Luminous Landscape: Fuji X100 love and frustration (+ comparison with the Panasonic GF1)
Luminous Landscape (Click here) posted a Fuji X100 Field Test review. And the tester is quite frustrated: “In reviewing what I’ve written above, you’ll have noted that I am overtly critical of some aspects of the X100′s user interface. Indeed it is because the camera is otherwise so good, and the image quality so exceptional, that its UI flaws are all the more glaring. But – let me be clear about this. My UI complaints are based on a personal bias in favour of cameras having smooth and seamless control interfaces. I hate anything that gets in the way of my being able to change a camera’s settings quickly and transparently when the situations demands. If I’m using a technical or view camera I have endless patience for slow setting controls. But not on a camera designed for street or documentary style shooting. Even one extra button press, or needing to scroll down a menu to find a needed setting can cause the shot to be lost, and that’s unacceptable. I suppose that it’s my background as a photojournalist that brings out this frustration.”
Michael Carpentier (Click here) compared the Fuji X100 with the Panasonic GF1. The article is in french and the conclusion is “the X100 may offer a better IQ than the GF1 in SOME cases, but the m4/3 gives it a serious run for it’s money and is faster and generally more usable.”
You can preorder the Fuji X100 at Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon UK. And if you want it NOW than the you have to place your bid on eBay (Click here). Good luck!
P.S.: To bad the GF1 is now discontinued. Only a few stores do have it in Stock now: Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.
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TEB
2 years ago |Wow, hugely misleading tweet just came across. Did you read the end of the article? His list of firmware changes is pretty small and he is buying the camera.
admin
2 years ago |I edited the title. He loves the camera and at the same time is furstrated because of the interface. Hops it’s more clear now. Bye!
calxn
2 years ago |I was thinking the same thing. All that came to mind was the word FANBOY.
calxn
2 years ago |I like this quote at the end. It pretty much summarizes the justification for the price of the camera. X100 is $1200. E-PL2 + fast prime (20/1.7) + viewfinder is > $1200. Metal vs plastic for $1200. Better yet, GH-2 + fast prime > $1200. Some of us who appreciate old school usability would prefer our money going to quality metal.
“Otherwise it’s hard not to be excited about the X100. For serious photographers who value high image quality in combination with eye-level non-reflex viewing, this is a camera to cherish. The excellent build quality also helps to justify the relatively high price of the X100. I doubt that anyone with the wherewithal to purchase this camera and the interest in what it has to offer, will ever regret its purchase.”
Godot
2 years ago |Nothing against the X100 — the price is fine if people are willing to pay it — but the price shouldn’t need that kind of justification, and it’s a weak one.
Basically, it’s comparing MSRPs of competing products, completely ignoring that the street price is currently higher on the one hand, and lower on the other.
Also, I understand why the 20/1.7 is the comparison lens, but in FOV terms wouldn’t the 17/2.8 make more sense even though it isn’t especially fast? But that doesn’t help in the “look what you get for $1200″ game… E-P2, 17mm, VF-2 can be had for about $1000. Probably less if you shop around a little.
GF1 + 20/1.7 + LVF-1… again, shopping around this should be doable for around 800-900 if you can find a new GF1. (Yes, I know the LVF-1 is pretty crappy.)
etc. etc.
Michael
2 years ago |Just to be clear : the X100 is a great, great camera. But i agree with M. Reichmann from LL : handling it can be frustrating, especially when you try to use it’s fantastic OVF.
And i stand by it : for close-ups and at large aperture, the GF1 beat the crap out of it with the 20mm f1.7, even with the X100 bigger, better sensor. It’s a different story as soon as you venture at f8 or over ISO 400, but if you shoot wide open most of the time, think twice before putting your GF1 on eBay.
Even with it’s idiosyncrasies, the X100 is a keeper. As the GF1, but for different jobs.
Dummy00001
2 years ago |It’s sad that close-up focusing on X100 is borked: ~80cm with OVF, ~40cm with EVF, closer – only in the macro mode…
Camerageek
2 years ago |It’s called Parallax. Those that have used Leica M’s for any serious period of time will recognize this. Why Leica made the visioflex all those years for close ups.
