X100F. Its finally here! I have been shooting the X100F since

November 2016. What I love most about it, it still looks and

feels the same; almost. Most middle age men will understand

this, its a bit bigger now. Is it a bad thing? No; at least for the

camera. Like before; the X-T2 also grew bigger when compare

with X-T1. Initially I was thinking that was a mistake. After putting

it through its paces, I fully comprehend why the amazing Fujifilm’s

designer and engineer did what they did. The little upsize does

makes the camera’s handle close to perfection.

As the world knows it; X100 series is probably second to none

as a street camera. Now in its 4th incarnation; its almost close

to perfection for me. Why close and not perfect? I have two needs.

One; a tilt screen and the other a 24mm WCL instead of the

current 28mm. Now, having said that X100 series is still my

default everyday camera.

Lets begin with what I like and the updates on the new X100F.

All pictures here are taken in jpeg only with a pre-production

X100F.

AF system.

I could feel that its a level up from X100T. Heaps snappier. The

number of focusing points has been dramatically expanded from

49 in X100T to 91 points. This is expandable to 325 points.

Approximately 40% of the imaging area is covered with phase

detection AF pixels. The performance of the contrast detection AF,

covering approximately 85% of the imaging area, has also been

improved. The data read speed has been doubled compared with

previous models to achieve AF performance of higher speed and

precision. This is indeed good news for all X100 user. Finally a

camera that has great AF to accompany the great looks.

Sensor.

X100F now house a 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III Sensor. An APS-C

sensor with no low-pass filter boasting the highest performance in

the history of X-series, as well as the X-Processor Pro high speed

image processing engine to deliver outstanding color reproduction.

Battery.

This is probably the best upgrade in X100F. With the old NP-95 the

battery lifespan is really a nightmare. X100F now uses NP-W126S;

which is the same as X-Pro2, X-T2 and X-T20. The battery life is

now amazing. I have no issue using this camera for a whole day

without worrying when it will die on me. The claim is appox. 270

frames for EVF use and 390 frames for OVF use.

Size.

Its bigger now. In every aspect. Height, depth, width and weight.

Just a teeny bit. Many will not even realize. But really for the better.

These certainly has helped improved the ergonomics and the handling of the camera.

Dial Update.

When ±3 stops is not enough, the Exposure Compensation Dial

on X100F now has the Command Dial Position. Set the Dial to

“C” position to enable exposure compensation adjustments with

the Command Dial at the front of the camera body, and this expand

the exposure compensation range to ±5 stops.

X100F features the Built-In ISO Dial, which is incorporated into the

Shutter Speed Dial, similar to X-Pro2. The good thing, one don’t

have to power on the camera to check ISO as well as aperture,

shutter speed and exposure compensation settings.

Set the ISO Dial to “A” and select “Command” in the ISO DIAL

SETTING (A) in the camera menu, to enable quick ISO adjustments

with the Command Dial at the front of the camera body within the

range of regular sensitivity levels from ISO200 to ISO12800 in the

increment of 1/3 stops.

Focus Lever (Joystick)

Just like X-Pro2 and X-T2, this is indeed a welcome add on. Instead

of using the D-pad to move the AF point with X100T; a new Focus

Lever enables users to quickly select a focusing point. I find this lever

really useful and does speed up the operation.

MK II Conversion lens

There will be a new WCL and TCL conversion lens. These new

conversion lenses are optically designed to draw out the maximum

performance of X100F’s built-in lens, delivering premium picture

quality without having to change the F stop value. So can the original

conversion lens be mounted on X100F? The answer is yes.

So what makes MK II different? With MK I, when its mounted on

the camera; one need to adjust the setting to let the camera knows

which conversion lens being added and change the setting accordingly.

For MK II WCL and TCL, the camera body automatically recognizes

it when a conversion lens is mounted, and displays a guide frame

indicating the shooting area when in the OVF mode. What can I say;

life is much better now for X100F user.

Viewfinder Toggle Switch

Its now also double up as a function button. I can’t say much as

my X100F is a pre production. All I know its a button and it works.

Will update more on this.

Acros

The Film Simulation function now features the ACROS mode.

Hurray for fellow shooters who love ACROS. X100F also has

the Grain Effect function for reproducing distinctive graininess

seen in photographs taken with film cameras. The function

is available in “Strong” and “Weak,” and can be combined with

any of the Film Simulation modes. One can easily obtain the

effect of film-based photos, notable especially when your

image is printed out.

Digital Teleconverter

Use the Digital Teleconverter function to choose the angles of view

equivalent to 50mm and 70mm, in addition to the built-in lens’s 35mm,

which allows you to enjoy framing versatility with three different focal

lengths. This feature is similar to the digital teleconverter in X70. Not

everyone is a fan, this includes me but it could come in handy.

OK, is there anything I don’t like about the new X100F? Other then

the two things I mention earlier; I do press on the Q button accidentally

a few times with my thumb. Other than this, I guess the last headache

is always which X100F to get? Sexy silver or the black version?

Recently I brought along this pre production X100F to Hong Kong for

my family year end holiday. Here are some holiday and street pictures

taken with it. I still think its the best street camera ever.

We all certainly know the X100F is created as a street camera. As a

commercial photographer I think I also wanna see if this camera can

handle some commercial work. Technically its share the same sensor

with the other siblings. So in term of IQ its the same. Here are some

photos to share. From Studio to outdoor, product to food; I would say

its more than able to handle.

So, can I use X100F professionally? Certainly yes but not in all area of

commercial photography. Its certainly still the best and sexiest premium

compact camera money can buy. Here are some pictures to showcase

the commercial side of X100F.

PS: I think many will ask if its worth the upgrade from X100T? If you

hold a X100s, my reply is yes. If you are holding a X100T, my reply is

also a yes. The new X100F is indeed an upgrade. Its a different beast

all in all. The IQ from the 24MP sensor and new AF system are enough

to render the upgrade.

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