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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Fuji x100
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10/11/2014 09:33:45 PM · #1
I will confess to being very naive about m4/3 cameras...but continually read outstanding reviews about them, particularly the Fujis. The Fuji X100, for.instance, receives rave reviews everywhere I look.

But here's where I get confused. Its a fixed lens with a 23mm focal length. Why would one by a camera with a fixed focal length? You're essentially walking around with a camera that is a prime.lens, one-trick pony.

Now I know the newer Fujis like the X-pro do have interchangeable lenses...but let's ignore those for now....just curious, why all the fuss about a camera that is stuck at 23mm and limited at what I can do due to that short focal range?

Genuinely curious.
10/11/2014 09:36:02 PM · #2
I learn a lot from working with a one trick pony. In fact two of mine have done very well by me.
10/11/2014 09:40:30 PM · #3
First, the camera is not, in fact, m4/3. The X100s series is an APS-C sensor. Accordingly, that 23mm lens is actually an effective 35mm focal length.

As for what you can do with that? Basically anything except wildlife. Look up the work of a guy known as 'HCB' you'll find he was pretty successful working at the 35mm focal length.. ;-)

Message edited by author 2014-10-11 21:40:58.
10/11/2014 09:45:12 PM · #4
Originally posted by Cory:

First, the camera is not, in fact, m4/3. The X100s series is an APS-C sensor. Accordingly, that 23mm lens is actually an effective 35mm focal length.

As for what you can do with that? Basically anything except wildlife. Look up the work of a guy known as 'HCB' you'll find he was pretty successful working at the 35mm focal length.. ;-)


I wouldn't say anything, since its not wide enough for most landscape, or long enough for wildlife. Its essentially a walk-around lens then?

Its not necessarily what the focal length is, but the why one would choose a fixed focal length (regardless of what that may be) over an interchangeable lens system? What is so special about these cameras that I have missed?
10/11/2014 09:48:21 PM · #5
Originally posted by Garry:

Originally posted by Cory:

First, the camera is not, in fact, m4/3. The X100s series is an APS-C sensor. Accordingly, that 23mm lens is actually an effective 35mm focal length.

As for what you can do with that? Basically anything except wildlife. Look up the work of a guy known as 'HCB' you'll find he was pretty successful working at the 35mm focal length.. ;-)


I wouldn't say anything, since its not wide enough for most landscape, or long enough for wildlife. Its essentially a walk-around lens then?

Its not necessarily what the focal length is, but the why one would choose a fixed focal length (regardless of what that may be) over an interchangeable lens system? What is so special about these cameras that I have missed?


Why is it not wide enough for landscapes? In fact I love landscape shots at this length, just a little perspective distortion making the scene look deeper, but not so much as to need to nestle up to something in order to have foreground interest.

The appeal is in the simplicity. If it doesn't appeal to you that's ok, but it definitely appealed to me.

Message edited by author 2014-10-11 21:53:58.
10/11/2014 09:51:10 PM · #6
Some landscapes, and a lizard...








Message edited by author 2014-10-11 21:52:27.
10/11/2014 09:52:41 PM · #7
Originally posted by Cory:


The appeal is in the simplicity. If it doesn't appeal to you that's ok, but it defiantly appealed to me.


Now we're getting somewhere. Simplicity of not changing lenses, or is the Fuji system (hybrid viewfinder?) just simpler in general?
10/11/2014 09:57:16 PM · #8
Originally posted by Garry:

Originally posted by Cory:


The appeal is in the simplicity. If it doesn't appeal to you that's ok, but it definitely appealed to me.


Now we're getting somewhere. Simplicity of not changing lenses, or is the Fuji system (hybrid viewfinder?) just simpler in general?


If I were to sum it up in a rhetorically pleasing way, I would say 'less kit, no bullshit'...

It lets me concentrate on just shooting instead of working out what gear I want to use.. As for the viewfinder? Damned useful in bad light situations where the rear lcd just isn't visible, otherwise I almost never use it.
10/11/2014 10:03:05 PM · #9
So could you make the switch and dump all your Canon gear and not miss having the interchangeability?
10/11/2014 11:13:03 PM · #10
I always wanted an X100 but when it came down to buying I chose the X-E2 for the interchangeable lens ability - it adapts to just about everything, and the 18-55 it comes with is excellent - as good as or better than the 17-40L I had when I shot Canon, but some of what I'm seeing might be due to the awesome sensor the Fuji has, compared to the 40D's sensor.

I'm very happy with the images it produces, and it's a joy to carry around and shoot handheld with.

The EVF is good most of the time but it makes using circular polarizers tricky.

When it comes to shooting on a tripod, especially in controlled conditions, the Fuji falls short. You have to take it off the tripod to pull the battery and SD card. Speaking of the battery, it doesn't last long at all, and the materials quality seems lower than I expected after about 9 months of use, but I don't baby my equipment. It's been knocked off a shelf by my cat once so there's a scrape on the bottom corner but nothing broken, but the bottom is showing some wear from mounting and unmounting the tripod quick release bracket all the time. This wouldn't be an issue if I could remove the SD card from the side, and charge, even if slowly, from the micro-USB connection.

