Camera Labs

Nice Bob, I was wondering about the body. That magnesium alloy sounds pretty good! Will be a real sturdy little camera. A mini brick.

Some more information from Falk Lumo talking to Fuji at Photokina.

"Fuji announced a camera in development, the Finepix X100. They showed a prototype and it is awesome. It is the perfect blend between a rangefinder and an EVIL camera. Well, almost because its lens isn't interchangeable.

It is an APS-C camera with a an "exceptional resolution" 23mm f/2 fixed prime lens and a very rangefinder-like viewfinder: It is both optical and electronic! You switch between optical and electronic. Additionally, the optical viewfinder may display an electronic overlay for additional information. And so, it is no surprise the camera looks like a rangefinder.

I asked why not with a lens mount? Answer: We want see how this one sells first. I asked: but you know that if this version does not sell it may be because it has no mount? Answer: no, is it so...?

Obviously, the X100 was made to compete against the Leica X1. With the optical viewfinder as its bonus. I asked if its cheaper than Leica X1. Answer was hesitant. Eventually they gave me "1000" as a ballpark number which would be about 2/3 of a Leica X1.

The Finepix X100 was one of the positive surprises of the Photokina."

At €1000 I will not even consider an X1 and I think they will sell boat loads. But just imagine Fuji coming up with a mount for this and a few f/2 primes...

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Canon 7D | EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS

Hi Dutch,

Nice find. IMHO the only reason to buy a Leica X1 now is the fact that you can't buy an X100 until next year - I've already registered an interest with Fujifilm for the X100.

An interchangeable lens version would be wonderful indeed but it will be interesting to see how well the hybrid viewfinder concept would work in such a camera. Those already enamoured of rangefinders would have no problem with a fixed focal length optical viewfinder regardless of the focal length of the lens attached but that's a concept that might struggle in the wider market. Some compacts, such as my PowerShot G10, have an optical viewfinder whose focal length attempts to match the zoom of the lens but I think it would be very difficult to integrate the optics of such a viewfinder in combination with the LCD side of a hybrid viewfinder in a mirrorless camera.

I've started a discussion on the Leica Forum about whether a hybrid viewfinder is the way forward for the M-series cameras. To me it seems to have few drawbacks if the extra graphics from the LCD are kept unobtrusive and quite a few upsides, not least of which is the ability to draw the frame-lines (showing the image framing appropriate to lens focal length and focus distance) exactly where they are needed. On balance the reaction so far hasn't been too negative, bearing in mind that most M-series users are passionate about the way they see the world through the viewfinder, but they are well used to the concept of a fixed focal length viewfinder.

But I digress as this is the thread for the X100. I'm looking forward to next year, though I might yet change my mind if I hear poor reports. Two things I'm not clear about yet (sic) is whether or not that built in ND filter is permanently in the optical train (I hope not) and whether the lens has a filter thread. Good news if it does if one wants to use a polariser and it might provide opportunities for a company such as Raynox to add value. Better yet, Fujifilm could offer accessory lenses which could be supported in firmware in combination with the LCD side of that hybrid viewfinder.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

My reading of it suggests the ND will only go in place when needed. I have to assume there is some mechanical implementation inside for that. Since they have a fixed lens, they could put that near the aperture to reduce the size required.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

Hope you're right: at about €1000 you should be!

Canon Rumors has a side by side shot of the X100 with the M9:

I must confess I hadn't done the size comparison up to now but the M9 is 139 x 37 x 80 mm (Width x Depth x Height) while the X100 has 126.5 x 53.9 x 74.4 mm. The X100 depth includes the lens, of course, but it does leave me wondering why the APS-C X100 is almost the same size as the full-frame M9? Still very desirable, though, while I save up for that M10.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

At least the body-only size is comparable to the E-P1 - smaller sensor again although it does have stabilisation.

On that note, there's no mention I've seen so far on if there is any stabilisation anywhere on the X100. Neither lens nor sensor-shift. I know people will always argue that faster/wider lenses don't need it as much, but if present it still gives you that bit more in a pinch.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

That is one sweet-looking camera that I would never have expected to come from Fuji. Irrationally, without any knowledge of image quality or how it works in practice, I...just...want...one..lol.

