FUJIFILM X100S / SHOOTING REPORT vol.1 vol.2

The X100S is the successor of the X100 and it has the new generation sensor whose construction is the same as the one for the X-Pro1/X-E1. Along with many improvements in usability, it features a new focusing aid function which works just like double image manual focusing of rangefinder cameras. When we hear it's a fixed-lens camera, we expect the image quality to be extremely high. However, just like its predecessor, the X100S is slightly different. Of course, it takes wonderful pictures, but the rendition is a bit soft wide open and becomes sharper by stopping down, just like an old lens. This means that you have more room to control expression. It's like driving a manual transmission car instead of automatic. The new sensor, which was upgraded from the one for the X-Pro1/X-E1 whose rendition was already sharp and delicate, realizes even higher resolution due to the absence of lowpass filter. But again, the lens, which isn't razor-sharp, has been kept. This made me test the camera in a relaxed mood in Okinawa.

( Photography & Text : K )

It's "the color." By default, it reproduces images shot with the slide film "PROVIA." With a conventional film scanner, it was difficult to realize the vivid and clear images that I viewed on the light box with a loupe. But, this camera has solved the problem completely. This is the very image of "PROVIA" and it makes me want to get this camera.

Digital cameras are not good at reproducing images with slight highlight clipping. So, I used to underexpose to avoid clipping. I took one shot under and another shot with clipping, and I like this image with clipping better. When shooting something, it's best to have a slight clipping. With a camera with poorer tonal reproduction, even light grey turns to white... This camera has a ND filter and this is a message from Fujifilm: "Shoot wide open!" :). The lens has a noticeable spherical aberration. Yet, the focal plane is sharp enough. How you take advantage of the character is up to you and it's fun to try it.

Rendition is bit cloudy wide open, but becomes significantly clearer by stopping down by just half a step. The bokeh rounds off nicely, too. You may wonder why it doesn't behave so wide open, but I believe this is a "choice" prepared by Fujifilm because sometimes we don't want the lens to be so clear. Choice means more fun and higher difficulty. But, fun accompanies some hardship, doesn't it?

The front bokeh is soft like an old lens. I shot slightly far from the minimum focus distance with macro mode. I recommend you to stop down by one step because it becomes very blurry wide open because of the aberration. Of course, you can shoot wide open to express differently.

Generally, when shooting food, it's best to shoot over with natural lighting. If a camera has a poor reproduction of smooth highlight transition, this is a difficult situation. But, the X100S does an excellent job. I shot at ISO800 to be more than satisfied with the way it reduced the noise. Of course, it generates more noise than the lowest sensitivity, but I think the noise makes the image look even more realistic. If you've been shooting films for a long time, you know what I mean.

The lens captures the light in Okinawa in winter.

The lens should be the same as the one for the X100 and it does an excellent job in capturing light beautifully. Yet, the light in Okinawa is softer in winter than in summer. Yet, it comes in lower angle to be hard in its own way even though it never becomes as hard as in summer. The lens captures such light realistically and somewhat softly. It's not loose, but "sweet," I'd say.

Improved basic performance and usability

The X100's sensor was an orthodox CMOS sensor. Then it was replaced with the unique X-Trans sensor, which was subsequently upgraded to the improved X-Trans CMOS II sensor used for this camera. Because it doesn't have the lowpass filter, rendition is very sharp and delicate. And, it reflects the unique rendition of the lens at wide open even more directly. Plus, it reproduces richer and more realistic gradation and colors. While the X-Pro1 and the X-E1 are multipurpose cameras, the X100S is a premium camera that fits right into everyday shooting. Just like the brand name, it's like getting a "film" of superior quality.

( 16.06.2017 )