Well it has been some while since my last post and believe it or not I have had the X100 for almost a year now.  Whilst I haven’t had a lot of time for photography since getting it, I have managed a few days out with it that have been totally dedicated to using the camera.  Some of the images I have taken can now be seen in my X File folder, and I will slowly add others as I go.  A few, but certainly not all, of the images I have taken with this super camera, have pleased me. Some have been less than perfect (a few missed shots down to focus) and others have been beyond my expectations. But the bad shots, I hasten to add, were (and still are) down to my technique and not the camera; and I am improving on that all the time. Perhaps I was just a little too nervous to gel quickly with it. And I say that because I was quite nervous at the outset. Mainly I was nervous about parting with my 5D MKII and superb L series lenses.  OK, it was hard, but  I'm fine with it now! We all need to take risks sometimes, and this was a big one for sure . So, where am I now? Onward and upwards I guess with this little Gem of a camera.  Actually, ‘gem’ is the right word for the X100. It is almost like buying an unpolished gemstone that you alone must polish for it to sparkle. And it will sparkle! And you can then be proud to wear it around your neck, or hang it from your shoulder - or even your wrist if that's your preference. 

It will take time to get the hang of all the pros and cons that’s for sure, and there are a few to get used to, believe me!  Just don’t be fooled by its simple looks and small footprint, because what it isn’t is a camera for the uninitiated.  So be well prepared for a learning curve of whatever length it takes. This will also apply to the newest kid on the Fuji Block – the X100S. Even so, the X100 is a lot cheaper and is no slouch just because a younger brother has hit the market place. Good on Fuji for their continued dedication to this kind of camera and it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for us all.

What Fuji has in fact created is a camera for ‘street’ photographers. It certainly isn’t a camera for those who are just in love with the idea of owning one. This camera is a photographer’s tool 100%!  To get a decent image you will have to work with it and not against it. You will have to overcome its odd little quirks and be patient! You can start doing this by dropping the notion that the camera is always to blame when things go wrong. If things don't look good, or seem right, just question your own technique first and ask yourself if it can be improved upon to suit.  The X100/S will not, and does not, react in quite the same way as an all-singing all-dancing DSLR!  You need to understand that it is neither a DSLR, nor a Rangefinder - period!  It is a unique blend of both and takes a combination of skills from both disciplines to become proficient with it!  So instead of getting frustrated by the quirks, and no doubt you will, you are best served by remembering that user input always needs to be questioned first. Just succumb to the Fuji knowledge bank and learn how to use it.  Join a forum where you can get solid info about your Fuji camera. You know it makes sense, and it will deliver all you need to know. Here's a forum you should consider joining: http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php/index

I have likened the X100/S to that of a strong woman who will only give over her delights to a man if and when he knows how to handle her.  So anyone who thinks the X100/S is just a fancy point and shoot, they should get that nonsense right out of their heads before they even purchase one. It isn’t a point-and-shoot. Far from it! It is a camera for people who want, and deserve, much more than that.  If you are into sports photography maybe you should forget it and buy a DSLR!   If you are into photojournalism then this is what it is best at doing and you won’t be disappointed.  The X100/S is not in the Leica M league for sure (build wise that is), but they are as near as you can get to the experience for the price with the images it creates. Just enjoy the journey and good luck!