FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO500)
One last blogpost regarding summer. This summer was so hot that we started to consider to get a pool. The pictures in this post are from a visit in a big show garden.
Among many plants or better complete little landscapes the show garden also included many ponds and pools though I have to admit that I would rather prefer to have a swimming pool without any plants and small animals.
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/4, 1/300 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/2.8, 1/600 sec, ISO200)
When I had to decide which camera to take the decision was simple. Currently I own only three cameras. I’m well aware how mad that sounds.
There is my trusty Fuji X Pro-2, my Canon G7X and of course my newest camera the great Fuji X100F. I wanted a small and light camera so the decision was simple: I took my new X100F. I just like the look of the Fuji files but most of all I prefer the handling of a real camera with a viewfinder compared to the compact camera style of the G7X. Compared to the Fuji X100F the Canon feels like an iPhone. I like my iPhone but its camera not so much.
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/3.2, 1/340 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/4, 1/150 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/4, 1/550 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/4, 1/950 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/4, 1/1250 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/2, 1/3500 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/8, 1/210 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/2.8, 1/340 sec, ISO200)
The Fuji X100F is completely different to an iPhone. OK there is a foxed lens very much like on the older iPhones. Even the effective focal length seems to be very different. And like the Fuji X100 the iPhone has a rather impressive auto white balance.
Here the similarities end. One is a phone with a big screen, no dials and a super tiny sensor. The other is a beautifully crafted camera with many controls and dials and a rather big APS-C sensor which is allows some shallow depth images if your subject is not too far away from the camera. And it makes shooting in dark conditions a breeze. There is very little noise or loss of detail in shots taken at ISO 3.200 or even higher. Dynamic range is vastly superior too. Despite all the HDR software trickery the iPhone can’t get even close to the Fuji in this regard.
Bt the biggest difference for me is the shooting experience. The camera offers a very satisfying and involving shooting experience. To turn an aperture ring or shutter speed dial, to switch to full manual be simple lift the ring on the shutter speed dial to set ISO manually to operate the camera in full manual is an amazing experience. And than there is this beautiful hybrid viewfinder and the super silent leaf shutter. This camera is so great to use it should be forbidden for guys below the age of 21.
Essentially it’s an X Pro-2 but with in integrated lens so you never have to worry if you have the right lens attached to it. What sounds like a limitation is liberating and explains why the X100 cameras have no many admirers. Speaking of the lens I think I would prefer a 38mm equivalent just like my old Contax T2 had back in the days of slide film but I’m also fine with the 35.
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/4, 1/450 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/5, 1/950 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec, ISO200)
Back to the show garden. I loved the way they integrated the ponds and pools. The best examples looked very natural. It was hard to detect that those were all arranged landscapes and the result of most accurate planning and constant maintenance. You really need a lot of dedication to have something like that in your backyard. Don’t get me wrong I like to work in my garden but not all the time.
So as beautiful as those arrangement are they are not an option for us. We don’t live in California where you simply engage a gardener to keep you backyard in pristine condition. I guess we will still keep it simple.
FUJIFILM X100F (23mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO640)