Thread: My own first X10 impressions

Originally Posted by nianys

Kevin how do you feel the soft release improves the overall shooting experience ?? Curious as I never used one. I'm hesitant to try the thumb rest as I find the dial mode to be a little bitchy to operated in the first place..
But a nice (faux, I'm cheap) leather half case seems in order ;)

I was skeptical until I tried a soft release. I find it gives me more stability and control when shooting. The camera shakes less when I press the shutter so I find I can hand hold shots at slower shutter speeds. It also looks pretty cool. The thumb rest just makes it more secure in hand. I shoot in Aperture Priority or Manual meaning I don't do much with the mode dial so for me the trade-off is worth it. If you hit the mode dial a lot it would get in the way. Also the thumb rest slides into the hot shoe so if you're a flash user then it would probably be more of a nuisance than a help having to take it off to shoot with an external flash. I think a half case would be nice. I got a Gordy leather wrist strap for mine.

Of course I have always been partial to the Artisan & Artist 102 camera strap but no one ever has it in stock. The Voigtlander version available at Cameraquest (same as the Artisan & Artist one except it says Voigtlander on it) for $42.

Thx Kevin !!
I do have a very nice (and cheap !) good quality leather strap I'd gotten for the NEX, and it fits the X10 like a glove. I do change modes a LOT (I mostly navigate between Adv (for the Pro Focus feature I surpassingly like and use a lot), C1, C2, EXR (outside EXR optimized for DR is pretty hard to beat...), AND I'm a big external flash user, so definitely no thumb rest for me. I might get a soft release though I find the shutter wonderfully dampened and stable as it is, in fact I find the whole camera extremely easy to hold steady. It's only my second day with it and it's grown on me like crazy already. I still can't figure why they put so many damn different modes and options that don't seem to bring a lot to the table (I mean who really needs Scene modes, plus full Auto plus EXR ? Seriously ??).
Anyway what a beautiful and wonderfully designed little piece of a camera...

Originally Posted by nianys

Thx Kevin !!
I do have a very nice (and cheap !) good quality leather strap I'd gotten for the NEX, and it fits the X10 like a glove. I do change modes a LOT (I mostly navigate between Adv (for the Pro Focus feature I surpassingly like and use a lot), C1, C2, EXR (outside EXR optimized for DR is pretty hard to beat...), AND I'm a big external flash user, so definitely no thumb rest for me. I might get a soft release though I find the shutter wonderfully dampened and stable as it is, in fact I find the whole camera extremely easy to hold steady. It's only my second day with it and it's grown on me like crazy already. I still can't figure why they put so many damn different modes and options that don't seem to bring a lot to the table (I mean who really needs Scene modes, plus full Auto plus EXR ? Seriously ??).
Anyway what a beautiful and wonderfully designed little piece of a camera...

I agree, the shutter button is nice even stock. A soft release just makes it a little bit nicer. I know what you mean it really does grow on you very quickly. I'm very attached to mine. I feel bad because I have been neglected my other cameras. The NEX is still getting some love but the G2 is sitting fallow. I know that I will be in the minority but I swear that the X10 images are as good as anything the G2 with the Sigma 30 can produce.

Originally Posted by dixeyk

I agree, the shutter button is nice even stock. A soft release just makes it a little bit nicer. I know what you mean it really does grow on you very quickly. I'm very attached to mine. I feel bad because I have been neglected my other cameras. The NEX is still getting some love but the G2 is sitting fallow. I know that I will be in the minority but I swear that the X10 images are as good as anything the G2 with the Sigma 30 can produce.

I'm not *that* smitten yet, but getting there quickly. It's just incredibly versatile. If only I could process and share pics now. Just ordered a half case with extra battery (will be my third, they're not so bad once they've charged fully a couple of times). So far I've thrown at it horrible dim light and ignominous mixed lightning conditions indoor, and ugly, nothing to look at on terribly overcast day outdoors. I just can't wait to see it performs in daylight with something interesting to shoot... If the X-E1 is only on par for AF speed, I'm gonna get one QUICK.

