Oh my! (new videos) and sample images!

[videogamemaker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lP083Q0zv14

The AF, aperture closing, and shutter speed look lighting fast in this one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqLCUccfH1U&feature=player_embedded

And tons of jpegs, though low res web sized. I can't be sure, but it looks like this version doesn't have that corner softness the ones from the norwegian sample had in the tree branches.

http://brandonremler.blogspot.com/2011/02/finepix-x100-videos.html


The FinePix X100 is a wonderful camera to work with on the streets. It’s the camera I’ve waited for for years. My standard camera has been a 5D or 5D II with a 28mm 1.8 for general shooting and vacations (light set-up to run out with). Finally the X100 comes along and I have a professional camera with the speed, ergonomics, and performance I can rely on. I'm not saying ditch the DSLR - I am saying I now have a pro camera I can rely on and not carry a DSLR when it is overkill for the activity.

Final version cameras are not in the USA but the initial prototype units are amazing. The sharpness is way over expectations and it has led me to having to send in my 16-35L lens due to its soft look when compared to the X100 (effective 35mm lens).

The image at the bottom shows the set-up for shooting the two videos on this blog. I suppose there are already tons and tons of videos and images of the camera so I think I’m done with the tech stuff unless there is a specific request which makes sense to me.

One of the best features is the near silent leaf shutter. The soft click is a luxurious sound and feel which empowers you to shoot more and raise your game. Those of you who have bought a new lens you’ve pined for in the past know that feeling of “power” when you get the new glass on the body.

All images are now from the jpeg file.
Can’t wait for it to hit our shores around March 25th.

If someone knows how to embed Youtube videos directly in the post, please let me know.

[videogamemaker]

The speed from that 2nd video, if it's anything to go by, puts all my fears from the earlier shown stuff at ease. It looks much faster than the one from fujiguys, and seems to be including the AF speed, which looks quite fast as well.

[BMacW]

He obviously knows the Fuji marketing lady Kayce. So I take it as a sign that Fuji is ready to unleash this baby for a slightly bigger masses for testing/reviewing.

Steve Huff says he might get one soon as well.

This makes the waiting bit a lot more tolerable.

[urje]

I'm surprised (and a little disappointed) focusing apparently isn't internal. I hope the lens cap isn't connected to the moving part and protects it well, so I'll be able to throw it in a bag and put some pressure on it. The Pentax 21 limited is awful in that department.

[videogamemaker]

I'm surprised (and a little disappointed) focusing apparently isn't internal. I hope the lens cap isn't connected to the moving part and protects it well, so I'll be able to throw it in a bag and put some pressure on it. The Pentax 21 limited is awful in that department.

From what I can see, the moving part doesn't push past the metal ring around the outside, so the cap should fit flush with that metal ring, no risk of contacting the moving part.



Steve Huff says he might get one soon as well.

Not disbelieving you, but where did you hear this? His site doesn't seem to mention it. Twitter?

[BMacW]

Not disbelieving you, but where did you hear this? His site doesn't seem to mention it. Twitter?

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/02/07/coming-this-week-m9-contest-top-15-and-new-reviews/

I’m also hoping that I will be one of the first with the Fuji X100 and I believe I will be

[videogamemaker]

Hmm, from the sounds of that he just means he will get one right when they come out?

[gavinlg]

Looks really fast and responsive. I expected no less to be honest. Those samples are so lackluster though - I really wish someone would take some portrait shots of someone from 4-8 feet away at f2.

[Pickett Wilson]

Amazing. A 5DII killer for $1,000 bucks.

[BMacW]

Hmm, from the sounds of that he just means he will get one right when they come out?

Yeah, Now that I reread it, it does seem like he will only get a production model upon release. :bang:

[gavinlg]

Amazing. A 5DII killer for $1,000 bucks.

Lets not get too hasty!

[videogamemaker]

Lets not get too hasty!

lol, yeah even with no AA filter at all, I don't think a 12 mp can ever out resolve a 21 mp camera, especially if comparing this lens to the 16-35mmL on the 5D. Now having the prints be similar up to a certain size I could see.

I think it does look sharper than my 5D I, the earlier full resolution samples, that is.

[gavinlg]

I think it does look sharper than my 5D I, the earlier full resolution samples, that is.

