I don't see why everyone gripes about a fixed lens, let alone a prime fixed lens. But maybe I am in the minority here. 35mm is a perfect FL I think. A couple steps back or forward and you are fine!
Interesting looking at the size comparison. It would have to be absolutely phenomenal, plus be rather affordable, for me to justify moving from my E-P1 to this...I've got a smaller sensor, but a smaller camera, a great lens in the 20/1.7 (and faster), and the ability to change lenses...plus it too has that old school feel and look to it as well. Though, the viewfinder does look awesome on the Fuji, and I'm sure the image quality will be a little better.
chrisnyee wrote:
I don't see why everyone gripes about a fixed lens, let alone a prime fixed lens. But maybe I am in the minority here. 35mm is a perfect FL I think. A couple steps back or forward and you are fine!
Jman13 wrote:
Interesting looking at the size comparison. It would have to be absolutely phenomenal, plus be rather affordable, for me to justify moving from my E-P1 to this...I've got a smaller sensor, but a smaller camera, a great lens in the 20/1.7 (and faster), and the ability to change lenses...plus it too has that old school feel and look to it as well. Though, the viewfinder does look awesome on the Fuji, and I'm sure the image quality will be a little better.
The OVF setup is a majority of the reason why I'm interested.
semantics... sure, then. they do still make voigtlander bessas that look to be from WW2, as well as leicas that haven't optically changed much since the 30s. point is, whether or not these niche/retro products are still in (or were in recent) production, these designs harken back to the 'good ole days' of photographic times past - and not having been around (or old enough) to know them lets one be a bit more objective about, say, buying (or not buying) a $7K digital rangefinder that only shoots 1fps, has no AF, no dust removal system, no live view, no video, a poor lcd, etc., just because it has heritage, zen, tao, je ne sais quoi, or is "built to last" (when the sensor inside it will be horribly outdated within a few short product cycles).
abam wrote:
i'm lucky i wasn't alive when cameras looked like this, and am subsequently immune to the nostalgia factor this camera will be relying on to justify a $1500-1700 price tag.
We don't know the price tag just yet, acccording to 'Jake' via the link at the top of this page the fuji rep told him $999, perhaps fuji are waiting to see the public's reaction and competitor's upcoming announcements.
bakka303 wrote:
We don't know the price tag just yet, acccording to 'Jake' via the link at the top of this page the fuji rep told him $999, perhaps fuji are waiting to see the public's reaction and competitor's upcoming announcements.
According to Luminous Landscape it will be at some US $1,700 when it becomes available early in 2011.
If they price it at $1k, I'll probably be first on the preorder list
abam wrote:
semantics... sure, then. they do still make voigtlander bessas that look to be from WW2, as well as leicas that haven't optically changed much since the 30s. point is, whether or not these niche/retro products are still in (or were in recent) production, these designs harken back to the 'good ole days' of photographic times past - and not having been around (or old enough) to know them lets one be a bit more objective about, say, buying (or not buying) a $7K digital rangefinder that only shoots 1fps, has no AF, no dust removal system, no live view, no video, a poor lcd, etc., just because it has heritage, zen, tao, je ne sais quoi, or is "built to last" (when the sensor inside it will be horribly outdated within a few short product cycles).
I think this is where you're missing the point of rangefinder cameras. It is just a different way of working with a camera. There are times when I'd rather have the view of a rangefinder rather than an SLR, and there are times I'd rather have a SLR view rather than using LCD screen live view. It depends on working conditions and applications. Assuming recent rangefinders are just copies of 50 year old cameras is incorrect. Rangefinders have certainly progressed with time, just as SLRs have. There is a lot of difference between a Contax G2 and a 60 year old Leica.
That being said, this X100 offers a new hybrid type of viewing, and while I do kinda like the look of the camera, the VF is what interests me the most about it. Just about any camera has all that I need as far as aperture and shutter control is concerned, so the viewfinder/ viewing method is my main feature to look for in a new camera. I like the A900's huge, bright VF. I like the tilt up screen of my NEX-5, and I'm betting I'll like this new X100's take on a VF as well.
Ryan Davies wrote:
Sorry guys, can someone elaborate as to why this would improve bokeh?
Thanks.
The ND filter will allow one to shoot three stops brighter (lens opened up three stops as compared to without ND filter) for a shallower depth of field - more background blur - particularly useful when there is more light than you might wish. Without the ND filter, one would be forced to use higher numbered f-stops once you run out of shutter speed at the top end and ISO at the bottom end.
chrisnyee wrote:
Doesn't improve bokeh, but rather lets you shoot wide open or close to it in bright day light situations instead of stopping down.
...and by doing this, bokeh rendering will likely improve on a given lens as the bokeh likely looks better at say f2.8 then say f8. Even lenses one might consider having "good" bokeh often exhibit the desirable effect at specific, usually lower f-stops (not always wide open but within a few stops of wide open).
Abam its not a matter of nostalgia , it is a simple matter of options. People want back the options that they used to have with film cameras, thats all. Small full frame cameras with buil-in optical finders, you used to be able to get one for $200. Getting there.
This type of camera will always have its uses but very few people will want it as their only camera. SLRs have always been the most popular camera design, same as now.
