Hope you show some pictures of holiday here when back.
Regards,
Hung
--
People's Republic of China. Home of THE Great Wall. And proud of it!

 

[ekaton]

I've had a Fuji X100F for a day now. Before that my last digital camera purchase was a Canon T2i back in 2008 (!) (primary lenses are 28mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8). Before that I was an aficionado of vintage 35mm and did medium/large format photography.

Thoughts:

* Does form follow function? I can't help but wonder if the "vintage"-style controls are actually not as user-friendly as modern multi-function dials. Yes, I like the looks. But I'm not sure I like the ergonomics of changing the aperture with a ring (on a pancake lens) or the shutter speed with a dial.

* Bigger/heavier than I expected. Why? Is most of that from the large sensor?

* I'm not sure the point of a viewfinder. It was necessary with my 2008-era dSLR.

* Can't believe the default makes it so hard to turn on/off the flash. I guess a programmable Fn key should solve this.

* So far it takes nice pictures, but could I have attained the same image quality in a smaller/cheaper/more-user-friendly package without the vintage feel?

* The UI seems clunkly, though I could just be too used to Canon's UI. Kind of surprised that they aren't using a touch-screen to select focus points these days.

FWIW-- I will probably supplement this with buying a T6i dSLR, because that 85mm f1.8 lens I have takes oh-so-beautiful pictures.

Not yet sure if I'll keep this camera.

Am I right in assuming that you did not grow up in the film era? And that you are either young or relatively new to photography (or both).

 

[ppg677]

I've had a Fuji X100F for a day now. Before that my last digital camera purchase was a Canon T2i back in 2008 (!) (primary lenses are 28mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8). Before that I was an aficionado of vintage 35mm and did medium/large format photography.

Thoughts:

* Does form follow function? I can't help but wonder if the "vintage"-style controls are actually not as user-friendly as modern multi-function dials. Yes, I like the looks. But I'm not sure I like the ergonomics of changing the aperture with a ring (on a pancake lens) or the shutter speed with a dial.

* Bigger/heavier than I expected. Why? Is most of that from the large sensor?

* I'm not sure the point of a viewfinder. It was necessary with my 2008-era dSLR.

* Can't believe the default makes it so hard to turn on/off the flash. I guess a programmable Fn key should solve this.

* So far it takes nice pictures, but could I have attained the same image quality in a smaller/cheaper/more-user-friendly package without the vintage feel?

* The UI seems clunkly, though I could just be too used to Canon's UI. Kind of surprised that they aren't using a touch-screen to select focus points these days.

FWIW-- I will probably supplement this with buying a T6i dSLR, because that 85mm f1.8 lens I have takes oh-so-beautiful pictures.

Not yet sure if I'll keep this camera.

Am I right in assuming that you did not grow up in the film era? And that you are either young or relatively new to photography (or both).

Well let's see. I still have a (working) wet darkroom in my basement. I use it once in a blue moon. I use to mix my own chemicals from raw ingredients rather than buying pre-packaged crap with short working solution life. I even had a color RA-4 printing setup at one time.

In the past 12 months I have shot medium-format film and developed the film myself.

My 4x5" large format setup admittedly hasn't been used since I had kids. I have a 9- and 6-year old. However from the years 2005 to 2007, I probably exposed a few hundred sheets of 4x5" film. Both color and B&W. If you haven't shot large format before, it takes a good 10-30 minutes to stage a single shot.

I have a collection of Minolta 35mm cameras. An SRT-101 and SRT-202. I admire the workmanship of those cameras all the time. Frankly the x100f looks nice but that silver-painted metal doesn't hold a candle to the silver brassed metal housings of the Minolta SRT series cameras.

I just turned 40 years old.

 

[Woodman100]

if you pick up an a6500 or a7rii with a lense they are very dense and much heavier than they look. The x100f is the lightest and most compact way to get DSLR quality with a viewfinder. A pen with a pancake lens is similar, but won't match the quality because of both the lense and the sensor. Its the thinness which makes it more coat pocket friendly. You have the choice of there viewfinders if you count the digital overlay and its execution is now very good indeed.

I had to replace my excellent Ricoh GR because I could no longer read the screen without glasses so wanted a viewfinder. The wonderful thing is before the camera comes to your eye you can set the main parameters. with the camera to your eye you can hit menu or quick menu for various settings which you can adjust fast with the dials. moving focus points, adjusting zone size etc is super fast with the joystick and dials - its just familiarity

Once you have used it you can intuitively adjust all the manual controls instantly without taking the camera from your eye. I still use my 5d3, but take the 100f 90% of the time, to the extent that I am off to Asia for a few weeks and its the only camera I will be taking. No lenses, fast simple etc. And don't ignore the digital teleconverter its much better than some. Yes you lose a bit of quality, but its in camera upres sampling is very good. Sadly its jpeg only, so I switch between jpeg and Jpeg+Raw quite a bit. I only wish a firmware would allow the crop or even whole readout to be captured when in Raw+Jpeg.

Learn the camera and its a joy in this iteration.

As has been said, water resistance and tilt screen would make it close to perfect.

 

[John Gellings]

As I posted in a new thread, I think I pretty much confirmed this with a quick not-totally-scientific test.

Well, I guess you manufactured a reason to return it...