What amazes me is how many of those that complain about this really have no clue what dealing with a rangefinder type viewfinder is all about. Being a user of cameras like the Leica M4-2 for about 30 years now, parallax is something I’m fine with. Hell try focusing a M9 at something closer than three feet.
mahler
2 years ago |If a camera has so many ergonomic problem, who can it be a great, great camera? Sorry, Fuji has to do a lot of design homework, before such a product is ready to be considered. The design flaws could have been easily avoidable. It is a pitty that Fuji did such a sloppy work here. Retro design isn’t everything.
Camerageek
2 years ago |Read above
Chad
2 years ago |Let’s be perfectly clear here. The “focusing problems” are exactly as Camerageek describes – due to Parallax when using the OVF at closer ranges. But what the haters here fail to comprehend is that there is no apples to apples comparison between the OVF and any m4/3 system. The OVF is a BONUS. And an amazing one at that. If you use the X100 with its excellent EVF or LCD guess what? It acts just like a m4/3 camera and nails the focus every time.
Also, the X100 gives you a nice focus distance overlay in the OVF so the mindful photographer can double check focus easily.
Having owned a GF1 and an E-P2 I just don’t see the IQ comparison that some are stating. Maybe if you are looking at web uploads on Flickr but not at 100%.
deniz
2 years ago |there is a new discussion going on at dpreview forum about x100 autofocus problems. it seems like there is a parallax issue that causes to misfocus while using ovf in close distances.
so the camera is,
soft at f2
quirky
has autofocus issues
not very easy to manually focus
costs 1200
on the other hand,
has a very good viewfinder
a silent shutter
very nice iso performance
hmmm. i would rather wait to see if there will be a firmware update.
Tobias W.
2 years ago |Yes. I also hope the firmware update is going to fix the soft images at f/2.
deniz
2 years ago |that would be impossible of course but if the rest is fixed it may be easier to live with a lens thats soft wide open
Chad
2 years ago |I beg to differ that it is soft at f/2. I have the 100% crops that show me otherwise.
Quirky I will give you and if Fuji doesn’t issue a firmware upgrade in the next couple of months I’d be very surprised and disappointed. There is so much potential here it is staggering.
MF speed, yeah slow as hell. Do I care? No. Cause spinning the focus ring is irrelevant. Hit the AF button to prefocus and then fine tune with MF. The real issue is the magnification – they need to fix that and while they’re at it, go ahead and fix the MF ring speed for the geezers.
Autofocus issues? Just the same parallax issue that every rangefinder has ever had. Just use it like a m4/3 camera for close focus (EVF or LCD) and there is no issue.
Lots of handwringing over nothing…
Bob B.
2 years ago |I am still going to keep my GF1 and ALL of my lenses. (I see the X100 as a novelty item). I will buy the next new (reasonably priced)Panasonic M4/3 body with a sensor improvement…which most likely will bring the image quality up to snuff at higher ISO’s, at the level of the GH2.
I ran outside today with my GF1 and did a grab shot of something for a friend. I shot with the 20mm at f1.7. (i.e. wide open). I was amazed at the sharpness of the image when I brought it up on my computer in Lightroom..I have had this camera for more than a year (and own a Canon 5D Mark II)…and I was still amazed.
I just can’t see spending $1200 on a camera that is limited (fixed lens) and apparently a little slow with its UI…. It is well-made and cool looking though!!!!!
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |@Luminous landscape
“There is the ability to change the size of the focus spot, and also its position within the frame, but I find this to be somewhat redundant.*** Set it to small center point, manual focus mode, point at the desired subject and then hit the AFL button. Now, frame the shot and take it.*** ”
***Old school and very wrong, I have never used the method it will throw your focus distance out unless you move exactly across and your subject doesn’t move! So you are better off using the first method (I have always done), it also means you don’t have to physically move your camera so you don’t alert your subject
omox
2 years ago |Your’re right! it is not a proper way to focus. I have found many times that an object is out of focus due to reframing. I’m amazed with touch AF in my GH2. I know no better way to focus. Even during video when one can change point of focus in AF mode just by touching the screen (there is a little lag in movie mode but I’m sure next GH body will get better and better…)
seb
2 years ago |Even with the fastest lenses available, the focus shift is irrelevant with a M4/3 DOF. You should try to hold your camera more firmly, knees along your body, like with a viewfinder.
