Fuji x100(s) to Supplement an SLR

[vbi]

I picked up a X100 just after it was released. While it is quite different to the Canon systems it certainly does the job of being an unobtrusive street and travel camera excellently. It takes a while to get used to the fixed lens, but then again, if you are used to shooting with a prime on your SLR it is a similar experience.

In terms of focussing I have found that using the back focus button and/or zone focussing works really well. The excellent DOF and distance scale on the OVF makes it really simple. Either focus on something at a similar distance to that you want to work at, or use the manual focus dial even though it is a bit hit and miss, and then simply aim and shoot.

The X100 is brilliant in low light, the lens is acceptably sharp at F2 and very sharp at F2.8 on, you get used to checking the exposure compensation dial frequently, and I have yet to find a better "compact" camera in terms of IQ.

I am just waiting for the X100S to drop in price before I upgrade. The Canon SL1 would be far bulkier despite being the smallest SLR on the block. The MD5 looks like an interesting alternative but I have no desire to accumulate yet another set of lenses.

Ultimately it's a case of horses for courses. There are times where my 5D/7D combo is the right tool. There are times where the X100 is the right tool.

[miah]

Here's an added question for those of you who already own the X100 or X100s:

Is the camera easy enough to shoot with one-handed? Traveling solo, I often use my S90 to shoot "self-portraits" at arm's length when I'm surrounded by school kids or chatting with locals or otherwise not able to use the self-timer or a remote with a tripod and want to be in the picture. I do this with thumb and forefinger, holding the camera upside-down with my left hand, when necessary (flipping the photos in PP). So, is the Fuji small enough, light enough, and ergonomically capable of doing the same thing?

[pozols]

I actually just purchased an X100s a few weeks ago, so i can give you a hands on compared to the 5D Mark III
If you shoot mostly in the 24-50 range with your 5D, then you will like the x100s alot.  If you shoot mostly 100-200 then you will miss the bokeh and seperation from the background.  With the X100s you have to open it wide open and get pretty close to your subject for any shallow DOF.  The x100s colors and sharpness, i think are excellent, especially skin tones.  The camera is a little quirky.  If you are trying to take pictures of moving things like sports and kids, it's hard... See my sample pics attached...

[pierceography]

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

I wound put pulling the proverbial trigger on the x100s Saturday night.  It's backordered from B&H, but hopefully I'll have it in the next week or two.  While I really wanted to grab the TS-E 24mm, I ultimately decided to go with the x100s because I feel I'll get more use out of it.  And I started a 365 project a couple weeks ago, and I think I'm more likely to do well at it if I have a smaller camera with me instead of having to go out of my way to ensure I have my 5Dm3 with the appropriate lens on hand.

But I'd love to get more feedback on the x100s or sample pictures.  :-)

[Quasimodo]

I actually just purchased an X100s a few weeks ago, so i can give you a hands on compared to the 5D Mark III
If you shoot mostly in the 24-50 range with your 5D, then you will like the x100s alot.  If you shoot mostly 100-200 then you will miss the bokeh and seperation from the background.  With the X100s you have to open it wide open and get pretty close to your subject for any shallow DOF.  The x100s colors and sharpness, i think are excellent, especially skin tones.  The camera is a little quirky.  If you are trying to take pictures of moving things like sports and kids, it's hard... See my sample pics attached...

Nice pics and I love the IQ. Much PP on these?

[pozols]

I actually just purchased an X100s a few weeks ago, so i can give you a hands on compared to the 5D Mark III
If you shoot mostly in the 24-50 range with your 5D, then you will like the x100s alot.  If you shoot mostly 100-200 then you will miss the bokeh and seperation from the background.  With the X100s you have to open it wide open and get pretty close to your subject for any shallow DOF.  The x100s colors and sharpness, i think are excellent, especially skin tones.  The camera is a little quirky.  If you are trying to take pictures of moving things like sports and kids, it's hard... See my sample pics attached...