I like it a lot because of the image quality and how well it works when handholding and carrying it around, but for controlled conditions I'm wishing I had another Canon 1 series - I loved the design and build of the 1D despite the size and weight.
10/12/2014 12:02:32 AM · #11
Originally posted by Garry:

So could you make the switch and dump all your Canon gear and not miss having the interchangeability?


Nope. Nor could I happily ditch my cell phone camera.

With that being said, if I had to keep only one camera, that would be it.
10/12/2014 12:41:30 AM · #12
It's pretty versatile for a one trick pony.

I use it for a lot of cityscapes


...some for landscapes


...and a lot for street photography


Are there times I would like to go wider or have more reach? Sure, but there are trade-offs. It is smaller than most interchangeable lens systems, so I can easily take it about anywhere.
10/12/2014 12:44:14 AM · #13
I also might point out that the X100s took the top two spots in the Edges challenge..
10/12/2014 07:48:30 AM · #14
So, then from the other side, what would the fixed lens X100 give you that a point&shoot couldn't?

Guess I'm trying to figure out the niche for this camera. People like that its small, low fuss (no lens changing) and good IQ. But same could be said for newer compacts like the Sony RX-100 which is smaller, lighter, cheaper, 20mp vs 16mp (and has video)?

Camera sound like it falls into no-mans land a little?
10/12/2014 08:06:12 AM · #15
My x100 is the only camera I use these days. It's not perfect but it's close enough to it for me. I shoot in bw jpeg+Raw, the jpeg's produced are really excellent, tonal range is so good.
I found it a struggle carrying around my Canon gear, carrying around the x100 you hardly notice it. Great for street/portraits and even the occasional wildlife shot.
I have said it on here before but the only upgrade I would consider is the Leica M Monochrom but the price puts it out of reach for me.
I do not find the fixed lens a drawback at all, you just have to adjust accordingly. Obviously it depends on your shooting preferences.

iso 3200






Message edited by author 2014-10-12 08:11:22.
10/12/2014 09:34:51 AM · #16
I agree with good ole Mike.

and I don't even own one.
10/12/2014 10:13:32 AM · #17
Originally posted by Garry:

So, then from the other side, what would the fixed lens X100 give you that a point&shoot couldn't?

Guess I'm trying to figure out the niche for this camera. People like that its small, low fuss (no lens changing) and good IQ. But same could be said for newer compacts like the Sony RX-100 which is smaller, lighter, cheaper, 20mp vs 16mp (and has video)?

Camera sound like it falls into no-mans land a little?


The only advantage is sheer image quality, and the fact that it's stylish enough to nearly count as jewelry.
10/12/2014 10:25:24 AM · #18
Point & Shoot's have feelings too Garry.
10/12/2014 10:36:31 AM · #19
Originally posted by Tiny:

Point & Shoot's have feelings too Garry.


Haha! Yes, they do!
10/12/2014 11:47:43 AM · #20
The x100 series and The RX100 series are two sides of the same coin, small, take anywhere cameras with crazy good image quality. They've each made different tradeoffs to get to what they are, but they're both fantastic cameras. The RX100 is smaller and has a zoom. The x100's have wicked cool viewfinders, leaf shutters, and are generally faster and more intuitive to operate. And are more expensive.

I got the rx100 thinking I would use the zoom more than I do, but I nearly always use it at the focal length it's at when I turn it on (28mm equiv). If I were buying today, I'd probably fall on the other side of the fence and get the Fuji, but my feelings about it aren't strong enough to actually switch.
10/12/2014 12:33:00 PM · #21
Originally posted by Ann:

The x100 series and The RX100 series are two sides of the same coin, small, take anywhere cameras with crazy good image quality. They've each made different tradeoffs to get to what they are, but they're both fantastic cameras. The RX100 is smaller and has a zoom. The x100's have wicked cool viewfinders, leaf shutters, and are generally faster and more intuitive to operate. And are more expensive.

I got the rx100 thinking I would use the zoom more than I do, but I nearly always use it at the focal length it's at when I turn it on (28mm equiv). If I were buying today, I'd probably fall on the other side of the fence and get the Fuji, but my feelings about it aren't strong enough to actually switch.


Thanks for the comparison, Ann!
10/15/2014 11:12:46 PM · #22
I loved the x100s when I rented it. Best part is the viewfinder showing me exactly what the image will look like. Is the x100t a significant improvement?
10/16/2014 06:22:26 AM · #23
Write up for x100t on DPReview
10/16/2014 06:45:43 AM · #24
Originally posted by posthumous:

I loved the x100s when I rented it. Best part is the viewfinder showing me exactly what the image will look like. Is the x100t a significant improvement?


Several enhancements, but I suspect the the two most important are the much more advanced viewfinder and faster AF.
10/17/2014 06:37:34 AM · #25
its not the camera, its the post processing.
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