Dilemma... X100s or X-Pro1? Still undecided, anyone used both?

cambsno

cambsno

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Have used both the X100 and XPro threads but would love to hear from people who have used both, as I am CONFUSED!!!! Had a play today of both in store, having decided prior to that to buy a XPro. But the X100s seemed very good. Thought I would use this as a place to write down my thoughts, maybe that will help in some kind of therapy way!!!

This will be my 'compact', taken out when I don't want to take out the DSLR like on day trips to London, parties, park, walks, into town etc... Had a X100 before but while I loved the look and the IQ I hated the AF and general speed. My thoughts:

X100s - Slightly smaller, and looks great. Q button great and AF massively improved. As its a new camera, future firmware may have stuff like face detection? Keeps things simple, although at times I recall 35mm being a bit restrictive, sometimes needing wider, or longer (overall was ok though). Quite fast to use and snappy, and being able just to move AF points around with nothing else needed to be pressed was great.

XPro - The 18mm and 35mm lens would be great (24mm & 50mm effectively) so would cover me most of the time. Seemed a tad slower than the X100s but that could be firmware? Has a better 'upgrade path', if I decided on a Pro2 at some point (or even an XE) I can sell the body. The deal at the moment is great too and seems too good to miss!

If anyone does use both, how do you find the differences?
 
I've not tried the X100s but as far as size issues go I don't find the X-Pro1 the kind of compact camera I can just walk around with. It is still quite heavy and bulky, unlike the X100 (or X100s I guess) which I could just have with me wherever. In ther end I couldn't get on with the 35mm fixed lens. If it had been a 50-75mm lens I would have kept the x100. I never really noticed slow AF on the X-pro1 with the 18mm or 35mm and firmware upgrades have apparently improved this anyway for those that paid more attention to this issue.
 
I think (although I realise its not for everyone) that one of the great things about the x100s is that fixed lens. For that reason I'd go with that.
 
I would lean towards the X100S for the carry-everywhere camera. Sometimes a fixed lens is actually very liberating as you don't have to consider if you should change lenses - you just make the best with what you have, and move around to get a different perspective ("zoom with your feet"). All the Fuji lenses are excellent, so there's no need to worry if one is particularly better than another. If the AF on the X100S isn't quick enough for you, then the X-Pro1 won't be either...
 
I have both the X100s and an X-E1 both of which have the current/latest firmware and I cannot really help you, the 100s is portable and slips into a coat pocket and has great IQ, the E1 has the same great IQ but in a slightly bigger package depending on what lens you have on, with the 18mm there is actually not a lot of difference between them in terms of size/weight.

With regard to the current firmware they both seem to perform on a par with one another.

As an object of desire (and we all suffer from this) then the 100s is the dogs, it looks great (a modern Leica M), is really easy to use (very intuitive) and best of all you do not seem to attract unwanted attention (the kind you can get with a big DSLR with a even bigger lens on it)

This is from your post "This will be my 'compact', taken out when I don't want to take out the DSLR like on day trips to London, parties, park, walks, into town etc..."

I think you have already made your choice, and what's more you won't regret it, enjoy
 
Cheers guys, wont quote everyone but to confirm a few things...

I am used to taking a pro body and 2,8 lenses, plus a film camera or 2 on long days, so even though the Xpro is bigger than the X100s it is the same in my eyes, if that makes sense!

Agree to a point about fixed being liberataing, the more kit I get the harder it is to choose what to take! The AF is fine on the X100s (although Face detection would help).

TVRTim, useful on the comparison. I perceived the X100s to be better at AF than the Pro, but have been leaning to the Pro as the lenses are a useful thing. Still favouring the Pro at the moment.
 