Nice pics and I love the IQ. Much PP on these?

Thanks...these are ooc jpegs, no pp except cropping.

[The_Arsonist]

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

I wound put pulling the proverbial trigger on the x100s Saturday night.  It's backordered from B&H, but hopefully I'll have it in the next week or two.  While I really wanted to grab the TS-E 24mm, I ultimately decided to go with the x100s because I feel I'll get more use out of it.  And I started a 365 project a couple weeks ago, and I think I'm more likely to do well at it if I have a smaller camera with me instead of having to go out of my way to ensure I have my 5Dm3 with the appropriate lens on hand.

But I'd love to get more feedback on the x100s or sample pictures.  :-)

I ordered mine around 4/19 from B&H and got it last Friday.

[Quasimodo]

[/quote]

Nice pics and I love the IQ. Much PP on these?
[/quote]

Thanks...these are ooc jpegs, no pp except cropping.
[/quote]

Thats pretty impressive IQ

[ryan00013]

I've had my X100s since release as a compliment to my 5DIII. I'll list my current setup and usage.

Gear:
5DIII, Canon 50L, Canon 85L II, Tamron 24-70 VC, & Canon 70-200 IS II
and... Fuji X100s.

What gets more use? The Fuji X100s by far.

Usage
Daily Shooter: Fuji X100s - It is small enough that I keep it in a small case and toss it in my bag every day.

Street shooting: Fuji X100s - Small, discreet, silent

Portrait Shoots: 5DIII, 50L, & 85L II with Fuji X100s as a compliment

Event Work/Photojournalism: Tamron 24-70 & Canon 70-200. Although, I did shoot an event last night with the 5dIII + Fuji X100s for an 85mm + 35mm prime combo and it worked out pretty well! For paid gigs though, I'll stick with my zooms.

Low Light Work (low action): 5DIII and Fuji X100s (the Fuji actually handles noise "slightly" better than the 5DIII).

Low Light Work (action): 5DIII - Fuji AF is too slow in low light for action shots for my tastes.


Additional Points:
To answer someone's question earlier about one-handed shooting with Fuji X100s - Yes for shooting, not for changing many settings. With one hand I can grab the camera, turn it on, swap between OVF and EVF, and take a shot. (worst case scenario, with a neck strap and X100s pressed against your body, you can change shutter speed, aperture, etc).

AF - I have found the Fuji X100s AF "good enough" for me probably 90% of the time in good lighting (phase detect AF only engages in good light. in low light, it uses the slower contrast AF which is the same as the original X100)

Usage percentage - I'd say I use my X100s 75% of the time, if not more. I end up bringing it for most professional work too, so it gets used a lot. It is also the most fun camera I have ever used, so that helps.


Limitations & Quirks -
*The X100s is still not a "perfect" camera, and does still face some limitations. The AF is nowhere near 5DIII/OM-D levels. In low light, it gets worse as mentioned above.

*Fixed 35mm lens - Great as a second camera, but I would never own it as my only camera.

*Still room for improvement - The focus peaking in MF could be better; Exposure compensation dial doesn't work in Manual mode; no customizable Q menu, etc. Basically, there are a few small things that could be better but Fuji is in my opinion, the BEST at offering users frequent software updates and listening to user feedback.

*Image Quality - Pretty amazing for APS-C. It is the best IQ I have seen come out of any APS-C sensor camera and is mostly indistinguishable from the comparison shots I have seen with a 5DIII + Canon 35L and the Fuji X100s. My 5DIII + 85L II on the other hand, well... nothing short of a $10,000 kit can top that combo.

JPG vs. RAW - Both are great. The Fuji has one of the best JPG engines of any camera in my opinion. However, I still mainly shoot in RAW. You may read things about issues with the X-Trans sensor and Adobe, but rest assured that these issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of 95% of Fuji users (there will always be the remaining 5% pixel peepers).

