RoamingScott wrote:
The X100 line is purely a JPEG camera for me, and all recipes are built on the premise of using DR400, so I'd use it all the time, in all light. DR400 hits the 2nd base ISO for the dual gain, controls highlights much better than DR100 or DR200. ND is applied anytime as necessary to control shutter speed (meaning almost all the time outdoors). F2 is a nonstarter aperture for me on the X100 line, 2.2 is the minimum for acceptable IQ for me personally.
I rarely use DR400 on the GFX because 1) it affects RAW files and 2) if you don't have a screw-on ND with you at all times, you're constantly fiddling with the DR setting midday and totally defeating the point....Show more →
Thanks, Scott. I usually leave Dynamic Range (DR) on Auto, and the camera switches from DR100 to DR200 in higher contrast lighting. This provides about one stop better highlight detail but one stop worse shadow detail. With DR400, the camera seems to expose highlights to ISO 125 and shadows to ISO 640 in a single image, resulting in a bit more noise but offering two extra stops of highlight recovery, even for the RAW files. Sometimes the trade-off is worth it, and you might be right about keeping it always on if you don’t mind the extra shadow noise. I may do that and turn off all grain from the presets.
I’m curious why so many shooters prefer JPEG over HEIF. It used to be for compatibility issues, but all the software I use now supports HEIF. I get much better highlight and shadow recovery (if needed) with a 10-bit file, and the files are smaller than JPEGs.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Thanks, Scott. I usually leave Dynamic Range (DR) on Auto, and the camera switches from DR100 to DR200 in higher contrast lighting. This provides about one stop better highlight detail but one stop worse shadow detail. With DR400, the camera seems to expose highlights to ISO 125 and shadows to ISO 640 in a single image, resulting in a bit more noise but offering two extra stops of highlight recovery, even for the RAW files. Sometimes the trade-off is worth it, and you might be right about keeping it always on if you don’t mind the extra shadow noise. I may do that and turn off all grain from the presets.
I’m curious why so many shooters prefer JPEG over HEIF. It used to be for compatibility issues, but all the software I use now supports HEIF. I get much better highlight and shadow recovery (if needed) with a 10-bit file, and the files are smaller than JPEGs....Show more →
I played with HEIF, but until support for it on the web widens, it doesn't interest me in a primary output format.
I hard set DR so that I get consistent looks in various lighting (ie softer transitions of light in high contrast situations). Plus I get consistent grain size since it usually will default to ISO 500 (or whatever dual gain is on various bodies).
It's interesting that many FM members received their Fuji X100VI from B&H Photo this month and many of them decided to sell it without even opening the box. I have to admit, I considered doing the same but ended up keeping mine. Right now, there are about eight new X100VIs for sale on FM. Wow!
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's interesting that many FM members received their Fuji X100VI from B&H Photo this month and many of them decided to sell it without even opening the box. I have to admit, I considered doing the same but ended up keeping mine. Right now, there are about eight new X100VIs for sale on FM. Wow!
I was hoping a few might keep them and sell their V
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's interesting that many FM members received their Fuji X100VI from B&H Photo this month and many of them decided to sell it without even opening the box. I have to admit, I considered doing the same but ended up keeping mine. Right now, there are about eight new X100VIs for sale on FM. Wow!
Good to have them available for Christmas, in addition to just being able to get one
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's interesting that many FM members received their Fuji X100VI from B&H Photo this month and many of them decided to sell it without even opening the box. I have to admit, I considered doing the same but ended up keeping mine. Right now, there are about eight new X100VIs for sale on FM. Wow!
I think there are a few things going on here, Fred.
1. Some are probably hoping to take advantage of the fact that used (or new and unboxed 3rd party) X100vi cameras have been demanding a real premium, given the ridiculous shortages combined with the over-the-top demand for the camera.
2. Others who were caught up in the initial frenzy (and we read some of them here on FM) had time to think about this camera relative to their own photographic needs and decided that perhaps they actually did want the opportunity to use interchangeable lenses or otherwise got past the initial gear lust phase.
I think the X100vi is a fascinating and high quality camera, but I also think that the real world market for it is smaller than the initial hype would suggest.
For my part there are times/scenarios in which the X100vi would work beautifully, but I can’t justify buying _another_ camera just for those, especially since putting my favorite 27mm f/2.8 on my XT5 makes for a small and light package that fits in the small bag I use for travel, along with a few additional useful lenses.
