p.2 #1X100VI first impressions + running commentary
Fred Miranda wrote:
Thanks for sharing your initial thoughts. I appreciate your balanced perspective, showing both positives and negatives. It's refreshing to see initial impressions that cover both aspects, as many reviews tend to focus only on the positives. I anticipated that the 10% increase in weight would be noticeable, especially for those familiar with the previous version. Therefore, the additional 43g isn't just a trivial amount, even though gaining 6 stops of IBIS seems to be a significant advantage...BTW, I'm a fan of your Gold recipe!
You mentioned that the lens operates at a slower pace, but also said that the autofocus is noticeably improved compared to the X100V. So, while the autofocus locks faster, the slower lens movement could potentially affect focus accuracy?
I've read somewhere that the Fuji X100VI relies on internal gyros for automatic shake detection. Does this mean it generates gyroscopic data that could be utilized for post-production stabilization?
In my view, the inclusion of the HEIF file type is a significant feature that doesn't receive enough attention. Finally, we have the option to shoot in RAW + HEIF (with film simulation) or just HEIF, providing much better compression and a higher color output of approximately 1 billion (HEIF 10-bit) compared to 17 million (JPEG 8-bit). That should translate to smoother color gradation and less banding. I wish we could have that option for previous cameras via firmware....Show more →
I appreciate the feedback on the Gold recipe!
I should have been a little more specific about my AF comments.
- The AF motors appear to be the same speed in terms of focus racking as the V
- The AF on the VI seems to be more "sure" of itself when the prefocus is near where it needs to be and there is less racking
There was this, for lack of a better term, lag when focusing and firing the shutter on the V that is no longer present on the VI. The actual taking of the picture from start of AF to shutter firing feels much more sure of itself and faster. For what it's worth, I never had any issues with the V's focus accuracy, just the hunting to get there from time to time because of the slow focusing motors.
I would love to know the answer about the gyro data for post stabilization. I'm also going to play with 6k since it's a slight crop and see if the overall output appears more stabilized than the full sensor 4k.
I have never played with a HIEF file in Lightroom, that's a great idea. I'll take a few photos of a controlled scene with both HEIF and JPEG and see what's what and post thoughts here.
So far, I haven't found anything that's a step backwards so to speak except for a few tolerance issues, but the 23/2 is clearly showing its age. That said, I'll always prefer an infocus image to a quickly misfocused image...that's why I picked up a Yashica T4 instead of a Contax T2
p.2 #3X100VI first impressions + running commentary
Am I seeing more 3D pop / micro contrast, or is it just me? It’s not like full frame Zeiss or Leica pop, but I feel like I don’t remember seeing that on the x100v - granted I only had the V for a very short time.
p.2 #4X100VI first impressions + running commentary
danslides wrote:
Am I seeing more 3D pop / micro contrast, or is it just me? It’s not like full frame Zeiss or Leica pop, but I feel like I don’t remember seeing that on the x100v - granted I only had the V for a very short time.
I didn't want to say that but it was the very first thing I noticed. I need way more time to play with it to make that call, but many have said they experienced the same thing moving from the Gen 4 to Gen 5 sensor (Fred included, I think!).
p.2 #5X100VI first impressions + running commentary
V has been listed, anyone that knows how I treat my gear should know what condition this bad boy is in. I'll even not format it so you get my film sim included out of the box
p.2 #7X100VI first impressions + running commentary
I have never used clarity for that reason so I couldn’t say, unfortunately. Ive seen YouTubers mention that it’s still intrusive.
It’s the reason I use a 10% mist filter instead of a -5 clarity setting. Best of both worlds. The light blooms are an added benefit you’ll never get from the settings.
stuuke wrote:
Is the processing any faster when using clarity in a recipe?
p.2 #10X100VI first impressions + running commentary
As a long time X100V photographer, I cannot see any such difference. 3D, microcontrast and the "pop" depend so much on settings, and the case of Fuji also film simulations. The optical difference between V and earlier models was very easy to notice, though. The orginal X100 lens was a little soft(ish) and low contrast.
IBIS, more resolution and better af are wellcome. Especially IBIS - it makes X100 so much more useful in many travel, street and hiking scenarios.
I am tempted but on hold for now X100VI has useful improvements but it does not make X100V redundant in any way.
danslides wrote:
Am I seeing more 3D pop / micro contrast, or is it just me? It’s not like full frame Zeiss or Leica pop, but I feel like I don’t remember seeing that on the x100v - granted I only had the V for a very short time.
p.2 #11X100VI first impressions + running commentary
I fully agree. If the V is working for you, there is nothing materially game changing about the VI.
tuomkok wrote:
I am tempted but on hold for now X100VI has useful improvements but it does not make X100V redundant in any way.
danslides wroteAm I seeing more 3D pop / micro contrast, or is it just me? It’s not like full frame Zeiss or Leica pop, but I feel like I don’t remember seeing that on the x100v - granted I only had the V for a very short time.
p.2 #12X100VI first impressions + running commentary
My idea of purchasing the 100V from the glut of owners who have gas for the X100VI might not work out as planned. Why offshore production for profit? Rhetorical question I know, but why not just continue the 100V and stop the madness and waste of planned obsolescence? I started shooting film again because of the ridiculous expectations that consumers expect from digital cameras, only to be heaped on the pile of archaic junk once the next greatest 60mp BSI sensor, with 10 stops ibis in the next X100VII that all must have to be a better photographer!
p.2 #14X100VI first impressions + running commentary
Ok, here is a test of the digital teleconverter. To my eyes, it appears that they fixed the oversized grain in the digital zoom, but please check my eyes, it's early and my coffee hasn't kicked in yet. Note, I'm referring to the grain I add within my film sim, not regular ISO grain. These are all wide open with mist filter, so stopped down and without would be considerably sharper yet. 70mm looks totally usable to me.
p.2 #17X100VI first impressions + running commentary
Looking very sharp Scott! There are a lot of details in the images, dynamic range looks excellent too.
The 70mm digital TC looks very useable too (Magna-Flow shot). I intend to use the 70mm for heads and shoulders shots. Pretty sure resolution is plenty enough for 8.5 x 11 print.
p.2 #18X100VI first impressions + running commentary
johnld wrote:
My idea of purchasing the 100V from the glut of owners who have gas for the X100VI might not work out as planned. Why offshore production for profit? Rhetorical question I know, but why not just continue the 100V and stop the madness and waste of planned obsolescence? I started shooting film again because of the ridiculous expectations that consumers expect from digital cameras, only to be heaped on the pile of archaic junk once the next greatest 60mp BSI sensor, with 10 stops ibis in the next X100VII that all must have to be a better photographer!
You don’t have to buy into the planned obsolescence business, as you point out.
A company like Fujifilm, for better or for worse, lives in an economy of incrementally improving products. So in order to remain competitive it is necessary to upgrade and improve their own over time.
You can think of it a bit like how we (at least most of us) regard automobiles. This year’s new model probably incorporates some tweaks and improvements over last year’s and even more over 1-3 years ago. But we don’t need to replace our cars every time a new model comes out.
But eventually it is time to replace it, and at that point we get the sum total of all of those increment improvements over those years… and we’re glad that they were made.