X100 Proving to be a Great Travel all-rounder

[David_Manning]

I'm feeling more comfortable with the X100 with every trip. I WAS an M6/Zeiss 35 guy, but I'm getting more flexibility with the X.

Here are some recent shots from Hawaii (I'll spread them over a couple of posts):

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6329060695_14ab75c6af_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6329810864_879549d038_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6329809640_b52cf21f02_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6112/6326331129_4c336f4cab_b.jpg

[David_Manning]

I used SilverEfex Pro for all the b&w conversions...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6326329267_ef1ab554d2_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6327085288_26aaae917b_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6326957731_bbb2bfd7aa_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6326330365_38ce9b3ee6_b.jpg

[David_Manning]

I kept telling people I was just a tourist and trying to get the flavor of Hawaii, and kept getting neat opportunities...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6327077206_3c5a95922e_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6326327643_a5689b8db7_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6329059937_bfbd15d4e3_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6326333629_d045f6c5c9_b.jpg

[paulfish4570]

good stuff there, David.
i've had mine for only 10 days or so, but i can surely see why it would be an excellent all-arounder ...

[umcelinho]

Going back to HI in December, should be taking my X100 paired with my M4, which will most likely be the main shooter.

[Turtle]

Its clear from the images that you enjoyed using it and used it well. I will have my hands on mine, sitting at home, in about four hours.

I too am a Leica M +35 guy. Should be interesting.

[Leigh Youdale]

Having just abandoned my m43 excursion (Panasonic have veered off in an uninteresting direction since the GF1 and Olympus have a doubtful future) I found this post very interesting. The X100 is obviously very well suited to the type of shot shown here.
I'm less of a people person and more of an architecture/scenic person when travelling and I felt that being restricted to a 35mm viewpoint would be frustrating as I tend to use 28/25/21mm lenses a lot. So I've ordered an X10 to be my travel colour camera. I don't usually print bigger than 10x8 or 11x11. Yes, the X10 has a zoom. No, the zoom is very compact compared to others. Yes, the sensor is smaller.
If the IQ turns out to be acceptable then I'll be more than pleased. If not, I'll probably be hanging out to see what the 'mystery' Fuji with interchangeable lenses looks like in or about February when details become available.

[jky]

Nice pics! Especially that minuscule surfer against the vast ocean... yep!

[David_Manning]

Thanks guys. At first the Fuji was very slow to operate because it's menu system is unlike Nikon or Canon. That was frustrating...knowing what you want, but not knowing how to get there! I think that was the crux of much of the original complaining by critics.

Like any tool, if you consider the whole, it's a great package. IQ, which is obviously very important, is top-notch. Size-wise, it handles like an M, and I see very little difference (yeah, it's a bit lighter than an M, but not by much).

The nice thing is it has macro, which my one-lens M6 setup was missing, and it offers 100% viewfinder coverage if you prefer for precise framing (via EVF). Also, it's a bit more flexible than my M when it comes to unusual shooting angles (because of the terrific LCD on the back with no lag).

All in all, very happy...although I still really see all my shots in b&w ;)

[kermaier]

Nice pictures! My favorite is the one of the older gent sitting on a wall.
BTW, did you shoot at high ISO, or did you add all that "film grain" via SilverEfex?
::Ari

[David_Manning]

Thanks Ari.

I added grain in SEP.

[Archiver]

I love your black and white conversions. They have a really nice balance of contrast and finer tonal gradations, and the grain is sweet. I have to say that your X100 black and white have the 'look' of film. I've been looking at a lot of X100 images to help me decide whether to pull the trigger on one or not, and your images are not helping, Dave!

Darn it, I didn't want to buy another camera! Oh well, I guess I helped you decide to get a Contax T3, so this is just one good turn deserving another, I guess...

[David_Manning]

Thank you for finally taking responsibility for my T3 purchase...I was trying to convince my wife it wasn't my fault! ;)

[jky]

..."2E" shot.

Maybe a slight dodge of the shaka?

Nice pics .

[David_Manning]

JKY...totally agree. I dodged a bit already...it wasn't enough.

[paulfish4570]

i think the x100 also is the ultimate grandfather camera, for family photos ... :)

[Nikonsnapper]

Yes I agree it's a great little camera. I regularly travel to Australia and have always carried too much weight in terms of DSLR's and lenses. I am now just going to use the X100 and my M7. Great pictures, and I like the grain effect.

[Don Parsons]

I really like the girl with the surfboard.

Looks like this camera works very well for you.

[jamesbf]

Beautiful shots - I love the grain in your photos. Was that done in post?

[j.scooter]

Good work. Post more :)
I am particularly drawn to the VW shot great colors and lots to explore. The house in the background looks to be really nice. That's the type I'll be when I win the lotto. :)