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My first week with the X100


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<p>Have had my X100 for a week now. Gave it a thorough working out over the weekend at an open mike stage for up and coming country artists.<br>

Firstly, it isn't a poor mans M9 or any such thing (lets get that out of the way).<br>

But those of you who remember the Konica Hexar A/F (the non-interchangeble lens Hexar)...well that's exactly what it is, updated to todays digital world.<br>

No lag time, quick A/F aquisition in low light, very quiet...and a quick look at the files (both B&W & Vivid color settings at 400ISO) seem very good...puts any of the 4/3 compacts out their to shame.<br>

Pretty sure they have a winner here...and Fuji has confirmed an X300 next year that will have interchangeble lenses.<br>

It will be interesting to see how Leica reacts. Face it...if this was the Leica X1, they couldn't keep them in stock at twice the price.</p>

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<p>Just like the Leica M9 should not be compared to a X100, the X100 should not be compared to micro four third or Sony Nex for that matter. All these cameras suit different pockets and are for different purposes. The Oly/Pana offerings cost less than the X100 including the cost of an adapter for older Leitz or other lenses.</p>
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<p>puts any of the 4/3 compacts out their to shame.</p>

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<p>How much did you pay for your? Probably much more than a m43 camera, right? The panny and olys are/were as high as $700 and as low as $350...X100 even at a non inflated price of $1200, should be better. Is it 2-4 times better? I don't know how much they go for on the bay but I'm sure it's much more than $1200 due to Japan's situation.</p>

<p>For those who are interested, LL has a X100 test here: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/fujifilm_x100_test_report.shtml</p>

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<p>Now let's see Leslie. A little over a year ago I paid $1199 for my Olympus E-P1 w/ 17mm lens (35mm equivalent).<br>

Last week I paid...yup, the much more expensive $1199 for the Fuji...exactly the same price.<br>

And a lot of people have purchased micro 4/3rds as a Leica alternative...just as they will this camera.<br>

Ya know, I forgot why I quit frequenting this forum a couple of years ago...now I remember why...arguing for arguings sake.<br>

Oh and Zack (who asks a question instead of griping)...I'm in the pro photo supply biz...this is from Fuji. They have decided to pursue what they call the serious prosumer market. The plans are that in the fall they will release an X200...a simplifed 'p&s' version of the x100. If these cameras do well they plan on the interchangeble lens version sometime next year.</p>

 

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<p><em>"So they go for 1200 dollars in U.S ? Here I've seen them for 1200 euros, which is 1700 dollars."</em></p>

<p>Well, correction: the MSRP was $1200 up from $1000 due to the weakness of the dollar. Right now that's all theoretical. They are not taking any more pre-orders for them and at auction on ebay people are paying upwards of $2000 for one. </p>

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<p>Ya know, I forgot why I quit frequenting this forum a couple of years ago...now I remember why...arguing for arguings sake.</p>

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<p>Bod, I don't argue just to argue. AFAIK the Oly and Panny were not that much...as least not for long. I'm just saying it shouldn't be compared to the X100 (different sensor size and all) just like it shouldn't be compared to the FF M9. That's all. It is overpriced imo but that's another story. FWIW I don't own a m43 so it's not like I'm m43 fanboy...Why do people get offended so easily?</p>

<p>BTW, I used a LX3 as a leica alternative...Should we compare that to the M9 or the X100?</p>

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<p>If these cameras do well they plan on the interchangeble lens version sometime next year.</p>

 

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<p>I have to laugh at this. I think they would do well if they had just started with the interchangeable mount. But, there are people working at that company who are much smarter than I, so I have to bow to their logic as they probably know things I don't.</p>

<p>Now you have me even more curious as to what a P&S version would be....</p>

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<p>This is all good to know Bob.<br /> Wonder if Oly, Panny, or even (insert manufacturer) will beat Fuji to the interchangeable lens <em>x300 </em>(or variation thereof) now that there's a very good template in the x100.<br /> As we all know, the competition is pretty quick and aggressive in the mirrorless market.<br /> I guess we'll have to see what comes next.</p>

<p>btw, I paid full retail (approx $1200) for an E-P2 kit w/ 17/2.8 Dec 2009.</p>

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<p>I'm tempted by the Olympus E-P2 + 17/2.8 lens. Add the viewfinder for $250. That's currently $1050 at B&H. That's pretty darn close to the $1200 of the Fuji. Close enough that I'd rather have the optical viewfinder, plus another stop faster lens, from the Fuji.</p>

<p>Where did you buy yours from, Bob?</p>

<p>Eric</p>

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<p ><a name="00YVrQ"></a><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=290903">Leslie Cheung</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Apr 04, 2011; 04:07 p.m.</p>

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<p>Wow, I guess people did pay that much for the m43...On the otherhand, I saw the GF1 for ~$400 not too long ago. Sammy even had it for $299 for a couple weeks. The latest EPL2 is ~$600 and Nex is at about ~$650...</p>

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<p>Leslie, this should illustrate very clearly the fact that <em>price </em>and <em>value </em>are not one in the same. Fuji's X100 enjoys being the only camera in the market with its features at (or near) its price. If you want a metal camera with an excellent lens, stripped-down features/controls, and enjoy wide angle lenses, your only real options are this or a Leica. There may be other cameras in the market that provide better <em>value </em>for the money, but the fact that no other camera is quite the same means that the <em>price </em>can be very high, as demand outstrips supply.</p>

