Posts Tagged ‘Leica’
Fuji X100 ~ Review: A Love Returned, Nostalgia Reclaimed
Fuji X100 Review
Introduction
I really only want to write once about the amazing Fuji X100. I will satisfy that intention by approaching it from two aspects:
- As somebody who recently moved from an SLR system; replacing his setup with just the Fuji X100 (most of the technical comparisons are against my previous Canon equipment, some might consider this the wrong approach as the Fuji X100 isn’t an SLR replacement, but it is what it is).
- As somebody who wanted to get back to the simplicity and joy of using a rangefinder camera (this was after having previously flirted with a number of them over the years, in particular a pair of Contax G2′s).
Image by Flickr User Nokton
So you’re reading this, there is no doubt you’re already well informed about the Fuji X100. Especially if you have been a regular reader of this blog. I’ve posted so much news, reviews and general information about the Fuji X100. I’ll dispense with in-depth tests, image results, pixel peeping and weighty comparisons. You will have read them elsewhere. I’ll re-post some of the links if I feel I can’t add anything to what has already been published.
As we all know, the excitement started in September 2010 at the Photokina Trade show. When I first saw the X100, I thought it could give back to me a bit of my nostalgia for handling a film camera, while at the same time I also thought, finally this is what many photographers have been asking for; a digital sensor wrapped around the beauty and character of a rangefinder camera.
Image by Flickr User Tingan Bow
It didn’t surprise me that it would be Fuji who were bringing a digital rangefinder to market. Fujifilm were always a little different with their innovations, releasing cameras now and again that were a bit odd; making us sit up and think for a moment. They did it with the GF670 (medium format film camera) and the Fuji W1 (a 3-D camera).
Fuji X100 ~ David Babsky: How to Show Irrational Bias (Part 1)
This review of the X100 blew my mind when I read it the first time, it’s by a guest writer called David Babsky over at stevehuffphoto.com. This review does Steve Huff no favours while it’s on his website, as it’s a terrible piece of writing both in content and form. It’s surprising when David Babsky can’t articulate himself in the manner befitting a teacher. The piece is an insult to Steve Huff’s audience, the quality is just that bad with no journalistic integrity, monkeys must have written and proof read it.
Normally I would just make a comment and move on, but you’ll see later in part two why I didn’t. David’s severe unprofessional negative bias is revealed right away, there’s no attempt at all to be objective or take a constructive critical approach.* It’s clear David just wants to bash a camera he doesn’t want to buy.
I’ve provided a breakdown of the 15 problems in his review with what I think is a fair rebuttal.
Fuji X100 ~ Round Up Parts 3 and 4
The Phoblographer has written a six day field test of the Fuji X100. Fairly in-depth covering his first six days with the camera. Check out the days, I’ve included the sections for each day as well:
- Day 1 - Ergonomics, Focusing, Handling, Menus, Ease of Use, Image Quality (there is also an attempt to shoot manually).
- Day 2 – Quirks, Image Quality (film modes), Metering, Macro Mode,
- Day 3 – Film Modes, Metering, Viewfinder Overlay, Bokeh & Image Quality (Macro Mode), About 35mm,
- Day 4 – Conditions, Flash, Macro Focusing in Low Light
- Day 5 – Exposure Fine Tuning, Exploring the Meter, ND Filter, High ISO, Low Light Focusing, Auto White Balance
- Day 6 – Battery and using it with a DIY Ring Flash.
- Michael Carptentier reviews his Fuji X100 against the Panasonic GF1. Originally in French but it’s been run through the Google Translator here. Good comparison between the two cameras. I’m still buying the Fuji X100 though.
- Dpreview have updated their Studio Comparisons, they have also included Fuji X100 test shots.
- Thom Hogan says ‘skip for now’.
- Outback Photo: Field Test Review - Nice lengthy write up with plenty of test images.
- Great size comparison of the X100 against a Leica IIIf
- Ryan Brenizer has used his X100 on a wedding shoot, he shares his well considered thoughts.
- Steve Huff: The top 7 complaints of the X100 and how I get around them. – Great list of fixes to the most common complaints with this camera, most of which are shockingly easy to overcome and aren’t actually an issue.
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- Does the current battery charger annoy you with its cable? The guys over at x100enthusiasts.com have come up with a clever hack to cut out the cord. Check it out here, the picture says it all.
- The same guys from x100enthusiasts have also create a Hyper-focal distance chart for the X100.
- This last link from the same website as previous has a discussion about alternative camera straps. Personally I’m a fan of the standard strap until I find another one I had my eye on but can’t remember the link to. Why? I can wear the camera under my jacket and forget about it while walking around. Though the Gordy strap at the end of the discussion does look nice.
