barjohn
New member
After two weeks of use and a lot of mistakes and learning experiences, I thought I would share both my observations and suggestions for improvements made by X100Forum members and me. This should paint a realistic view of where Fuji is with firmware ver. 1.0. This is not to say that any of these make the camera unusable but rather some items need to be fixed and some are improvements that should be made for better usability. This list is not comprehensive and could be added to as more familiarity is gained.
X100 Bugs and Anomalies
1. Flash
a) No auto mode to select though shown in the manual on page 31.
b) Red eye reduction does not reduce/eliminate red-eye during shooting.
2. Auto Focus Confirmation - there are times, some intermittent, when the camera will focus but will neither provide audible or visual confirmation that focus has been achieved. For example, during a rapid full press of the shutter button. In low light I found this happening frequently yet the images were in focus.
3. The view finder histogram is not referenced in the user manual. Further, it does not change with changes to shutter speed or aperture. It is only influenced by the exposure compensation knob. It does not display on a ½ press when the lens is stopped down to shooting aperture. The peak on the over exposure side is less on the viewfinder histogram than on the playback histogram.
4. When the camera is in "P" Program mode, neither the command control or command dial effects a program shift as described in the user manual on page 23.
5. I Experienced a random occurrence of image review during shooting with image review turned off.
6. Image magnification in manual focus needs to be increased or selectable by the user with options.
7. Image magnification on play back is not adequate to check focus in all situations and needs to have higher power magnification available.
8. Changing the size of the focus rectangle does not change the size of the rectangle displayed in the OVF though it does in the EVF and you can adjust it while held up to your eye in EVF mode but not in OVF mode.
9. In manual focus, using the AEL/AFL button to auto focus gives a confirmation beep but does not change the color of the rectangle to green.
X100 Improvements & Suggestions
1. ND and Macro access
The novel ND filter and more standard Macro function are two features likely to be used often and thus demand better access. Currently the user must be viewing either the EVF or LCD to make changes to the settings. This throws a speed bump up in front of the user when they are in OVF mode. Since both settings have indicators on the OVF overlay, why not make them direct toggles? One push of the Macro button would automatically switch the view to EVF if you were originally in OVF. For ND the option would have to be programmed to the Fn button but the change would be instantaneous and the user would have confirmation from the "ND" icon that is currently available in the OVF.
Also, Macro setting needs permanence - currently lasts for one shot only.
2. Function Button
Per item number 2, the Fn button should be contextual. Options that have simple on/off states should perform as direct toggles, not as entries into a menu system.
3. RAW Button
Love the in-camera processing, hate that it takes up a button when it should be a menu option. Let us reprogram that button Fuji!
4. AF Frame size
The AF Frame can be resized in EVF or LCD mode but the setting does not lock and will revert back to the original size when switching between finders. There should be a menu option to select the default size for the AF Frame size or at least grant permanence to the current change function.
5. Image Review / Menu Settings vs the Buffer
This is a big one. Currently the user can do a few essential things in-between shots while the image is being cleared out of the buffer and onto the card but that cannot do others. Fuji needs to move all items to the "Can" column.
Can:
• User can shoot again!
• User can change mechanical controls such as aperture, shutter speed and exposure comp
• User can view the image if the auto image review feature is selected
Can't
• Change any controls that are accessed through the menu system or rear buttons.
• Switch between displays
• Use the play button to review an image
• Zoom in on an image that has been displayed in auto image review
6. Auto ISO
I have two issues with Auto-ISO. First, you are limited to a ceiling of 3200. I would like the option of selecting a higher setting. Second, when in Auto ISO, the camera displays your maximum ISO selection in the finder. So if you selected 3200, you will see "ISO Auto 3200" in the display. Once you meter your subject the display updates to reflect the auto-selected ISO speed. This methodology is slightly distracting and I would prefer to just see "Auto ISO" in the VF until the scene is metered.
Also see issue related to DR expansion below.
7. DR Expansion
This is undocumented in the X100 manual but the DR settings (100-400%) have a direct correlation on ISO. When set to DR 400% ISO is limited to 800 minimum. When set to DR 200% ISO is limited to 400 minimum. If your ISO is set below 400 the expanded DR options will not be available. And if the camera is in Auto-ISO you will find yourself shooting at 800 ISO in the sun. I guess this is not a Firmware issue as much as it is a documentation issue.
8. Hyperfocal focus setting for MF operation
I'd like to set the aperture and have the lens move to the hyperfocal for it, and stay put. Instant shutter release. That would be perfect.
9. Add auto ISo to the FN ISO list
When you press the Fn button (assuming it's still assigned to ISO) it only gives you the list 200-6400 (or 100-12,800 if you have expansion on). I'd suggest making it loop around, and add the auto-ISO as the first item in the list.
