Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD (Special Edition - Black)

I loved this Camera. Its the best camera Ive ever owned and Ive owned a lot of camera. This camera and its siblings have made photography fun exciting and profitable for me. It is handsome, intuitive, takes great photos and attracts beautiful people. After two plus years I just sold this one to purchase a used Limited edition version of the same. Im as happy as a pig in a mud hole. Read the reviews and watch the serial numbers. Someone just purchase my pristine X100 with original box, accessories and extras for $475. A steal. Highly Recommended if you can get one. Its a Keeper. Me, well I just lusted after the Black LE. By the way, they are still comparing the latest Fujis, Sonys, Panasonics, and Leicas against this cameras image quality.

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One of my earliest cameras was a Yashica Electro 35 GSN so the form factor, build and aesthetics of this X100 bring back fond memories. My main camera is currently a Canon EOS 7D with a number of L lenses. I travel frequently but am loathe to drag along the DSLR because of its bulk, the potential hassles at airport security and its value. I have tried a number of compact digital cameras (the last was a Canon G11) for this purpose but always felt let down by the image quality and limited by the lack of selective focus. The X100 with its frequently exquisite image quality, epic low light and high ISO performance, beautiful fast lens and excellent bokeh is a winning combination for me. Consider also its superb fill in flash performance, its high flash synch speed and built in ND filter and you have quite an exotic specification and capability in a small package. Finally, the X100 offers the much discussed optical/electronic viewfinder combination which really adds to the business of picture taking. Its important to note that all of the firmware and handling complaints noted in other reviews here are valid. However, with the latest firmware release -1.21, almost all of the deficiencies have been addressed in a very robust fashion (arguably transforming). On my X100 with V 1.21 firmware, focusing in strong and low light is fast and sure, new functions are assignable to the RAW and Fn buttons and overall camera operation is much quicker. This leaves only the price as a barrier to entry - if you treasure the ability to make fine images, the appeal of well made hardware and the possibility of taking it with you everywhere without a bulky bag or a Sherpa, then the decision becomes clearer. I have no reservations about this camera now and look forward to taking it everywhere. Its going up a volcano with me in three days where I will trust it with pictures not easily remade. With all that said, I would second the opinion of others, that this camera is probably most satisfying for deliberate photographers. If your primary requirement is fuss free snapshots of children, family gatherings or pets, you may be happier and have money left over with a lower cost digital compact with reduced specification.

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I just purchased this camera last week, and it arrived a couple of days ago. Ive hardly used it yet, but I love it. Its one of those objects that is so perfectly sized and designed that its fun just to pick it up and take a look through the viewfinder. And as a bonus, it does indeed take excellent photos. Like most products like this from the Pacific Rim countries, the owners manual is considerably less than logically laid out and useful. Some reviewers have termed the cameras menu terminology quirky, and it is a little, but no big deal. If you purchase the X100, or if you already have, I strongly, strongly recommend you visit Ken Rockwells web site at [...] and click your way to his X100 users guide. He leads you completely through the setup and shooting menus, at each stop explaining the options and the one that he prefers. I differed with him on only one of his choices, and by the time I had gone through this process, the camera was ready to go, and I came away with a pretty good understanding of its controls and functions. Since writing this review, Ive had a chance to use the camera, and am just as pleased with it as I had expected. In that regard, its interesting to me that, while this camera markets naturally to what I would consider a fairly narrow spectrum...professional to advanced ametuers who choose the X100 as a "fun" camera to carry in given situations as an alternative to a pro-line DSLR...it sure is tough to get hold of one. Before ordering the camera from Amazon, I had previously tried to buy one on a trip to New York when my wife had damged her Coolpix in a non-serious stumble. My first thought was to pick up an X100 and give her my own point-and-shoot. Guess what? As near as I could ever find, the only Fujifilm for sale in Manhattan was in a camera store in the Murray Hill neighborhood, where the shop keeper absolutely refused to sell it other than in a kit, with a card, an extra battery, auxilliary lenses and a selection of other schlock stuff I didnt want or need. Hopefully, he still has it! The attractive things about the cmera, to me at least, are that it takes excellent photos, but you can make it as easy or as complex to use as you see fit. I find that I actually like the fixed focal length lens. When I want to take a picture, I just lift the camera, compose, and shoot it. Its easy enough in Photoshop to crop it to nicely frame the center of interest. No sweat. Id say that if you are looking at the X100 as your only camera, you might want to consider something with more features, such as the new Nikon 1, which I just bought for my aforementioned wife, who loves it. But if you fall in that category of somebody looking for a nifty and retro looking, but high performing, camera to carry around with you when visiting, say, an exciting city, this is it. Go for it!