If it actually takes great quality pictures and have good metering, I could see myself saving up for one of these puppies.

It sure looks like an instant classic!

Cheers

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Nikon stuff and other stuff, but not nearly as much stuff as I really want!

.
Adorama are reporting that:

Yesterday's announcement by Fujifilm of a classic rangefinder-like digital compact, the FinePix X100, has created quite a buzz around the web. Today, Fujifilm announced a U.S. release date, and a price: March 2011, and approximately $1,000. Put the cotton in your ears, the buzz is about to get louder.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

$1000? That'll be like £1000 by the time it gets here. Still reasonable I think compared to the smaller high end m4/3 models.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

It's much cheaper than I expected. I might have to start saving now. This camera looks awesome.

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Nikon D700 | 20mm f2.8 | 28mm f2.8 | 50mm f1.8 | 70-300 f4-5.6 | SB800 | flickr | serial photography

Bob, I at first missed the registration on the website. Have now registered as well.

Too bad we live in a €-country, $1000 will be €1000, but still a very good price I think (and cheaper than for Popo ). A March release is good for me as I will have time to save the money and still have one well in time for our belated honeymoon. Plus, I think I will be able to keep the 7D. Unless of course Fuji pull another one out of the hat and come up with an X100 with interchangeable lenses.

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Canon 7D | EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS

Hi folks,

Thought I'd share some more X100 news. First off there's a comparison designed to wind up Leica between the M9, the X100 and the X1 here at DigitalRev. I don't set much store by their analysis as they are in the business of selling cameras but the feature table is fun.

Second up there's a "hands on" video by What Digital Camera which you can view here. This one includes an interview with one of the designers from which one gets the impression that Fujifilm wanted to design a camera offering the highest image quality.

Another video, by Which, is more of a "hands off" but if you are interested you can see it here. The last 40 seconds are an advertorial by Which and can be missed without penalty.

Lastly there's a 14 minute interview by the British Journal of Photography with one of the designers and an interpreter which you can see here. The background noise level is pretty awful and I'm not sure just how much more we learn over the interview by What DIgital Camera but at least there are a couple of Benny Hill moments were the designer offers a long answer and the interpreter comes out with a much shorter translation.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Interesting... actually I just noticed for the first time what appears to be an AF mode switch on the left side of the body as seen when holding it in use.

The last video I gave up straining my ears on. I think a high pass filter would knock the noise down a lot but I'm too lazy to extract it.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Very nice, reminds me of an old Leica that I have! If I had $1000 to throw around, I think that I'd purchase this. Lately, I've been against Fuji as they've been wasting their time on P&S (Well, not wasting, as many consumers like them, but not so much us enthusiasts), but this new cam looks nice. I LOVE that retro style, they don't make cams like that anymore!

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Great finds Bob!

I agree that the DigitalRev article is a bit misplaced, Leica is not Fuji, but it is true that the X1 will have to go down in price if Leica wants to compete with the X100. Then again, Leica sells D-lux 4/5 cameras too.

It will be very interesting to see the response from other companies. Fuji is really early in showing its cards and I wonder why that is. Most companies keep new developments secret untill the last moment. Even Sony did not let on much when they showed their prototype NEX cameras. So maybe Fuji thinks its far enough ahead of the competition and wants to keep people from buying m3/4, NEX and X1 alternatives. It certainly has locked my wallet for the next few months.

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Canon 7D | EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS

Hi Dutch,

Personally I don't even think the X100 will be competing with the likes of m4/3 or the NEX, or even the Samsung. The market for a camera with a fixed fast prime has to be very limited even amongst us enthusiasts here on the forum. Similarly the way a hybrid viewfinder would work with interchangeable lenses when not in EVF mode is going to be a problem for nearly everyone except those few who already have a toe in the rangefinder camp. So why are Fijifilm doing this? I'll list some possibilities:

1. Fujifilm are feeling generous but also anticipated the huge PR coup they have achieved
2. Fujifilm plan an interchangeable lens version but wanted to test the water without the expense of developing a new lens system first
3. Fujifilm want to establish some street cred prior to launching a hostile takeover bid for Leica

OK, I made that last one up.

Any more suggestions?

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.