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |huh! thats rubbish I shoot a lot with the Leica f1.4 25mm I can tell you for a FACT that focus shift would make a massive difference!
jon kobeck
2 years ago |Will this take better pictures then my old FM2 that I bought for $200.00?
Will it take better pictures then an old Ricoh GR1?
How about a $150.00 Yashica T4 with Carl Zeiss glass loaded with TMax 400?
Im glad I went back to film and quit chasing technology every 6 months a “new and improved” camera came out. What good is having that metal body that is mentioned above, if in 6 months the camera is obsolete? Digital cameras aer not made to last decades like film cameras, their are made to make money for manufacturers.——just sayin
omox
2 years ago |there is nothing wrong with film cameras… but
It is also great fun to use digital cameras.
Chasing the technology is a great fun too…
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |@Luminous landscape
“Shooting with the camera held away from me, as if holding a baby with a smelly diaper, is just not my idea of a good time. Stability suffers as compared to having ones elbows tucked in, and even the best LCD screens suffer under direct light, with glare and reflections, and the intimacy of having the intended image filling ones field of view is completely lacking.”
I have only once used a viewfinder in 4 years, if your are having problems with stability you really need to have a firmer grip on your camera, also the LCD can be tilted downwards in direct sunlight. Hiding your face as you compose with the viewfinder in my mind loses intimacy with the subject.
I could go on about about the myriad of advantages the LCD has over the viewfinder…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/youdidntdidyou/sets/72157625946618634/
deniz
2 years ago |i was prepared to say “and what makes you an authority on this”, but i quite liked the shots in that link
. to me, they sure are more interesting than whatever that luminous guy shoots.
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |yeah and I’ve only been out street shooting 4-5 times lol
Mk7
2 years ago |I hope the GF3 leaves off VF so it’s small and light like the GF2, but with more controls.
TheVoiceoverman
2 years ago |Gotta say, I have a VF2 and I very rarely use it. Occasionally when it’s very bright. Mostly it stays in a pocket. It’s perfectly possible to hold a camera still away from your face. Nothing stops you from keeping your elbows in and resting them on your chest and you get a much better idea of what’s ABOUT to ENTER the shot.
If you’re wearing a neck strap, you can brace with the weight of your arms against the strap and get a very stable shot indeed. Some people just don’t like any change at all, and that’s all there is to it.
Looks like we’re neighbours btw. I live in Hampstead.
omox
2 years ago |Since 2001 I have shot mostly with LCD and have never had problem with it. You’re absolutely right.
Great pictures! Streets are full of dynamics.
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |the X100 is clearly designed specifically as a camera for NARROW MINDED documentary style street shooting
Nick clark
2 years ago |um, sorry?
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |1.no ability to change lenses, so stuck with no zoom, limited wide etc
2. no flip out LCD
3. slow start up time
4. only 2 aspect ratios, would of liked 1:1 and 4:3
5. limited type of black and whte settings
6. no art filters (so less time on street and more post processing on computer, as well as poorer composition)
7.using manual focus quickly isn’t practical http://www.flickr.com/groups/x100/discuss/72157626188721681/
8. auto focus can take awhile to lock on in real world use(see same flickr thread)
9. poor menu design (eg auto ISO is not next to the other ISO settings)
10 menu settings aren’t “sticky”!
btw the optical viewfinder is useless with only 90% coverage, you would be endlessly cropping photos on the the computer
Nick clark
2 years ago |I don’t get how any of that makes it only suitable to ‘narrow minded street shooting’?
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |which points do you need clarifying, and wouldn’t you like to argue the x100′s case for versatile street photography shooting…
RW
2 years ago |Good list for the most part, but:
5 and 6: does anybody really use in-camera B&W or art filters? These strictly amateur type features aren’t included on really any pro or semi-pro camera body and certainly aren’t aimed at the target audience of the X100.
