credit: farwesttexasphotog (flickr)
A reader send me his first hands-on impressions with the Fuji X100 camera from the CP+show. He was not allowed to take any sample images:
- Three shutter sounds are programed in. They all sound HORRIBLE. Nothing like the satisfying "click" one would expect from a retro-classic camera.
- No front filter threads as far as I can see. Not sure what the deal is with that unless they have a non-standard mount. ND filter is built in.
- Focus ring rotation can be set to adjust clockwise or counter-clockwise. That's neat.
- Eye point detection sensors are problematic. Moving my hand over the rear LCD activated the EVF and shut down the LCD. Placement of the eye sensors seems wrong.
- Menu system level 1 is a two-way tree "Camera" and "Set". Cascades down from there. Seems like an ok user interface.
- I think I'd prefer a $1200 camera to feel a bit heavier. It feels too light a.k.a. cheap to me. I jokingly suggested they stick some lead weights in it... an underling scribbled some notes (!).
- No seals on the battery/SD card compartment or interface door. I'd expect a rubber ring as a minimum at this price point.
- The focus mode slide switch on the left side seems to be a weak point to me. If it's not sealed I suspect also a point for water ingress. It's the weakest control device on the unit IMHO.
- The top dials and on/off/shutter release all feel fine.
- The viewfinder is pretty good. It's easy to switch from EVF to OVF.
