I am fairly new to the current line of Fujifilm cameras. My only experience is their GW690II medium format film camera I've owned for years.
Why are there so many of the X100VI for sale here and elsewhere?
What was it about this camera that so many of you bought with such confidence and waited until they were back in stock that now you've decided you didn't want or need it any more.
Was it a jump on the bandwagon / impulse buy just to see what the excitement was all about or did you make a very informed decision to buy then decided it wasn't for you?
I am sure many of the sellers are flipping these cameras for quick cash or was it something else.
Must be something happening in US. Taking a look X100 versions inventory at MPB, it seems that it is business as usual.
What is noticeable, is that like new and excellent condition prices do not vary much between X100VI, V and F. VI is most expensive but the highest price from like new X100F is 1329e which I consider very high.
The camera is utterly attractive. But that initial "feel good" goes away and leaves you with a camera that is not bad, but also not really excellent (AF being one weak spot). Then the limitations of a fixed lens start showing. It took me two X100V and three X100VI to finally get cured. Now very happy with the X-E5. And I guess that is the camera that many X100 folks are turning to.
Nielk Mike wrote:
The camera is utterly attractive. But that initial "feel good" goes away and leaves you with a camera that is not bad, but also not really excellent (AF being one weak spot). Then the limitations of a fixed lens start showing. It took me two X100V and three X100VI to finally get cured. Now very happy with the X-E5. And I guess that is the camera that many X100 folks are turning to.
If the fixed lens camera is an issue then why buy one in the first place? Why not the X-Pro3?
I guess we want what we want until we want something else...
A lot of people without requisite experience are told by influencers that they NEED the X100. They have no context of what the limitations of a fixed lens are, and how it might not be the long term investment they think it is.
I guess I don't see this rapid decline in popularity. Few for sale at or above MSRP when I look around. You would think that with high numbers sold, there would be high numbers for sale on the used market but not really the case.
I don't think there is any rhyme or reason. It's probably a matter of timing that you are seeing more for sale now. The camera has been out for a while, people have had it long enough to decide if they want to keep it or not. Perhaps there are some people who are "flipping" it, but probably a small fraction of the listings.
I have owned two X-100 cameras and was tempted until I saw the long wait. I got an X-E5/2.8 and could not be happier with the camera/lens. Sure glad now I couldn't get the VI when I tried!
One factor, though perhaps not the only one, is that some people bought the X100vi after hearing so much hype about it being the cool camera, only to realize that they would better off with an interchangeable lens camera like the XE5, the XT5, etc.
(Assuming that the uptick in sales offers that the OP mentions is real and that it isn’t just a temporary anomaly.)
For some people and some purposes, the fixed lens design is great. For many others it isn’t the best functional decision.
I've owned three generations of the X100 series. The x100F was replaced by a Leica Q. which I later sold. Later when I wanted a Q2 I bought the X100V and found it really didn't scratch the itch and bought a Q2. Then a while after the X100VI came out with its larger sensor I went for it, but found I really wished it was 40mm-50mm not 35mm to give more range cropping. On paper the IV was everything I wanted, but in practice I was swapping on the TCL too often adding a lot of bulk and weight. I now have the X-E5 and like it much better. I've also owned the X-E4 and X-E3.
It's a camera people want to love, but harder to live with than other options. I carry the X70 more often then I carried the X100's
I see people doing stupid things every day. Why do they drive slow in the left lane? Why do people bag their dog's poop but leave it on the trail? These are things that truly irritate me, why they choose an X100 to then change their mind later, doesn't register on my list of Stupid Things People Do. If it doesn't affect me, buy more stuff, its good for the economy Well, maybe not your personal one.
Everyone's bringing up good points about it being a relatively niche camera for how hyped it is. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that it's probably also due to how economically precarious a lot of people are right now as well. MPB is basically a pawn shop for our expensive hobby and the first thing that goes is the luxuries you can resell to make rent. I'm guessing the x100vi is top of the list for a lot people as well.
I’ve had every X100, with the exception of the vi. Fuji really hasn’t put much into this line and it is no longer the only small camera around. Other camera sport at least one attraction like high resolution sensor, larger and higher resolution viewfinder and much better autofocus. Fuji has just been sitting on the technology from long ago and only made small changes. At a minimum the next camera needs a better autofocus and a new lens. I’m not a Nikon shooter, but I understand they are going somewhat retro. More options are good for the consumer. Also, people are getting tired of marketing the camera by creating artificial shortages. Such a scam.
Maybe people realize that it is not a "magic" camera and it doesn't just take great pictures because of the brand and model number? It certainly is more than capable of taking great pictures, but as with all cameras you need to put the effort and skill into making it sing. Technically, my X-H2 is better at almost everything but the X-100VI is what I use 50% of the time because of the size, portability and built in flash with leaf shutter. Truth be told, you really can't buy a bad camera these days.
If Fujifilm Professional Services has a loaner program as Canon Professional Services does you might be able to get most any camera as a loaner for a week or so. Then, without going through the hassle of buying, evaluating, repackaging and selling you will know whether you like it enough to buy one for keeps.
I don't have a membership to Fujifilm Professional Services so I wouldn't know if they have a loaner program.
I have not requested the loan of a Canon R series camera. If I were serious about buying one I'd sure take advantage of the loaner before I spent any money.
JustAHouseCat wrote:
Everyone's bringing up good points about it being a relatively niche camera for how hyped it is. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that it's probably also due to how economically precarious a lot of people are right now as well. MPB is basically a pawn shop for our expensive hobby and the first thing that goes is the luxuries you can resell to make rent. I'm guessing the x100vi is top of the list for a lot people as well.
Yeah, there are a lot of assumptions being made about "early adopters" and "stupid" people buying into "hype". Maybe people are selling because they need extra cash. Maybe people need cash to buy an even more expensive camera. Maybe people don't have time to do photography and it's just gathering dust on a shelf. Maybe people got it as a gift and don't really like it. Maybe people are buying an ILC instead. Maybe people don't like the focal length. Maybe people are just taking photos with their phones instead.
Well, maybe not your personal one.