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The Fuji X100 with version 1.3 firmware is fantastic. The superb built in 35mm pancake f2 lens with integrated ND filter makes the camera nicely portable and incredibly flexible when coupled with its high ISO capable sensor. I plan on eventually buying an XE-1 as well to use with some M-mount lenses but it will not replace this wonderful camera. There are a number of ways to use the camera to fit your style. While I usually prefer the EVF, I occasionally find its OVF with histogram display to be a nice option. I love that the display automatically toggles between the viewfinder and the rear display. The new firmware brings 2 function assignable buttons (Fn and Raw) to the game which I use to control the ND filter and Fujis sweet film/filter simulations. The jpegs are of great quality and remarkably small size. Highly Recommended!

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Im well over 10,000 shots in this camera, and have yet to encounter the shutter problem some run into. I would advise checking with Fuji to assure your buying from an authorized dealer. If theyre not authorized, they could be selling you a foreign model. I know Amazon and B&H Photo are authorized. ALSO, DONT buy this camera used. The shutter problem is not covered under warranty unless you are the original purchaser. If you buy this used or opened, and run into the problem, its to my understanding the cost of repair is $800-900. My point, buy new and ONLY from an authorized dealer. Otherwise, this camera has an amazing lens and sensor. Im sure your here looking because youve done your research. Which means you would know it has a lot of quirks too. Embrace those quirks for what they are, and you will be one happy camera owner when you sit down to pixel peep at your RAW images. Im patiently awaiting the X Pro-1 and selling my Nikon on Craigslist!

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I really, really love this camera even after owning it for over 6 months, it rides with me everywhere. Without going into much detail I like everything about it except its inability to focus well in low light even with the af assit light and the color temperature of the crappy onboard flash (which doesnt bother me in the slightest honestly.) If they had somehow managed to cram a phase detection autofocus into this thing it would be my favorite camera of all time and id keep it till it died and then buy another. As it stands, focusing in dim light is slow and a losing battle even using the electronic viewfinder, af assist light, centerpoint focus, and nailing the dot on a high conterast area like an eye or the hairline. Oddly, it focuses easily on glasses and glassware in almost total darkness. So maybe the contrast focus just isnt sesitive enough? Either way i deal with it happily and shoot almost always at iso 2000 or 3200. I have several of the popular photos in the gallery for this camera really recommend it to anyone that wants a serious manual-like experience in a very capable and portable camera.

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I wasnt going to write a review on this X100 as it has been reviewed so many times already so what can I really add? I just dont understand some of the 1, 2, 3 star reviews here. Yes as said a million times here the X100 is rather quirky. But at the end of the day, when you stop PLAYING with your camera twiddling dials, this Fuji will give you pictures that will simply blow you away they are so good. I am not a pro photographer but a big time lover of photography and I admit to being a bit of a gear head. I presently own a Pentax K-5, Just sold my Nikon D-7000, have a Nex5N and...well Ill stop there. I mention those cameras because out of all of them at the end of the day...NOTHING comes close to my X100 in final output..as to IQ, "color accuracy," !!!! HIGH ISO performance...just picture after picture where I say WOW. This X100 stands alone for high ISO low noise its simply incredible! ISO 2000 has lower noise than my D7000 and K5 had at ISO 1250. One reason I am writing this review is I get more IN focus pics from this X100 than the D7000 or K-5. Yes the X100 is not going to be your camera for really fast action like sports I admit that. But for portraits, landscapes..things that dont move 100 miles an hour..this X100 is in its own league. For the most part skin tones are INCREDIBLY accurate and beautiful on this camera. Its so dead on its almost scary. My Pentax K-5 has to be tweaked after every picture YET its one of the highest rated DSLRS out there but it cant compete with the X100 on color.NOT EVEN CLOSE! Again as to focus do people realize this "x100 has a VERY useful DISTANCE SCALE?" If you look at it you almost have to get IN focus pictures. In other words, if your subject is about 5 feet away, but the scale reads about 15 feet you already know the x100 is focusing PAST your subject. This little tool alone will save you from out of focus shots. My wife was trying to put my x100 safely away while on our kitchen table into a VERY small camera bag I had just bought for it. Long story short my first x100 missed the camera bag fell 3 feet onto a hard tile floor BOUNCED..landed like a brick. Only damage was a slightly dented lens cap. The camera was still perfect!! Again with my wife (shes dangerous with cameras :) ) she borrowed it to shoot some stuff in our backyard. She got startled by a bee and dropped the poor Fuji right on its lens onto the grass..big thump. Again...after a cold sweat..I checked it out its still perfect.WOW! Point being this thing is built like a tank its so high quality. Knowing it had two major falls it bothered me. I gave it to another family member as a gift and its still perfect. I bought a second one..well its perfect and Ill be keeping my wife away from this one. :) Im off track, my point was its build quality puts in in a class of its own just amazing QUALITY and craftsmanship. One con that has been discussed is the manual focus..yeah its not really that great..well its bad. But I just dont use manual focus much and frankly I like the auto-focus because all my shots come out....well FOCUSED and sharp..maybe Im a lucky one here? As to the menu I hear people bashing...I dont get it, its so easy to navigate..whats the problem??? The long story short if you can live with a few quirks this camera can BLOW YOU AWAY with its pictures. At the end of the day when all you want are GREAT pictures..this Fuji is the camera to get!!! Yes its got a fixed lens..it can also zoom.?,you use your feet, walk forward..BRILLIANT! I am never going to sell my x100 its a lifetime keeper at least for me..SUPER recommended!