I'd disagree with that, but those samples were pretty average. The 5d still punches way above it's weight for IQ.

[lhotse]

I'd disagree with that, but those samples were pretty average. The 5d still punches way above it's weight for IQ.

agreed - if this thing even comes close to my 5d I for IQ I'll be seriously happy :)

[videogamemaker]

agreed - if this thing even comes close to my 5d I for IQ I'll be seriously happy :)

We have to wait and see, since only jpegs have been released so far, and who knows how much sharpening they have applied, but from what I saw, it looked like the x100 was resolving more detail than I've seen from my 5D. Not sure everyone saw the images of the circuitboard uncropped, with imatest papers taped up, but that one was super sharp. I'm at home now, and I saved it at work, I can attach tomorrow if there is any need (if better samples don't surface).

Just like the M9 outresolves at 18mp many of the 20+ mp cameras with it's lack of AA filter, if the X100 has a weak AA filter (or none at all) it could outresolve a camera that's only .5mp higher. (12.3 vs 12.8 I believe)

Trust me, I love my 5D images, but the sensor is dated, and it's very possible this sensor resolves more lines per inch when all factors are ideal.

[Keith]

The question I have to ask is does the Fuji Kool Aid taste similar to the Leica brand that seems quite popular around here? :angel:

:D

[PatrickT]

Interesting videos, but to be honest, the photos on his site look like garbage. Either that is because they are un-interesting and severely compressed, I'm not sure.

But yeah...if this camera can match my 5D classic's image quality...I'm in :)

[dazedgonebye]

How many aperture blades did that look to be? 9?

[ElectroWNED]

those sample pictures of the bike and telephone look like something coming out of an iPhone

[_larky]

Was the criteria for getting one of these being that you had to take poor photos? It seems that way.

Until I see for full on street stuff, as in people captured in motion, doing stuff, in tricky lighting conditions, I'm not buying. The more they release, the less I seem to want it.

"those sample pictures of the bike and telephone look like something coming out of an iPhone" - exactly.

[videogamemaker]

All the images are incredibly boring, yes, but they look fantastic technically. I was worried about corner softness from some of those norwegian samples, but this looks great from corner to corner. I took the photo of the tall building on blue sky with snow on it and green window frames, and none of the snow is blown, despite looking white. I was able to bring it back with good contrast with the shadow/highlight tool.

One thing I'm dissapointed with is no high iso samples yet. There was one at iso 400, but all others are at base iso of 200.

[gavinlg]

All the images are incredibly boring, yes, but they look fantastic technically. I was worried about corner softness from some of those norwegian samples, but this looks great from corner to corner. I took the photo of the tall building on blue sky with snow on it and green window frames, and none of the snow is blown, despite looking white. I was able to bring it back with good contrast with the shadow/highlight tool.

One thing I'm dissapointed with is no high iso samples yet. There was one at iso 400, but all others are at base iso of 200.

Agree with everything you've said. Yes the samples are boring as hell, and flat as hell. The camera obviously has HEAPS of DR and highlight headroom as there are basically no clipped highlights in these samples. I took each shot into photoshop, upped the contrast with curves, upped the saturation and sharpened them, and the tones/colors/graduations and detail are all comparable to my 5d. The lens looks sharp and the colors are accurate.

Stoked!

[BMacW]

He obviously knows the Fuji marketing lady Kayce. So I take it as a sign that Fuji is ready to unleash this baby for a slightly bigger masses for testing/reviewing.

Steve Huff says he might get one soon as well.

This makes the waiting bit a lot more tolerable.

Now I feel like a real wise ass :D

[jsrockit]

The question I have to ask is does the Fuji Kool Aid taste similar to the Leica brand that seems quite popular around here? :angel:

:D

I hope so, or I'll be disappointed... ;)

[JoeV]

those sample pictures of the bike and telephone look like something coming out of an iPhone

So, you're saying that's a good thing, right? Because the iPhone is selling like -- hotcakes! If Fuji sold as many X100s as iPhones, that'd make it a best-selling camera.

I'd also say that any camera that can be used as conveniently as a cell-phone camera makes it a good candidate for street photography, so again your comparison is an unintended compliment. ;)

~Joe

[shashinka-ichiban]

Looking at the update to the Fuji site that has an image sample gallery where you can download the full-size files w/ EXIF data, things look pretty promising.

