Fuji Fuji X-Pro1 Hands-On Video (with samples)

[TCSJordan]

Hey all,

I just finished editing this video of an X-Pro1 field test. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Fuji X-Pro1 Hands-On field Test with Samples - YouTube

-Jordan

 

[Armanius]

Thanks again Jordan!!

 

[Landshark]

very nice but it just makes me anxious as I wait for mine

 

[Mal]

Very nice !!!!

 

[BBW]

Jordan and Chris - many thanks for the video and for sharing it here. It's always a pleasure watching your videos! I have to say that the more I see of this camera, the more impressive it appears to be. I'm sure all those who've pre-ordered are salivating all the more.

 

[Pelao]

I like seeing a camera 'in action'. As with Jordan's Nex 7 video, I was struck by the overall compact size of the system. So while these cameras (and particularly the 7 with it's large lenses) are bigger than, say, most M43 cameras, they are still very compact and easy to handle.

 

[Ray Sachs]

Yeah,, I had a similar reaction - the shots of the camera compared to several others makes it look quite large, but in the hand it really doesn't look particularly big. I know that it IS bigger than various of the cameras I use, but it doesn't look like it would be a distraction. Nice images, particularly high ISO. If I was more of a viewfinder shooter, I'm sure I'd find a way to come up with the cash for this (at the expense of nearly all of my other cameras), but one of the many things the X100 did for me was teach me very clearly that there are only a few types of shooting I really like using a viewfinder for and none of them are the stuff I put most of my energy into. So no matter how much the lust might occasionally spike, this would be a stupid camera for ME to buy, even at half the price. The X100 is a REALLY nice part time distraction that's a wonderful change of pace for me, but it wouldn't make sense for me as an everyday shooter. And the X-Pro isn't something I'd ever be able to buy as a part time diversion. I'd have to be all-in and that just wouldn't work for me. As much as I might wish it would.

-Ray

 

[Pelao]

Yeah,, I had a similar reaction - the shots of the camera compared to several others makes it look quite large, but in the hand it really doesn't look particularly big. I know that it IS bigger than various of the cameras I use, but it doesn't look like it would be a distraction. Nice images, particularly high ISO. If I was more of a viewfinder shooter, I'm sure I'd find a way to come up with the cash for this (at the expense of nearly all of my other cameras), but one of the many things the X100 did for me was teach me very clearly that there are only a few types of shooting I really like using a viewfinder for and none of them are the stuff I put most of my energy into. So no matter how much the lust might occasionally spike, this would be a stupid camera for ME to buy, even at half the price. The X100 is a REALLY nice part time distraction that's a wonderful change of pace for me, but it wouldn't make sense for me as an everyday shooter. And the X-Pro isn't something I'd ever be able to buy as a part time diversion. I'd have to be all-in and that just wouldn't work for me. As much as I might wish it would.

-Ray

I hear you. It may be a great camera, but it has to fit your needs. For a great deal of my shooting, the Fuji does make sense. The challenge I have is slightly different, and it's self-imposed. I would like to stick with one system. The Nex 7 does not catch my heart as much as the Fuji, but with the flexible screen it's a more versatile beast. On the other hand, those lenses...

Though lately I have been thinking of an E-PL3: small, versatile and I have the lenses (14 and 20). Plus my young daughter is really becoming interested in photography and it is a good size for her. The E-PL3 might be a nice set for me. I know you have one, and your comments on it started me looking in that direction.

 

[retow]

A very nice review. But on the same page there is a link to a short movie with AF test. Rather disturbing I'd say, considering where the benchmark is these days, particularly for a camera which is probably the most expensive of all aps-c sensor bodies in the market. And MF as per first user experiences is not considerably better than with the x100, which means "not good enough". A pitty, as file quality seems to be outstanding.

 

[Ray Sachs]

Though lately I have been thinking of an E-PL3: small, versatile and I have the lenses (14 and 20). Plus my young daughter is really becoming interested in photography and it is a good size for her. The E-PL3 might be a nice set for me. I know you have one, and your comments on it started me looking in that direction.

As much as I love the variety of different cameras and different shooting experiences, m43 really is getting good enough to be an only system. Particularly with the new OMD which appears to be a pretty good jump in m43 IQ and will no doubt be joined on the Pany side soon (sounds like the OMD may have a new model Pany sensor that will show up in new Pany models soon???) Which was sort of overdue seeing how well smaller sensors like the Nikon 1 and Fuji X-10 do with IQ and low light - m43 is such a perfect sweet spot between size and quality and is far more versatile than pretty much any other mirrorless systems looks like its going to be for some time. And the quality is becoming less and less of a tradeoff as sensor technology marches forward. You should think about the OMD for yourself and the EPL3 for your daughter and share lenses! Or something. Again, I'd LOVE it if someone would just donate an X-Pro system to me to play with for a few months and get it out of my system - but no way I'm spending north of $3500 for a three lens system unless its right in my wheelhouse, and its not....