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Dont let the title mislead you--I own this camera and I love it. However, this is definitely not a camera for everyone. You will not like this camera if: 1. You like to have a zoom and have no interest in the obsolete "foot-zoom". 2. You are a close-up portrait shooter or a wildlife shooter. 3. You are only interested in a camera if you just want to turn it on, point, and shoot (although the X100 can do this). 4. You are looking for a single one-size-fits-all camera. You will love this camera if: 1. You like a real optical view-finder (the "hybrid" viewfinder is awesome). 2. You prefer shooting with a mild wide-angle lens (a "street-shooter"). 3. You like reasonably fast lenses, natural lighting shots, and good high-ISO performance (3200 is pretty darn good, 6400 is useable). 4. You like retro-styling and manual controls. 5. You like nearly silent operation (the leaf shutter is very quiet). 6. You dont mind spending a few days to learn a few idiosyncrasies of a new camera. 7. This is not your only camera. I keep this and my old Canon G9 (the G9 is for anything requiring a zoom--assuming good lighting) in a small bag with chargers, batteries, straps, and a lens-cloth. My wife owns the dSLR and assorted lenses. The out-of-camera jpegs from the X100 are gorgeous. It does have quirks (one other post mentioned focusing with the OVF, but this is simply a quirk of optics when focusing on near objects--parallax). While the fixed 35mm equivalent lens will limit what you can shoot, it is almost a necessity for a small camera with a large sensor. Because of the fixed lens, I have found that I take more time in evaluating composition before the shot--a good thing. The latest firmware upgrade fixed many of the annoying operational issues of the camera. I had been waiting for a large-sensor camera with a fast lens and small form-factor and would have gone with the Panasonic GF-2 if Panasonic hadnt taken the wrong direction from the very nice GF-1. Then the X100 was announced, throwing in a remarkable viewfinder and a beautiful body as a bonus. I have not been disappointed.

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I mostly did my street photography using my collections of old Japanese rangefinders. While somehow limited in performance when compared to many modern camera systems, I found the limitations are the true qualities that I seek from a camera, that enabled me to produce the pictures I expected to create. The X100 has (almost) the same handling that enables me to recreate the same shooting experience with my older rangefinders. It came almost natural to me when handling this camera for the first time, made me feel at home. The lens are of a superior quality, its able to produce very good pictures with nice tone and sharpness for all the lens and cameras settings. Im glad that I picked-up this camera cheap (bought 2nd hand from Amazon Warehouse), it saves me $400 for something thats almost as good as brand new.

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General Overview- Over a Year of Use! I wont bore you specs and pixel-peeping analysis, this camera is fantastic! I used to shoot Leica, because of its size and quality but I became frustrated with low-light performance and lack of macro on the M8 platform. So I sold my M8.2, and the lenses, and purchased the Fuji X100 for a trip to Japan. I was initially a little flustered with the performance (as with all cameras you need to learn them first before committing to taking good images) but the images I got out of this camera were simply stunning. The detail and color are fantastic, rivaling and even surpassing, what I got with my Leica M8.2 and a 35 f1.4 lens. Buy With Your Heart- Zoom With Your Feet You choose this camera because you want to be as inconspicuous as possible (the shutter is nearly silent) and you have time to focus and compose an image. This is not a camera for the point-n-shoot crowd, thats why Fuji made the X10 & X20. This camera is for the aperture priority or shutter priority photographer who can live with one lens and "zoom with their feet". Form Factor- Styling & Color The only thing that bothered me about this camera was the body color. I typically only buy black body cameras because people notice them a little less then silver or another colors. I was on assignment in New Orleans a few months back and no one paid attention to me, but everyone noticed my wife with her Nikon with an 18-200mm lens. They figured I was the poor guy with an old film camera. Final Decision Here I am, a year later, and I sold my Silver X100 and purchased the X100 Black Limited Edition, not because I think it will be a collectors item one day, but because I love this camera, I got it figured out, and I can be more discreet. I shoot professionally and I have my pick of cameras to shoot with, but when I want to travel light, I grab this camera every time. You can see a few of my pics in the customer provided images. Happy Shooting! -Brent Alexander

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