douglasf13 wrote:
Well, reality is smacking me in the face today. I've been playing with this new X100 for several hours, and really can't believe how enjoyable it is. For lack of a better term, I feel like I'm using a "real" camera again.
The curse of using that nex 5/5n for so long ? just joking. Glad you're liking it! Please share some photos when you have time and a collection you wouldnt mind sharing?
Your points on AF, VF, focal length are what initially put me off. Perhaps an X200 will answer some of those, but no talk of such a camera, so I guess we won't see an update for a couple of years or so.
BTW, can anyone explain why the X100's aperture is so active all of the time? With my NEX cameras in A mode, the aperture always remains at shooting aperture, and in good light, it focuses at that shooting aperture. The only time it changes is in lowlight, where the lens opens all the way up to focus and then closes down to shooting aperture when the shutter activates.
Just watching the X100's aperture as I aim all around, the aperture is constantly in flux, opening and closing as the light changes, and it seems very inefficient for AF, the battery, and the sticky aperture blade issue. For instance, when I was just out in the sun, it looked like the aperture was at about f16 when the camera was at rest. When I half pressed the shutter to AF, the aperture looks like it goes through one or more aperture changes for each half press. It seems that Fuji could still improve this quite a bit.
Oddly, it seems shooting in lowlight at f2 is the most efficient on the X100, because the lens stays wide open the whole time and doesn't check down into other apertures.
It seems like the wildly varying reports in AF performance with the X100 could have something to do with how close your chosen shooting aperture is to the aperture the camera has chosen to pick for the light you're currently in. Am I crazy here? I realized this because, yesterday, I felt pretty happy shooting some lowlight pics of my son at f2, but, today, I was outside and it seemed the AF was actually slower, but I thought it was just my imagination.
ricardovaste wrote:
The curse of using that nex 5/5n for so long ? just joking.
Ha! To tell ya the truth, my 5, 5N NEX-7 and even my A100, A700 and A900 all never quite had the magic for me in use, although they're all fine cameras that I've used considerably without much issue. Heck, I was even recently trying to convince Tariq that I'm fine with EVFs, but I'm beginning to think that it's just because I haven't shot a fun camera in so long. Fuji was really sinister in making this little X100 that seems to tug more at my emotional side, rather than my analytical side. Wrap average digital internals with a camera body that feels and operates like a "film-ish" camera, and I guess I'm a sucker. At least it wasn't $7K w/o a lens!
douglasf13 wrote:
BTW, can anyone explain why the X100's aperture is so active all of the time? With my NEX cameras in A mode, the aperture always remains at shooting aperture, and in good light, it focuses at that shooting aperture. The only time it changes is in lowlight, where the lens opens all the way up to focus and then closes down to shooting aperture when the shutter activates.
Just watching the X100's aperture as I aim all around, the aperture is constantly in flux, opening and closing as the light changes, and it seems very inefficient for AF, the battery, and the sticky aperture blade issue. For instance, when I was just out in the sun, it looked like the aperture was at about f16 when the camera was at rest. When I half pressed the shutter to AF, the aperture looks like it goes through one or more aperture changes for each half press. It seems that Fuji could still improve this quite a bit.
Oddly, it seems shooting in lowlight at f2 is the most efficient on the X100, because the lens stays wide open the whole time and doesn't check down into other apertures.
It seems like the wildly varying reports in AF performance with the X100 could have something to do with how close your chosen shooting aperture is to the aperture the camera has chosen to pick for the light you're currently in. Am I crazy here? I realized this because, yesterday, I felt pretty happy shooting some lowlight pics of my son at f2, but, today, I was outside and it seemed the AF was actually slower, but I thought it was just my imagination....Show more →
I believe what's happening is that the aperture is constantly adjusting in order to provide the rear LCD/ EVF (even if you are not using it) proper exposure with the least amount of gain applied. I don't think there can be any doubt this behavior puts more ware and tare on the aperture blades, perhaps contributing to SAB eventually, and I think Fuji should offer the option for the user to prevent the constant aperture dance.