-Ray

 

[retow]

As much as I love the variety of different cameras and different shooting experiences, m43 really is getting good enough to be an only system. Particularly with the new OMD which appears to be a pretty good jump in m43 IQ and will no doubt be joined on the Pany side soon (sounds like the OMD may have a new model Pany sensor that will show up in new Pany models soon???)

-Ray

I agree with you, an mft system build around the new OMD could be the one. Maybe with the tiny EPM1 as backup body or with one of the pancakes as the pocket size solution.

 

[Luckypenguin]

The Fuji is looking very impressive, although I hadn't twigged until now that there is no image stabilisation on any of the lenses or the body. I wouldn't call it a deal-breaker, but it is one of those niceties that is commonplace on much cheaper systems. It seems that the X-Pro 1 is essentially a boutique camera. I would expect the image quality to be very impressive, but there are aspects of performance and specification where it may not be able to rival existing systems (DSLR and mirrorless). Of course, if one were to fall in my lap I would use it without hesitation and I suspect would enjoy it very much, but that ain't gonna happen...

 

[Landshark]

What I like about the XPRO is it the only mirror less system that knew that that primes are what these cameras need and they are introducing it with 3 primes and second one this year along with a zoom, more primes next year. While the M4/3 now have some nice primes it took them almost two years to do it amongst a sea of slow zooms, the nex is almost all zooms. Even though I do shoot from the hip sometimes, I like using a viewfinder even with street stuff and I think this camera has the best one at the moment, if I manually focus any of these modern digital camera it means the af has stopped working,so it is a non-issue for me. IO just wish it was here already.

 

[krugorg]

Hey all,

I just finished editing this video of an X-Pro1 field test. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Fuji X-Pro1 Hands-On field Test with Samples - YouTube

-Jordan

Thanks, Jordan. I really like your videos - very informative. I would like to see more done with a fake Brit accent, though!

I like seeing a camera 'in action'. As with Jordan's Nex 7 video, I was struck by the overall compact size of the system. So while these cameras (and particularly the 7 with it's large lenses) are bigger than, say, most M43 cameras, they are still very compact and easy to handle.

I remember when you said that about the Nex 7 and think you are right on both - they look smaller in hand than they do in side-by-side images.

... The challenge I have is slightly different, and it's self-imposed. I would like to stick with one system....

The idea of one system appeals to me quite a bit as well. My needs are a lot more basic, I know, but I like the idea of being able to figure out one interface and then concentrate on actually taking photographs.

But... seems like it is really tough to stick with only one system *right now*. Some vendors have the bodies, others have lenses, a few focus fast, etc., but nobody seems to have everything yet. The exception would be m4/3, imo, but I know that it does not meet everyone's requirements due to sensor size.

Fast forward a couple years and we will have new systems from Leica and Canon (maybe even Pentax/Ricoh and Nikon), updated bodies from the existing players (everyone will focus quickly), and a bunch of lens. I would think it will make it easier to pick on one system.

As much as I love the variety of different cameras and different shooting experiences, m43 really is getting good enough to be an only system. Particularly with the new OMD which appears to be a pretty good jump in m43 IQ and will no doubt be joined on the Pany side soon (sounds like the OMD may have a new model Pany sensor that will show up in new Pany models soon???) Which was sort of overdue seeing how well smaller sensors like the Nikon 1 and Fuji X-10 do with IQ and low light - m43 is such a perfect sweet spot between size and quality and is far more versatile than pretty much any other mirrorless systems looks like its going to be for some time. And the quality is becoming less and less of a tradeoff as sensor technology marches forward. You should think about the OMD for yourself and the EPL3 for your daughter and share lenses! Or something. Again, I'd LOVE it if someone would just donate an X-Pro system to me to play with for a few months and get it out of my system - but no way I'm spending north of $3500 for a three lens system unless its right in my wheelhouse, and its not....

-Ray

I am still wavering on the OMD (versus waiting for the updated E-P3). Almost the only time I use the EVF is when I am doing landscapes/architecture during daytime. Right now, I am using my GXR 28mm w/ viewfinder for this role. We probably need to see more images from the OMD, but I wonder if I would be missing tonal and dynamic range for this shooting if I tried to go m4/3 exclusively? I am guessing that if I actually get exposure right that the OMD would more than exceed my capabilities.