[aleksanderpolo]

Bokeh seems to be really smooth

[ElectroWNED]

So, you're saying that's a good thing, right? Because the iPhone is selling like -- hotcakes! If Fuji sold as many X100s as iPhones, that'd make it a best-selling camera.

I'd also say that any camera that can be used as conveniently as a cell-phone camera makes it a good candidate for street photography, so again your comparison is an unintended compliment. ;)

~Joe

I'll keep my $20 XA and $9 a month slider phone, thanks :)

[cidereye]

I'll keep my $20 XA and $9 a month slider phone, thanks :)
Hehe, I was thinking the same thing especially after viewing the files from the X100. I mean, c'mon it was NEVER, ever going to live up to the extreme hype was it? :D

The shots don't even come close to something like a Lumix GF1 which can be had used for almost 1/3 of the X100's UK price and the GF1 is several years old to boot. Sure the X100 looks great, retro and all that but if you want a decent retro looking camera go buy a Rollei 35 for £50 I reckon.

[ChrisN]

Actually, the sample shots I've seen so far have reminded me a lot of the RFF gallery. I think they'd fit right in.

[tom.w.bn]

The AF, aperture closing, and shutter speed look lighting fast in this one! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqLCUccfH1U&feature=player_embedded



Oh man. From the beginning of the video to the first photo the video is running 2 seconds and I see the lens moving. If this is the time that is necessary for focussing than it's not better than any P&S. This could be disappointing.

[ChrisN]

We have to wait and see, since only jpegs have been released so far, and who knows how much sharpening they have applied ...
No sharpening applied to the few images I've looked at.

A full exif reader is useful. :)


[PhotoME]
PhotoME version: 0.79R17 (Build 856)

[Overview]
File name: C:\Documents and Settings\Chris\Desktop\DSCF1580.JPG
File type: JPEG
File size: 4,839.4*KB
Creation date: 22/01/2011 12:25
Last modification: 9/02/2011 22:05
Make: FUJIFILM (http://www.fujifilm.com)
Camera: FinePix X100
Software: Digital Camera FinePix X100 Ver0.56
Dimension: 4288 x 2848*px*(12.2 MP, 3:2)
Focal length: 23*mm
Aperture: f/16
Exposure time: 1/34" (+0.33*EV)
ISO speed rating: 200/24°
Program: Aperture-priority AE
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto
Focus Mode: Auto
Noise Reduction: 256
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode

[Image]
Manufacturer: FUJIFILM
Image input equipment model: FinePix X100
Orientation of image: 90° CW (left/bottom)
Image resolution in width direction: 72*dpi
Image resolution in height direction: 72*dpi
Unit of X and Y resolution: inch
Software: Digital Camera FinePix X100 Ver0.56
File change date and time: 2011-01-22 12:25:36
Y and C positioning: Co-Sited
Copyright holder:
Exif IFD Pointer: 0x0000016E
PRINT Image Matching: 0x00000104

[Thumbnail Info]
Compression scheme: JPEG (old-style)
Orientation of image: 90° CCW (right/top)
Image resolution in width direction: 72*dpi
Image resolution in height direction: 72*dpi
Unit of X and Y resolution: inch
Offset to JPEG SOI: 0x00000700
Bytes of JPEG data: 10862*bytes
Y and C positioning: Co-Sited

[Camera]
Exposure time: 1/34"
F number: f/16
Exposure program: Aperture priority
ISO speed rating: 200/24°
??? (8830): 1
Exif version: Version 2.3
Date and time of original data generation: 2011-01-22 12:25:36
Date and time of digital data generation: 2011-01-22 12:25:36
Meaning of each component: YCbCr
Image compression mode: 3.2*bpp
Shutter speed: 5.11*Tv (1/34.5")
Aperture: 8*Av (f/16)
Brightness: 7.34 (162*fL)
Exposure bias: +0.33*EV
Maximum lens aperture: 2*Av (f/2)
Metering mode: Pattern
Light source: Unknown
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Lens focal length: 23*mm
Manufacturer notes: 0x000003A0
Supported Flashpix version: Version 1.0
Color space: sRGB
Image width: 4288*px
Image height: 2848*px
Interoperability IFD Pointer: 0x0000066C
Focal plane X resolution: 1821*ppcm
Focal plane Y resolution: 1821*ppcm
Focal plane resolution unit: cm
Sensing method: One-chip color area sensor
File source: Digital Camera
Scene type: A directly photographed image
Custom image processing: Custom process
Exposure mode: Auto exposure
White balance: Auto
Scene capture type: Standard
Sharpness: Normal
Subject distance range: Unknown

