I think there are three easy questions that can help you decide:Seems that the x100s is slightly more than the xE1/zoom kit. This makes things a bit difficult here (a good difficult at that).
Any pros and cons for each to make one a better option with respect to ease of use and output?
I'm seriously thinking about adding the X100s to complement (but not replace) my dslr. I'm happily tied to Aperture for my workflow.
The X100s is the best camera I have ever owned, the more I use it, the more I fall in love. It's a camera that makes me want to take pictures.
Its classical user interface appeals to me, as does the optical viewfinder. Yes, the Ricoh GR, Nikon Coolpix A and Sony RX1 are nice cameras, but you don't use them like a classical camera. The X100s can be used like my father's rangefinder from 1963 -- if I want to. Or I can have the live histogram and a level directly in the (optical as well as electronic) viewfinder.
There are so many little niceties, just to give you one of them: I use the optical viewfinder of my X100s, but when I snap a picture the camera switches to the electronic viewfinder and shows me the photo I've just taken for 1/2 second (you can configure the duration or whether you want this feature at all). On my dslr, I need to take my eyes off the viewfinder, press play, check the exposure and do it again. With the X100s, I can take a picture, check the exposure, dial in an exposure compensation and take another photo.
Whatever good things you've read about the image quality in the reviews, they're right, this camera produces exceptional images.
(I'm the guy on the right wearing the Daringfireball T-shirt.)
Whether 35 mm equivalent focal length is right for you depends on, well, you. I already own a Sigma DP1 with a 28 mm equivalent lens, and I prefer 35 mm by a wide margin.
If you're concerned about the AF being slow, don't be. Yes, my dslr focusses faster with certain lenses (certainly not all of them), but focussing doesn't feel like you hold a compact camera in your hands. In terms of being able to find focus, the X100s' capabilities are comparable to my D7000: at a certain point, there just isn't enough contrast for a focus lock. But then it is pitch black dark.
Does the camera feel slow? Nope. Not as fast as my dslr, but I don't have to wait for it.
Do you have any other questions?
If I was God of my own camera universe, what would I want in my X100ss? I'd like to use TTL with my SB-700 and SB-600, and I'd like to iron out one or two things in the firmware (really, really minor things). Plus, I'd like to replace the main menu selector (the one with the wheel) by something that feels as good as the knobs on the top of the camera. And I'd like the battery to last longer (my D7000 lasts >1000 shots on a single charge, the record being ~1700 on a single battery, so I'm used to a lot more).
Disclaimer: I also own a D7000 with 5 lenses, two flashes and various goodies.
This is great to hear my x100s is should be arriving tomorrow
Do you happen to know if is suffers from a slow start up time with a big card? Ken rockwell says it can be very sluggish to wake with a 32gb card..many others say its fine (and well its ken rockwell so taking with a pinch of salt)
Also any views on shooting RAW's a lot of people seem to saying the jpegs are that nice the're not shooting RAWs
Yeah, the Fuji jpegs are great. Much nicer than what I used to get from my NEX. I keep shooting RAW+Jpeg thinking that the jpeg won't look right. Put the RAW through Lightroom and still can't get it to look as good. As for the card, surely if you got the fastest available, start up might be a bit quicker?
That's what I thought I got a Sandisk extreme (cant remember exactly) but was a fast one.
Here's what Rockwell says though
"Memory Cards
Use no more than a 16 GB card. Larger cards can take very long like 20 seconds for the X100 to recognize every time it wakes up.
Use only SanDisk or Lexar cards. Any other brand is taking chances I can't afford, even if your local camera store pushes them because he buys them for less."
If it does not prob I can return the card and buy two 16gb, but wondered if it only happened on a full card as might not fill my card up before my 7 days to return are up.
