View Full Version : The XP1 in Lyon
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 13:39
I made a quick set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/sets/72157629598647453/) of photos. These are OOC jpegs in Velvia mode, reduced in size for the web, that were taken during a 90 minute walk around the Rhône.
Caveat Emptor: I am a complete amateur (go easy on me, folks!) with a strong preference for rangefinder viewing and simplicity.
I did not bother to read the manual; I wanted first to see just how intuitive it would be, and the answer is: very.
Use:
For my purposes, the AF focus speed and reliability looks like it is going to be wholly adequate. I see no "issues" here.
The camera is better with the accessory grip: makes the body easier to hold, and centers the tripod.
The OVF is a marvel. Based on other reviews, I was expecting it to be a little on the dim side. While it may not be as bright as my ZI, it is still big and bright.
Ergonomics:
Excellent. The f-stops on the lens are firm, the clicks solid.
The camera is light, exudes high quality, and is a pleasure to hold, both immediately and over a long period of time.
The "Q" button is poorly placed, for me, and I will have to train myself not to hit it accidentally, as I did many times at first.
Niggles:
1) At the moment of AF focusing (half depress shutter) the OVF turns a bit "misty" (due to the electronic overlay). Lasts only a split second, but I find it distracting.
2) No preview lever (as there would be on an interchangeable lens rangefinder) for different focal lengths. While I only have the 35 right now, I will surely want other FLs later. It would be nice to preview the frames without having to change lenses. I suppose it might be possible to reproduce this effect (by digging through the menus, setting the camera to no lens, then designating the FL), but that defeats the purpose, for me.
General impression:
This camera is a dream *for a user with my profile*. You know how I know? Because after using it for 2 hours, it gives me so much of what I principally want that the mental dialogue between heart and head about an M9 over the past few years has simply melted away.
So much emotional energy has already been invested in overreacting to the camera, it may never be possible to express enthusiasm for it in the more public forums without inciting an argument. But I'm sure a quiet consensus will rapidly emerge.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6841900372_0676a08f4e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6841900372/)
old lantern (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6841900372/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6987806327_8632acc93e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6987806327/)
motobecane (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6987806327/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6841689148_e52680d16b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6841689148/)
street painting (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6841689148/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 13:41
Taken on "ProNeg Hi" setting.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6842117674_d9b9b08ecf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6842117674/)
SO Sewing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6842117674/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
Gorgeous colours .... impressive for OOC jpegs!
rbelyell
03-16-2012, 13:45
seems to render in a lovely way, very pleasing. i'm sure this camera will not disappoint anyone who understands what they are buying.
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 13:55
Gorgeous colours .... impressive for OOC jpegs!
Fuji color!
f16sunshine
03-16-2012, 14:00
Looks super! Thank you
j.scooter
03-16-2012, 16:09
Beautiful colors. Congrats on getting your XP1
No I am not jealous...
If I keep repeating that I may start to believe it. I have a long 3 week wait.
back alley
03-16-2012, 16:18
those colours ARE very nice...
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 22:01
I have a long 3 week wait.
Always helps me to put those things in perspective: compared to the long weeks, months, and perhaps years of pleasure that you will surely get from the camera, 3 weeks is nothing.
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 22:12
It will be interesting to see what kind of users ultimately are attracted to and stick with this kind of camera.
The performance in many areas (except IQ) cannot match advanced DSLRs. (Yet it is wholly adequate for my amateur needs). Significantly, the XP1 offers advantages that are unique, principally in terms of form factor and the Hybrid Multi Viewfinder. The OVF is made for (i.e., is superlative for) lenses in the 28-50 effective FL range. If you like that style of viewing and what it is suited for, this camera will be hard to beat. Whether the M9 would be preferable is, at that point, completely subjective.
I will be taking the camera to Taiwan for event shooting at the beginning of april for a couple of weeks, and I'm very excited about that. The XP1 is made for event-participant photogs.
Nice photos!
Is the camera under exposing a bit? The photos look a little dark.
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 23:19
Nice photos!
Is the camera under exposing a bit? The photos look a little dark.
I dialed in underexposure of about -2/3 for a more saturated look. It is completely subjective.
I use spot metering and spot focusing, which seems to work very well.
I dialed in underexposure of about -2/3 for a more saturated look. It is completely subjective.
Awesome. (10 characters.)
noimmunity
03-16-2012, 23:58
Awesome. (10 characters.)
The exif info of the last photo posted (the only one that is at full rez) can be viewed by clicking on the photos to open up the flickr link, then clicking on the camera model in the upper right corner of the page. Exp. comp is among the parameters listed.
boomguy57
03-17-2012, 00:12
I saw the shot you posted on your flickr at ISO 25,600. Wow, that's insane...certainly good enough for my needs in low light.
Much like that second shot and the one with SO Sewing (and honestly, not only because of the lady!).
digitalintrigue
03-17-2012, 06:16
ISO 25,600 is indeed insane, but frankly so is 6400, don't know any APS sensor that comes close to this one.
noimmunity
03-17-2012, 06:43
Much like that second shot and the one with SO Sewing (and honestly, not only because of the lady!).
That was such an irresistibly classic Motobecane in the setting sun...
The SO is rather irresistible, too, but thankfully a bit less classic :D
noimmunity
03-17-2012, 06:52
ISO 25,600 is indeed insane, but frankly so is 6400, don't know any APS sensor that comes close to this one.
Now that more and more images are coming out, the quality of the sensor with the 35/1.4 is becoming incontestably obvious.
Nikon Bob
03-17-2012, 08:56
Gorgeous colours .... impressive for OOC jpegs!