 

[Luckypenguin]

I don't think that I particularly need more than one system, I just like a bit of variety. If forced to choose, a system that offers no zoom lenses (yet) would never be the only one for me.

 

[Pelao]

As much as I love the variety of different cameras and different shooting experiences, m43 really is getting good enough to be an only system. Particularly with the new OMD which appears to be a pretty good jump in m43 IQ and will no doubt be joined on the Pany side soon (sounds like the OMD may have a new model Pany sensor that will show up in new Pany models soon???) Which was sort of overdue seeing how well smaller sensors like the Nikon 1 and Fuji X-10 do with IQ and low light - m43 is such a perfect sweet spot between size and quality and is far more versatile than pretty much any other mirrorless systems looks like its going to be for some time. And the quality is becoming less and less of a tradeoff as sensor technology marches forward. You should think about the OMD for yourself and the EPL3 for your daughter and share lenses! Or something. Again, I'd LOVE it if someone would just donate an X-Pro system to me to play with for a few months and get it out of my system - but no way I'm spending north of $3500 for a three lens system unless its right in my wheelhouse, and its not....

-Ray

Yes, the Oly is on my radar. And it really makes sense because I have the lenses. I need to see more on the IQ though. High ISO / low-light stuff isn't my concern. I need better quality at low ISO, particularly for landscapes. I am not sure M43 is yet there for me, but we'll see. From an expense point of view there is no contest. I can get the Oly body and even add a lens and have a pile left. But, will it deliver...

As always, it's a about trade offs. When all the reviews are out, and I can go play with the cameras, I'll have a choice to make.

 

[Armanius]

Yes, the Oly is on my radar. And it really makes sense because I have the lenses. I need to see more on the IQ though. High ISO / low-light stuff isn't my concern. I need better quality at low ISO, particularly for landscapes. I am not sure M43 is yet there for me, but we'll see. From an expense point of view there is no contest. I can get the Oly body and even add a lens and have a pile left. But, will it deliver...

As always, it's a about trade offs. When all the reviews are out, and I can go play with the cameras, I'll have a choice to make.

IMO, the GH2 at base ISO and in good lighting conditions is as good as any camera I've ever used, with the exception of the M9 in terms of sharpness and resolution. The metering and WB on the GH2 are a bit inconsistent though. I'm hoping that the OMD will have the best of both worlds when it comes to Pany sensor technology and Oly processing.

 

[Pelao]

IMO, the GH2 at base ISO and in good lighting conditions is as good as any camera I've ever used, with the exception of the M9 in terms of sharpness and resolution. The metering and WB on the GH2 are a bit inconsistent though. I'm hoping that the OMD will have the best of both worlds when it comes to Pany sensor technology and Oly processing.

Hi Armanius
I hear you. Here's my experience. With my GF1 I was (and am) very impressed and pleased with the IQ in such a small, easy to use package. The camera is very good, and the lenses excellent.

The 'but' comes when I compare images from my 5D (first gen), especially for landscape, or other conditions where there is high contrast, and particularly where shadow is critical. The old 5D produces files that are rich and have great richness and depth. There is simply more there. Of course, it's not a 'fair' comparison. The camera is not at fault - it's me: I would love to have just one camera, or maybe two cameras in one system. Also, I should mention that my main output is to large print.

Don't get me wrong, I am not doubting your GH2 experience. It's just something I am aware of when I look at some of my images. So my sense is that the OMD will be an awesome camera body, with a sensor that is great for many things, but just 'OK' for others. I want M43 to be where I need it, but I will be very (pleasantly) surprised if thats the case.

But I do want to be surprised!

 

[flysurfer]

See this for RAW samples. I think you have to download the newest version of Silky Pix. Also there is some commentary regarding the auto focus speed.

X-pro 1 RAW files posted-Russian overview: Fujifilm SLR/X100 Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I have and use a beta version of RAW FILE CONVERTER EX that supports the X-Pro1, but it's beta and not yet ready. It does have issues that will for sure be ironed out until the cameras are actually released.

 

[Pelao]

A very nice review. But on the same page there is a link to a short movie with AF test. Rather disturbing I'd say, considering where the benchmark is these days, particularly for a camera which is probably the most expensive of all aps-c sensor bodies in the market. And MF as per first user experiences is not considerably better than with the x100, which means "not good enough". A pitty, as file quality seems to be outstanding.

Fair points - but not critical to everyone. The way I see it, AF only has to be fast enough for my purposes. And MF doesn't interest me either.

The only disturbing thing for me so far is the price