Brief Comments on Fuji X-Pro1
Bookmark my Compact Cameras gear page for Fuji X-Pro1 availability status.
I have the Fujifilm X-Pro1 in hand.
The X-Pro1 will get second priority for a time, as the Nikon D800 I have currently must go back in 9 days, so the D800 must receive my full attention. I will have another D800 and a D800E later , but for now I have 9 days to cover most of the important bases.
I charged the X-Pro1 battery and powered it on. In brief:
- I really like the controls far more than the X100, which is a royal pain to operate with gloves, and just too small to work well. The X-Pro1 eliminates that issue (mostly).
- The menu system seems faster and easier, or maybe it’s just the vastly improved 4-way controls (as compared to the terribly fiddly X100 control).
- Very solid feeling overall.
- The manual aperture ring is SO much better than toy controls, as on the Sony NEX and Ricoh GXR.
- The focus action of the 35mm f/1.4 is a real nuisance; it is not internal focusing and constantly pinches my hand, since I like to rest my hand under the lens. Really annoying, really loud, really clunky feel to the hunt-and-seek autofocus. You are definitely NOT going to shoot anything fast with this vintage-feel autofocus.
- With the 35/1.4, it’s a considerably large and bulkier camera than the X100. WAY too large for a jersey pocket.
- The 35/1.4 with hood is much bulkier than the Leica 35/1.4 Summilux. It weighs less than the Summilux due to plastic construction, but it’s not 1/3 as elegant. It’s a plastic lens, well built for plastic, but not exciting in build quality.
- There is an irritating blinky-blink light just to the right of the View Mode button that blinks in my right eye whenever the camera wants to warn me of something, like exposure. I can find no way to turn it off. So electrical tape will have to be applied. What an idiotic design not to have a menu preference for this idiot light.
- Crappy cheap plastic battery door.
- Tripod socket not centered under lens.
- On/Off button does not lock.
- Good but not great grip.
- Same goofy strap mounting as the X100.