Fuji X100

[Jutt]

Last month I just bought a Leica X1 for a crazy low price from a colleague. It's now my favorite camera period. I have over 30 cameras including the 5D MkII. Not sure about it for watch pics so much, but general photography it's a lot of fun.


This was taken with the X1:

Yeah, I looked at the X1 too and IMO, it does take better pics than the x100 I just don't think it takes $800 dollars worth of better picture, but maybe it does... Great camera though! Would love to get a M9 if I ever hit the lottery.

[gnuyork]

Yeah, I looked at the X1 too and IMO, it does take better pics than the x100 I just don't think it takes $800 dollars worth of better picture, but maybe it does... Great camera though! Would love to get a M9 if I ever hit the lottery.

I hear you... Though I didn't even pay $800 for a two week used X1 and all the accessories for it, including the Leica optical viewfinder. Got lucky!

[Jutt]

I hear you... Though I didn't even pay $800 for a two week used X1 and all the accessories for it, including the Leica optical viewfinder. Got lucky!

Oh, very nice job on that deal! I would have jumped all over that too...

[leftnose]

Why don't you buy the M for starters and see how it feels? Are you a pro shooter that needs to do big prints? If not, then you might get out of a small mirrorless camera more than you think. The Nikkon V1 for example seems to be an awesome camera and it has a viewfinder!

No, I'm not a pro but I have a lot of experience and formal training otherwise. As technology stands today, I can't imagine ever dropping a DSLR. I do many different kinds of photography from landscape to street to macro to wildlife to sports/action to available/low light to basically anything else that isn't studio portraiture. And because of this, I need a high level of versatility that I haven't been able to find in anything other than a FF DSLR. However, this doesn't mean I don't think a mirrorless/EVIL camera isn't a useful tool. As I mentioned above, I will probably upgrade the 5D2 to a 5D3 for the better AF and slightly better high-ISO performance. Then I'll wait to see if Canon introduce the -M with an EVF and I will probably jump on that. I'm still wed to the idea of some kind of a viewfinder if only because it allows me to brace the camera against my head for a steadier hold.

And this is where the Olympus OM-D E-M5 comes in. Personally I don't think there's a better camera out there that combines ergonomics, styling, size, and image quality the way this camera does. AND it's weather sealed with a touch screen. How crazy is that?

And if I could mount EF lenses and maintain full electronic control, I would consider buying one. The problem is that I own a ton of EF lenses and no m4/3 lenses. I also hope that someone introduces an EF-M to M-Mount adapter as well. I've got some Leitz glass I'd like to put back into service in the digital age!

[~tc~]

All kinds of m-mount to m43 adapters, and native Leica lenses (produced by Panasonic) for micro four thirds.

M43 has an unbelievable lead in lenses, perhaps unsurpassable among the mirrorless options. Yes, the N1 and EOS-M can adapt and control the huge catalog of Canikon lenses, but then you lose almost all of the size/weight advantage.

[johant]

Sounds like an excellent choice. A colleague of mine bought one, for the same reasons. I haven't seen any pictures from him though.

I'm currently processing a load of Kodak BW400CN negatives that I made with my Spotmatic SPII and a 55mm SMC Takumar last week ... I regretted leaving the 35mm at home, BTW.

[William Tockman]

I'm a so-called early adopter of the X100. I love the camera and it has replaced my Nikon D3 and D3s as my primary cameras for use as a photojournalist. (There are just times when a zoom is still needed). After 20 years of lugging around full-sized SLR's, my back couldn't take it anymore. So, I've found the X100 (and subsequently purchased X-Pro1) to be much better suited top a full day in the field.

Sicne, I zone focus, this has not been an issue for me, but many X-users who came over from SLR's have trouble with the speed of the contrast detect AF. Leica users will shoot in manual focus and have no problems except for the speed that the manual focus works at.

Note that the XP1 also has an adapter use many of the Leica M-glass lenses. X100 in Macro does work well for watch photography.

The Manual Focus ring is faster in the XP1, but I find the Auto Focus in the X100 to be more accurate when using the AF/AE lock to get a base distance focus established. (It sort of irks me that the AF is mroe accurate when used on the X100 than the XP1)

[Bolaberlim]

I'm a so-called early adopter of the X100. I love the camera and it has replaced my Nikon D3 and D3s as my primary cameras for use as a photojournalist. (There are just times when a zoom is still needed). After 20 years of lugging around full-sized SLR's, my back couldn't take it anymore. So, I've found the X100 (and subsequently purchased X-Pro1) to be much better suited top a full day in the field.

Sicne, I zone focus, this has not been an issue for me, but many X-users who came over from SLR's have trouble with the speed of the contrast detect AF. Leica users will shoot in manual focus and have no problems except for the speed that the manual focus works at.

Note that the XP1 also has an adapter use many of the Leica M-glass lenses. X100 in Macro does work well for watch photography.

The Manual Focus ring is faster in the XP1, but I find the Auto Focus in the X100 to be more accurate when using the AF/AE lock to get a base distance focus established. (It sort of irks me that the AF is mroe accurate when used on the X100 than the XP1)

I've read that the latest firmware has corrected AF speed on the X100. Have you updated, and how does it compare to a DSLR?

[Scottish Steve]

I looked at the X100 and was very dissapointed by its unfinished nature. I feel for the price there is no excuse for this camera to have the issues it does. AF preformance is high on my list of priorities, which really drew me to the GX1. I know the ultimate IQ of the X100 is better, but that's pretty ir-relevant when it can't react quickly enough to get the shop in the first place.

[William Tockman]

I've read that the latest firmware has corrected AF speed on the X100. Have you updated, and how does it compare to a DSLR?

I'm o nth latest FW on both cameras and the AF on the X100 is still quite slow in contrast to any DSLR. I would compare the AF speed on my X100 to be equal to that of my 23 year old Nikon F4s.