Would you? Could you? (warning - Fuji thread!)

[Gromit]

I'm a Fuji Fanboy - there I said it (wasn't too hard?) and openly admit that I love my little X100. It's been one of the nicest bits of photographic kit I've bought in donkeys' years and the quality of the pictures it can take never cease to make me smile (well, those ones I actually get reasonably right!).

Bearing in mind my recent experiences with my EOS kit - ie going from my old, much-loved 40D, to the 7D (and all the hassle I had with the used one, then the dead new one) via the 6D I feel I'm no better off than I was 12 months ago. The 7 is a lovely camera - no gripes there - and it's a seriously fast bit of kit, nigh on impossible to catch its AF system out - unlike the one in the 6D. However, the 7's IQ isn't really any better than the 40D - it's noisy at high ISO (800+) and very noisy above 1600.

I loved the 6D's IQ - and its high ISO performance is staggering - but didn't get on with its ergonomics whereas the 7D is great - simply because it is so similar to the button/wheel set-up on the old 40D.

Anyway...

Because of this, and also because I've clicked (sic) so well with the Fuji X100 I'm giving very serious thought to going for an X-Pro1, not to work alongside the 7D, but to replace it and the collection of lenses. The other option is to bite the bullet and go for a 5D Mk3 and let my wallet cry for a couple of months from the pain. It'll have the speed of the 7D's focusing, and the beautiful IQ of the 6D and its fabulous high ISO potential. It also means I keep my lenses (well, bar one which is an EF-S mount). That would be the dream ticket but it would cost.

The X-Pro's potential for stunning images isn't in any doubt here, it's just whether I could make that psychological 'jump' from what is a very good DSLR in the 7D. I'm just not 100% happy with it.

Could you? Would you?

 

[gsrai]

Possibly a bit left field but if you were happy with the 40d then could you not go back to a 40d/50d and free up some cash from selling the 7D while you plot your next move?

from what little I've read the x-pro1 is a big beastie (never played with one) so could be similar to having the old 40d (sorry if you've already played with the x-pro1, I'm hankering after an x100 or x10 or even a sony rx100 but not played with any of them yet so a different dilemma).

 

[tkimages]

Bite the bullet, get the 5D3 - you know you want to. It's a brill piece of kit! Your 'little' Fuji will complement it wonderfully.

 

[f1eng]

My most used camera is the X-Pro-1. I have a Nikon D3x and only use it for the specialist stuff, mainly super telephoto.

The X-Pro 1 does everything I want most of the time. The AF is not as fast as the Nikon though.

Mind you I preferred my Leica M6 to my SLR too most of the time with film.

The X-Pro 1 was an impulse purchase because of the free lens offer. I regretted it as I drove home since it was unplanned expenditure but haven't regretted it once since I started using it. I have had it about 13 months now. I started with 60mm macro and 35mm, then got the first zoom. All excellent and beautifully made to justify the price (IMO)

The X cameras without the optical finder are smaller lighter and less expensive so may be worth considering???

 

[macvisual]

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[rabski]

I fully understand, as another Richard

My 'proper' DSLR is an EOS 50D. I have assorted lenses, but if I'm totally honest, it has never yet produced an image that gives me the 'wow' factor. Yet my £20 Canon compact does.

I am seriously thinking along the same lines. Two of my proper lenses are EF, so would work properly with full frame. But my Sigma 10-20mm won't.

Part of me says just go for a 5D, although budget means a MkI or a MkII if I'm lucky. Heart says sell the lot and buy the Fuji. Yes, it's not small, but neither is the Canon gear. Not by a LONG way.

The real issue is that I don't get the enjoyment out of the 50D that I should. More to the point, nor do I get the images that I should. I always look at 100 RAW files and struggle to find three or four that I really like. With the crap compact, I can fine five out of ten. Something about the big beastie just doesn't work right for me. It just doesn't turn out the stuff that the daft old compact does.

No idea why, but it's been pissing me off for ages if I'm honest. Serious body, four serious lenses, and results that are average at best. Yet I know it's not me, because the compact in my hands can turn out stunning images.

 

[Gromit]

Thanks fellas - some really good, balanced views here (I'd expect nothing less from you fine people)

Gobind - funnily enough I was thinking along similar lines earlier today, and it does make a lot of sense in many ways. Only possible downside is that I'd end up procrastinating further whilst trying to come to a decision.

An example of why I sway to the Fuji camp was demonstrated just now - our eldest has been doing some baking and wanted some photos to send to proud grandparents (as most 9 yr olds would) so I took 2 photos, one with the 7D and one with the X100. In the light of our kitchen, the Fuji just wees all over the Canon. Showed Mrs Gromit the photos and she was gobsmacked at how much better a job the Fuji did. Just a quick jpeg, no farting around with processing. The Canon's photo needs work - the Fuji's doesn't.

Taking TK's professional advice, the 5D3/X100 would be a lovely combination - I can keep all of my Canon lenses - and I've got that super high ISO performance. And good street cred too!

