4 ms·
Based on my experience with an F30 ages ago I'd expect that their sensors are very competitive. Unfortunately for many remaining uses of a DSLR, the X series i
by inferiorhuman 9y ago
Based on my experience with an F30 ages ago I'd expect that their sensors are very competitive. Unfortunately for many remaining uses of a DSLR, the X series isn't that competitive for most of the same reasons the other mirrorless systems aren't that competitive.
The small size almost positions the X series as a modern day Leica rangefinder. It's perfect for vacation and street photography, even for more intimate things like weddings... but Nikon and Canon have the autofocus thing locked up (probably with a mountain of patents). Unfortunately if you're shooting weddings you'll want that extra low light capability of a full-frame sensor and mature phase detection AF. If you're doing studio stuff, you probably don't care too much but you would miss the ubiquitous Canikon accessories.
Me? I shoot concerts (which is probably why I don't wax nostalgic about film too much). I'd love something inconspicuous like an X series, but I'm almost always shooting at high ISO. If I'm using a manual focus lens I'd miss the instant feedback of an optical viewfinder. If I'm using an AF lens I'd miss the performance of the current crop of full frame DSLRs. In general I'd miss the selection of native lenses available to the dominant DSLR lens mounts.
If there's any worry about the longevity of Fujifilm it would be interesting to contemplate a Fuji/Sigma or Fuji/Cosina merger IMO. Sigma's got some crazy sensor technology, and Cosina's got a recent history of making some amazing lenses. Or Fuji/Ricoh/Pentax.
- sho 9y agoTheir sensors are competitive, if not state of the art - a sentiment you can repeat about almost every other aspect of raw performance: AF, EVF quality, speed, etc. Their real appeal isn't in the specs but in the way everything hangs together in a cohesive, opinionated, attractive, omakase whole. Despite the name ("X-Pro2") I don't think Fujifilm are actually targeting "real" pros with this range. They're not workhorse cameras and even the X-Pro makes obvious concessions to functionality in favour of aesthetics. But they are not toys! I'm having trouble thinking of who their market actually is off the top of my head. A certain kind of enthusiast. People who seriously care about both form and function. The kind of person who would never use a factory camera strap (i'm thinking Artist & Artisan). I don't know, maybe I'm projecting :P I know exactly what you mean about high ISO (i have an a7sii) and you're right that any of the X-series would be a poor choice - that's not really their bag. It's the camera you'd take backstage, though, and that wouldn't be confiscated by security...
- ghaff 9y agoI sort of agree with you. I have a full-frame Canon system and that's what I go to when I want the most capability/versatility and I don't care about size or weight. But my Fujifilm XE-3 is what I take with me the vast majority of the time if I'm not shooting action or long tele/very wide angle. And, yes, it's in part because it feels like a rangefinder in a lot of ways. (Never had a Leica but used a Kodak Retina for many years along with various other cameras like Olympus XAs.)
- inferiorhuman 9y agoSure. I've learned that I really dislike bringing my DSLR with me on vacation. Unfortunately, for me at least, the X series is too expensive to justify buying into as I've already sunk a bunch of money into the Nikon ecosystem. And, yeah, there were plenty of rangefinders (even Nikon and Canon made them)... but I referenced Leica because Fuji is targeting an enthusiast market with the X series that Canikon are largely ignoring (counterpoint: the Nikon Df).
- ghaff 9y agoI can't really disagree. I have way too much money in both Canon and Fujifilm gear for the amount I use it. That said, if I were forced to choose, I'd go with my Fujifilm setup even though it meant I couldn't do certain things.
- B1FF_PSUVM 9y agoI had to at least get a look at what you gentlemen appreciate so much. Thanks for writing it up. https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/preview/fuji-x100f-vs-xpro2/ https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/preview/fuji-x100f-vs-xpro2...