Boy, I'll say. Makes you wonder about the necessity of RAW now. Unfortunately I have a similar profile as the OP so this may cost me some dough, eventually. Thanks for posting.
Bob
Bike Tourist
03-17-2012, 09:15
"Caveat Emptor: I am a complete amateur (go easy on me, folks!)"
Dear Complete Amateur: Good eye! Thanks for sharing.
noimmunity
03-17-2012, 09:28
"Caveat Emptor: I am a complete amateur (go easy on me, folks!)"
Dear Complete Amateur: Good eye! Thanks for sharing.
The interesting thing is that I don't find framing so hard with it, either. Obviously, the frameline coverage is not precise, but as a graduate of the class of M8, you could say I've been well-trained :D
For any owner of Fuji S pro series camera such an OOC jpegs are normal for many years now:-)
Gorgeous colours .... impressive for OOC jpegs!
robert blu
03-17-2012, 13:41
I'm impressed by the colors, very ...slides like :-)
robert
noimmunity
03-17-2012, 13:50
I'm impressed by the colors, very ...slides like :-)
robert
My annual consumption of Velvia may just decline...kind of bittersweet...we'll see...
j.scooter
03-17-2012, 15:14
Always helps me to put those things in perspective: compared to the long weeks, months, and perhaps years of pleasure that you will surely get from the camera, 3 weeks is nothing.
So says the guy with the "Now Playing" avatar...
No, I'm not jealous
:D:D
This is the first time I have had to wait for a camera. I have been spoiled by only buying used.
noimmunity
03-17-2012, 23:00
So says the guy with the "Now Playing" avatar...
No, I'm not jealous
:D:D
This is the first time I have had to wait for a camera. I have been spoiled by only buying used.
I'm used to waiting. I have ordered a bunch of tasty backpacking gear from cottage manufacturers in the United States that often takes three months for delivery. (jpmac55 is an old friend and knows all about that!).
I would have waited for this one, too, but I'm flying back to Taiwan at the beginning of April for two weeks to participate in a series of events for which I really want this camera. Fortunately, propitious circumstances and the kindness of others came together to make it happen. If it is any consolation, know that I paid a small premium over North American prices, but still saved quite a bit compared to the European price. Only after ordering did it become clear that I could have got the camera and lens in Taiwan, but once again, there is a real advantage to learning the camera before departure.
To be honest, I should change my avatar to "men working" or something like that. :) I've been doing a lot of writing, and it's going darn well.
nighstar
03-18-2012, 02:08
really love the colors. nice photos too, btw. congrats on the new camera. :)
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 03:27
It's nasty weather in Lyon today. As a public service, I took some uninspired photos with the macro function through the 35, OOC jpegs on "Velvia". The colors here are too saturated for my tastes. Really look forward to LR and hopefully RPP RAW compatability.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6846396908_ac55386340_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6846396908/)
Olive and sun-dried tomato baguettes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6846396908/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6992522669_d2f6c56a7b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6992522669/)
Potted flowers (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6992522669/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6992520491_c9d29331ef_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6992520491/)
roast chicken (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6992520491/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
Not that impressed.
This is not a knock on your photography, just IQ wise its not that much of an upgrade from my x100. :p
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 04:41
Not that impressed.
This is not a knock on your photography, just IQ wise its not that much of an upgrade from my x100. :p
I have no way of comparing, since I do not have the X100 here, and I have not yet seen any comparisons.
The X100 looks very very good to my eyes.
I did not consider an X100. I prefer the 50 efov over 35, and the ability to change lenses. I assume the sensor in the XP1 is also significantly better.
No doubt you will want to keep your eye on the inevitable slew of objective and subjective comparisons available in the weeks and months to come. I agree, it should be fun!
crispy12
03-18-2012, 05:18
I tried this today as well, the sensor is indeed very very good. If Fuji made a real rangefinder with this sensor... well, I can only wish ^_^
aleksanderpolo
03-18-2012, 06:53
Very very nice color, I think it will be kinda pointless to use raw on this camera, unless LR or other raw developer can figure out the secret ingredient of Fuji color. And congrats that you can use this camera for your Taiwan trip, by the time you go back it could be out of stock so it's always nice to have it now. :)
Very punch colours, I had to choose between the OM-D and the Xpro1 as my back up body, and the Xpro1 won my choice though, but I still like the OM-D...
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 10:10
I think it will be kinda pointless to use raw on this camera
For myself, I would not want to be constrained to having to use jpegs.
The color editor in CS1 Pro 6 is fun to use and works best with RAW.
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 10:10
Demonstration of Film simulation bracketing:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6847433674_7c404cc53e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6847433674/)
Hôtel Dieu "Provia" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6847433674/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6847436380_fd02e41634_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6847436380/)
Hôtel Dieu "ProNeg Hi" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6847436380/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6993562647_949a9c337d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6993562647/)
Hôtel Dieu "Velvia" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6993562647/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
Prefer the Velvia on this one, but that might be my own subjective bias (having shot Velvia 50 film for years, together with Provia 100 and 400)... Nice picture in any case.
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 11:02
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6847638744_f807db8be3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6847638744/)
Croix Rousse in the Sunset (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6847638744/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6993749121_5fcb45f579_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6993749121/)
Quai Claude Bernard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6993749121/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 11:04
Prefer the Velvia on this one, but that might be my own subjective bias (having shot Velvia 50 film for years, together with Provia 100 and 400)... Nice picture in any case.
I agree, though after a couple of days I feel like I'm getting "high contrast and saturation fatigue".
noimmunity
03-18-2012, 12:14
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6993994943_9789cf44e8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6993994943/)
The merry-go-round of GAS? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/areality4all/6993994943/) by areality4all (http://www.flickr.com/people/areality4all/), on Flickr
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