I have an x100f that I really enjoy. It isn't the best at anything, and the autofocus kind of sucks sometimes. Low light performance is not very good, but I do think the "noise" is kind of nice when shooting in b&w...it has a more pleasing characteristic than other cameras I have used.
Maybe this is all moot since I can't actually get one anywhere, but compared to a couple generations of cameras ago, how much better is the autofocus on the x100vi? Most complaints I see about it in reviews seem to be focused on large crowds and the focus picking faces in the background, or fast action.
I just want to document my family life with it and take pictures of my son who is starting to walk now, and have AF reliably keep up with him.
Dr_Fishy wrote:
I have an x100f that I really enjoy. It isn't the best at anything, and the autofocus kind of sucks sometimes. Low light performance is not very good, but I do think the "noise" is kind of nice when shooting in b&w...it has a more pleasing characteristic than other cameras I have used.
Maybe this is all moot since I can't actually get one anywhere, but compared to a couple generations of cameras ago, how much better is the autofocus on the x100vi? Most complaints I see about it in reviews seem to be focused on large crowds and the focus picking faces in the background, or fast action.
I just want to document my family life with it and take pictures of my son who is starting to walk now, and have AF reliably keep up with him....Show more →
AF-S is reliable. You wouldn't really use AF-S with an active kid, though. The biggest issue with the X100 line is the current lens is a dog when it comes to the focus motors. I'd probably lean towards the X-T5, X-M5 or, more ideally, the upcoming X-E5 + 23/2 instead if the size isn't too much for you.
I am one of them 😅 but I did use it and as expected takes great pictures but I just didn't like the bulky and slippery feel of it. Maybe got spoiled by Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx I already own. Maybe I'll try to use on my India and Cambodia trips and give time to get used to it. But honestly I got it to keep my travel camera light and 40mp attracted me. But now seeing how bulky it feels I feel like I should rather get Sony A7Cr as I'm used to Sony's plus I have plenty of compact primes.
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's interesting that many FM members received their Fuji X100VI from B&H Photo this month and many of them decided to sell it without even opening the box. I have to admit, I considered doing the same but ended up keeping mine. Right now, there are about eight new X100VIs for sale on FM. Wow!
Dr_Fishy wrote:
I just want to document my family life with it and take pictures of my son who is starting to walk now, and have AF reliably keep up with him.
So, as a Sony A9 owner I am very surprised how good and reliable AF-C on X100vi for documenting family life is, as this is what I do as well. But I need to say that my kids are 8 and 6 years and probably don‘t move as erratically as younger kids. But even it they are riding a bike towards me, the AF tracks them very well. Keeper rate is of course below Sony A9 but still very, very high.
But you need specific AF-settings and it might take some time to figure out what works well. In my case this is always wide/Tracking where I usually set a small AF-point on the object to be tracked. Played around with Single, Zone and All AF but they didn‘t work well in my cases.
kits_VA wrote:
I am one of them 😅 but I did use it and as expected takes great pictures but I just didn't like the bulky and slippery feel of it. Maybe got spoiled by Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx I already own. Maybe I'll try to use on my India and Cambodia trips and give time to get used to it. But honestly I got it to keep my travel camera light and 40mp attracted me. But now seeing how bulky it feels I feel like I should rather get Sony A7Cr as I'm used to Sony's plus I have plenty of compact primes.
I went in a completely different direction. I had forgotten that I pre-ordered one back in February and was surprised when it arrived. Initially, I planned to sell it right away without even opening it. However, a friend suggested that I should take a few shots and get to know the camera a bit before making a decision. I expected it to be just a slightly smaller version of my X-Pro3 and ignored its new features. But as soon as I opened the box, I was impressed by its build quality. When I started taking pictures with it, I was blown away by the results (all things considered).
I liked it so much that I ended up replacing my Leica Q2 with it. I have other cameras, but this one goes with me everywhere. I really value its size, capabilities, and the fact that it has a fixed lens.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I went in a completely different direction. I had forgotten that I pre-ordered one back in February and was surprised when it arrived. Initially, I planned to sell it right away without even opening it. However, a friend suggested that I should take a few shots and get to know the camera a bit before making a decision. I expected it to be just a slightly smaller version of my X-Pro3 and ignored its new features. But as soon as I opened the box, I was impressed by its build quality. When I started taking pictures with it, I was blown away by the results (all things considered).
I liked it so much that I ended up replacing my Leica Q2 with it. I have other cameras, but this one goes with me everywhere. I really value its size, capabilities, and the fact that it has a fixed lens....Show more →
I have not used the X100vi, but I did use the previous model. I was also very impressed by the design and feel of the camera and, honestly, I was really tempted in a whim purchase kind of way. I tried really hard to persuade myself that I “needed” one. It is small, tightly designed, and for me it evoked memories of some of the old school film cameras I used many years ago.