<p>Right now, this camera is worth what people will pay for it. You can spout all the Panasonic prices you want, but until Panasonic makes an X100 those prices mean nothing. Sensor and processor similarity mean nothing, as people attracted to the Fuji are generally attracted by the styling and simplicity. In other words, people that want a digital camera but don't like high-tech. Right now the Fuji X100 costs what it costs, and that's the end of it until they have serious competition. The <em>cost </em>of other cameras has no bearing whatsoever on the <em>value </em>of this one.</p>

 

 

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<p>M4/3 cameras are available for very low prices because Olympus and Panasonic have brought out such a flurry of new models that 6 month old cameras are yesterday's papers.<br>

Newer models, like the GH-2 are already dropping from their higher introductory prices, but the GH-2 is still selling for $1000 with kit lens. (I think I remember that it started at about $1400.)<br>

As an APS-C camera with a viewfinder and a price under $7000, the X100 is pretty much unique at the moment, and worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay. If sales remain strong, the price will stay up. More than likely in a few months, the price will start to edge downward. If there really is an X300, the X100 will stay on the menu, but at a much lower price-point, maybe $600. <br>

If you sort of like the camera, but don't like the price, just wait.</p>

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<p>The Fuji will be priced by supply and demand, of course. IMO, Zack, it is overpriced but that's just me (of course)...I could careless about the .5x mag hybrid finder. I'm interested in how fast it could contrast AF though...I suspect it isn't as fast as some put it, no contrast AF is that fast...</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>The biggest weakness of the X100 that Luminous Landscape reports is the near unusability of manual focus. A version that takes M-mount lenses, perhaps with an adapter, would be a serious competitor with used M8s. The M8 has a larger sensor, so the difference in image quality would be a question.</p>

 

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<p>And a large sensor is the feature that will really catch my attention. The Leica X1, even priced at $1600 on ebay, for a fixed lens point and shoot, is too much money. I like the approach of the Fuji X100 having an electronic *and* optical viewfinder. Will I buy one? No, I prefer SLR cameras overall. But it is certainly interesting to see what is happening with the merger of film style cameras with digital technology.</p>
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<p ><a name="00YVxw"></a><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=290903">Leslie Cheung</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Apr 04, 2011; 10:08 p.m.</p>

 

<p>The Fuji will be priced by supply and demand, of course. IMO, Zack, it is overpriced but that's just me (of course)...I could careless about the .5x mag hybrid finder. I'm interested in how fast it could contrast AF though...I suspect it isn't as fast as some put it, no contrast AF is that fast...<br>

<a href="../photodb/user?user_id=290903">Leslie Cheung</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Apr 05, 2011; 12:23 a.m.</p>

 

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<p>Bob, I speak for myself. That should be self explanatory since I wrote it. I added "IMO" because it seems like no one got it including you. Sorry if that offended, it's a public forum... no worry, I rarely come here anyway...</p>

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<p>No, we got it. We're not dumb. The reason I went to such great pains to click the <em>italics</em> button was to stress that price and value are not the same thing. The X100 is not overpriced. Unless you can show me a serious competitor that offers similar performance and styling for less, then you're wrong and don't understand the meaning of the words that you use.</p>

<p>Oh, you can't? Fair enough.</p>

<p>Then what you meant to say was that the X100 is not a good value. And I totally agree. Every major manufacturer makes a better camera for less money. But those cameras have <em>competition</em>, which is why they have lower prices.</p>

<p>Let me put this into perspective for you Leslie: I own a $50 paintbrush. It's awesome. Best paintbrush I've ever owned. Had it a long time too. But I've owned $20 paintbrushes that are the same size and are almost as good. The <em>value</em> of my paintbrush is well below $50 to most people, because you could buy two of the other ones and a new DVD to watch while you're painting. The <em>price</em> of the brush was perfectly reasonable. In fact the <em>price</em> was a downright steal, since that brush is usually $75, which is what a competitor would charge. Good price. Bad value. But I had to have the brush, so the price was what the price was.</p>

<p>The X100 is some people's paintbrush.</p>

 

 

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<p>Guys, I think the X100 is over priced or, say, over valued. I have nothing more to say on the subject. As for comparing cameras, just use what work for you...whether it's the X100, GF1, M9 or LX3. It's the result that matters...not the camera nor how much the camera is valued or priced.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>Anyway, I found Bob's initial micro-review and the linked Luminous Landscapes interesting. It is very much like the Hexar AF: excellent AF worthless MF. Silent. Excellent image quality. (Amazingly good at very high ISO according to LL.) And full of operational mysteries, though I think the Hexar AF is the mystery star.</p>

<p>I am waiting for this camera to show up here in Kansai so I can play with it. (No, I do not worry about radioactive dust on cameras.) I am also waiting with utmost eagerness to see the upgraded version that can take interchangeable lenses.</p>

<p>What I can get from the LL review is that the X100 is a great camera as along as you don't demand much for it, just like the Hexar AF. </p>

<p>I'll wait and see. Meanwhile, I am inspired to take my Hexar AF out for a spin.</p>

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