A stunning experience with the Fuji X-100

[stevefrankel]

For the past 6 months or so, my favorite travel camera has been the Fuji X100. It has logged about 3000 shots that were taken on a cruise from Los Angles to Barbados; a cruise from Istanbul to Athens; and during 2 yacht races where I shot more than 1000 shots from the committee boats.

 

I've been tremendously satisfied with the camera, despite its well-documented quirks and fixed 35mm-equivilent focal length, because of its unparalled ability to shoot "a black cat in a coal bin," its choice of 3 finders, its great handling, and its sharp & colorful images. Nevertheless, I've got the new Sony NEX 7 on order in the hope of getting an even better cruise and street camera.

 

Then, a few weeks ago, my wife was going to a costume event and was dressed up in the style of Cindy Lauper. She asked me to shoot her as she was leaving the house. I did so and liked the results so much that I ordered a 16x20" print done on a framed canvas for her birthday. The canvas photo arrived yesterday and the results -- without any touch-up or sharpening -- were stunning: great color and razor-sharp without any flaws or blurring. Frankly, in 45 years as a professional and advanced amateur, it's probably the best 16x20" I've ever produced; surpassing hundreds of 11x14s and 16x20s I took with the top film cameras.

 

We have truly advanced to a new era. I'm eager to see if the NEX 7, equipped with the Zeiss 2.0 fixed 36mm equivilent lens, can equal the X-100's images or whether the NEX 7 will have a short stay in my home.

 

The photo is attached. Anyone who want to see the original image can contact me.