Camera Labs

Have to say I only looked at the initial samples from Fuji and they seemed unremarkable to me, but I didn't look further since I'm not the target for that type of camera. Regardless, everything gets picked on by someone somewhere on the internet sooner or later, so why would this be an exception? We all buy kit knowing there isn't one thing that is perfect in every single way, and we have to make our decisions based on what's best of the available options.

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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.

I handled an X Pro-1 at a local dealer, and do like the way it feels in my hands. It is very comfortable to hold in my right hand, with no controls interfering with a comfortable grip. Notably, the X100 has a wheel and at least one button that interferes with my right thumb, so the X Pro-1 is an improvement in that regard. The X Pro-1 has certainly not caused a resurgence of acute GAS*, but I am going to be paying attention to user reviews, firmware updates, and such.

*GAS = Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

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Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

Owner's manual describes what happens when you bracket for Dynamic Range on page 35 (english version). Manual says Shot 1 is 100%, shot 2 is 200%, shot 3 is 300%. The manual then refers one to page 65 where there is a bit more on dynamic range. This may be clear to a user holding the camera in hand but just reading the manual, I'm not getting it. Anybody up to speed on this feature? Current settings on first click, 2* A or S on the second click, 3* A or S on the third click?

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Photo Taker for ~30 years.
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I haven't paid too much attention to the Fuji, but DRTV have just done a 3 way shoot out between it and the NEX-7 and EM-5. What caught my attention was the high ISO performance of the Fuji. It wasn't just a bit better, it was "too good to be true" better. Early samples didn't wow me, but that was enough to make me go for a 2nd look now!

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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.

The DRTV test seems a bit odd, I have a feeling they did not equip the different cameras with similar focal lenses. Hence the Sony and Olympus being cropped and the fuji not.

That being said so far the X-Pro1 seems to easily surpass the 5D Mark II in terms of ISO noise, it will be nice to see a couple of reviews though.

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Canon 5D MkII -|- Sigma 24mm f/1.8 | Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 | Canon 50mm f/1.4 | Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro | Lensbaby Composer
Canon A-1 -|- Canon 28mm f/2 | Canon 35mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/3.5 Macro

It wasn't just DRTV, when I looked elsewhere for very high ISO samples (12800) it does seem to blow everyone else away. My poor impression previously was based on the low ISO tests, where I think they lack a certain detail when casual pixel peeping compared to the rest. This potentially might be the ultimate indoor no flash camera.

Anyway, it isn't much use for my primary uses, but if the price drops (say body + 1 lens for less than body alone costs now) and a few more firmware updates come along to enhance its weaknesses, I could be tempted...

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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.

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And the X-Pro1 can also provide those nice dreamy shots where everything is out of focus and it apparently is even better at it in low light.

Regarding high ISO I'd reserve judgement until third party RAW converters are available. But from what I've seen on the Net I think the IQ of the X-Pro1 may be as good or better than any other APS-C sensor so if any AF shortcomings aren't an issue for one's intended use it could be an ideal tool. I wonder if Fuji will be able to work any extra AF performance out of the hardware with a firmware update? Hope so...

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.

Got a link? Only found the fountain examples so far, not a lot more with comparisons.

I like it as well, and I am exceptionally interested in seeing where this modified Bayer pattern will end up, thoughts of this on a full frame is terrifying!

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Canon 5D MkII -|- Sigma 24mm f/1.8 | Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 | Canon 50mm f/1.4 | Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro | Lensbaby Composer
Canon A-1 -|- Canon 28mm f/2 | Canon 35mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/3.5 Macro

Yup, when combined with the "EVF image freezes until focus is locked" issue you mentioned previously, this camera is definitely not for me since I shoot a lot of low-light action.

Thanks for the info - Mark

Plus there is an adapter for Nikon's F-mount lenses with aperture ring
(which makes me almost forget about the Nikon 1...)

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I'm about to disappear for the day hunting birds of prey, but the links and samples I turned up when I looked at it yesterday suggested the high ISO performance wasn't only a trickery of processing where the noise is smeared away with any detail. It did seem to hold up better.

Recently I kinda woke up and realised that mirrorless simply can not replace a DSLR for my primary interest areas. There is no point in me replacing my DSLR kit anyway, but it opens up the possibility of a "2nd system" for other tasks, providing there is a great enough benefit in doing so. So if I set aside my primary use, what is the feature that would most get me interested in a system? Extreme high ISO performance. Such as no-flash indoor photography.

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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.

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Hmm, no image stabilisation in the X-Pro1 body and, unless I'm having a bald moment, no IS in any of the lenses released to date. I guess you'd need a good high ISO performance for "no-flash indoor photography" to make up for that lack or, of course, if you need to freeze motion.

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.

Hi popo,

You might be interested that, in a comment following his video comparison of the E-M5 and the X-Pro1 (that's a test of the video capability, not a video of a test ), Steve Huff says "The X-Pro 1 has more soul than the OM-D but the OM-D gets almost everything right. It’s fast, it’s accurate, it exposes correctly, competes with the X-pro at high ISO (will see this in my review) even at 6400 ISO". It will be interesting to see the samples he uses to back up that claim. Meanwhile, that video test is also a stark reminder of the shortcomings of the X-Pro1 so far as AF is concerned. Fuji got so much right with the camera but at the price they want for it, ouch!

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.

Footage from the OM-D is very impressive, and the X-Pro 1 just falters compared, much because of its unreliable AF. Looking forward to seeing his review. Would like to see a bit more video of the X-Pro 1 though, on a tripod pre focused of traffic or something instead, both in low and ample light.
The OM-D seem to keep up with the 7D fairly well in terms of ISO noise so it's rally no slouch given its m4/3. (Dpreview's raw examples)

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Canon 5D MkII -|- Sigma 24mm f/1.8 | Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 | Canon 50mm f/1.4 | Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro | Lensbaby Composer
Canon A-1 -|- Canon 28mm f/2 | Canon 35mm f/2.8 | Canon 50mm f/3.5 Macro

Hi Bob, interesting test, and if I were into video that would be a strong pointer for me. But I'm not, and I am very much still a stills person. Personally I just can't see a need for me and the E-M5. As proposed previously, what does it get me beyond what my existing DLSR kit? Nothing as far as I can tell. The X-Pro 1 potential advantages may be small, but at least there are some. It is extension of performance from ISO12800 or higher in stills that would give me the most tangible benefit right now, although still at a low priority.

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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.