Overall I've never owned a Fuji before the original X100, but I am smitten. I'm biased because I love it so much. I can't wait for the X-pro 2 to come out (which will hopefully be an interchangeable lens X100s).

[Quasimodo]

Hello All,
So I'm seriously considering purchasing the new Fuji x100s.  I love my 5Dm3 and my variety of EF lenses, but the entire kit can seem a bit obnoxious at times... particularly for street photography or simply for a camera to casually carry around.  I have a point and shoot (S90), but rarely use it as I don't like shooting with an LCD.  So I'm looking to get some advice from members who have purchased the x100s or a similar camera.  Which do you find yourself using more?  Are you glad to have purchased a secondary mirrorless camera to supplement your SLR?

And the other half of this question is a bit more pointed; I'm also considering getting the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II.  However, I've come to the conclusion that I likely wouldn't use a TS lens nearly as often as a more compact mirrorless camera.

Thoughts?  Thanks!

Life is crazy and fun I am actually contemplating selling my 17 TSE to finance the x100s and its various filters, flashes for it, and stuff. I was very ambitious when buying the TS lens, but with two small children I have not had time to really learn how to use the tilt and shift. Given my other lenses, I feel that I have much covered so I will not be to hard on my day to day photography.

[pierceography]

Life is crazy and fun I am actually contemplating selling my 17 TSE to finance the x100s and its various filters, flashes for it, and stuff. I was very ambitious when buying the TS lens, but with two small children I have not had time to really learn how to use the tilt and shift. Given my other lenses, I feel that I have much covered so I will not be to hard on my day to day photography.

Exactly my thoughts on the TS-E 24mm.  I love shooting architecture -- which is the bread and butter of any tilt shift lens -- but with my son being born a couple weeks ago, I fear my architecture shooting days may be few and far between now.

I was also hesitant about purchasing such an expensive camera with a fixed prime lens.  However, since my son was born I'm yet to break any zoom lens out of my bag.  I've been exclusively using my 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm, and 135mm.  I've been using my 85mm the most, as I really like the bokeh that lens produces as well as the the frame you get with the 85.  BUT if I had to pick only one of these lenses and discard the rest, I would likely go with the 35mm for its versatility.  So that made my decision on the x100s a little easier.

[pierceography]

I've had my X100s since release as a compliment to my 5DIII. I'll list my current setup and usage.

Gear:
5DIII, Canon 50L, Canon 85L II, Tamron 24-70 VC, & Canon 70-200 IS II
and... Fuji X100s.

What gets more use? The Fuji X100s by far.

Usage
Daily Shooter: Fuji X100s - It is small enough that I keep it in a small case and toss it in my bag every day.

Street shooting: Fuji X100s - Small, discreet, silent

Portrait Shoots: 5DIII, 50L, & 85L II with Fuji X100s as a compliment

Event Work/Photojournalism: Tamron 24-70 & Canon 70-200. Although, I did shoot an event last night with the 5dIII + Fuji X100s for an 85mm + 35mm prime combo and it worked out pretty well! For paid gigs though, I'll stick with my zooms.

Low Light Work (low action): 5DIII and Fuji X100s (the Fuji actually handles noise "slightly" better than the 5DIII).

Low Light Work (action): 5DIII - Fuji AF is too slow in low light for action shots for my tastes.


Additional Points:
To answer someone's question earlier about one-handed shooting with Fuji X100s - Yes for shooting, not for changing many settings. With one hand I can grab the camera, turn it on, swap between OVF and EVF, and take a shot. (worst case scenario, with a neck strap and X100s pressed against your body, you can change shutter speed, aperture, etc).

AF - I have found the Fuji X100s AF "good enough" for me probably 90% of the time in good lighting (phase detect AF only engages in good light. in low light, it uses the slower contrast AF which is the same as the original X100)

Usage percentage - I'd say I use my X100s 75% of the time, if not more. I end up bringing it for most professional work too, so it gets used a lot. It is also the most fun camera I have ever used, so that helps.


