Just how good is the Fui x100s from a DSLR point of view

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Philx1979

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Hi,

I have read countless reviews on the Fuji x100s and the reviews rave how good it is, now i use 2 nikon bodies the 300 and 90 and i was considering getting rid of the d90 and 35mm lens for the fujix100s, but has anyone else done this and what are their experiences, some people think the fuji can give a full frame a run for its money??

I would love to hold one or at least handle and view in the flesh, but being in cornwall there isnt any shops that stock this model and i dont know of anyone who has one.

I`ve slowly been coming away from the landscape photography, i find that i cant and haven`t got the time to be setting up with tripods and filters etc
My main photography now is ducumenting my family (got a large family! lol) doing portraits of friends etc and the apparent smaller size appeals to me, but how much smaller is it compared to a nikon d90 and 35mm lens??

And would i miss the nikon flash gun on the fuji or is that little much raved about flash built in on the x100s really that good???

Some parts of me say the nikon d90 and 35mm is probably better than the fuji x100s, but something keeps reeling me back to wanting one and i need to sort this out once and for all.
 
I've had one since last summer and I really, really rate it. When I wanted to sling a camera in a bag for personal and social photography, I used to go with a D7000 and a 35mm or a 24mm lens, but the x100s is *much* better for all sorts of reasons.

I bought it as a personal carry camera and for street photography, but now I've realised just how bloody brilliant it is, I use it for so much more. Shooting events, it's so low profile that people don't notice me working. I've covered it in black gaffer tape and with the small size and *totally* silent shutter, it's almost completely stealth. Shooting portraits with off-camera flash, it's like nothing I've ever had. The leaf shutter means you can sync up to crazy speeds, so suddenly that little speedlight is like a Elinchrom Ranger or a Profoto Acute in terms of power.

I took it on a trip to Morocco last year to make some portraits. One camera, one lens, one flash and a brolly. Oh. My. God - it was a revelation. No more knackered shoulders and weary feet. People don't get freaked out like when you poke a big old Nikon or Canon in their face, either - and because of the rangefinder like viewfinder, you can maintain eye contact as you shoot. That alone is a complete killer for me.

The built in flash is good, but it's not like using a proper hot shoe because you can't bounce. But as a fill-flash, it's excellent. I gel mine with a bit of 1/4 CTO taped on because I think it's a bit cool. Maybe it'll warm up as it gets worn in.

The image quality is sublime - as good as my full frame Nikon and maybe better. Yeah, I mean it. The lack of filter in front of the sensor seems to make this thing hoover up detail. I don't know how many virgins they sacrificed to get this magic, but it was worth it. Of course - it could be a lot to do with the lens, too. Sharp as a wossname down to f/2.8 and quite acceptable at f/2. The high ISO is great and the in-camera B&W jpegs absolutely rock. I seldom bother with processing the RAW files, especially when I know I want B&W reportage stuff because whatever they do with their SEEKRIT algorithms, skin looks amazing.

I quite often stick a fast 85mm on my DSLR and carry the Fuji on the other shoulder and that's all I need to shoot an event or whatever in available light. Often, I make twice as many frames on the fuji.

Soyeah - I'm a bit in love with mine...
 
Wow excellent write up thanks Charlotte, you got a link to any of your images to have a look at?

Anyone else got some experiences with x100s??

Anyone in cornwall got one i can have a look at etc??
 
I sold mine just recently. Nothing to do with the output quality, I just felt I wasn't making enough use of it. I still prefer a chunkier camera with decent grip. I found I was still using my D800 + 35mm a lot more. I just prefer the handling and controls. I don't mind having the bag with me whenever I'm planning to shoot, so that's not a major issue.

I thought I'd use the fuji more for street shooting, and for nights out, parties, get-togethers etc . And, well, I did use it for a lot of snaps, but that's the thing. Any compact will do same for me for that purpose, so it felt a little extravagant to only use as a casual cam.

I will say the image quality is amazing, it's not far off the D800 tbh, in terms of overall quality and ISO performance. It has the file size to match though, almost, when shooting RAW.
 
thats interesting, what filesizes are we talking when shooting raw? surprised to hear that quality and iso could be up there with the d800 very impressive
 
Hi
I have a x100s and am very impressed with everything about this camera, although, according to x100 users (the previous version), the jpegs SOOC aren't supposed to be as good, something about waxy skin when used at high ISO's (not an issue with the Raw files though). The AF isn't as quick as a top end DSLR but really you wouldn't be using this camera for sports anyway. The ergonomics are superb and the 'look' of the camera is fantastic, I managed to buy a black one for around £650 from Panamoz (only silver ones listed on their site now though). Believe me, you will not be disappointed with this camera, a real joy to use and loving the retro looks.
File size is around 32mb (although Photoshop says around 42mb for some reason)
JohnyT
 
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Philx1979 said:
thats interesting, what filesizes are we talking when shooting raw? surprised to hear that quality and iso could be up there with the d800 very impressive
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I was very impressed with the ISO performance. It's very useable at 6400, I'd even push it and say it's a tad cleaner at higher ISO than the D800. The RAW files were over 30mb. Not far off D800 files if you are running 12 bit compressed say.
 
Have to agree with everything that's been said. It really is that good.

And you can use your Nikon flash in the hotshoe for bounced flash. Manual setting only though.
 
It is a different beast. IQ wise its on a par, its also lighter and smaller. Cons - Fixed lens, AF is not as good, battery life is poor.
 
^^^
WHS

I'm a big fan of Fuji's current crop of compacts but decided against an X100(s) on the fixed lens point. If I want a slightly larger sensor than the baby Xs, I'll use the X-Pro1 and have the flexibility a CS allows with little extra bulk. If I'll be happy with a fixed focal length, I'll leave the 18mm on it.
Only problem is that I have a hankering for an XT-1 now! I hope to be able to control my GAS until they're a) more easily available and (related!) b) cheaper!!!
 
cambsno said:
It is a different beast. IQ wise its on a par, its also lighter and smaller. Cons - Fixed lens, AF is not as good, battery life is poor.
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That's a good point! One I forget until you mentioned. But the battery life is extremely poor indeed. I had 3 fuji batteries, and on a good day's shooting would get through them all. Whereas I have 2 for my D800, and very rarely have to swap them out. One often lasts numerous days.
 
Yup, the x100 is APS-C IIRC. The baby Xs I refer to are the xf_1 and X-#0 compacts.
 
If I were in your position and had the D300 for AF etc. Id definitely switch the D90 and 35mm for the x100s, IQ is way better than the D90. Its a very good sensor but I prefer my FF camera output.

Its much smaller than a D90 and 35mm, its the perfect grab and go camera imo.
 
No probs, Johny!

The X-Pro with the 18mm on it isn't that much bulkier than the X-100, although the little hood makes it bulkier!
 
treeman said:
Quick question, am I right in thinking it has a leaf shutter and can sync beyond 1000th?
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Hi, Yes but not all shutter speeds are available with all apertures. F2 & F2.8 up to 1/1000s, F4 & F5.6 up to 1/2000s, F8 onwards any shutter speed.

Hope this helps.
 
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