Opinions on some Fuji cameras?

[jyl]

Guys, I'm looking for opinions on two cameras by Fuji.

First is the XPro-1. Not the 2 - that's out of the budget - this will be for my daughter.

Second is the X100 and it's little sibling X70.

Uses would be street, travel, portrait, dance, casual photography. Available light.

Any glaring strong or weak points?

I'm really looking for a knob and dial interface, and portability.

[Scott Douglas]

Is she looking to do more than just take snap shots of school life or will she be getting serious about photography?
I'd go with the XPro-1 if the later since it has interchangeable lenses.
The X100 might get carried around more though, since it is more compact. And we all know, the camera you have with you is the one that gets used the most.

[Eric Hahl]

I have the X-Pro 1. The only negative comment I have is the layout of some of the buttons. I always hit the quick function menu button with my right thumb by accident. Its frustrating.

Photo quality is outstanding. You might look at the XT-10 as well. It seems to have a few more options like a nice vertical grip, etc.

Here's a few shots taken with the X-Pro 1:
This was shot with an adapter and an old FD 55 f1.2 lens.


Shot with 14mm f1.4.


Shot with 14mm f1.4.

[craigster59]

I have the XT-10. Great camera, takes beautiful pictures. The color saturation from Fuji cameras is second to none. Get the 18-55mm lens which is a little more money but worth it.

I've been looking on Craigslist for a telephoto lens and notice a lot of new in the box XT-10' s being sold. Apparently Adobe partnered with Fuji for their Photoshop seminar and with your entry fee you received a free XT-10 camera package. They are going for between $500-800.

[jyl]

She will spend Sep-May in Europe. Volunteering in bakeries and farms in France, going to school in Italy, sightseeing in Spain, etc. She's a pretty serious photographer but her DSLR will be too big and heavy to cart around. So she wants a really capable travel camera. I was thinking the XPro-1 with 27 mm (41 mm in 35 mm equivalent) pancake lens might be reasonably pocketable and she can bring one other lens. But the other cameras I mentioned seem even more pocketable, at the cost of fixed focal length.

She does almost all of her shooting currently with three MF Nikkor AIS primes (stolen from me!): 35 mm f1.4, 55 mm f1.2, 85 mm f1.4. On her DSLR, these are 35 mm-equivalent to something like 55 mm, 90 mm, 135 mm. She strongly prefers those to the cheap kit zoom that she also has. I'm told that the XPro-1 will accept Nikkor lenses via an adapter?

[Eric Hahl]

Yes, it will accept other lens via adapters. No auto focus though.

[Eric Hahl]

Sounds like she needs, or would be most happy with the 16-55mm (24-83) f 2.8. Kinda pricey though.

[jyl]

That is pricey, maybe for later - how is the 18-55 mm f2.8-4.0 OIS?

I was thinking, start her with a used body and a fast prime, then add more lenses during the year.

[Eric Hahl]

It is very good. The only downside is the variable aperture. You can't shoot wide open, f2.8 at the 55mm end. It automatically changes to f4.0 as wide open. Still would be a great lens and with OIS could be used in lower light conditions.

Here is a review site if ya feel so inclined. Fujifilm Reviews

[jyl]

Thank you, guys.

Those are wonderful images, Eric.

[LWJ]

Also to consider is a Ricoh gr. Fixed 24mm lens is the limiting factor. Other than that, it is killer. Yes, Eric, great pics!

I have a gr if you want to let your daughter play with one first.

[Eric Hahl]

Thanks folks.

[Cajundaddy]

Eric, Oh my...

Personal preference- Moving towards large sensor, fixed lens, low light, go anywhere. I like the X100 or equivalent. Non-intuitive operation menus are the reported downside of this camera. Stunning photos are the upside. If she already has a quality SLR, the Sony RX100 doesn't suck as an enthusiast compact camera.

[dan79brooklyn]

We have a Fujifilm x100. It has a fixed 23mm lens. It suffered from a sticky aperture and the lens needed to be replaced. Fuji covered the costs as it is a known defect. The camera takes nice pictures and has a cool retro design. It hardly gets used though as the iPhone does such a good job and pics can be shared via social media much easier than having to copy to a laptop.

[jyl]

Hey, quick follow-up - how is the XPro-1's manual focusing? With XF lenses and with non-Fujinon lenses?. Does the focus peaking (or whatever aid) work well?

[Steve Carlton]

I don't follow this stuff anymore, but some suggested links:
Alternative Gear & Lenses - FM Forums
The GetDPI Photography Forums
https://luminous-landscape.com/

[5String43]

Just a thought - for an in-your-pocket travel camera that is suitable for a serious photographer, it's pretty darned hard to beat the Sony Cybershot DSC RX-100. Tiny enough to slide into your jeans pocket, but with a large sensor and a Carl Zeiss lens, and very nearly every control that most DSLRs offer. It's what I carry when we travel.

If you haven't already looked here, here's a link to DP Review's piece on this little Sony. DP Review, as you probably know, is pretty much the go-to place for camera info:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II Review: Digital Photography Review

[zakthor]

Jyl: what is the appeal of the Fuji?

Why not get a used Nikon d7000, usually they are $400. Check keh.com. Can be programmed to meter with your existing (great) mf lenses. Durable, low light, great battery life, cheap, and great photos like all modem dslrs. Won't be the camera that holds her back but same can probably be said for the best cell phones...

[jyl]

She an old soul in many ways, not least in photography. She uses manual exposure, so wants dials for shutter and aperture and iso. She usually focuses manually too.

Also, because she doesn't have money for lots of lenses (college student, working minimum wage jobs), she filches my Nikkors and it would be useful to be able to use them on her camera. Also her DSLR is a Nikon (a very generous present from an unnamed Pelican!) and for that reason being able to use Nikkor lenses on all her cameras would be helpful.

[StevoRocket]

Check this out as a portable with great features and zoom

Panasonic Lumix TZ70 Review - What Digital Camera