There are situations in which I could use it, but in the end I came to the conclusions that for me (and YMMY) the pluses, as real as they are, weren’t quite big enough to justify owning yet another special purpose body, and that putting my 27mm f/2.8on the XT5 was close enough… and a bit more flexible. (Right now as I travel I’m shooting that combo perhaps 90% of the time, occasionally swapping in the 14mm f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, or — believe it or not — the 60mm f/2.4 macro.)
I sold mine last week without even opening it, only to realize afterward that I originally ordered it because I wasn’t really using my heavier full-frame lenses and camera anymore. So, I ended up repurchasing it last night on the BS forum.
I'm now exploring whether the X100VI could replace most—if not all—of my full-frame kit. While I deeply appreciate the exceptional quality and rendering of FF lenses, the reality is that 95% of my photography happens on my phone these days, so the X100VI feels like it could be a perfect match. Plus, I’m a big fan of the 35mm focal length, which makes this experiment feel all the more worthwhile.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I went in a completely different direction. I had forgotten that I pre-ordered one back in February and was surprised when it arrived. Initially, I planned to sell it right away without even opening it. However, a friend suggested that I should take a few shots and get to know the camera a bit before making a decision. I expected it to be just a slightly smaller version of my X-Pro3 and ignored its new features. But as soon as I opened the box, I was impressed by its build quality. When I started taking pictures with it, I was blown away by the results (all things considered).
I liked it so much that I ended up replacing my Leica Q2 with it. I have other cameras, but this one goes with me everywhere. I really value its size, capabilities, and the fact that it has a fixed lens....Show more →
This is the route I think I might be taking too, getting a X100VI and selling my X-T4 kit. I initially got the X-T4 back then for hybrid photo plus 10-bit video work, but my newer FF Sonys can do all that now. I don't need the X-T4 for portraits and events either since my FF gear does them better.
The X-T4 has always felt a bit too heavy and bulky for travel. Right now I use a Sony RX100VA for casual snaps, but I think the X100VI might be compact enough to be enjoyable too.
If I can snag a X100VI from B&H edu + Payboo, then I might go for it.
genjy wrote:
This is the route I think I might be taking too, getting a X100VI and selling my X-T4 kit. I initially got the X-T4 back then for hybrid photo plus 10-bit video work, but my newer FF Sonys can do all that now. I don't need the X-T4 for portraits and events either since my FF gear does them better.
The X-T4 has always felt a bit too heavy and bulky for travel. Right now I use a Sony RX100VA for casual snaps, but I think the X100VI might be compact enough to be enjoyable too.
If I can snag a X100VI from B&H edu + Payboo, then I might go for it....Show more →
The X100 excels in the light travel use case. Wildcard for you since you're invested into Sony, does the A7C line hold no appeal?
RoamingScott wrote:
The X100 excels in the light travel use case. Wildcard for you since you're invested into Sony, does the A7C line hold no appeal?
I've always preferred fixed lens compacts and P&S. And my Sony lenses are all kind of big, so an A7C would just mean spending even more to get a Sony F2.5 prime for it. The X100VI is one and done.
genjy wrote:
I've always preferred fixed lens compacts and P&S. And my Sony lenses are all kind of big, so an A7C would just mean spending even more to get a Sony F2.5 prime for it. The X100VI is one and done.
Same here. There’s something special about shooting with a fixed lens, especially one as compact and well-built as the X100 series, which also offers an optical viewfinder. My only question was whether I’d like the built-in 23mm f/2 lens, and the answer is a big yes. It performs well and adds a bit of charm to the rendering.
I bought mine thinking that it'd be a good second camera to my Hasselblad because of its form factor/versatility and I ended up reaching for it just as often as the Hasselblad because it turns our compactness matters. It fits in my normal sling and I can take this with me while hanging out with my normie friends without looking out of place and snap a few photos that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to if I only had my Hasselblad.
Photo quality wise, I don't think it's really fair to compare the X100 to a medium format but it does surprise me every now and then given its size.
Just over a year after I preordered a X100VI from one of the online stores, then canceling after waiting months, I finally scored a brand new one at REGULAR price. I wasn't going to overpay scalpers.
On a whim I checked KEH and they had a brand new silver one at $1599. I couldn't believe it. I ordered it and got it within a day. Brand new. I can't believe I waited a year.. I guess I was patient.