- Do you want a solution to couple GPS to your FujiX100 (or any camera really)? Check out gps4cam over on the Apple App Store.
- Daisuki Photo have tested some SD memory cards for your Fuji X100. More comprehensive then the information I linked to in a previous update. They tested 7 SD cards, surprisingly, some are faster than others but are rated slower. Anyway, we all want to buy one of the new UHS-1 cards don’t we? :-) Helpfully, Daisuki have shopping links to various countries if you want to purchase them.
- For those interested, Daisuki Photo also have a X100 vs GF1 review (making a few comparisons between all the regular attributes plus a video quality comparison), ISO test between the X100 and the GH2 and a size comparison between the X100, GF1, GH2 and the EPL-2. It’s amazing how the X100 isn’t that much bigger and even more amazing how I didn’t come across this website earlier.
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Petr Kleiner’s photo stream can be found here. There are a whole series of these beautifully crafted portraits so check them out. Petr is really showing off what the Fuji X100 can do. The actual image can be found here.
Pigeon & People
Photo taken by photovia, his photostream can be found here.
Round Up ~ April’s Blog Posts
A round up of posts from the month of April, in reverse chronological order. (Newest at the top).
- App Review ~ Portfolio
- Adobe: This is how you do it
- App Review ~ Minimal Folio
- Simon Heys of Minimal Folio Interviewed
- Street Photography – Documenting the Human Condition
- App Review ~ Collections for iPad
- Simon Lunt of Teleportfolio Interviewed
- Old Media is New Media, again
- PadFolios App Review – Part 1
- PadFolios App Review – Part 2
- Fuji X100 ~ Blogs, rumours and portraits
- Fuji X100 – A week’s retrospective
- Fuji X100 – From Norway to Japan
- Fuji X100 – Mini roundup and thoughts
- Fuji X100 – Frustrations and customisations
- Fuji X100 ~ Tips, tricks and charger alternatives
- Fuji X100 vs 5Dmk2 vs 7D
- Fuji X100 – Firmware
- Fuji X100 – Personal Moments
- Fuji X100 vs Leica M9 & Raw Support
Street Photography – Documenting the Human Condition
Free eBook called ‘Street Photography for the Purist’. The ebook can be downloaded here.
A series of videos that follow on from the eBook. Split into 3 parts. (part 1, part 2, part 3).
If you’re into street photography I recommend downloading them. Very informative and it’s good to watch a group of photographers get out onto the street and explain intimately their inspirations and personal view on good street photography. The video documentary is a series of interviews with a sprinkling of scenes from when the group of photographers go out shooting together.
I’m not really selling it to everyone unless I also mention how the various photographers; (all based in LA btw) approach their subjects, explain their personal motivations, stress the importance of stealth, debate the encumbrance of an SLR vs the silence of a rangefinder (specifically a Leica). A great resource for any photographer wanting to pick up their camera and get out on the street.
A great resource to open anybody up to this particular genre.
Discusses what s a good street photographer
Source: Patrick La Roque’s blog.
Original source: Chris Weeks (website) APhotoContributor (blog)
Leica M9 Review
A huge and lovingly crafted review of the M9. I’ll quote John Gruber as I can’t describe it better myself:~
“12-page “review” of the Leica M9, written over a long stretch of time of actual field use. Effectively, an ongoing journal as camera review. Splendid photos, too”.
Source DaringFireball.
Fuji X100 ~ Seal: How to Show Irrational Bias (Part 2)
with 12 comments
Following on from Part One. What was also of huge interest and blew my mind a second time was what I found in the comments section. Seal, the international pop star and Leica Ambassador weighs in with his opinion and serves to show how subjectivity gets in the way of a good discussion. Seal posts under the alias ’`6‘ by the way.
The discussion is about the Leica X1 vs the X100 and which on a technical level is the better tool. Sadly, the latter part isn’t true, it never goes there because Seal decides to threaten those he is talking against.
While I’ll narrate the comments, in the interests of being fair I’ll repost them in their entirely here so you can make your own mind up as well.
Why am I doing this? This is an appeal for closure, I would love for Seal to respond in a more constructive way, explaining himself. Importantly I also expected a more intelligent response from somebody in Seal’s position.
The comments can be found here at the bottom of the page of David Babsky’s rant.
Read the rest of this entry »
Written by jonathanjk
May 28, 2011 at 15:25
Posted in Waffles
Tagged with AF issues, ambassador, Apple, chad wadsworth, commentators, comments, david babsky, fuji, hasselblad, Leica, seal, steve huff, threatened, x1, x100