douglasf13 wrote:
Ha! To tell ya the truth, my 5, 5N NEX-7 and even my A100, A700 and A900 all never quite had the magic for me in use, although they're all fine cameras that I've used considerably without much issue. Heck, I was even recently trying to convince Tariq that I'm fine with EVFs, but I'm beginning to think that it's just because I haven't shot a fun camera in so long. Fuji was really sinister in making this little X100 that seems to tug more at my emotional side, rather than my analytical side. Wrap average digital internals with a camera body that feels and operates like a "film-ish" camera, and I guess I'm a sucker. At least it wasn't $7K w/o a lens! ...Show more →
Ha ha...after I sold my x100 and bought the NEX-7!
Tariq Gibran wrote:
I believe what's happening is that the aperture is constantly adjusting in order to provide the rear LCD/ EVF (even if you are not using it) proper exposure with the least amount of gain applied. I don't think there can be any doubt this behavior puts more ware and tare on the aperture blades, perhaps contributing to SAB eventually, and I think Fuji should offer the option for the user to prevent the constant aperture dance.
I guess that makes since in lowlight, but I'm trying to understand why the camera is also closing down in good light. I think Sony's implementation is much better, and I agree that Fuji should at least make it an option, especially since much of the appeal of this camera is the OVF, anyways.
I no longer have mine but could it be to somehow protect the sensor in bright light situations? Seems like I remember reading to turn on OVF power save mode and this will stop the aperture dance but you loose the live histogram and other features.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
I no longer have mine but could it be to somehow protect the sensor in bright light situations? Seems like I remember reading to turn on OVF power save mode and this will stop the aperture dance but you loose the live histogram and other features.
When I turn on the OVF power save mode, the aperture is completely closed until shutter button is pressed, and then the camera still dances through what looks like at least 2 or 3 apertures before shooting, so it really doesn't change much. It seems to me that Fuji could implement Sony's method, which is to leave the aperture at shooting aperture, except indoors, where the aperture opens up completely for focusing. The X100's aperture seems to do at least 2 aperture adjustments when you half press the shutter, and sometimes more. Odd. What could be different about Sony's hardware to allow this different method?
FlyPenFly wrote:
The loose EX comp dial used to drive me crazy, did they stiffen that up?
I've had one of the first ones off the line, and I've had a pretty recent one, in addition to also shooting a friends, which is why I re-bought one last year and the EC dial felt the same on all of them.
I think there simply is no basis of reference for what to one person is "loose"
One review could think it is, give the same camera to another person and they think its fine.
Some users simply seem to have issue with not being used to a dial like that, they grab it out of the bag and spin it and don't think to check it for example.
Me on the other hand, I make regular use of the EC dial when I'm shooting and I'm always mentally paying attention to the camera controls. Unless I"m really distracted I"m just not going to walk around all day with my camera set to -2 and not notice it and then say it must of gotten bumped lol.
One simple fix for those who may find it moves to easily for their way of handling the camera is to get a very thin rubber band, very thin, and stretch it over the dial and then allow it to go back to its smaller diameter underneath the dial, the little bit of added friction this causes should make it tough to spin on accident.
Never done it myself as I don't think its an issue but have heard reports it works, just FYI
The o-ring (or rubber band) over the dial method is what I was planning, so I ordered the recommended size, but my dial is stiff enough to not need it, for me. I've yet to have the dial accidentally bumped even once, although I haven't used it much. In fact, since I use my index finger to change the exp. comp., I don't think I'd want the dial any firmer. If I was a betting man, I'd bet that mine is firmer than prior X100s, because I really can't imagine anyone complaining about mine being loose. I've read that, like the X10 and X-Pro1, the new black X100 has a firmer dial, but I haven't seen anything about newer silver X100s, so maybe it is just me?
douglasf13 wrote:
Interesting point. Does the X-Pro1 do this?
