Fuji X100

I've read mixed reviews about this camera. I hear about its great images, but I also hear about its slow focusing issues, slow RAW write speed, etc.

For those that own this camera, what do you think of it? For that that used to own this camera, why did you let it go?

I don’t have one but based on reviews, I actually think It’s a stellar camera. If I were to go that route, I’d get a Fuji X-Pro 1 since I don’t like x100’s lens that’s not interchangeable.

iluxa007 wrote in post #14382632
I don’t have one but based on reviews, I actually think It’s a stellar camera. If I were to go that route, I’d get a Fuji X-Pro 1 since I don’t like x100’s lens that’s not interchangeable.

I actually like the fact that it's a fixed lens...also the X-Pro 1 is huge!

URLphotographer wrote in post #14382639
I actually like the fact that it's a fixed lens...also the X-Pro 1 is huge!

It’s not THAT huge!! By it’s performance (comparing IQ to Full Frame dSLR’s), I think it’s the next poor mans Leica!

I have one.
It is one of the finest digital cameras ever made and with the last firmware update is nearly perfect.

There is a problem with sticky aperture blades that Fuji is aware of and will fix free of charge even outside of warranty. New build cameras should be free of the problem so it's better to buy new rather than used.

Images are sharp , rich and creamy and Fuji colours are legendary.
On the downside it's a prime lens only.

tinfire wrote in post #14382649
I have one.
It is one of the finest digital cameras ever made and with the last firmware update is nearly perfect.

There is a problem with sticky aperture blades that Fuji is aware of and will fix free of charge even outside of warranty. New build cameras should be free of the problem so it's better to buy new rather than used.

Images are sharp , rich and creamy and Fuji colours are legendary.
On the downside it's a prime lens only.

What do you think about it RAW write speed?

Never really paid much attention to RAW speed but there's nothing to bother me.
To test it I've just shot 8 frames RAW only in 1.5 seconds and then it took 15 seconds to write to a Class 4 SD Card.
With the Fuji you can process the RAW in camera at your leisure to write a Jpeg to the card that's tweaked just the way you want...wish I could do that with the G1X.

I know quite a few people who have owned the X100 and a few still have it. Those that sold it were mostly frustrated with the quirky UI (user interface), the lack of flexibility in having a single focal length lens, or concern over the SAB (sticky aperture blades) issue. None of them had any complaints about the image quality, and those that still have it say that the latest firmware updates have made very useful improvements to AF speed (please do the same for the G1X, Canon) and UI.

I've now had an X100 for about a month. Replaces a Canon G7, also have a Nikon D80.

I feel its a great camera. Gorgeous shots both jpeg and raw. The jpegs have plenty of headroom and take edits far better than anything I've see before.

If you shoot raw+jpeg it is slow. If you shoot film simulation (3 different film types) it is slow. However, you can still shoot while its processing. It is important to use a fast card. I use a 95 mb/s card. As a test, I clicked off 12 jpeg+raw shots as fast as I could press the shutter. The cache is limited to 8 shots but it cleared quick enough for me to complete my 12 shots. I normally shoot jpeg+raw as I live in a tropical area and like the ability of raw to salvage a blown highlight if needed. I seldom need the raw. Today a pro friend and I will be shooting with it and its in jpeg only.

Auto focus is not dslr quick. Its quicker than a G7, never hunts for focus, good in low light, I've only missed focus on one macro shot.

High iso is phenomenal. 6400 is usable, 3200 is excellent. IQ is simply amazing. Of the 3 film types, Velvia is too saturated for me, Normal and Astia are lovely. I use Astia, you give up a bit of shadow detail but the color balance and skin tones are gorgeous.

You will need to spend some time on the user guide and learn the camera. There's plenty of additional info on the web.

I normally shoot with a 40 mm equivalent on the Nikon, so a fixed 35 mm is fine for me. f2 is weak, f2.8 is very good, f4 and up is excellent. Superb lens.

Its a joy to carry around. I use a neck strap and I hardly know its there.

I bought mine new and immediately upgraded firmware to 1.21. You can safely ignore much of the complaints on the web as either 1.21 solves a lot of issues or users did not know how to use the camera.

Nits: the exposure dial is easy to accidently move. I have an o-ring around it which works well. There are many changes in the way the camera works when you switch shooting modes. I always shoot aperture preferred so its a non-issue for me. Otherwise, more to learn. The grip is not the greatest. I added a small round rubber pad where my thumb rests and that helps a lot. Am looking for a small rubber strip for the front side of the camera.

I think the bulk of those that sold their camera's may have done so because its not a point and shoot. You need to learn the camera and set it up for your shooting style. Early firmware was apparently an issue, I don't know. The aperture blade issue is covered by Fuji even after the warranty expires. No issues here.

Skin tones are gorgeous and I haven't had the slightest bit of trouble with mine(touches bonce). The latest firmware makes the AF zip along nicely. Wonderful camera.

Seems like not a lot of people here own this camera.

I shot with an X100 for approximately 5 months. Excellent IQ and plenty of adjustability (except for manual focus, which I never quite mastered). Traded it in for a G1X and could not be more pleased. YMMV

kenil wrote in post #14428266
The flash, hot shoe, and tripod mount are not aligned with the fixed 23mm (35mm equivalent) f/2 lens, something that the film rangefinders would never do (okay, some of them did; but the great ones didn't).

Did you own one? Is there a downside to them not being aligned?

jmschwartz wrote in post #14423974
I shot with an X100 for approximately 5 months. Excellent IQ and plenty of adjustability (except for manual focus, which I never quite mastered). Traded it in for a G1X and could not be more pleased. YMMV

Really? What advantage(s) does the G1X offer over the X100?

For me, the main advantage has been the variable focal length possibilities with the G1X. (In 1969 my first camera was a Canon AE1 with an FDSC 35mm/105mm macro zoom.) I thought I'd like the fixed focal length of the Fuji, but, alas, I found my shooting preferences seldom coincided with 35mm fixed. Wonderful camera, otherwise.