Don't believe the X100VI hype, unless...

After shooting the X100VI for an entire month, I've got some opinions. Some good, some not so good. The look, feel, and build quality are all excellent - but if the results aren't great, does any of that really matter?

[@Dustinrhoades]

Thank you for the honesty!

[@RandumbTech]

Always! With such a small channel, I can afford to be! 🤣

[@john_in_Berlin]

Nice job here. I'm sticking with my Fuji X100v and Sony a7c. Was just on holiday in Bangkok and found the latter to be ideal, really an every single day carry, even in the little side bag I began using my second week. Sony is always sharp, and with 40mm or even 28-70mm lens on it you're grabbing killer images that require very little extra editing in LR.

[@RandumbTech]

Thx! I actually ended up selling my A7iv for an A7Cii and it's amazing! I have it paired with 24G/f2.8 and 20-70G/f4 - it's such a great "go anywhere" hybrid camera.

[@iursingh]

Comparing a 1600 USD camera with a 5600 USD camera isn't fair, don't you think? I agree with most of the criticisms but there are very few options in that range that offer the same level of features and image quality.

[@RandumbTech]

You can find used Q2's in mint condition right now for ~$3k. Given the wait lists and insane "used" price for the X100VI on eBay, I'd say they are priced closer than they appear at first glance. Regardless, there are some flaws with the camera than what many initial reviewers did not mention.

[@hasenmyer]

Deciding factor for me to cancel PO was if I'm going to have to carry a camera in a bag or neck strap, I may as well use my A7CR. I really enjoy GR3's ability to easily put in pocket. Plus fuji has made the camera WAY more complicated than it needs to be. The video I've seen is OK but 35mm only is kinda weird for video. Stabilization for video is not very good at 35 and like you said AF is just so so.

[@RandumbTech]

The A7CR is soooooo much better for everyday carry. That sensor output (for stills) is sublime. Plus it's nice having the option to swap out lenses when the need/desire arises.

[@vladvlad2538]

thanks for the honest review

[@RandumbTech]

Always! Thx for the comment!

[@ryanhoviolin]

Wow, this is the first time I hear someone saying Fujifilm’s RAW files are not good to work with! This is definitely a YOU problem, not Fujifilm. The whole point about Fujifilm’s JPEG is that they have the film simulations built into the JPEGs while the RAW displays the “flat” or neutral colours. Now, to replicate these colours and look on your RAWs, you will need Capture One, for C1 and Fujifilm worked together to develop the exact film simulations in C1 that is very accurate to the JPEGs. I shoot exclusively RAW, only very occasionally I will shoot RAW + JPEG (only when I need to get the concert photos to my clients quickly for their social media). And I can certainly tell you that the C1 Fujifilm Simulations are 99% accurate.

[@RandumbTech]

I get that Capture 1 is better, but it's not what I have. I watched a ton of videos that said LR works great with the new Fuji 40MP files which is just not true. I should have been more clear about not getting the RAW to look like SOOC JPG. Once I apply the camera specific film emulation in LR - say Provia or Eterna - it still looks nothing like the SOOC JPG that was shot in said Provia or Eterna. Hope that helps clarify - and thank you for your thoughtful comment!

[@RandyPollock]

As a Canon, now Fuji shooter since 2017, I value the freedom people have to express their issues with a certain camera or brand, but when you read the comments of these types of videos, I really hope that people don't take the opinion of one person or channel to make decisions for or again a camera or lens... for my opinion I have none of these issues and I use common software such as LR, PS, Topaz Photo and DxO PureRAW 4...but I also don't compare my Fuji cameras to Sony or Lecia or view my images at 400% percent.

[@RandumbTech]

I do think it's important to watch several reviewers before making a decision to purchase. From what I've seen, most of the reviews on this camera are glowing and its shortcomings are glossed over (or worse omitted altogether). I mentioned at the end that it will be a great camera for some people, but for those shooting Sony/Leica with a RAW workflow, it's not a great fit.

