Why I'm sending back my X100S (autofocus)

Started Mar 27, 2013 | Discussions thread
ForumParentFirstPreviousNextNext unread
Flat view
Senior MemberPosts: 1,050
Why I'm sending back my X100S (autofocus)
Mar 27, 2013

Sadly, I'll be sending back my X100S, and sticking with my X100.

It's not that I don't appreciate the many, many subtle improvements that Fuji have made:

  • Manual focus using the lens is now more than usable.
  • The closer focusing distance alone makes it far simpler to shoot without having to go in and out of macro all the time. 
  • The new EVF is far more detailed and much brighter.
  • Moving the focal point is way easier.
  • The whole device feels more responsive.

However, the main problem I had with my old X100 - that I didn't trust the AF - still has not been resolved. I had wanted to believe that it was better - it's certainly faster - but today while walking the street I took these:

F4, 1/210, 200 ISO, AFS - using the largest AF box

F4. 1/280. ISO 200, AFS - using largest AF box

How on earth could it fail to lock on to the object? The AF box was at its largest in the middle of the frame and had gone green*. I have two other frames on either side of the last one, both of which are similarly out of focus. I wasn't keeping a half press on the shutter button, either.

I had seen a few examples in previous testing that made me very slightly nervous, but this is just unacceptable to me (YMMV). If I can't trust the camera to get such a straightforward subject right, then I can't trust it at all. At least with my old X100 I was used to using manual focus and the AFL button... If I'm going to be using that process then I don't see the point of upgrading.

I must stress that this in no way invalidates the X100S for anyone else. It's capable of great things. But, for me, the AF still has too far to go.

* I checked in playback and the focus was square on the man's neck and the baby

Fujifilm FinePix X100 Fujifilm X100S
ForumParentFirstPreviousNextNext unread
Flat view
Post (hide subjects)Posted by
ForumParentFirstPreviousNextNext unread
Keyboard shortcuts:
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow