FUJIFILM X100T / SHOOTING REPORT

The X100T is the third generation of the X100 series featuring an APS-C 16.2-megapixel X-TRANS CMOS II sensor, a wide angle 23mm F2 lens, and a hybrid viewfinder combining OVF and EVF. The major update of the X100T is the Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder which simultaneously displays a little EVF area in the bottom right part of the OVF screen for accurate manual focusing. I can say that this viewfinder is the most advanced optical viewfinder. The transparent viewfinder becomes a part of the shooter's eye and composing with the floating bright frame line feels so special.

( Photography & Text : Naz )

The high performance FUJINON fixed focal lens

While most fixed-lens cameras have a 28mm or a 35mm lens, the all X100 cameras including the X100T employ the same 23mm F2 lens, equivalent to 35mm in 35mm format. The good thing about a prime 35mm lens is that it lets you step into the subject's space without worrying about significant distortion. Also, the shallow depth of field brings bokeh and 3D quality. This character makes composition easy.

The 10cm minimum focus distance is considerably short for a camera with the APS-C sensor. Even though the image quality isn't the best wide open, it becomes sharper by stepping down. The front bokeh can get slightly quirky, but the back bokeh is smooth and beautiful. And, this character matches the way this camera is used. I'm amazed that the bottles look thick whether they are focused or defocused.

To give a hard time on the lens, I took off the shade and shot with an intense oblique light. And, this light worked to add to the power of expression. By turning the lever with your left index finger, you can instantly switch to EVF, which lets you check this special effect real-time. Thanks to the coating on the FUJINON lens, the depiction of the leaves and branches doesn't seem to be affected at all.

The distortion is almost unnoticeable and the image quality is excellent from corner to corner. And, thanks to the combination of the sensor without a LPF and the Lens Modulation Optimizer, you can stop down as much as you want without worrying about diffraction blur.

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Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder helps shooting in a wide variety of situations

When it comes to the accuracy of framing, this camera loses against the EVF with the 100% view area coverage. However, the clear OVF works better for street photography that requires instant shooting. The OVF of the X100 series displays a variety of information and the one of the X100T compensates parallax real-time when the focusing mode is MF and AF-C, and it's view area has increased to 92%. It definitely enables more accurate and faster composition. In addition, you can focus even more precisely and quickly taking advantage of the focus area magnification as well as the digital split image with peaking.

 

Analogue-feel operation for quicker firing

The Fujifilm's X series features the design optimized for analogue-feel operation. And, its advanced models have a large shutter speed dial on the top cover and an aperture ring on the lens. So, you can focus on shooting without checking on the setting information on the LCD screen. Read the available light, set the shutter speed and aperture, and fire. The X100T is the latest digital camera which supports the classical shooting style. While many cameras force users to set parameters with a function button and a command dial, I appreciate this simple and analogue operation even though it costs more.

Set the shutter dial or the aperture ring to the "A" position, and you can shoot with the AE mode. And, if you set the both dials to the "A" position, it becomes the Program mode. You can also set the ISO to AUTO in the aperture priority mode. This way, you can control the depth of field freely because the camera automatically sets the best shutter speed and ISO sensitivity to prevent camera shake while maintaining the image quality. The number of steps for exposure compensation has expanded from +/-2EV to +/-3EV, and this facilitates shooting with more extreme exposure. In addition, just like the X-T1 and the X-E2, the rear command dial became a button (no one turned it with the predecessors).

Sometimes, the bow-like ghost appears when shooting against intense light sources. I guess this is caused by the lens shutter. So, when the subject is stable, I recommend using the electric shutter which supports up to 1/32000 seconds.

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The renowned high sensitivity performance is inherited to this camera as well, and you'll even feel like using ISO 3200 regularly. Of course, I don't mean it's noise-free. It generates more noise at higher ISO sensitivity. But, I like the way this camera handles it because it doesn't paint over, but uses the noise to make it look like film grains. And, I'm convinced because Fujifilm has been a film manufacturer. In addition, the size and height feel just right to hold by supporting it with the three points the viewfinder, the lens, and the grip. Together with the faster shutter speed realized by the high-speed F2 lens, you can shoot in pretty dark situations except for the one that requires a tripod.

This lens isn't like the latest lens with surprising clarity and sharpness, but it has a sweet taste. It's sharp and somewhat soft wide open, and I think the rendering is elegant. But, unlike old lenses, it's easy to handle and you can enjoy how the aperture changes the image quality.

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The lone X100T is a further refined tool for pure photography.

The third generation of the X100 series, the X100T, is easier to handle and more sophisticated. The modern and elegant looking body is 1.5mm thinner than the predecessor. The display time lag of the LCD/EVF liveview is shortened to 1/5 of the former model. And, the new large high-definition 3-inch 1,040,000-pixel rear LCD has a 2:3 aspect ratio while the former model had the 2.8-inch with 460,000 pixels. Of course, it has the built-in Wi-Fi which lets you transfer images to smartphones and shoot remotely. And, it has the new classic chrome film simulation mode. Finally, great news for black body lovers. It also comes in black as a regular model instead of the limited one.

Being a fixed-lens digital camera with an OVF, the X100T makes a difference. And, with the major and minor updates, this tool has become even more sophisticated. If you have been interested in the series for some time, now is the time to get it. Even if you have been using the series, you will still feel the great improvement in this latest model.

( 03.03.2015 )