Possible, just maybe. But what would be the point of going to such trouble to end up with an APS-C camera? Unless, of course, there is hidden "magic" in it, like a super-duper sensor, I frankly don't "get it".
philber wrote:
Possible, just maybe. But what would be the point of going to such trouble to end up with an APS-C camera? Unless, of course, there is hidden "magic" in it, like a super-duper sensor, I frankly don't "get it".
I could not agree more. The most likely outcomes is that you'll screw up your camera tossing $1200 into the bin. The lens and sensor in this camera are optimized to work together. Fixed lens compacts have been around for many decades. This is another one. Buy it or don't buy it but accept it for what it is. I don't want to say that this is a silly idea becuase I don't want to offend anyone. I'm sure some basement tinkerer who doesn't often see the light of the sun will try it just to get the self satisfaction of being able to figure out how to do it. That doesn't mean that it makes sense.
systemlayers wrote:
I really don't understand why so many can't get their heads around the fact that it's a fixed lens camera and that's.. awesome. I'm personally tired of 'do it all camera systems'. If this camera lives up to the fuji name and its technology then it really will be a fantastic camera. Look elsewhere for lens versatility period.
Agreed. This could be the digital baby brother to my GA645. Let's hope it is of the same quality.
I really don't understand why so many can't get their heads around the fact that some people have another way of thinking about their photography then themselves.. It is increasingly sad to see the aggressive tone from some of the newbies in here.
OMG people moaning about this 'aggressive tone' & what not is now just starting to annoy me;-). Clearly a bad idea with significant issues, cheer up all!
You know what I bet sounded like a bad idea with significant issues?
Making a film camera that used tiny little bits of film from video cameras when everyone already knew that the quality wouldnt be good enough.
if you dont like the OP's idea and you dont feel like actually contributing (which would be answering his question) you could consider not posting. you know, like someone who has something worth doing with their time.
I think I read somewhere on Fuji's website that the microlenses on the sensor were designed specifically for that 23mm lens. I reckon any other focal length or even a 23mm lens with a different design on this sensor would probably vignette, or worse.
ulrikft2 wrote:
I really don't understand why so many can't get their heads around the fact that some people have another way of thinking about their photography then themselves.. It is increasingly sad to see the aggressive tone from some of the newbies in here.
Yep, something´s changed in my 18 months hiatus. Instead of getting nothing but openminded feedback from people who actually know a lot, I suddenly get tons of closeminded wisecracks from besserwissers.
To those who did respond with constructive feedback, thanks for humoring my ignorance regarding the construction of this camera, and for giving my question your time and effort.
jcolwell wrote:
I expect that I'll be OK with the FX100 fixed lens. In fact, I look forward to it. I have other gear for other things.
Same here.
However, I can understand the sentiment. It would be nice if we could have a camera like this with a NEX-type lens mount. Struggling, as I am with the viewfinder-less NEX-5, and finding it difficult to see the camera settings/information on the rear LCD (either the type face is too small, or lighting obscures it), that hybrid viewfinder (seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/miserere/5018026902/ )would be a wonderful addition. Hopefully that is the direction Sony goes with the rumored NEX-7 -- a good, functional, informative, viewfinder, and a few more direct input dials, etc., for better manual control and ergonomics (and it will OK to be larger than the NEX-5). As it stands, I can see the X100, even with its fixed lens, replacing the NEX that I am currently trying to get my hands around (metaphorically speaking).
Lotus, If Sony take the NEX format and add all the desirable features that the -5 lacks, starting with a viewfinder, it seems to me that the only remaining difference with an Alpha DSLR equipped with a similar mirrorless, hybrid viewfinder will be the mount. At which point the "need" for two diffferent bodies goes away, doesn't it? The two product lines will have converged into one, and obviously this favours the smaller E-mount over the larger Alpha mount. The limitations would be that the E-mount cannot take FF, and also probably causes various problems with wide angles.
But, just as one has to get one's head around the fact that the Fuji X-100 is a fixed-lens design, the same can be said of the NEX, born as a small form-factor camera. That other product lines can exist, such as essentially a DSLR body with E-mount is a real technical possibility, but totally another matter from a marketing/economic POV.
Phillipe, my friend, I think we disagree here. Whether an enhanced NEX matches features with Alpha DSLR's is irrelevant. There are mirrorless offerings in the market place that already do that (Oly and Panny). People buying those products are not buy Alpha DSLR's. An enhanced NEX would effectively compete with enhanced Oly and Panny products more than DSLR's. There is probably a good cross section of people out there that like both small and a viewfinder. Quite frankly, an enhanced NEX with a viewfinder and better controls would in no way reduce my "need" for a good, high-quality DSLR. My "need" for a NEX results primarily from the desire to have something smaller, with good quality, that I can take when a DSLR is impractical. But for me, I am finding that I like to use a viewfinder, and am willing to add another 25mm of height to the camera to accommodate that. Still compact or much more portable that a DSLR, but so much more usable (for me, at least). In addition, certainly, the camera can be improved ergonomically. I ofter inadvertently hit the movie button, or inadvertently hit the little control wheel that sits close to the thumb so that I have to address flash mode, or clear a flash bot attached warning. I also find that exposure compensation magically goes to negative compensation, and outside in bright sunlight it is hard to see that information on the LCD screen. I know that I'm not alone in seeing advantages to a little larger NEX with a viewfinder and more ergonomic controls -- and STILL see that as a compact supplement to their DLSR's.
But you do raise an interesting issue. Convergence of mirrorless and mirrored product lines. If mirrorless product can do everything that mirrored product do, then mirrorless product will cause Mirrored product to leave the market becuase mirror-less products cost less to produce. This is more likely to occur with entry-level DSLR's. I don't know if that is good or bad, it just is. If a NEX can do everything an Alpha a33 can do, I see no reason to ever carry a a33, and you'll see more NEX sold generating higher margins for Sony. But I still might need a 1DslV or an a900. In the past, people might have owned a Leica CL AND a Nikon F5 -- different horses for different courses. In the same vein, an enhanced NEX-7 and a D3x can exist side by side in a photographers arsenal.
Lotus, I am not saying that there is no room for a larger E-mount camera with viewfinder and all kinds of other goodies associated with DSLRs. My point is only that the NEX today is defined IMHO by its small size AND high IQ. That does not preclude other segments from being possibly viable, including the one you are interested in. My only contention is that, viable though it may be, appealing though it may be, I am not sure it remains a NEX. Which is why I called it an E-mount camera instead. So I am not sure that we actually disagree.
Hi, Lotusm50. I might be sounding like a broken record here, but I can't say enough how much I've been enjoying the Clearviewer on the NEX-5...in fact, people are probably starting to think that I work for them.
Since the NEX screen is so high res, the Clearviewer really works well, and it folds out of the way so nicely and is so compact, that I'm beginning to wonder if I'd even want a bulkier EVF option anymore. Plus, I don't even need to use the focus zoom at all when I use the Clearviewer with manual lenses.
There are really only 3 main negatives with the Clearviewer that I've found so far:
- Even with the premium lens, there is some pincushion distortion of the LCD (not a big deal for me.)
- Since it attaches to the tripod mount, the camera doesn't sit flat very well when you place it on a table
- Since there is no hood, sun can occasionally still be an issue, but, usually, either the camera body or your head blocks most of it, and you can use your hand if need be. Sometimes, I'll take a business card and slide it behind the LCD and then bend it forward, making a little "roof" covering that helps when the sun is at the wrong angle.
IMO, it is worth the $50 to try it out, but, of course, YMMV.
Let's hope it is of the same quality.
;-). Clearly a bad idea with significant issues, cheer up all!