Fuji x100s + Canon Speedlites?

[Dylan777]

2.5 hours in my hands and in love already.

Awesome...post some pics

I bought this cheap silver hood + filter on ebay and it turns out great: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221279367022?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

BIGGER QUESTION - what are you going to do with crappy EOS-M? ;D ;D ;D

Will post some later when I get some time. No camranger support. Otherwise I would

I got a cheap adapter/hood combo off amazon. Need to figure out a cap solution now though. What do you use?
Just going to hold onto the m. It was cheap enough and I probably won't get a whole lot for it on the used market anyway. Will be nice to keep around in case I need a crop sensor for my tele canon glass.

Btw, which filter are you using in cam for the office shots you had in that link?

I have UV filter installed and I don't use any cap.

I still use the M as P&S camera at work.

The photos in office were PP as film vintage style. No filter

 

[JohnDizzo15]

So I haven't had a whole lot of time to take very many shots/play as my wife is apparently not happy that I have acquired yet another camera. Anyway, here are a few I managed to sneak in around the house. Not the most captivating images, but it's what I have at the moment in the way of preliminary results.

@chilled - I haven't shot enough to notice the battery issue. But I did pick up two extras off amazon that are now charged up and ready to go (took forever to fully charge). Nice shot BTW and great sample of how the feature set can be used. I have been shooting a combo of raw and jpeg. Like both. Still trying to figure out which is the best software for editing the raw files.

CTO gel is en route from amazon.

I'm finding so far that I don't like dealing with the MFD and having to switch to macro mode. Many times, I wasn't trying to shoot that close up and found that it would not capture focus. Also, macro mode is terribly soft wide open which I already read about but was surprised by still for some reason.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

.

 

[chilledXpress]

She's a cutie, that's your daughter? I actually laughed out loud when I read about your wife's response. Mine has given up, she just smiles. I took a photo of her years ago when I went to a camera shop to try out the 85L II... it was just as I lifted it to take the first shot and she asked how much it was... the picture was priceless. I saw such disgust in her eyes

Yea, macro kinda blows. I never use it much and it was pretty well a known when I bought it. It is odd that they left it like an afterthought. Same goes for the video, it's rather meh. Fortunately for me I bought it to shoot people and street scenes and rarely flowers or video. I like some of the push pulls images with in-camera PP. Especially pulling up the shadows and dropping highlights.

Here, I used astia and a little push/pull for a little vintage look...

Bath time... by David.K.M, on Flickr

 

[JohnDizzo15]

She's a cutie, that's your daughter? I actually laughed out loud when I read about your wife's response. Mine has given up, she just smiles. I took a photo of her years ago when I went to a camera shop to try out the 85L II... it was just as I lifted it to take the first shot and she asked how much it was... the picture was priceless. I saw such disgust in her eyes

Yea, macro kinda blows. I never use it much and it was pretty well a known when I bought it. It is odd that they left it like an afterthought. Same goes for the video, it's rather meh. Fortunately for me I bought it to shoot people and street scenes and rarely flowers or video. I like some of the push pulls images with in-camera PP. Especially pulling up the shadows and dropping highlights.

Here, I used astia and a little push/pull for a little vintage look...

Bath time... by David.K.M, on Flickr

Haha. I think we have all been there with the wife at least several times. Mine hasn't exactly given up yet. I've had to sneak 5 minutes here and there all day today so as to not keep the thought of the new cam in the forefront of her mind.

Thank you re my daughter. I see you've got a little one as well lol. Nice shot btw.

I haven't had a chance to test out the push pull processing in cam but look forward to messing with it as soon as I can play freely without worrying about being scolded with looks. I will say though that she has been happy with some of the images out of the new cam. Hopefully that eases her attitude about it at some point.

Agreed re the video. I still have the M which does just fine for quick captures esp with the 22 stm. I don't actually need the macro as I'm not all that into it.

My issue is with the need for macro mode when I'm not necessarily all that close. I wish there were at least a more pronounced notification of when I'm close enough to require the switch to macro mode without having to attempt to use the AF first (perhaps a change in border color). At least that way, I can just know to switch sooner without having to wait and find out only after AF failure. I like to shoot a lot up close with that FL so it is kind of a pain when I am a few inches too far in and don't realize it till I see red. I suppose with time, I'll just know when I'm there just based on feel.

Finally noticed the battery issue this evening. It was really odd that it went from a full battery and then drained so quickly before I could realize I was even getting low. I was completely surprised when it was shutoff time.

Finally had a chance to get outside with it and tested out the onboard flash (without gel) and results were okay but inconsistent. Output seemed to be very weak (as expected) and slight changes in angle of shooting made huge differences. I was able to get a couple of keepers though. I assume that will get better with more experience.