7: Manual focus isn’t practical: Definitely a matter of opinion that Leica shooters and m43 photographers regularly using legacy lenses would strongly disagree with. Certainly it can be more time consuming for those not used to doing it, and can be difficult if you always use an EVF. Optical viewfinder shooters seem to have no problem with it.
Frankly, I am amazed by the vitriol that I am seeing expressed about the X100. If it doesn’t suit your style of shooting, don’t buy it. Seems simple enough to me.
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |I really like Fuji and if there is one company that I hope will join four thirds it is them, the X100 sounds like a great camera with a lot of plus points and to have with you while out and about or if you like a certain style of street photography but I don’t see as a versatile street photographer’s camera.
btw I use the dynamic, smooth and standard settings in my Panasonic cameras as well as the grainy black and white, pop art and pinhole settings in my Olympus camera a lot (unfortunately I don’t have dramatic filter or diorama and would also like bleach bypass).
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |They are included in the Olympus E3 and I’m pretty sure they will be offered in any new offerings from canikon.
What exactly makes art filters and in camera black and white an amateur feature???
Nick clark
2 years ago |1: The 35mm equ length lets you ‘shoot what you see’, so for certain types of photography that’s a good thing.
2: So? I’ve used fixed and articulated screens and there’s pros and cons for both – unless your shooting a heap of video, which the X100 obviously isn’t intended for…
3: Yeah, that sucks…
4: Who cares? Unless it has an oversized sensor (it doesn’t) there’s no benefit cropping in-camera…
5: Um. Damn…
6: As above…
7: I agree, surprised they missed this, given the target audience…
8: As above…
9: Welcome to the world of digital cams. Does any brand have an intuitive menu system? None of the ones I’ve used (Sony, Pentax, Oly and Panasonic) do…
10: Yeah, bugger…
Viewfinder: the 90% is a rangefinder thing. Because of parallax it’s basically impossible to have an accurate 100% finder, so manufactures go slightly below to ensure you get everything you see. On the other hand, the viewfinder lets you see slightly more than the framed area, which is awesome for some types of shooting.
RW
2 years ago |@Nick clark: you ask if any digital camera has an intuitive menu system. Well, the Leica M9′s is pretty good. A single list of settings 4 pages long and a mini shooting menu with the 5 or 6 most common settings to use when you are shooting. Still a menu, but never a moment’s hesitation about where to find a setting.
But your point is completely valid. My Nikon D200′s menu is pathetically complex. I bought it on the day it was launched, have taken hundreds of thousands of pictures and I still have only a vague idea where any particular setting is located.
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |1. I know that the 35mm equates to “shooting what you see” as does the 25mm on four thirds which I use a lot, but like wise the human eye is capable of “zooming in/concentrating/isolating on a subject”, also the 35mm would mean you would find it relatively difficult to get close to a subject without them realising (resulting in lots of snatched/shoot and miss shots).
2. Ariculated screens are really useful for photography, I personally wouldn’t even consider a camera that didn’t have one..
4. Big benefit to have various aspect ratios in camera is that you alter your composition while composing…
5. and 6 as in point 4. you end up composing and seeing your shots in a different way with in camera art filters/varied black and white settings it’s not a result of an after thought while sat at the computer… it’s the same as putting in a certain kind of film into a camera to get a certain look (it’s of the photographer’s choosing)
9. I like Panasonic menus and older Fuji menus, not as keen on older Olympus menus and can’t speak for the rest..
10. menus items being sticky is really important, say you switched your white balance to tungsten and your iso to 200 wouldn’t you expect them to still be the same when you switch the camera back on while in the same shooting environment??
btw the shot http://www.flickr.com/photos/youdidntdidyou/4798056247/in/set-72157625946618634 could not of been achieved with the x100 because I zoomed in from the other side of the road through traffic…
Bob B.
2 years ago |Interesting review over on Steve Huff
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/04/03/another-perspective-on-the-fuji-x100-by-chris-bandera
Lot of mixed feelings about the X100. Surprising after all of the hype.
henrik
2 years ago |He lists some very serious design flaws there. I used to have a big Fuji compact years ago that was also aimed at experienced photographers – and full of desastrous flaws.