Just took delivery of this camera yesterday, super impressed with it so far. All the reviews seem pretty spot on (fantastic IQ, slow/poor AF, terrible menu UI). I think I'm going to love this camera and all its quirks.
Nce shots! I not for the aperture issue, I would own another one.
I suspected my x100 was starting to randomly develop the sticky aperture issue. After assigning the FN button to dof preview and testing it a bit, it did appear to sometimes not stop down enough and to randomly do this. I used this video as a guide to what the aperture should look like at each stop.
Do keep in mind though that your only looking to see the aperture shape when it stops down initially. If there is any bright light source around, the aperture may appear to stick when it's opening back up but this is normal - it does this in the presence of light, even on full manual.
Called Fuji service last wednesday, they received my camera friday and I received it back today with a complete new lens assembly. That's pretty quick turn around given the weekend. Steve S., the person I dealt with on the phone, said they shoot for a 48 hr turnaround. When I asked him "how do I know the camera will not suffer this dame fault again", he really went out of his way to stress that the new lens assembly was different (different as in a new design) than the one which shipped on my camera. Anyway, the camera seems to be working perfectly now. I was actually concerned to send this one in as I really loved the quality of the lens I had and was afraid the new lens might be somehow optically inferior. After some tests, it actually seems to be better!
I do suspect after going through this process that this issue is more wide spread than I initially thought. For one, in the U.S. when you call and get through the menu system to professional service, there is a specific option for X100 repair. Secondly, I had the feeling the repairs were starting to get backed up. Anyway, my suggestion is - if you test it and it seems off, just send it in. Piece of mind goes a long way when your out shooting something you can only capture once.
h00ligan wrote:
The issue for me is, they should be extending the warranty on this specific issue..like the MacBook nvidia issue.
I think it's highly likely they will given that they have done so in the past whenever their professional DSLR's had issues. Perhaps they are waiting until the camera approaches it's one year b-day when this would actually start becoming necessary for users. You can bet there would be a HUGE outcry accompanied with really bad press, etc. which would tarnish their reputation right at a time when Fuji is jumping back into the pro digital market so it's hard to imagine them not doing so.
Regarding Apple, they have a history of waiting as long as they can for doing such things. Perhaps it's a matter of these companies seeing how things shake out and getting all the info they can before acting - I don't know.
Tariq Gibran...
I'm looking to possibly get an X100 to alleviate the carrying around my 1D4 all the time!! When I carry the 1D4 with either the Rok 35 or the ZE 100MP, people RUN the other way, including my family!! For taking kid shots, casual walk around and on the fly pictures, It seems to this very well!! Would it be smart to buy a new one, hopefully to avoid the above lens problem, or would a really good used one suffice(a few here on FM)? I'm in the process(again) of letting a few lenses go to finance other things(a new car for my wife!! ), and thought this might be a good camera! I like its compactness, but how does it compare, to say, a Nex-5N with a decent small fast lens?
Looking forward to your answer...or anyone's, for that matter!
Thank you,
Gregg
However I have a 5N and an X100 out for delivery. Have tried a friends and I expect the X100 to feel closer in size to the NEX then this indicates as the lens on the NEX is larger.
The problem with the size comparison with a Nex-5 is the lens. Any comparable lens is much bigger on the Nex, making it awful to hold due to the strange weight balance*. It's much better to have a bigger body and a small lens, than the other way around. I think already with the 18-55 kit lens the balance is off with the Nex.
The size of the Nex-5 is a disadvantage in every occasion other than coupled with the 16 mm pancake lens if you really want the smallest kit available. YMMV.
* And don't forget that the depth of the camera is a more restrictive factor than the length or width, if you for example want to carry it in a pocket. Quite possible with a X100, very impossible with a Nex.
Greggf wrote:
Tariq Gibran...
I'm looking to possibly get an X100 to alleviate the carrying around my 1D4 all the time!! When I carry the 1D4 with either the Rok 35 or the ZE 100MP, people RUN the other way, including my family!! For taking kid shots, casual walk around and on the fly pictures, It seems to this very well!! Would it be smart to buy a new one, hopefully to avoid the above lens problem, or would a really good used one suffice(a few here on FM)? I'm in the process(again) of letting a few lenses go to finance other things(a new car for my wife!! ), and thought this might be a good camera! I like its compactness, but how does it compare, to say, a Nex-5N with a decent small fast lens?
Looking forward to your answer...or anyone's, for that matter!
Thank you,
Gregg...Show more →
Hi Gregg,
I dont see the nex 5n and x100 as being interchangeabl at all after owning the original nex5 myself. First, the unique built in finder of the x100 in use is a very different shooting experience. Secondly, a nex with an equivent f2 24mm lens would be much larger and much more expensive. The lens, finder and compact fast lens in aps format in the most compact size is unbeatable in the x100 imho but if you need the versatility of interchangable lenses, then nex would be the choice. I also much prefer the total iq of the x100, particularly the color.
I would not recomend a used x100 right now given the potential of ending up with a camera that might require service at some point. The warranty is not transferrable and you likely have a better chance of receiving a new one with the newer version aperture mechanism. Plus, if you buy from AMAZON, you have 30 days to decide if the x100 is for you or not.
), and thought this might be a good camera! I like its compactness, but how does it compare, to say, a Nex-5N with a decent small fast lens?