It's the kind of camera that is better than the sum of its parts. It's not the "best" at anything but really good at a whole lot of things without too much drama. Also the images are really quite good. I did some side by side with my NEX and the Sigma 30 and while the NEX was better...all things considered the Fuji X10 did better than I ever thought it could.

Better isn't always better

[QUOTE=nianys;111331]
Keep in mind the cameras I have shot these past two years (digicams and I go back all the way to 2001 with... a Fuji little compact, but I'm trying to compare with relevant technology generations). And from early 2012, the beautiful Panny GX-1 (my, what a camera), a few m4/3 Olys I failed to bond with, and 3 NEX bodies (5N, 6, and 7). QUOTE]

Hi I'm new here, it seems a friendly and very imformative forum.
I am very interested in this thread as I am looking for an "advanced" compact to supplement my Nikon DSLR outfit. I am looking for a compact to mainly use on my travels but also to take everywhere with me so that I don't have to lug a heavy bag with various lens' around with me. The cameras I have shortlisted have all been mentioned here and I just wondered what other members opinions are based on what I would use it for.
The cameras I have in mind are the forthcoming Fuji X20, Panasonic GX1 and the Canon G1X. I have read so many reviews and just when I think I have made my mind up I read negative comments about camera x, y or z, but I suppose at the end of the day there are fors and againsts with every camera.

My main requirements are:

1. Good image quality.
2. Have the option of using some sort of view finder as my close up vision is not that good.
3. Be able to use it in low light ( I want to use it at concerts).
4. Decent focusing speed and accuracy.

I suppose my favourite at the moment is the X20 but I keep coming back to the Canon G1X mainly because of the reported good images that are achievable.

Anyway any comments would be most welcome.

Thanks

The key to mastering the X10, X-S1 and XF1 is to understand the workings of the EXR sensor, the interplay between EXR DR and ISO DR and, to a lesser degree, EXR SN.

EXR cameras produce three different RAW files, which means that external RAW converters need to fully support three different RAW formats in order to be fully useful. The only commercial converter I know of that can actually do this is Lightroom/ACR. Even Silkypix is not as useful, and Capture One is just a big disappointment, as it only works with the longer exposed half of an EXR DR RAW.

In preparation of my soon to be written "ultimate EXR article" on Fujirumors, I processed a few difficult snapshots with high DR in Lightroom and the camera's built-in RAW converter.

EXR DR & ISO DR - JPEG vs. Lightroom 4.3 - a set on Flickr

Originally Posted by musicdiddy

My main requirements are:

1. Good image quality.
2. Have the option of using some sort of view finder as my close up vision is not that good.
3. Be able to use it in low light ( I want to use it at concerts).
4. Decent focusing speed and accuracy.

I suppose my favourite at the moment is the X20 but I keep coming back to the Canon G1X mainly because of the reported good images that are achievable.

Anyway any comments would be most welcome.

Thanks

The G1X is usable at a pinch up to ISO 6400 and has a very effective IS system, but I don't know if a zoom lens equipped camera is best suited to shooting at a dark concert. To stop motion effectively I'd want a good high ISO camera with a selection of fast prime lenses; ideally something like a late generation Micro 4/3 body with some combination of 12/2, 25/1.4, 45/1.8 or 75/1.8 lenses. All told a rather expensive proposition.

The G1X is rather slow at the long end, which might not work to your advantage at concerts. At least the X10 will let you shoot f2.5 at a 112mm equivalent -- not that long, so get a good seat up close to the stage. The nice thing about the X10 at events is the silent mode, which really is silent -- turns of the fake shutter sound, so all you've got is the indiscernible click of the leaf shutter, and turns off focus assist. (I don't know what the options are on the G1X). I especially like the silent shutter at concerts, but if you go to concerts where you can't hear anything over the music, it won't matter.