X100 - Manual Focus Mode

[Laurence]

I used the X100 in Manual Focus Mode for this image. Manual focus is
a pain to use quickly, but if you have time it works just fine.

A VERY nice thing is the electronic viewfinder which graphically
shows DOF. It showed me that I had about 3-4 inches of DOF
to work with. I didn't want everything in focus, because I wanted
to add some dimensionality to the overall image.

It takes FOUR complete revolutions of the focus ring to go from closest
focus to infinity.

I think that the X100 excels in color rendition. I also think the APS-C
size of the sensor results in images rivaling DSLRs in some cases.


Kaleidoscope
Fuji X100
Manual Mode
Manual Focus
f:7.3 and 1/140th
Shutter Priority Mode

I left my umbrella in the car - bad move, because I could have blocked
the reflections over the two Sea Anemones. I had a lot of gear with me,
including lenses and body of the Pentax 645, so it starts to be problematic
on how much to carry. However, a polarizing filter woud have
been handy as well. Still learning, I guess.

The lack of shading ruins the image for me; however, I still feel it is
worth posting because of the color rendition, especially when you look
at the full crop of the image.






Here is a full crop of a portion of the image. It's awfully close to being an
image on its own, almost without need to "post process".
This crop equates to what you would see in a 20x24 image at 200dpi -
astonishingly sharp and detailed right out of the camera IMHO.

[rbelyell]

larry ive gotta tell ya' both you and this cam are amazing.

[Laurence]

[Laurence]

A final image of this particular area with Manual Settings. I've labeled
what I thought were nice things about the rendered image.

One thing that really impresses me, is the ability to capture the simply
DAZZLING glow that comes from the Sea Stars when there is lots of
light. In full shade they don't show a whole bunch of color to the eyes,
but when the sun hits, they light up big-time. The camera lens has
captured this very well. There was no saturation added to this image.

[kds315*]

Excellent results Larry! What a nice camera - too bad lenses can't be exchanged.

[rbelyell]

wow! normally i would agree that its too bad lenses not interchangeable, but, honestly , with rendition this good, do you really need to change? i read that cartier-bresson loved his contax t, also a portable w a fixed 35mm lens (i love mine also!). i think theres something very pure about an outstanding fixed lens cam. no decisions to make outside of how to use the tool.

when i think of how i shoot: street, pano, low light indoor, some macro, some telephoto, this lens can do it all except tele! and maybe outdoor portraits, which i really like 85-120...

actually, as i think about it, this is a great topic for a thread, if you could only have one FL lens, not a specific lens, but a single FL to use forever, what would it be?

per above, for me it would be around 35mm--a fast 35mm! imho, i think that would be the most versatile, and ive always been partial to that fl, along with around 85mm, which just isnt as versatile...so my choice would be 35, coincidentally this cams FL!

[Laurence]

Klaus and rbelyell: I am actually MUCH happier with the fixed lens than
I anticipated. The nature of the lens makes me actually think a little more
about positioning myself for shots, and has improved my self-assessed
number of "keepers" so far. The other thing is that I can crop pretty
heavily if needed, and still have an image that would make an
acceptable print.

I like it well enough that I decided last night to keep the camera. So, it
goes in line as one of my 4 favorites: Yashica Mat 124, Pentax 645, Fuji GA645zi, and Fuji X100.

So, as you can see, I'm "heavy" into the medium format.

The lens itself on the X100 is a dynamite performer! I place it second
behind my CV Apo-Lanthar 90/3.5 SL, and not very far behind at that.

[ylyad]

Put aside portraits, I fully agree with rebelyell especially with modern digicams where you can crop without impeding quality. The only problem is that I still miss this 35mm equivalent lens now

[trifox]

This is absolutely terrific, Larry!!

Perfect images - I mean 100 per cent -

as a former pre-press operator I am just saying -- wow!

tf

[nemesis101]

I have to agree with everyone else, great camera, lens, subjects and PHOTOGRAPHER!

I cannot believe you even considered NOT keeping it! There is one here on my local Portland Craig's List... I am trying to decide whether the risk to my health from a certain other were I to acquire yet another camera would make purchase worthwhile? If you keep posting stuff like this you may have my battered body on your conscience young man! lol


Doug

[Laurence]

THANKS all of you!

Regarding getting battered from the wife....I fully concur!