10. Improve AF speed as better is possible
11. Improve SD card write speed. Much more should be possible.
X100 Bugs and Anomalies
1. Flash
a) No auto mode to select though shown in the manual on page 31.
b) Red eye reduction does not reduce/eliminate red-eye during shooting.
2. Auto Focus Confirmation - there are times, some intermittent, when the camera will focus but will neither provide audible or visual confirmation that focus has been achieved. For example, during a rapid full press of the shutter button. In low light I found this happening frequently yet the images were in focus.
3. The view finder histogram is not referenced in the user manual. Further, it does not change with changes to shutter speed or aperture. It is only influenced by the exposure compensation knob. It does not display on a ½ press when the lens is stopped down to shooting aperture. The peak on the over exposure side is less on the viewfinder histogram than on the playback histogram.
4. When the camera is in "P" Program mode, neither the command control or command dial effects a program shift as described in the user manual on page 23.
5. I Experienced a random occurrence of image review during shooting with image review turned off.
6. Image magnification in manual focus needs to be increased or selectable by the user with options.
7. Image magnification on play back is not adequate to check focus in all situations and needs to have higher power magnification available.
8. Changing the size of the focus rectangle does not change the size of the rectangle displayed in the OVF though it does in the EVF and you can adjust it while held up to your eye in EVF mode but not in OVF mode.
9. In manual focus, using the AEL/AFL button to auto focus gives a confirmation beep but does not change the color of the rectangle to green.
X100 Improvements & Suggestions
1. ND and Macro access
The novel ND filter and more standard Macro function are two features likely to be used often and thus demand better access. Currently the user must be viewing either the EVF or LCD to make changes to the settings. This throws a speed bump up in front of the user when they are in OVF mode. Since both settings have indicators on the OVF overlay, why not make them direct toggles? One push of the Macro button would automatically switch the view to EVF if you were originally in OVF. For ND the option would have to be programmed to the Fn button but the change would be instantaneous and the user would have confirmation from the "ND" icon that is currently available in the OVF.
Also, Macro setting needs permanence - currently lasts for one shot only.
2. Function Button
Per item number 2, the Fn button should be contextual. Options that have simple on/off states should perform as direct toggles, not as entries into a menu system.
3. RAW Button
Love the in-camera processing, hate that it takes up a button when it should be a menu option. Let us reprogram that button Fuji!
4. AF Frame size
The AF Frame can be resized in EVF or LCD mode but the setting does not lock and will revert back to the original size when switching between finders. There should be a menu option to select the default size for the AF Frame size or at least grant permanence to the current change function.
5. Image Review / Menu Settings vs the Buffer
This is a big one. Currently the user can do a few essential things in-between shots while the image is being cleared out of the buffer and onto the card but that cannot do others. Fuji needs to move all items to the "Can" column.
Can:
• User can shoot again!
• User can change mechanical controls such as aperture, shutter speed and exposure comp
• User can view the image if the auto image review feature is selected
Can't
• Change any controls that are accessed through the menu system or rear buttons.
• Switch between displays
• Use the play button to review an image
• Zoom in on an image that has been displayed in auto image review
6. Auto ISO
I have two issues with Auto-ISO. First, you are limited to a ceiling of 3200. I would like the option of selecting a higher setting. Second, when in Auto ISO, the camera displays your maximum ISO selection in the finder. So if you selected 3200, you will see "ISO Auto 3200" in the display. Once you meter your subject the display updates to reflect the auto-selected ISO speed. This methodology is slightly distracting and I would prefer to just see "Auto ISO" in the VF until the scene is metered.
Also see issue related to DR expansion below.
7. DR Expansion
This is undocumented in the X100 manual but the DR settings (100-400%) have a direct correlation on ISO. When set to DR 400% ISO is limited to 800 minimum. When set to DR 200% ISO is limited to 400 minimum. If your ISO is set below 400 the expanded DR options will not be available. And if the camera is in Auto-ISO you will find yourself shooting at 800 ISO in the sun. I guess this is not a Firmware issue as much as it is a documentation issue.
8. Hyperfocal focus setting for MF operation
I'd like to set the aperture and have the lens move to the hyperfocal for it, and stay put. Instant shutter release. That would be perfect.
9. Add auto ISo to the FN ISO list
When you press the Fn button (assuming it's still assigned to ISO) it only gives you the list 200-6400 (or 100-12,800 if you have expansion on). I'd suggest making it loop around, and add the auto-ISO as the first item in the list.
10. Improve AF speed as better is possible
11. Improve SD card write speed. Much more should be possible.