Fuji X100 Video

[venchka]

This camera looks nice. I hope the images look better.

Fuji FinePix X100: The Street Photographer's Dream Camera

Enjoy.

[texxter]

Thanks for sharing, Wayne. Looks really good.

[ChuckW]

A very interesting camera! I'm surprised, considering the EVF, that they did not go for interchangeable lenses. Maybe they are saving that for the already planned X200!

[venchka]

Perhaps. However, Fuji has a long history of making similar bodies with different lenses. That worked for the 6x9, 6x7 & 6x4.5 cameras. It may not work in today's consumer environment. The best part is a semi-real APS-C sensor and f/2.0 lens.
That said, there has always been a market for high end fixed lens cameras. Nikon, Konica, etc. produced some very sophisticated cameras with great lenses in the past.

[crazeazn]

i think the lense is very close to the sensor plane hence why no interchange.

[venchka]

I doubt it's any closer than the Sony NEX, unless the fixed 23mm lens allows closer placement. Even so, adapters should allow other brand lenses to work with the Fuji. I would buy one if it will take my M and LTM mount lenses.

[rfortson]

Yeah, both Sony and Samsung have interchangeable lenses on APS-C cameras. The Fuji looks cool, and it has a nice lens (though Samsung has a 30mm f/2), but non-interchangeable for that price is not for me. There's really not a good reason why they couldn't have made it interchangeable. It's not like they have a stable of old lenses to support, so they could easily create a new mount, just like Sony and Samsung.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by rfortson

There's really not a good reason why they couldn't have made it interchangeable. It's not like they have a stable of old lenses to support, so they could easily create a new mount, just like Sony and Samsung.

This is what you get from Fuji on this question;

Why does the X100 not have interchangeable lenses? Image quality is paramount on the X100. That's why the lens is fixed which, in turn, ensures that the light path and sensor position are perfectly matched for the best possible results. The designers also wanted to keep the camera's size down. Making the lens interchangeable, or offering a zoom lens alternative, would have increased bulk, detracting from the X100's original concept.

[venchka]

Clever. Very clever indeed.

Is the integral ND filter switchable?
The ND filter offers a three-stop exposure reduction and can be turned on as required. This facility provides additional picture taking versatility to users by reducing the amount of light hitting the sensor. It's helpful in those situations where users require a slow shutter speed or wide aperture setting, but this isn't possible due to bright lighting conditions.

[rfortson]

Originally Posted by texxter

This is what you get from Fuji on this question;

Why does the X100 not have interchangeable lenses? Image quality is paramount on the X100. That's why the lens is fixed which, in turn, ensures that the light path and sensor position are perfectly matched for the best possible results. The designers also wanted to keep the camera's size down. Making the lens interchangeable, or offering a zoom lens alternative, would have increased bulk, detracting from the X100's original concept.

Well, both the Samsung and Sony are actually smaller in every dimension, so that doesn't really match up. The Fuji has what looks like a nice optical viewfinder, though, while neither of the other two have one. I'm sure that takes some space, but it seems worth it.

The Fuji seems like a nice camera, and I hope they sell a bunch of them. I just don't think there's that much of a market for fixed lenses at that price.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by rfortson

Well, both the Samsung and Sony are actually smaller in every dimension, so that doesn't really match up. The Fuji has what looks like a nice optical viewfinder, though, while neither of the other two have one. I'm sure that takes some space, but it seems worth it.

The Fuji seems like a nice camera, and I hope they sell a bunch of them. I just don't think there's that much of a market for fixed lenses at that price.

Maybe not in the general digipho world of max. FPS and I never saw a zoom lens I didn't like.

However, in the parallel alternate universe where Fuji introduced not one, but two, fixed lens folding multi-medium format cameras in the last 2-3 years, there are niche players out there who are salivating for a digital re-incarnation of the Konica Hexar AF, etc. A low cost Leica M8/35mm Summicron if you please. In that same alternate reality there are folks who exclusively use 35mm/2.0 lenses on 35mm film. The Fuji X100 is their digital alternative to that combination.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by rfortson

I just don't think there's that much of a market for fixed lenses at that price.

It's not a mass market, it's a boutique market. It may be good to remember that selling a lot at a low price is not always more profitable or brand-building than selling less at a higher price. There are many photographers, in Japan, Europe and the US that would gladly pay 1,000+ for this camera, without interchangeable lenses. Not millions, but thousands. And that may be sufficient for Fuji.

[rfortson]

Originally Posted by texxter

It's not a mass market, it's a boutique market. It may be good to remember that selling a lot at a low price is not always more profitable or brand-building than selling less at a higher price. There are many photographers, in Japan, Europe and the US that would gladly pay 1,000+ for this camera, without interchangeable lenses. Not millions, but thousands. And that may be sufficient for Fuji.

Yeah, I could see that. Sigma apparently made enough off the DP1 to make a DP2 (and offer updates), and this Fuji seems like it's better, so I guess I could see the market existing.

I just wish it had detachable lenses.

[venchka]

That is what the Sony NEX-3/5 are for.

[kwhite]

Originally Posted by venchka

This camera looks nice. I hope the images look better.

Fuji FinePix X100: The Street Photographer's Dream Camera

Enjoy.

I cashed out my m4/3 gear in anticipation of buying the Fuji. In the months I shot m4/3 on the street I almost always used my 20mm 1.7 so I don't see the fixed lens on the Fuji as a limitation. Sensor based IS would be nice to have. The viewfinder will also be an asset. The add-on unit for the Oly m4/3 cameras is not that secure and seriously affects the balance of the camera. The Fuji equipped with a nice wrist strap should be a formidable street shooter.