Fuji XF1 - anyone tried one?

zerodeluxe

zerodeluxe

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Ben
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Hi

Looking to replace our aged Sony compact for my wife's birthday later this month, and am curious about the Fuji XF1. Anyone used one yet?

It looks lovely, and she's commented how she liked the camera when I showed it to her a while back, but wanted to know if it performs well too? I've had two Fuji bridge cameras in the past and both were really good, so for me it's a trusted brand. It'll only be for family snaps/videos and those times when I don't want to lug around the DSLR.

Either that or a Panasonic possibly as they've been recommended... but I know she's keen on the style of the fuji! :)

Thanks!

Ben
 
I got one and tbh I was disappointed at the build quality so I ended up sending it back.

The image quality is pretty much on par with my fuji x10 so there is nothing wrong there, but the body is plastic and felt far lighter than I would expect. I wasn't too keen on the feeling of the way the lens retracted into the body either - the whole camera didn't feel solid at all.

Good IQ, not so good build quality.

Hope this helps :)
 
Agree, the IQ is pretty much the same as the X10 although the lens is not quite so useful as the aperture raises more as the focal length increases. I found the build quality okay but the lens does feel a bit loose (and even makes a slight rattle when retracted)

The light weight is a bonus as when compared to the small size it not only fits in the pocket but is less noticeable once in there because of the lack of weight.
 
Okay - thanks for that... wouldn't have have considered build quality not so good from the images (not a good guide really, I know!) as pics online look as if it's pretty solid.

I found some good reviews of it, IQ included. One review did mention having to use the ring to turn the camera on though?!

There is an X10 on the Fuji site for only a little more, so may look into that. Not quite so pretty though! :)
 
I hate to say something opposite to Asa but I had a go with an XF1 a few weeks back & to me it felt really well made & fitted in my shirt pocket without any problem. The owner (Nod a member on TP who also owns an X10) also had a neck lanyard on whilst it was in his pocket so secure against falling out.

The turning on is a bit of a faff (to me) & would put me off as would the need to use two hands to zoom in & out but I am a 'two walking sticks' & usually full time (outside the house) wheelchair user so (I know) my needs are different to most folks.

I also owned an X10 but it wasn't small enough for a shirt pocket & would make a big bulge in a jacket pocket. This wasn't the reason why I sold it but it was because of the continual need for two hands which using sticks, wheelchair & electric scooters made things difficult.

My wife has the Panasonic TZ30 & whilst it is temptingly small with a big zoom I am not that impressed with IQ especially unless the sun is out.

I currently own a Nikon P7700 & am starting to like it after a shaky start but t hat's me with any camera but it is a bit of a brick very solid but quite heavy but good zoom, RAW & zillions of physical controls.
 
If I were to change my Nikon P7700, which is still a possibility, for something for my shirt pocket & something I can get out anywhere ( :eek: ) - without being given dirty looks I would still look at the Canon S110!!!! I tried the S95 about a year ago & was able to take a few hundred shots & was very impressed by the SOOC quality. The Canon has a wide angle lens which is good for my preference for landscape pics & it has a touch screen which on my TZ30 is never used but which was used all the time when I owned Panasonic G2.

But the Canons, who once led the small enthusiast compact camera sector, seem to have dropped their top spot to the Sony RX100 but that is priced over my budget no matter how many folks give it a rave review.

To add to the mix many on TP praise the Sony HX20V but I bought one last year & found a lot of mottling problems with my landscape shots - Google it, as I did, and there is (was) lots of reports covering it.
 
As John said, I have and use an XF-1. Not sure if all who say it feels plasticky have actually used one but in the hand it feels plenty robust enough! I went for the XF over the X-10 for the pocketability - under the skin they're the same just hidden behind slightly different lenses (the XF-1 is slightly wider at the short end and also slightly faster but slows down towards its slightly shorter long end...) and both turn on with a slight turn of the zoom ring (the XF-1 is collapsible and requires a slight pull to extend the lens on first turn on; it can then be left in standby mode but with the lens extended it's less pocketable).

Having bought the XF, I also bought a 2nd hand X-10 so I could do a direct comparison - in terms of image quality, there's nothing to split the pair - both can throw out images that will print up to A3+ straight out of the camera (ideal for those who dislike PP as much as me!). In fact, I've just sold the X-10 to a fellow photographer for his wife to use - he's a D800 user (as am I) but they wanted something smaller that was capable of taking photographs as well as snaps - it and the XF-1 met the brief but only the X-10 was easy to find 2nd hand!

Against the X-10, the XF's disadvantages are as follows...
No OVF (however, the X-10's is crippled by the lack of in VF info, partly corrected in the X-20)
No hot shoe for flash (but the built in on both is fine for fill in)
Marginally slower at the long end (but the extra at the short end is compensation enough!)

The XF's advantage is mainly the sheer pocketability of the thing - it slips neatly into a shirt pocket, even in its fitted case. As John (DayDreamer) has said, I keep mine on a lanyard to stop gravity grabbing it when I lean over - TBH, it has never slipped out anyway but I would rather not chance it! The lanyard's on a quick release clip so can be detached very easily and the wrist strap used instead.

The final appeal of the XF is that it shares a model designation with my car - purely coincidental but a nice touch!
 
Ben if you get a Fuji Refurb make sure you use the 10% off discount code & this was working a few days ago:

P10FEB15
 
Don't know what the movie mode's like - I've never used it!
 
i had one lovely camera use the refurb site and get the leather case with the voucher it works out at around £225
 
Have taken the plunge... they didn't have the red unfortunately, but no biggie really... and thanks for the code - with the half price case offer and extra discount I pretty much got the case free!

Thanks guys!
 
Hi Ben

Thanks for letting us know your decisions.

Unless, when it arrives, you change your mind & send it back under the DSR :eek:

It would be good if you update us again when you've had a go with it with your thoughts. It is a camera which has been on & off my list for a while :thinking:
 
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