Posts Tagged ‘viewfinder’
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 ~ 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.
