Fuji X100s ongoing review

[kaiser]

http://stingrayjunior.wordpress.com

Just got this camera yesterday. Here are some initial snaps taken as JPEG in various film simulation modes. I will get around to posting a proper review in the next month or so when I know the camera better. Cheers,

Matt.

[Darcy1968]

I am enjoying my new X100s too. Here's a post about the RAW issue and a pic using the purple advanced filter:
http://darcymoore.net/2013/03/18/raw-fujifilm-x100s-and-adobe-lightroom-4/%20
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darcymoore/8585195126/

[kaiser]

Ok so here are my initial thoughts after the first two weeks of ownership :)

http://stingrayjunior.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/fuji-x100s-2/

[kaiser]

Glad you are enjoying yours too Darcy. I haven't had a chance to play with any of those advanced filters yet - I'm loving the standard monochrome film simulation though.

[kaiser]

So far I'm quite happy with the little X100s. I used it as my only travel camera on a recent trip to Melbourne and it performed pretty well. AF struggled in poor light but I found manual focus somewhat usable. I haven't gotten around to updating my versions of CS4/LR from CS$ and LR3 - so I'm unable to give my verdict on the latest ACR RAW conversion. I have however been shooting RAW and using the in-camera editor to create JPEGS to my liking.

Melbournians will recognize these scenes :)

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-JhTQx9t/0/XL/i-JhTQx9t-XL.jpg
F/2 1/45s ISO 6400 Film simulation Provia

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-qGtwGvv/0/XL/i-qGtwGvv-XL.jpg
F/2 1/220s ISO 200 Film simulation Astia

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-h8J6GGp/0/XL/i-h8J6GGp-XL.jpg
F/2 1/150s ISO 800 Astia

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-PwxHWtX/0/XL/i-PwxHWtX-XL.jpg
F/2 1/30s ISO 500 Astia

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-htd4vpr/0/XL/i-htd4vpr-XL.jpg
F/5.6 1.3s ISO 200 Astia

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-pFdL5k6/0/XL/i-pFdL5k6-XL.jpg
Double exposure blend for night scape and room interior


http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-Z6CLzVz/0/XL/i-Z6CLzVz-XL.jpg
Flare torture test -Strong backlighting F/2 1/1000s ISO 200 - Fill flash. Converted in LR3


If you're interested in seeing more of the photos from the trip and a few words to go along with it - you can find the blog post here (stingrayjunior.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/melbourne-a-pictorial-travel-journal/)

The full Smug Mug gallery can be found here (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/28777839_VqcJPK)

[kaiser]

Broken blog link fixed - Melbourne: A pictorial travel journal (http://stingrayjunior.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/melbourne-a-pictorial-travel-journal/)

[billyt53]

.....

[I @ M]

Thanks Matt, it was this thread and a couple of your others that helped seal the deal on a Fuji finding a home here. :D

[kaiser]

No worries. Congrats on the purchase :D

[swifty]

Hey Kaiser, congrats on the X100s. Was in a shop yesterday and the X100s was being shown to a customer so I had the chance to have a quick play.
I must say I'm impressed. Call me old fashion but the OVF current still beats any EVF any day (and I've tried just about every EVF on the market).
The feel and controls were also all excellent, better than my Em-5 I must admit. I'm mightily impressed.
If all I wanted was a 35mm FL camera this may well be it. Though I haven't tried the new GR yet and that's always been my gold standard in compact cameras in terms of ergonomics.

[kaiser]

Thanks Swifty. I find the EVF still slightly laggy, even so Id say Ive been using the two modes equally. It is quite useful to have the EVF in monochrome mode while shooting RAW + Jpeg. It helps me to 'see' in mono and better judge tonality and shapes that colour can sometimes distract from.

This is the longest time since I started photography that Ive been limited to the 35mm focal length. It requires some compromises for sure, but for the most part I think I'm learning to live with it well.
Battery life is lame if you are used to the newer DSLRs- I have to carry 3 spares with me to get through a days shooting. No biggie but something to keep in mind.
Im quite excited about using this camera in combination with my Einstein strobe and portable Vagabond battery pack. I think it will be a real winning combo for outdoor and studio strobist work.

The camera carries really well when out and about. Ive never been a fan of neckstraps with a SLR, but the lightweight Fuji does very well with one. I got a fine leather strap that puts the camera at my hip when worn across the body, very comfy and accessible.

Im still using Jpeg mode- would you believe that I haven't even opened Lightroom since I got the X100s. Ive been using the iPad and doing some minor tweaks in Snapseed occasionally.

All in all, I think this camera will help me progress more as a photographer. Im not saying that its better than X, Y or Z camera,, but so far Im happy it and I havent even come close to using its full potential. What I mean by that is that its small size will mean Im more likely to have it with me more often, affording more oppurtunities to use it spontaneously. The single, versatile focal length takes away some choice and flexibility, but by the same token it will force me to be more creative with my compositions.

Everything is a compromise :)

[Darcy1968]

I like mounting my X100s on a Joby for sharp shots and especially enjoy the Advanced filter modes that highlight a colour: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darcymoore/8650585813/in/set-72157633072239103

[Darcy1968]

New post reflecting on the experience of using the #X100s by #FujiFilm http://darcymoore.net/2013/06/01/reflections-fujifilm-x100s/