Fuji X100 [merged thread]

[jjb]

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looks like FUJI has a big announcement.

just saw this a few minutes ago so not certain what to make of it. looks like some sort of APS-C compact - does this qualify as a new digital rangefinder?

hybrid VF - both optical and electronic!

nice looking camera. F2.0 Fujinon lens. Fuji has my full attention at the moment.

Fujifilm unveils FinePix X100 large-sensor compact: Digital Photography Review

[j_w_davies]

http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/1009/...m/X100-001.jpg

Looks very nice.

[krabat]

It almost seems that the Fuji X100 has specifications we would like to have with the Leica X1...

[adan]

Ultimately, just a "35mm" is too limiting for me, so it is not by any means a substitute for an M9, or even an M8. (Not that anyone here has said so - yet - but someone will!)

IMHO - what the "X1" should have been (and the "X2" may be). In some ways, even, what the Digilux 2 should have been (real optical viewfinder).

It is AF-only (no focus ring), but other than that, NICE manual controls. Those "wings" on the aperture ring are a tip of the hat to the original Summilux-M 35mm.

Probably counts as a digital equivalent to the original fixed-lens Konica Hexar AF, with a bit of Contax-G and Fuji/Hasselblad X-Pan DNA mixed in (wonder if that means a Hassy version will appear?).

God will be in the details - if it has the occasional "Hunh, Wha...? Oh, you wanted me to take a picture?" focusing delays of the Contax Gs, that will be a problem. Same if the focus resets to infinity after every shot without recourse to a focus lock of some kind.

I'd imagine the hybrid viewfinder is achieved by using a split prism like an M viewfinder, but replacing all the RF/framelines mechanisms with the EVF. So not something that could be used in a camera with a functioning manual RF. Flip up a little blind to block the optical view, and turn on the power to the EVF (probably that silver lever on the front) - and you have liftoff.

There's something soft around the edges that make it look a bit like those tiny Minox "Leica reproductions." But on the whole, a beautiful picture-taking machine (we shall see if it actually takes beautiful pictures- but given Fuji's track record with lenses, film, and digital, it should).

I hope it is a kick in the butt to Leica, as was the Epson RD-1. (Fuji was actually Leica's first digital partner, before Panasonic - see http://bondo.be/z/a167_4361.jpg)

I wish it a huge success!

Price pool: My guess, $1,999 MSR

[ceflynn]

If you reload the page at DP Review, you can see that more details have been added about the hybrid viewfinder and the lens in the last few minutes.

[adan]

Hmmm - OK - that makes even more sense - the "EVF" is on all the time, providing the "bright line" and the finder readouts (shutter speed, metering, etc) for the optical viewfinder, and then adds in the picture (and blocks the optical finder) for pure EVF use.

This is how electronic framelines could be added to a Leica M - EXCEPT that one would have to figure out how to punch a hole in the middle of the LCD (thus de-integrating the integrated circuits) for the rangefinder image to get through.

Lens MTF looks "pre-ASPH Summicron-y" - which is not a bad thing.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Oh THAT is nice...!

I want one.

Could also be used to have very accurate frame lines on a lot of different lenses if applied to a Leica M camera.
.

[dkpeterborough]

Fujifilm unveils FinePix X100 large-sensor compact: Digital Photography Review

And it has a 35mm equivalent f2 lens.

dunk

[mooky]

Interesting viewfinder concept - something like Andreas Kauffmann was intimating in the LFI article. Could Leica have just got beaten to the modern viewfinder?

[barjohn]

That is what I would have expected Leica to build but it looks like Fuji beat them to it. WOW is all I can say. A really unique viewfinder both optical and EVF or either one. Real lens aperture controls where they belong, same with shutter speed and compensation controls and a lens that appears to have better performance than the Leica and it isn't a collapsing plastic one. The size is small and reasonable with metal body construction and I'll bet the skins won't be peeling off.

[adan]

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Still have to figure out how to cut a hole in it, Bo.

AF must be contrast-detect off the sensor. Often slow, esp. in low light, but has been improving in recent cameras.

Interesting that Fuji's release says better dynamic range than any previous Fuji digital camera, which is saying a lot given the reputation of the S5. Fujifilm S5 Pro Review: 18. Photographic tests: Digital Photography Review

[nugat]

Oh my!
Judging by the looks, My M8 and RD1 shall retire soon, M9 will for sure now have to wait till a M10 rendition.

Built-in ND filter-nice.
5 FPS.
The viewfinder.
Can't wait for a in-depth review.

[sfage]

Yup. If we don't see an R on Monday...

I'm in the market for something else.

[dkpeterborough]

Anyone seen proposed $$ ££ prices?

dunk

[earleygallery]

Exactly the camera Leica should have made!

Optical viewfinder (well, plus the EVF option!), traditional controls and a proper fixed lens. Very interesting development from Fuji.

[barjohn]

If you download their PDF brochure you will see the sensor has special lenses for wide angle and they claim fast AF, 5 fps, 720P HD Video, has both built in flash and a hot shoe, really nice controls and built for professionals. Here is a camera I would consider paying $2K for.

[dkpeterborough]

The lens has a built-in 3 stop ND filter which could really exploit full aperture pictorialism.

Can't wait!

dunk

[adan]

Actually, it IS Monday - in Solms and Köln.

And, yes, I'd say Fuji has out-Leica'd Leica, as far as a single-focal length, fixed-lens, AF, viewfinder digital is concerned. This is a digital Konica Hexar AF - actually, it has even better manual controls than the Hexar AF.

Good for them - and good for Leica, if they are willing to learn from the competition.

[sfage]

Originally Posted by adan

Actually, it IS Monday - in Solms and Köln.
.

Yup... about 2 in the morning, actually. Thanks for pointing out that photokina opens and lets people in the doors at 2:45 am.

/sarcasm.

[Rusted Chrome]

This does look interesting and definitely something that I would be in the market for. My main concern is image quality. Fuji has come up with a lot of nicely designed digital cameras that always seem to lag behind everyone else in quality. I'm talking issues like unacceptable noise at anything above ISO200 and things like that.

I look forward to seeing some samples from this. Too bad it's not out until 2011 as I'll be in Tokyo in November and I love picking up gadgets that are not available at home yet.