Also, I love the bw jpeg output. I think I'm almost convinced that I could just shoot monochrome with this thing all the time and be content.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Got about another 30 shots or so in today. So I think some of my issues could theoretically be fixed with firmware tweaks in the future. But who knows. It would be helpful when in AF-C mode to get some type of notification of macro distance (perhaps imaging area turning a different color).

My assumption (and I may very well be incorrect in my thinking), is that the MFD to macro distance transition is such so as maintain focusing speed by cutting out a portion of the focusing distance range much like many slr telephoto zooms or macro lenses (i.e. 100L and 70-200L). It would be useful if a firmware addition could be to eliminate the transition and give you the whole distance range without switching modes at the cost of some focusing speed.

My logic may very well be flawed and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on this.

Also tested out the 90ex flash I got from the M kit with the x100s. Although you do get much more light out of it than the onboard, you can only get one shot (then requires powering off and back on to get another flash actuation). Not very useful, I know. But thought I would share that in case anyone was ever wondering about 90ex functionality on the fuji.

 

[pulseimages]

I should rent a x100s to see what I'm missing. Wish Fuji would release a version with built in IS or a version with a zoom lens.

I've only had limited experience with it as I've only played with a friend's (will have more to say about it after tomorrow). I can tell you though that it is absolutely awesome for what it is. I can't say that it is for everyone. But if you have a very clear understanding of what it is you like to do and the x100s meets those needs, it is hard to beat.

Again, leaf shutter (nuff said), built in 3 stop ND, super compact, best APS-C sensor to date (at least many believe it to be so), and great ergonomics (just to name a few).

The only real knock I had with it while playing was the video side (doesn't give you full manual control and options are limited). I personally won't be using it for any amount of serious video which is why it is still a perfect cam for me. The fact that I can do quick video captures in a pinch is sufficient for me. But I would say there are plenty of other options in this class if video functionality is something you are really concerned with.

I like that's it's a fixed lens. It forces you to get creative and view things differently.

 

[wayno]

I find my x100s to be a bit better at AFing (and noise!) than my 5d3 in low light.
At a party it's a wild camera. Canon flash works well in fully manual but it does feel a bit like a sledgehammer when a small mallet would have been just fine. I love my Fuji.

 

[wayno]

and as far as fixed lenses go, 35mm is about as flexible as there is - for me, at least!

 

[JohnDizzo15]

I personally love the 35mm FL as well if I had to be stuck at one.

Was looking at some more compact options for flash that could be easily carried around with the x100s all the time and was wondering if anyone in here had any experience with the Fuji EF-X20 or EF-20 flashes? Looks like the XF-20 can be tilted to 90 deg for bounce.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Took this about a half hour ago with the yn622 and 580exii at 1/8th.

 

[justsomedude]

Took this about a half hour ago with the yn622 and 580exii at 1/8th.

Do you know if the 600ex-rt work with the yn622?

I just got an x100 and would love to incorporate some off-camera flash, but I dumped all my 580s for 600s this past summer. :/

 

[JohnDizzo15]

The yn622 is compatible with the 600rt so it should theoretically work in manual just like the 580ii.

 

[Dylan777]

Took this about a half hour ago with the yn622 and 580exii at 1/8th.

Very cute It looks like you having fun ;D

I have two (2.5 & 5yrs)

 

[chilledXpress]

Got about another 30 shots or so in today. So I think some of my issues could theoretically be fixed with firmware tweaks in the future. But who knows. It would be helpful when in AF-C mode to get some type of notification of macro distance (perhaps imaging area turning a different color).

My assumption (and I may very well be incorrect in my thinking), is that the MFD to macro distance transition is such so as maintain focusing speed by cutting out a portion of the focusing distance range much like many slr telephoto zooms or macro lenses (i.e. 100L and 70-200L). It would be useful if a firmware addition could be to eliminate the transition and give you the whole distance range without switching modes at the cost of some focusing speed.

My logic may very well be flawed and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on this.

Also tested out the 90ex flash I got from the M kit with the x100s. Although you do get much more light out of it than the onboard, you can only get one shot (then requires powering off and back on to get another flash actuation). Not very useful, I know. But thought I would share that in case anyone was ever wondering about 90ex functionality on the fuji.

Hi John, looks like you had fun this weekend. That battery situ got ya??!?! yea, it's pretty surprising how fast it happens. I just keep a few fully charged and no swap them out the second it drops from full to 3 bars as that usually means about 30 seconds left.

I think the Macro situ can't really be dealt with easily with a firmware fix. It's all fly-by-wire so unlike a focus limiter on any Canon lenses, I think there has to be a way to tell the body...Macro, then switch it up. But I don't really know. I rarely shoot that close and never shoot flowers these days, so not really too much of an issue for me.

Interesting to hear about the 90ex. I don't own it so that's good to know. I hear good things about Fuji's little flash option but I have tons of Canon's so would probably not go that route. I own 430exII's, 580exII's and a couple of 600's. All work well with the Cactus system but I'm unsure about any others.

