X-F1 review at photographyblog
rotate to 25, pull, step 1, step 2, rotate until it clicks, pull… is it all too complicated?
We have already posted the link to the 49 sample JPEG photos at the end of this post (click here). Now the photographyblog.com posted the full review (click here). This time no translation is needed :-).
I know, “De gustibus non est disputandum” (literally “In matters of taste, there can be no disputes”). And in this case there is no dispute. Every review I’ve read, every comment, simply agrees: this vintage-styled camera looks great. Also photographyblog says: “The Fujifilm XF1 is a classically styled camera with a beautiful retro design that can’t fail to impress everyone that sees it. In an age where digital cameras are virtually ubiquitous, the Fujifilm XF1 stands out by a country mile thanks to it uniquely clean styling and solid build quality, not to mention a wealth of photographer-friendly features.” It’s a “very well-built camera, with absolutely no flex or movement in its chassis.” Only the supplied wrist strap isn’t quite as luxurious as the rest of the package.
Also this camera has his PROS and CONS and the conclusions of photographyblog are:
“Although not quite on a par with the X10 and X100, the XF1’s build quality is very good, and the image quality from the large 2/3-inch CMOS sensor is markedly better than virtually all other compacts. Noise is noticeable only by its almost complete absence from ISO 100-800, with the faster full-resolution settings of 1600 and 3200 also being very usable. The 4x lens is commendably sharp and distortion free at both ends of its focal range, while the f/1.8 maximum aperture at 25mm makes it easier than most compacts to creatively throw the background out of focus (although it does quickly slow to f/4.9 at full telephoto).”
The manual lens ring didn’t convince the testers. Although they appreciate the possibility to zoom quickly and set the focal length by turning the ring with a short and tactile movement they say that “we’d much prefer a simple on/off button to the frankly convoluted way of turning the camera, with the Standby mode feeling redundant.” It only adds complexity to the handling of the camera.
The auto-focus is pretty quick. According to Fuji the camera focuses in 0.16 seconds. “In practice there’s a very slight delay as it locks onto the subject, but it’s more than fast enough for everyday shooting.”
“So whereas the Fujifilm X10 got the combination of retro style and a photographer-friendly approach largely right, the new XF1 feels a bit less well-realised. Not to say that it’s a bad camera – and it is also the cheapest X-series model in the now extensive range – but overall the Fujifilm XF1 doesn’t have quite the same appeal as the rest of the range…”
Read much more in the detailed review (click here).
The X-F1 is still not available in USA. We will inform you immediately when we find this camera in stock. In the meantime you can pre-order it here:
Amazon US: (preorder here) / Adorama (preorder here) / B&H (preorder here)