 

[photowizz]

This is not a criticism of the Fuji (which I love too) but you often tell us how bad the 7D is, which is at odds with reviews and my personal experience. Remember, it won a TIPA award as the best advanced DSLR on the market in 20110/11 with high praise for it's high ISO performance to 3200. Old hat now but still respectable. I recall producing thousands of images during the Olympics and was impressed.

I bought mine in 2009 and sold it a year ago to get something in a different league but was delighted with the 7D in the years I used the body. It is an old design now and due to be replaced this year with something very special.

You should try the experiment again with a modern 70D, as used by at least one person on here, and see if your Fuji wees all over that. I doubt it.

 

[macvisual]

...

 

[Gromit]

This is not a criticism of the Fuji (which I love too) but you often tell us how bad the 7D is, which is at odds with reviews and my personal experience. Remember, it won a TIPA award as the best advanced DSLR on the market in 20110/11 with high praise for it's high ISO performance to 3200. Old hat now but still respectable. I recall producing thousands of images during the Olympics and was impressed.I bought mine in 2009 and sold it a year ago to get something in a different league but was delighted with the 7D in the years I used the body. It is an old design now and due to be replaced this year with something very special.

You should try the experiment again with a modern 70D, as used by at least one person on here, and see if your Fuji wees all over that. I doubt it.

I absolutely appreciate where you're coming from John but the evidence between the X100 and the 7D is obvious - the Fuji produces a better image. Sure, I tend to fall into the hyperbole trap now and again (don't we all at times!) but I was expecting the 7D to be at least a very solid improvement on the old 40D and it hasn't been - and its high ISO performance is nothing special IME. It had been hailed as the very zenith of APS-C technology - and ability - but perhaps things have moved on one hell of a lot further in the last 4 years than I'd realised.

Strangely enough, I do have a friend who runs a 70D but it too can't compete with the Fuji at high ISO - which has annoyed him intensely as the 70's his pride and joy. A very nice camera otherwise but I chose the 7D over it (at the time of purchase) as the older camera felt more solid, and fits my hands better - it was one of those 'if it feels right, it is right' moments in the shop.

Also there will always be examples of others' experience of equipment (be it hifi/cameras/cars etc etc) being 'at odds with their own' and I'm genuinely sorry if I come across as an old moaner. It's just that the X100 has exceeded my expectations, and along with its other X-Men has really made many in the photographic world - to the highest professional level - sit up and take notice.

 

[BD Audio]

Why not get another 40D and spend the rest on pies.

 

[macvisual]

..,

 

[Gromit]

One last temping deal before you buy the X-Pro1 Richard, WEX photographic have the 5D Mk3 body on 0% finance for 12 months.

You're not helping Pete.

When I bought the 6D the shop didn't have a demo one in so let me have a brief play with a 5D3 to show what FF can do. What a bloody fabulous camera, I must admit. All the speed of the 7D but with that lovely, creamy IQ that the FF sensor seems to provide.

HDEW are doing them for around 1800 notes.

 

[rabski]

One last temping deal before you buy the X-Pro1 Richard, WEX photographic have the 5D Mk3 body on 0% finance for 12 months.

Stop it.

Jesus. I'm still cooking dinners to make up for the last cartridge.

 

[fordy]

I did

...and I sold my Nikon d40x and Fuji x10 yesterday.

If you love the 'experience' of shooting your X100 as much as the files the Pro will delight you in exactly the same way AND open the door to a superb suite of lenses.

For me the X-Pro1 brought some much needed inspiration to my photography because the camera is so intuitive to use and gets out of the way of the act of making pictures. It's this I value most highly from my Fuji's.

Best thing I ever did.

That said a big FF Nikon is a constant temptation but it would be as a secondary camera for specific situations if I ever succumb :wink:

 

[BD Audio]

In contrast I have a Fuji X20 and can't get on with it at all. I suppose the most important thing is being happy with a camera in your hand and enjoying using it, then the shots come naturally. I'll be selling it shortly.

 

[Gromit]

I suppose the most important thing is being happy with a camera in your hand and enjoying using it.

And you suppose right imho. Plenty of stuff out there which does, and doesn't quite 'fit' with one's own way of doing things (hifi especially) and of course cameras are just the same. One man's meat etc...

Carl - thanks for that. Your enthusiasm was partly responsible (to blame ;-) ) for me dipping my toe into the X-World and I haven't regretted doing so for a single second. A good friend of mine who's head of the photographics section at RAF College Cranwell also got me onto them, suggesting the X100 would be a great bit of kit to get back in touch with photography in a purer form - but with a modern twist.

It really is a toss-up between going for (almost) broke and having a 5D3 and having the X100 as a very nice little side-kick or getting an X-Pro1, keep it for 6 months alongside the 7D and then decide where to go. I'm sure I wouldn't lose much £ on the X-Pro1 if I decided to move it on. The present deal is almost too good not to take advantage of.

 

[BD Audio]

Why not just sit tight until the new 7D is released?

 

[Gromit]

Why not just sit tight until the new 7D is released?

Could be a good option - I keep forgetting it's on the horizon (although it's taking its time!).