[Manufacturer notes]
Version: 1.3.0
Internal Serial Number: FPX 25000037 592D36323232101217E35020110120
Manufacture Date: 2010-12-17
Quality: Fine
Sharpness: Normal
White Balance: Auto
Saturation: 769
White Balance Fine Tune: Red: ±0, Blue: ±0
Noise Reduction: 256
??? (100E): 0
Flash Mode: Off
Flash Exposure Compensation: 0
Macro: Off
Focus Mode: Auto
??? (1022): 1
Focus Pixel: x = 2144, y = 1424
??? (1026): 64
Slow Sync: Off
Picture Mode: Aperture-priority AE
??? (1032): 1
??? (1040): 0
??? (1041): 0
Auto Bracketing: Off
Sequence Number: 0
??? (1200): 0
Blur Warning: None
Focus Warning: Good
Exposure Warning: Good
??? (1303): 0
??? (1304): 0
??? (1305): 0
Dynamic Range: Standard
Dynamic Range Setting: RAW
Development Dynamic Range: 100
??? (1408): 2.0.0
??? (1409): 1.0.0
??? (140A): 3
??? (1431): 0
??? (4100): 0
??? (4200): 0

[Interoperability]
Interoperability Identification: R98: DCF basic file (sRGB)
Interoperability Version: Version 1.0

[PRINT Image Matching]
PrintIM Version: Version 2.5
??? (0002): 0x00000001
??? (0003): 0x00000022
??? (0101): 0x00000000

[tom.w.bn]

No sharpening applied to the few images I've looked at.



:confused: How can you see that. If it's made right you can't see if they come sharp out of the camera or sharpening is applied afterwards.

[ChrisN]

Tom, I'm just reading the exif data in the full-size jpegs I've downloaded. I thought they looked a little soft, like the unsharpened jpegs from my Pentax dSLR.

[Matus]

I have checked out the sample images on the official X100 website and must, although reluctantly, agree with KR - the images are very soft and low contrast. Maybe Fuji is trying to sell the smoothness & bokeh, but 12 Mpix images at low ISO from APS-C sensor should really be clean, smooth and crisp at the same time ... or so I would expect.

Indeed - we need to see some "true life" performance before doing too much judgement. Still - to keep up with the rest of the X100 webpage I think Fuji should provide better quality (technical & content & composition wise). The BW photos are really flat and lifeless. It is easy to get smooth tones with ultra low contrast images.

C'mon Fuji - show us what this camera can really do!

[cidereye]

I have checked out the sample images on the official X100 website and must, although reluctantly, agree with KR - the images are very soft and low contrast. Maybe Fuji is trying to sell the smoothness & bokeh, but 12 Mpix images at low ISO from APS-C sensor should really be clean, smooth and crisp at the same time ... or so I would expect.

Indeed - we need to see some "true life" performance before doing too much judgement. Still - to keep up with the rest of the X100 webpage I think Fuji should provide better quality (technical & content & composition wise). The BW photos are really flat and lifeless. It is easy to get smooth tones with ultra low contrast images.

C'mon Fuji - show us what this camera can really do!

Maybe they already have shown what it *really* can do? :(

[_larky]

Hope not. I'd be a little gutted.

[Paddy C]

Actually, the sample shots I've seen so far have reminded me a lot of the RFF gallery. I think they'd fit right in.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MargaretCho.jpg

[jsrockit]

The shots don't even come close to something like a Lumix GF1 which can be had used for almost 1/3 of the X100's UK price and the GF1 is several years old to boot. Sure the X100 looks great, retro and all that but if you want a decent retro looking camera go buy a Rollei 35 for £50 I reckon.

Wow, a few lame shots on a company website and you jumped to that conclusion>? :rolleyes:

[cidereye]

Wow, a few lame shots on a company website and you jumped to that conclusion>? :rolleyes:
Now, it was you that said they are *lame*. :D