Limitations & Quirks -
*The X100s is still not a "perfect" camera, and does still face some limitations. The AF is nowhere near 5DIII/OM-D levels. In low light, it gets worse as mentioned above.

*Fixed 35mm lens - Great as a second camera, but I would never own it as my only camera.

*Still room for improvement - The focus peaking in MF could be better; Exposure compensation dial doesn't work in Manual mode; no customizable Q menu, etc. Basically, there are a few small things that could be better but Fuji is in my opinion, the BEST at offering users frequent software updates and listening to user feedback.

*Image Quality - Pretty amazing for APS-C. It is the best IQ I have seen come out of any APS-C sensor camera and is mostly indistinguishable from the comparison shots I have seen with a 5DIII + Canon 35L and the Fuji X100s. My 5DIII + 85L II on the other hand, well... nothing short of a $10,000 kit can top that combo.

JPG vs. RAW - Both are great. The Fuji has one of the best JPG engines of any camera in my opinion. However, I still mainly shoot in RAW. You may read things about issues with the X-Trans sensor and Adobe, but rest assured that these issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of 95% of Fuji users (there will always be the remaining 5% pixel peepers).

Overall I've never owned a Fuji before the original X100, but I am smitten. I'm biased because I love it so much. I can't wait for the X-pro 2 to come out (which will hopefully be an interchangeable lens X100s).

This is a fantastic review and comparison.  Thanks for sharing!

[And-Rew]

So, you've made your choice - but I'm going to hit this from a slightly different angle...

Last June, I opted for the Pro1-X instead of a 5D3. I wanted the ability to change lenses whilst having something smaller than a 5D2 with BG & 24-105 slung over everyone's shoulder 

I bought the Fuji with 35mm f1.4 lens, and as most comments agree, it is vastly different from a Canon system in many ways. I rarely take the 5D2 out anymore - such are the benefits of the Pro1-X. I keep meaning to buy another lens, bought can't get past going out with a camera that almost fits in my pocket and happily shoots at ISO 6400 with out any qualms.

I'm accepting of the fact that this is not an 'action' camera. But then I'm not really an 'action' photographer! However - that does not mean you can't shoot some motion based shoots - they're just harder to get than a 5D3 or1D* series or 7D.

For any one thinking of getting a Fuji as a walk around camera that's smaller and more portable than a DSLR - I would say 'go for it'. But be prepared to take a little bit learning the differing technology used in this camera to that usually found in a Canon. 

[HarryWintergreen]

I definitely love the x100s. The restriction of the fixed focal lens doesn't bother me at all. My Canon bodies are showing signs of serious deprivation. They are so obtrusive. I think the resurgence of street photography contributes very much to the attractiveness of cameras like the x100s. Sometimes I feel a bit fed up by this technically perfect pictures coming along like pp monsters.
To me IQ of the x100s is terrific, high iso is great, in terms of af there is still leeway.
I always loved my Canon gear but there is a looming shadow on the horizon with the name Fuji x-pro2 on it.

[RLPhoto]

Hello All,
So I'm seriously considering purchasing the new Fuji x100s.  I love my 5Dm3 and my variety of EF lenses, but the entire kit can seem a bit obnoxious at times... particularly for street photography or simply for a camera to casually carry around.  I have a point and shoot (S90), but rarely use it as I don't like shooting with an LCD.  So I'm looking to get some advice from members who have purchased the x100s or a similar camera.  Which do you find yourself using more?  Are you glad to have purchased a secondary mirrorless camera to supplement your SLR?

And the other half of this question is a bit more pointed; I'm also considering getting the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II.  However, I've come to the conclusion that I likely wouldn't use a TS lens nearly as often as a more compact mirrorless camera.

Thoughts?  Thanks!

If you shoot alot of flash, the Sync speed is worth it's weight in gold but I get the same speeds from my g15. A camera that does something better than your SLR is always useful.