When I owned it, it did and was actually audible (it made a constant chatter), so it was a big deal for some. Fuji updated the firmware and apparently made it quiter, though I don't know if the movement was just reduced or stopped completely. The X-Pro1 of course does not have the leaf shutter of the X100.
douglasf13 wrote:
You must have misunderstood me. I already did buy it, and I do think it's great, but I'm glad I waited. My copy of the camera doesn't have a loose exp. comp dial, probably won't have SAB, and several of the firmware improvements are welcome. I'd still personally have preferred a 45mm lens, but I'm learning to accommodate. I do wish the camera had my NEX-7's sensor, too, but I'll likely not notice too much at my print size.
No, I understood you bought it now. My point was that you could have had it much earlier. Don't get too confident about not getting SAB. There are several brand new reports on the forums with recent purchasers having gotten SAB not one month after purchase. Far too many reports. Fujifilm has not fixed this problem at all.
I'm on 1 year without SAB. I hope it stays that way.
douglasf13 wrote:
Ha! To tell ya the truth, my 5, 5N NEX-7 and even my A100, A700 and A900 all never quite had the magic for me in use, although they're all fine cameras that I've used considerably without much issue. Heck, I was even recently trying to convince Tariq that I'm fine with EVFs, but I'm beginning to think that it's just because I haven't shot a fun camera in so long. Fuji was really sinister in making this little X100 that seems to tug more at my emotional side, rather than my analytical side. Wrap average digital internals with a camera body that feels and operates like a "film-ish" camera, and I guess I'm a sucker. At least it wasn't $7K w/o a lens! ...Show more →
I think many echo your feelings here, the X100 certainly tugged at many of our hearts, rather than our heads, when first released. Then, when all was said and done, the negatives seemed to out weight the 'purity' of the thing. After a couple of firmware updates, it seems to be a little more refined, and then the price continued to slip, it became more attractive again (at least in my mind). I always felt from the beginning it offered good value for what it was, but what it was wasn't for everyone... So yeah, it is quite a unique experience for the price you can get them for now.
Do you find yourself using the OVF or EVF most often?
The problem you mention with the aperture being erratic during bright conditions seems weird. I don't know how Fuji fair in this area, but I wonder what the likely hood of them continuing to refine it with further firmware updates are? They appear to still be making it, but it's a while since it was released now so I wonder if they'll just rule a line under it, and focus on other/future X-series products...
The return policy is not great if you intend to return it in case something is wrong with the camera. They talk about "all returns"
"You may return an item in its original condition for a refund or credit within 10 days of receiving. You must call to get an RMA number (No return will be acceppted without an RMA number). All returns must be accompanied with your Invoice. After a return has been received, it will take 1-2 weeks to process. There is a twenty percent restocking fee and shipping and handling are non-refundable. If using a credit card, refunds will be credited to your account. If paying by check or money order, a refund check will be mailed to you. We suggest using UPS or insured Parcel Post for your protection. For additional information please refer to our store policy."
Not very reliable actually. 42nd photo has had this reputation for notoriously hassling and trying to upsale customers, often lying to them about what's needed/ required, for over twenty years. Perhaps there are some ways someone might get their advertised price without becoming a victim but they are shady.
just joking. Glad you're liking it! Please share some photos when you have time and a collection you wouldnt mind sharing?
To tell ya the truth, my 5, 5N NEX-7 and even my A100, A700 and A900 all never quite had the magic for me in use, although they're all fine cameras that I've used considerably without much issue. Heck, I was even recently trying to convince Tariq that I'm fine with EVFs, but I'm beginning to think that it's just because I haven't shot a fun camera in so long. Fuji was really sinister in making this little X100 that seems to tug more at my emotional side, rather than my analytical side. Wrap average digital internals with a camera body that feels and operates like a "film-ish" camera, and I guess I'm a sucker. 
At least it wasn't $7K w/o a lens! 