I have a 16 GB card and haven't noticed any strange hiccups. Between flicking the switch and putting the camera to my eye, the camera is usually switched on.Do you happen to know if is suffers from a slow start up time with a big card? Ken rockwell says it can be very sluggish to wake with a 32gb card..many others say its fine (and well its ken rockwell so taking with a pinch of salt)
So your problem is that the in-camera jpg conversion is so good that fewer people need/want to use itAlso any views on shooting RAW's a lot of people seem to saying the jpegs are that nice the're not shooting RAWs
I use Aperture and have not noticed any problems with the conversion quality, quite the contrary. I don't know what magic pixie dust Fuji sprinkles on its sensors, but the D7000's RAW conversions feel a bit, hmmm, cold. The Fuji handles skin tones better (this is a purely subjective judgement, nothing based on measurements or systematic comparisons, though.Question - what post processing software do you folks use for the RAF files?
Noooo! I don't see the point, a larger sensor would seriously make the X100s a worse camera in many aspects, most importantly price and possibly also size. Going from 16 to 32 megapixels would not be beneficial in most situations and would require a more sophisticated lens (heavier and even more expensive, slower AF since you need more accuracy).I wish Fuji would consider making a new camera akin to the above with a larger sensor and jump from 16 to say 32. - an X100s on steroids.
I have a 16 GB card and haven't noticed any strange hiccups. Between flicking the switch and putting the camera to my eye, the camera is usually switched on.
Note that the section you quote does not concern the X100s, but its predecessor, the X100 (without s).
So your problem is that the in-camera jpg conversion is so good that fewer people need/want to use it
If that's the biggest criticism of the camera ...
I use Aperture and have not noticed any problems with the conversion quality, quite the contrary. I don't know what magic pixie dust Fuji sprinkles on its sensors, but the D7000's RAW conversions feel a bit, hmmm, cold. The Fuji handles skin tones better (this is a purely subjective judgement, nothing based on measurements or systematic comparisons, though.
Personally, I would choose the RAW converter that suits your workflow best. If you really feel the need, install Silky Pix to treat some special images.
Noooo! I don't see the point, a larger sensor would seriously make the X100s a worse camera in many aspects, most importantly price and possibly also size. Going from 16 to 32 megapixels would not be beneficial in most situations and would require a more sophisticated lens (heavier and even more expensive, slower AF since you need more accuracy).
I've seen (but not used) Fuji's medium format rangefinders, they're excellent by any account. But the main appeal of Fuji's X series is that they are affordable and small. I would not have been able to afford an X100s with a full frame sensor (priced on the same level as the RX1), it's as simple as that. And to me, the affordability of rangefinder-style professional, digital cameras with modern features is what makes (or breaks) the appeal.As for a larger x100s, well if you ever saw or used the Fuji 645 cameras, I think you might have a change of heart. Really excellent cameras, not too heavy and moderately fast fixed lens.
The X Pro 1 and the X100s are already used by quite a few pros.Catch is, they shoot vertical 6x4.5. I will say that when used properly, most people swear the transparencies were from a Hassie or Rollei. - A big Fuji would be more or less a pro camera.
I've seen (but not used) Fuji's medium format rangefinders, they're excellent by any account. But the main appeal of Fuji's X series is that they are affordable and small. I would not have been able to afford an X100s with a full frame sensor (priced on the same level as the RX1), it's as simple as that. And to me, the affordability of rangefinder-style professional, digital cameras with modern features is what makes (or breaks) the appeal.
The X Pro 1 and the X100s are already used by quite a few pros.
Just a little more to add to this thread -
I wanted to get the 50-200 xf zoom and sadly, seems all my sources (including the big A on line) are back ordered. Only options were sellers that decided to up the price due to limited supplies. So, I'll have to wait a bit.
What bags, accessories, lenses and tripods do you folks have in your Fuji camera arsenal?
I have my old faithful if not over sized tripod (Gitzo), RRS L-bracket, the camera and now two lenses which I really love (kit and the 35mm 1.4). I am hoping to get the second zoom later as stated and for now, looking for camera bags as my old bags are just way too large. I did play with the Thinktank Retrospective 5 but honestly, it just wasn't right for me and unsure why it is so popular at the price it is offered.
Any takers?
This is great to hear my x100s is should be arriving tomorrow
Do you happen to know if is suffers from a slow start up time with a big card? Ken rockwell says it can be very sluggish to wake with a 32gb card..many others say its fine (and well its ken rockwell so taking with a pinch of salt)
Also any views on shooting RAW's a lot of people seem to saying the jpegs are that nice the're not shooting RAWs