[@stefannantz]

I had a xt3, which I really liked but when I am looking through my past pictures I always noticing the lesser picture quality compared to my Nikon pictures.

[@RandumbTech]

I feel the same way when I look through my catalog of older Fuji pics. They are all mushy compared to what I get out of my Sony/Nikon/Leica cameras. At the time, I didn't know any better. I'm still shocked that LR hasn't figured out a way to properly de-mosaic an X-Trans RAW file.

[@aaronenglish2638]

Ricoh GR auto focus is also terrible. But it has never stopped me from capturing great images.

[@RandumbTech]

I find the Ricoh GRiiix has better Eye AF than the Fuji. And I absolutely LOVE the snap focus feature. I'm surprised more cameras don't include that option. And the Ricoh DNG is much easier to worth with in LR than the Fuji RAF. I don't shoot the Ricoh all that much, but when I do, I'm always surprised by how good the images are.

[@AwesomeKicks]

Try the sharpness in DR100 versus DR400 mode (in the settings) and let me know the results!

[@RandumbTech]

I've already returned the camera so that's not an option. But as I understand how DR works, that would only affect the JPG, not the RAW file. The issue I have is not with the JPG, but the RAW.

[@talhashah]

I ordered it on 02/26 from BH and am still waiting for it. At this point my enthusiasm for the camera has gone and I am really appreciating the high IQ of my A7RIV with GM and Loxia lenses. I think I will cancel my order. Lecia Q is definitely on my list for the future.

[@RandumbTech]

Leica Q2 is my most used stills camera. It's just so easy to get along with and the 28mm focal length is wide enough to capture the environment or an occasional portrait if your subject doesn't mind a camera in their face. I'm glad I returned mine because I would not be using it very much.

[@EricGibaud]

Hello, I have the camera and sincerely, I don't know what you are doing to miss autofocus, I have absolutely no problem. Yes you are using the wrong raw developper, we all know LR is no good for X-Trans. Use Irridient Developper or Capture One. Leica lens is a lot worse on borders and corners until F4! and the autofocus is far worse than the X100VI , Have a great day

[@RandumbTech]

Have you used the Q2? With Eye AF enabled, I get way more keepers with the Leica than the Fuji. Fuji's Eye AF is still just terrible. It still sees faces that aren't there and can't see the ones that cover half the frame. I shoot no differently with any of my other cameras and they ALL work better. But not everyone relies on Eye AF and instead moves their focus point - for them (and probably yourself) it works great!

[@EricGibaud]

@@RandumbTech Hello. Yes, the Q2 monochrome and I actually reviewed it on my YT channel. I also used the Q3

[@KenichiKasamatsu92]

The Q3’s autofocus is way more reliable than that of the X100VI

[@user-nt5kg9dh7k]

I don't know, nothing is perfect, I have GRiii and x100vi and even Fuji x70, also know A7C and really don't need them all, but nothing is really fully satisfying. Ricoh is small with great picture quality, but missing good AF, viewfinder, the screen is fixed, x100vi has flaws, but that viewfinder is better than a7c and even a7cii also because evf, and the x70 has a tilting screen in a body competing by size with the Ricoh, with the image good enough. So of all those I only can say for sure that a7cii and a7cr are better than a7c, and one has to decide on her/his own preferences.

[@RandumbTech]

Well said! Everyone has their personal preferences - the X100VI just didn't do it for me. I will say that the EVF on the A7Cii is MUCH improved over the older A7C. I am using that camera as my EDC at the moment and it's working fantastic for my needs.

[@GrayGhostDog1]

It is what it is... Light Room is just not the best when working with Fujifilm Raw files. Capture One is an option, but not the only entity that can process their files correctly... DXO can do it, as well.

