View single post by Eric
 Posted: Thu Jan 10th, 2013 14:04
Eric



Joined: Wed Apr 18th, 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4186
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I thought it would be better to restart this thread rather than adding it to the already meandering threads on similar subjects. To this end I have copied the first post I made on this subject here......



The EX1 a significant improvement over the X100 in terms of start up and the focus/shutter lag. They have also guarded the ex comp button that so easily got knocked on the X100. Have yet to check battery life. There is a stonking good quick access key that gets you to key parameters (eg ISO) on one button. Seriously good improvement. The rear rocker switch is much much better.


I am not a great fan of the EVF...it is clearer and more detailed than the one on the X100... but not massively better. I still feel an OVF wins the day. One of the side effects of the EVF is that because younare reading off the sensor there is a hesitation/ jump effect when zooming. You see the sensor refresh.

The other slight negative (on this version) is the stiffness of the zoom. Speaking with JK his zoom is apparently ok. Mine has a nice smooth action...it's just a tad stiff. What I have discovered is, it's really due to the lack of 'counterbalance' from a lighter body. Not sure it's the right terminology but ...the inertia of the zoom lens would be fine on a more solid in the hand DSLR body...with the EX you have to grip the body more and use more effort to resist the rotation. If that makes sense?
Of course not a problem with their primes.

I have been out with it today but only for a few minutes (bl**dy customers wanted some work doing just as the sun came out....inconsiderate swines!) Haven't looked at the results yet. Will post some detail later this week.

At this stage I feel it's ergonomically a major step forward. But I suspect the X100S will share some of these improvements.

Too early to say whether it will totally woo me away from a DSLR for walkaround. There is no doubt having this combo round the neck is much better. But the handling of the body is always going to a bit alien for someone weaned on the DSLR ...which has after all been honed to its ergonomic ideal shape over many years.

Personally I don't see this as the way forward for long tele use. My take on that is...for large magnification you need stability. If you haven't got VR you need a tripod or monopod. If you are carrying long, heavy lenses and a tripod...you might as well carry a DSLR as well. The extra weight over the mirrorless system isn't that relevant when doing specialised shooting.

The only counter to this might be the Nikon V1 with its 2.7x magnification. This economic tele boast might justify its use over even the dX bodies.

Which leads me back to a question I would dearly like answering....

How good is a D800 crop?

Would a D800 cropped to a DX sensor size be better? My guess is yes!
But ...would a D800 cropped to the V1 (2.7x) sensor size be as good?

The D800 needs good technique and stability to max its IQ. But under conditions of tele work (ie solid support ) it would get that.

I could easily see a Fuji Ex and D800 combination covering all my needs.



My first shots were not in ideal situations for real comparisons...lots of grabshots. I have learnt that unlike DSLRs you do need to wait that bit longer after the shutter noise...to make sure its 'finished'. Several shots were blurred because I treated it like my DSLRs!!!!!
:-)

I will put some shots in my gallery out of interest....>    EX Gallery


But I still need to do a meaningful comparison with the D7000 IQ.

I do believe that to get the most out of these 'different' cameras we need to break the traditions and habits gained over years using DSLR bodies.



I was however concerned about the lack of detail in this face!













Attachment: barefaced.jpg (Downloaded 81 times)

Last edited on Thu Jan 10th, 2013 14:16 by Eric



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Eric