Fixed is liberating but youd do the same with a prime on the XP1, the main benefit being you can choose which lens you want to take with you, the XP1 (18,35) kit will cover you with 2 primes, one wide and one for portraits etc. And the 18mm is tiny anyway so not an issue to carry in a pocket if the 35mm is on the camera.
 
twist said:
Fixed is liberating but youd do the same with a prime on the XP1, the main benefit being you can choose which lens you want to take with you, the XP1 (18,35) kit will cover you with 2 primes, one wide and one for portraits etc. And the 18mm is tiny anyway so not an issue to carry in a pocket if the 35mm is on the camera.
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Exactly my thinking.
 
Why not consider the XE2 instead of the XPro1 as it has the faster AF of the X100S with interchangeable lenses of the XPro1...?
 
Im guessing cost implications. A XE2 will cost £800 + £600 for lenses. The Xp1 package is under £1k.
 
True, but the XPro1 probably won't fit the bill on AF performance from what Simon has said.
 
twist said:
Im guessing cost implications. A XE2 will cost £800 + £600 for lenses. The Xp1 package is under £1k.
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Thats correct, Xpro is a bargain and £1k is my limit. Also I do like an ovf although thats a bonus rather than a need.
 
I've not used either but was in a similar debate with myself all be it with half the budget and I went for the X100. Personally I would never consider anything where you take multiple lenses a walkabout. As you know the X100 is a nice little package and with the case an excellent walkabout camera, the X100s by all accounts is all that and some. Multiple lens means bigger bags, and lets face it more time changing than if you were fixed and just moved to get the shot. On top of that photographers as a breed LOVE spending money on new lenses, you buy the XPro, by this time next year you would have probably spent a load on new lenses and the X mount lenses aren't cheap!

As an aside I've never seen the point of WCL £280 to turn a 35mm (eqv) into a 28mm???
 
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But the 35mm is F1.4 (50mm equiv) and works a lot better than a 35mm F2 equiv when taking portraits. The point is that he doesnt mind carrying gear so what difference will an extra small lens make in his pocket if it provides extra flexibility. Its not as if he needs to carry a bag for another lens.
 
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In my eyes you might as well get a 100d (or Nikon equivalent) and use your existing lenses, it weights less than X-Pro1 and isn't much bigger, you won't have to buy into a new system.
 
Whatever the outcome I still don't think you can claim the xpro1 will be a compact camera. I came from pro canon bodies and enormous fast lenses. For the first week the xpro1 felt tiny. But once you get used to it, it is heavy (a good thing as it is mainly metal), quite large (again good for me at least as I've big hands), benefits from adding a grip and especially a thumb grip thingy (technical term), and being an interchangeable lens camera you bring along lenses. It is way lighter/smaller than the 5D2 and 1D3 I used to drag around but it isn't pocketable or the kind of thing you carry without thinking. The x100 is, but it is also restrictive.
 
Thanks again guys.

I do love the look of both these which is part of it. They also have great IQ and have lots of external controls. If I had a smaller DSLR it would never get used! Understand what you say Ian, but compared to taking a D700 and 2.8 lenses it will feel compact. I have a Canon S95 as a true compact and rarely use it as dislike it.

Have decided on an Xpro... although seeing the X100s as a refurb in stock at Fuji was tempting, especially as there is a 10% off code and you get the case half price... so the lot for £810... very tempting and continued to visualise using it instead of the XPro. So, just need to place an order now!
 
ianmarsh said:
What lenses are you going to get, assuming you go for the 2lens deal?
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18mm and 35mm.

Partly based on the deals available but also the 18mm (27mm FF) will be my 'wide' and useful some of the time, 35mm will probably be my main lens. My main prime on D700 is a 50mm and have a 50mm on my Leica M2 which is some ways this is replacing.
 
Its a no brainer with the lens deal currently offered, I've had mine for nearly a year now and don't find myself lusting after an X100s or rumoured other models (they're just rumours).
As for weight, I have severe issues with handling heavy weights and find mine with the grip & lens is not heavy at all.

PS the grip is a must, it makes the handling even better.
 
Picked one up today from Digital Depot, got a case included although typically Currys decided to drop price to £906, making it even more of a bargain!
 
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