[@RandumbTech]

True, but I was under the impression based on recent videos I've watched, that LR was now working much better with Fuji files. It's not. I do think it's important for others to be aware of. Thx for the other app suggestions!

[@GrayGhostDog1]

@@RandumbTech … it’s not that Fujifilm’s Raw files do not work with LR. It is that most people find the LR conversion results good enough to their liking. The individuals that have the biggest issues with the conversion are the pixel-peepers. The reason for some not willing to change apps is because they are comfortable with their present workflow environment.

[@RandumbTech]

I suppose. But my experience is that even without pixel peeping, the Fuji images look a little "off" compared to other RAWs necessitating the need to pixel peep. Perhaps I've seen too much. 🤣

[@GrayGhostDog1]

@@RandumbTech Exactly. That may be YOUR experience. This could be a subjective thing for some. For me personally, I prefer the Fujifilm image output compared to some others... it could be because Fujifilm has a different sensor array in most of their APS-C cameras when compared to other manufacturers, but I see more "character" coming out in both stills and video where I tend to see not much difference from others.

[@stanleygabrel1045]

Some other reviewers are mentioning about autofocus problems last few days as well. Perhaps there is a major fundamental issue with main approach to programming auto focus. I am not an expert, but with portable devices it's about where processing power is being assigned to. Perhaps Fuji color science is draining most of its processing power and subsequently leaving less for autofocus. Sony autofocus is great, but you need to post process everything to get best results. You win some and unfortunately you lose some. I hope I am wrong, because I was planning on purchasing Fuji for a long time. We may have to wait another five years for the next processor to cover everything.

[@RandumbTech]

I have definitely seen more reviewers saying similar things now that non-sponsored content is being created. I don't have to tweak my RAW files much for any other brand, it's just Fuji. Oh well, I'll check back in again with them in a few years.

[@DuncanCox]

It’s a you problem

[@RandumbTech]

Probably 🤣

[@superalex159]

Why noone else talks about bad autofocus?

[@RandumbTech]

I really don't know. I think a lot of YT'ers are afraid to say anything bad about any product for fear of reprisal. If they do, they lose access to pre-production models and all the $$ that comes with it from launch day views. The eye-AF is still just flat out bad compared to other systems on the market. And since I use that feature all the time, it's real problem for me with this camera.

[@stanleygabrel1045]

Yes, they do recently. I came across few videos with autofocus issues.

[@bennieferinga9609]

Now, 3 months later, very many people are talking about the bad autofocus on newer Fuji cameras. And the firmware updates aren't helping either. Especially on XH2 and XH2S, and also some problems on the XT5. The AF is worst at moving objects in tracking and video. And the most frustration must be regarding false positives; the green box is on the eye, but focus is somewhere else. This can be seen in videos from KZbinrs edward and lamtongue.

[@superalex159]

@@bennieferinga9609 I agree, autofocus is not ideal in Fujifilm X100VI. But it's acceptable. I have recorded 3 hours of video last week and 98% time the focus is exact as I wanted. Also my Fujifilm X100VI's flash and screen were broken after I used too wet cloth to clean it. It didn't work for 36 hours at all, but last week I have used it for photos and videos a lot. And I have bought a new silver, for flash feature. I must say, the new one is much sharper. I think, Fujifilm X100VI has some random lens sharpness. Now I have a black and a silver X100VI's :D Black I like a lot more !!!!!! But the silver is sharper :

[@SpaklesDr]

I certainly would love a 40Mp APSc camera but NOT a fixed lens one that is this BIG...no interest whatsoever, but that's just me...I know many are pretty hyped about this camera.