The flash output consistency is odd as I have never had that happen with mine and I usually bump it down as far as it can go so power is ok for me. I do know that hood gets in the way quite a bit so If I have to use the onboard I take it off, other wise you get some odd results.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Took this about a half hour ago with the yn622 and 580exii at 1/8th.

Very cute It looks like you having fun ;D

I have two (2.5 & 5yrs)

Thank you

2.5 and 5 year old? I hope it's not as painful an experience as the one I have over here with my 1 and 7 year old.

It has been fun this weekend shooting with the new rig. I almost hate to say it, but I don't know that I'll be reaching for my other rig very often for a while unless there is some very specific thing I need to do that I can't figure out a way to accomplish with the Fuji.

I have been very impressed with the IQ and noise handling even at higher ISOs. The AF is plenty fast for almost all applications that I encounter regularly and it is jam packed with most of the tools I'll need on the fly.

The fact that it also works well with my existing lighting equipment is even better. That leaf shutter + ND filter.....I just can't say enough about them.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Got about another 30 shots or so in today. So I think some of my issues could theoretically be fixed with firmware tweaks in the future. But who knows. It would be helpful when in AF-C mode to get some type of notification of macro distance (perhaps imaging area turning a different color).

My assumption (and I may very well be incorrect in my thinking), is that the MFD to macro distance transition is such so as maintain focusing speed by cutting out a portion of the focusing distance range much like many slr telephoto zooms or macro lenses (i.e. 100L and 70-200L). It would be useful if a firmware addition could be to eliminate the transition and give you the whole distance range without switching modes at the cost of some focusing speed.

My logic may very well be flawed and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on this.

Also tested out the 90ex flash I got from the M kit with the x100s. Although you do get much more light out of it than the onboard, you can only get one shot (then requires powering off and back on to get another flash actuation). Not very useful, I know. But thought I would share that in case anyone was ever wondering about 90ex functionality on the fuji.

Hi John, looks like you had fun this weekend. That battery situ got ya??!?! yea, it's pretty surprising how fast it happens. I just keep a few fully charged and no swap them out the second it drops from full to 3 bars as that usually means about 30 seconds left.

I think the Macro situ can't really be dealt with easily with a firmware fix. It's all fly-by-wire so unlike a focus limiter on any Canon lenses, I think there has to be a way to tell the body...Macro, then switch it up. But I don't really know. I rarely shoot that close and never shoot flowers these days, so not really too much of an issue for me.

Interesting to hear about the 90ex. I don't own it so that's good to know. I hear good things about Fuji's little flash option but I have tons of Canon's so would probably not go that route. I own 430exII's, 580exII's and a couple of 600's. All work well with the Cactus system but I'm unsure about any others.

The flash output consistency is odd as I have never had that happen with mine and I usually bump it down as far as it can go so power is ok for me. I do know that hood gets in the way quite a bit so If I have to use the onboard I take it off, other wise you get some odd results.

The battery definitely got me. Twice now as a matter of fact. So odd. I will definitely be changing out batteries as soon as I see any change in the battery indicator from now on. Hope they change the way it reads. Not a very useful measure at this point lol.

I have several canon speedlites in my kit as well but I was hoping to find something more compact that would go relatively unnoticed when running and gunning with it attached. The speedlites would definitely not be that. I like the Fuji x20 since it tilts. But not sure how much output you could get out of it to even be bouncing off the ceiling.

Will test the onboard some more and hope that I get a better handle on it. Will post more as I find out more.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

One more for the road. 1/1000th + 580 off shoe at camera right. Wasn't quite what I wanted but had no chance to tweak since my son was over it (as you can see from the expression).

Also, my apologies to anyone who is sick of seeing my kids over and over again. I am not a pro and they are my main day to day subjects.

 

[Dylan777]

Took this about a half hour ago with the yn622 and 580exii at 1/8th.

Very cute It looks like you having fun ;D

I have two (2.5 & 5yrs)

Thank you

2.5 and 5 year old? I hope it's not as painful an experience as the one I have over here with my 1 and 7 year old.

It has been fun this weekend shooting with the new rig. I almost hate to say it, but I don't know that I'll be reaching for my other rig very often for a while unless there is some very specific thing I need to do that I can't figure out a way to accomplish with the Fuji.
I have been very impressed with the IQ and noise handling even at higher ISOs. The AF is plenty fast for almost all applications that I encounter regularly and it is jam packed with most of the tools I'll need on the fly.

The fact that it also works well with my existing lighting equipment is even better. That leaf shutter + ND filter.....I just can't say enough about them.

+1...not a lot of people understand it though

With 2 kids, the last thing I want to do is to carry 5D III + 24-70 to disneyland. I have Sony A7 + Zeiss 55mm on pre-order. If this camera works out as I planned, I might just end up with one 5D III + 135L and 70-200 for shooting kids running around.(selling list will be: 5D III, 50L, 85L II, and 24-70).