I shoot with a Nikon D700 and a few interchangeable lenses, both zoom and prime lenses for 2 years. Thus, I am spoiled technically right. But on the details of D700 I'm not a, either you know them, or you may check the Google, Nikon etc. if required and interest.
I am not a professional photographer, but photography has long been one of my biggest hobbies, and I would like to describe myself as ambitious amateur. In many areas, the D700 delivers me a great tool, the image quality is very high. But nevertheless, it is large and heavy, the necessary accessories in the form of lenses, photo backpack, flash, possibly studio flash etc. needs to be transported. And 2-3 KG Photography Equipment neck is uncomfortable in the long run, depending on the activity sometimes disturbing and very striking.
Therefore:
A supplement was needed! After much research on the internet, I became aware of the Fuji X10. Finally, she was appointed.
Cognitions:
Already the carton in which the X10 is supplied, makes a high quality impression. Looks like something from grade, promises a high quality content. And in fact, the X10 is a very high-quality finish camera, the housing stands out from the usual compact camera segment a positive note. She almost looks like an old analog camera and feels equally at. Man holding a real piece of camera in his hands!
Of course right compact, the case does not, it's bigger than most compacts. And the X10 also weighs more. But ultimately, they might weigh one tenth of the weight that you carry around with a DSLR neck. I feel the size and weight as a pleasant and perfectly portable for everyday use.
I have the X10 virtually always present in a small waist bag (Lowepro Apex 60 AW). The fits in your pocket or backpack, or even better on the jeans belt. There she is at any time canceled at hand and well protected. A second SD card and a spare battery and fits even with inside.
A digression for WDS (White Dot Syndrome), on which there is a lot of reading on the Internet: The first Amazon delivered X10 had this problem. Highlights or strong backlighting (floodlit) were to big, round, demarcated discs, much larger than the highlight. I complaining the Amazon, where you responded within one day and shall presently give me a replacement. The new X10 no longer has the WDS.
The X10 can operate fully automatically. But man can also adjust anything manually. There is a time and shutter priority, manual mode, two Custom modes and a lot of automatic functions. In addition, it offers through its special sensor 3 EXR modes. The camera decides on the basis of the subject automatically, which mode is used, alternatively, the mode can also select manually. Mode 1 provides full 12 MP resolution for detailed images, Mode 2 produces 6 MP images with enhanced contrast, Mode 3 generates 6 MP shots in low light.
I use the EXR quite rare. Dear me, the aperture priority or P Program AE. But if I sometimes am not sure how to best capture a motif on the sensor, and it seems important to me, then I'm doing a precaution, one or more EXR images.
The X10 standard from stores in JPG format, but also controls the saving of RAW files. This can be either RAWs using the supplied software, process or for example with LR4. Certainly, other programs are able to process these RAWs. I think coming from the camera JPGs but very well done. Important parameters can be set for: sharpness, noise, light and shade contrast, saturation. Furthermore are 3 different color modes, plus black and white settings. It can thus adjust a lot to get a JPG, which corresponds to their own ideas. The JPG engine like it better than the D700.
When recording, you can display a histogram, as guides and an artificial horizon to keep the camera straight. The built-in viewfinder is nice, but not really practical. The cut-out is only 85% of the actual image, it is light, but relatively blurred. Furthermore, no information can be displayed. In an emergency, so better than nothing, in bright sunlight you will be pleased with the viewfinder when using the display no longer be seen. But otherwise I use in 99% of the display for my shots.
The built-in lens is particularly bright. In wide angle at 28mm focal length, it has a maximum aperture of f / 2.0 in telephoto position at 112mm it is f / 2.8. Particularly pleasing here is that the full opening can also be used without problems. I'm always shooting at maximum aperture, the picture quality is up to the corners into it perfectly fine. When stopping down the corners more sharply, from f / 5.6 cares about the quality but again slowly. Practical is thus a range of f / 2.0 - f / 6.3.
Who the X10 scans the body for a On / Off switch, will not be able to find. The camera is switched on with a twist of the zoom ring on and off. A great idea, but the lens cap must be removed, because the lens extends when turning the zoom ring before. The zoom is adjusted very sensitively mechanically by the zoom ring, a great thing compared to the usual zoom rockers or levers appear other compact cameras. When the camera is off you can press the Play button view recorded images, without turning the zoom ring. Very convenient.
The noise of the sensor can be described from ISO100 to ISO400 quite as low. At ISO800, things look different, but the shots are quite useful depending on the application. Higher values I have not been tested. In particular, this could help, depending on the subject and situation should therefore quietly play a little with the different settings the EXR mode.
The built-in flash is extended via a small switch, and may at any time be pushed back into the case back. Top right of the housing is still a wheel to find the exposure. Values between -2 and +2 are possible. There's even a hot shoe for an external flash unit with which can also address remote trigger for studio flashes etc.. And what used to be common for analog cameras, you can even the dusty drawer in the cable release from ancient times screws in the shutter release, and thus release the shutter.
The settings for the Auto Focus (Single, Continuous, Manual) occurs with the switch on the front panel. It is a well-functioning face detection available, also can move and resize the focus area. Per button can be an exposure and / or AF lock to make. A Macro mode for shooting from 1cm distance can be activated. This very good macro shots are possible.
The battery lasts for about 200 shots. Therefore, I have always with a reserve battery. Nothing is worse than that of the camera stays away the current. Since there are very small batteries, taking along a second battery is completely without problems.
Note the video function: This I have to this day not been tested, because it was not relevant. According to the technical data and the description of the Fuji Video function should be fine - tried ichs have not got.
Conclusion:
The X10 is a truly fascinating camera! It's fun to take pictures with her. Since it is always there, escape me no more motives. She is still compact and hence inconspicuous, but makes the basis of their system modeled on old analog cameras housing visually quite what her. It is robust, makes high-quality recordings, and is equipped with lots of art and nice details.
But what really amazes me is that I have not brought my Nikon D700 since 2 weeks out of the closet. I have not even missed, and that gives me even to think about. My vision of photography has changed, the motif occurs at first, not on the technology. The secondary. From this viewpoint, it is easy to leave the DSLR at home, and strike out with the X10. However: the D700 must for the next sports shooting well but serve the 70-200, here comes the X10 in focal length, autofocus, continuous shooting speed just is not with. But must also not, it is for the remaining 95% of all motives to use fine, and does not need to hide next to the D700.
Closing remarks:
Those looking for a more compact camera that delivers good picture quality, has automatic functions and is also manually adjustable, peppered with interesting technical details and sprayed a bit of analogue, old-time, this is the place in the X10!