[@RandumbTech]

I'm fine with the 40MP sensor, but only paired with a lens that can actually resolve it. The Q2 has a 47MP sensor and the amount of detail from that lens is amazing. You do not get the same from the X100VI - many others have shown that the images are indistinguishable from 100V to 100VI (except in low light where the 100V is a bit better)

[@pancakelens75]

Yes. While my little X-E4 is way more fun to “grab n’ go” than my A7IV, the Sony royally smokes it in the AF department

[@RandumbTech]

I have a LR catalog full of Fuji images that missed focus. Virtually zero with any of my Sony's - and if it did miss focus it was almost certainly my fault. 🤣

[@bflathead]

I attempted to purchase this model but as we all know they’re on a tremendous back order. The dealer wanted full payment with no guarantee on a delivery date. Now that I’m seeing the reviews I will pass on this brand since it seems like Fuji might be in over their heads on this launch.

[@RandumbTech]

It's going to be sold out for a long time. I decided to return mine rather than keep it because it did not inspire me to go out and shoot like some of my other cameras. If I shot JPG, I would have kept it. But changing my workflow to accommodate one camera did not make sense.

[@bflathead]

@@RandumbTech I traded in my DSLR gear and am looking for a simple solution but high quality.

[@nAcolz]

Not Fuji being over their heads as much as everyone trying to hop on the hype train even for the wrong reasons(or none reasons)..

[@bflathead]

@@nAcolz I saw an article stating that they were overwhelmed by this event and are battling through it.

[@pault5947]

I got the X100VI, pre order to delivery was six weeks. Great to shoot with, gorgeous to hold and use, absolutely love the feel of the images. It has re ignited my love of photography. The unexpected icing on the cake is the snowflakes getting their panties in a twist and blowing a gasket. 🤣

[@RandumbTech]

I thought it felt a bit uncomfortable down there, now I know why 🤣 I don't disagree that it's a fine camera for a lot of people, just not me. I expect more from my gear.

[@pault5947]

@@RandumbTech Not a reflection of your excellent video, just my view. 👍👍

[@juergenstrapko7159]

Definitely user error..mine works fine and you are not aware how to process Fuji Raws😊

[@RandumbTech]

The tools I use are not able process Fuji RAWs - it has nothing to do with me personally. I get great results out of all the other cameras I shoot in RAW and I don't do anything differently. Perhaps I was just overly optimistic that Fuji would have improved more since I've been away for a few years.

[@juergenstrapko7159]

@@RandumbTech so may be its better not to post a review😉

[@solidstream13]

Well it does not work for him because he is using $10,000 with of other camera equipment. Who would not prefer a lieca q2 and Ricoh GRiiix. This is like not liking a VW GTi because you already have a Porsche Turbo S for sports driving and a Honda civic for commuting. This does not make the GTI a bad choice just a bad choice for someone that has two vehicles.

[@RandumbTech]

Fair point. I do have a lot of choices, but even I didn't, I would not have kept the X100VI. It just did not perform as well as other cameras at similar price points. Like I said at the end, it is going to be a great camera for some (especially those that shoot JPG) but was not a great fit for me.

[@BryanHaywood]

Not to pile on but it’s a known fact that LR can’t handle Fuji RAWs. Capture One is where is it at and handles the files beautifully.

[@RandumbTech]

I used to shoot Fuji and dealt with it back then. I thought surely LR must have improved over the past 3 years. Sadly, it hasn't, and I'm not about to go out and buy another piece of software for just one camera.

[@Mw02veg]

Works fine for me 😀 very on trend at the moment on KZbin to slate Fujifilm makes great click bait

[@RandumbTech]

Like I said, it's going to be a great camera for a lot of people, not just me. This is far from click bait. It's my own personal experience with the camera. I shot Fujifilm for many years and if you check out some of my prior videos from a few years ago, you'd see I was critical of them then. Everyone was saying that this "new" Fujifilm AF is good (it's not) and that the RAW files can be easily processed in LR (they can't). It's important to have non-biased independent users share their experiences with products devoid of any sponsorship or financial ties.

[@CharlieVN]

in before the sh!tstorm 🤣, wish all cameras produced dng's as a default

[@RandumbTech]

Oh, it's on!! 🤣