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Question of Ease of Use of mirrorless cameras.
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Dec 7, 2013 12:15:14   #
BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA
 
To all.

Having just purchased a new Fuji X-PRO 1 for my son to take back to Istanbul, where he is a freelance journalist, I had the opportunity to "play" around with it while helping him learn the camera enough to get started.

It seemed to me to be an ergonomic nightmare. Nothing seemed to be in just the right spot. We tried the grip add-on, but that has to be removed every time you want to access the battery/memory card compartment. Buttons were not convenient.

Focus and Zoom rings were hard to accurately find, etc.

Is this just me being used to full frame 35mm and larger format cameras, or do others have a similar sense when using these cameras?

There is no intent for any camera bashing here. Just honest opinions from users!

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Dec 7, 2013 12:18:50   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Its all a matter of what you get used to. Nikon users hate the Canon control layouts and Canon users usually hate the Nikons layouts. And almost all DSLR users hate P&S as well as mirrorless layouts for the lack of quick control access. Everyone has trouble changing formats to one extent or the other, personally I hate how small mirrorless cameras are as I have large hands. If he likes the image results he will get used to the feel and the controls. If he does not, then the camera will become a dust collector, only time will tell.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:25:54   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
I can speak towards the Olympus omd em1. My em1 has a ton of buttons, levers, dials, touchscreen, and a really nice grip. Once you learn where they are at or set up custom buttons (like you would need to do with any camera) it's just like shooting with a dslr...only better because it is half the size and weight. Buttons and dials to me are all in the right spot. Focus peaking makes manually focusing a breeze. Steve huff just compared it against the Sony A7r, Leica m, and the Nikon df...and chose the em1 as his camera of the year.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:27:43   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
MT Shooter wrote:
...personally I hate how small mirrorless cameras are as I have large hands.


Have you picked up an em1? It's not that small.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:30:45   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
BobHartung wrote:
To all.

Having just purchased a new Fuji X-PRO 1 for my son to take back to Istanbul, where he is a freelance journalist, I had the opportunity to "play" around with it while helping him learn the camera enough to get started.

It seemed to me to be an ergonomic nightmare. Nothing seemed to be in just the right spot. We tried the grip add-on, but that has to be removed every time you want to access the battery/memory card compartment. Buttons were not convenient.

Focus and Zoom rings were hard to accurately find, etc.

Is this just me being used to full frame 35mm and larger format cameras, or do others have a similar sense when using these cameras?

There is no intent for any camera bashing here. Just honest opinions from users!
To all. br br Having just purchased a new Fuji X-... (show quote)


It's just you :)

Every camera is different and the X-Pro1 is VASTLY different from a DSLR in every respect....I know that when I got my X100S and my X-Pro1 I was lost for a few days...I thought the same thing as you but after a while...you get used to the placement and the "logic" of the particular camera that you use.

Also...after hoisting around a HUGE DSLR, a small mirrorless will feel "weird" because the buttons feel so cramped up and hard to hit.

I've used Canons and now Fujis and they each have their quirks.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:41:10   #
mossgate Loc: Phoenix, AZ
 
Every new thing has its learning curve.

The Olympus E-M1 has a great grip. You can buy the E-M5 and buy the extra grip attachment for $250. but then that makes the price difference between the two cameras inconsequential unless you like the kit lens which is often part of the E-M1 deal.

But it pays to really check out cameras before you buy if possible to make sure they feel right, too. But that is not always possible because big box stores don't carry higher end cameras that I've noticed around where I live. The pro camera store around here doesn't carry a lot of mirrorless camera brands either. They did fortunately have the Olympus models mentioned above and so I knew what I was buying.

Decide whether the learning curve is worth it or return the Fuji if you can.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:49:44   #
rebride
 
You/he will have to relearn how to hold a camera. Mostly to not inadvertently push some button especially 'macro'. Learning the layout is easy. Many are using a thumb grip.
The prime lenses are simple and the aperture ring with dedicated analog shutter speed dial make manual or priority exposure a snap. The 'kit' zooms are way above average.
There are other grips with access to battery.
Check out http://www.fujix-forum.com/ There are discussions for accessories and other stuff.
The menu is simple without bloatware, i.e no scene modes. Q menu quick and easy.
For inspiration http://www.scoop.it/t/fuji-x-pro1?page=2 Scroll back thru the pages.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:52:53   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Cdouthitt wrote:
Have you picked up an em1? It's not that small.


I have, and it is.

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Dec 7, 2013 12:55:35   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Every camera format has it's quirks. Among medium format film cameras, there were some very different designs. You just have to use the camera a lot to make it an extension of your arm/mind.

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Dec 7, 2013 13:03:33   #
rebride
 
MT Shooter wrote:
I have, and it is.


It is really cute, though.

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Dec 7, 2013 13:08:46   #
BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA
 
mossgate wrote:
Every new thing has its learning curve.

The Olympus E-M1 has a great grip. You can buy the E-M5 and buy the extra grip attachment for $250. but then that makes the price difference between the two cameras inconsequential unless you like the kit lens which is often part of the E-M1 deal.

But it pays to really check out cameras before you buy if possible to make sure they feel right, too. But that is not always possible because big box stores don't carry higher end cameras that I've noticed around where I live. The pro camera store around here doesn't carry a lot of mirrorless camera brands either. They did fortunately have the Olympus models mentioned above and so I knew what I was buying.

Decide whether the learning curve is worth it or return the Fuji if you can.
Every new thing has its learning curve. br br Th... (show quote)


Return is not an option - it is now in/around the refugee camps in southern Turkey. My son thinks it's great. My post was simply that I found it cumbersome to use (knowing that I was only going to play with it for 3-4 days) and wanted others long term opinions. Who knows, when I go to France in July I may decide to get a lightweight travel camera and others informed opinions will help me in such a decision.

Thanks for your thoughts.

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Dec 7, 2013 13:10:22   #
Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI
 
MT Shooter wrote:
I have, and it is.


It's roughly the same height and width as your 3200...just half as thick. Is your 3200 cramped.

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Dec 7, 2013 13:13:09   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Cdouthitt wrote:
It's roughly the same height and width as your 3200...just half as thick. Is your 3200 cramped.


Absolutely, cannot hold it without a grip.

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Dec 7, 2013 13:58:12   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
BobHartung wrote:
Return is not an option - it is now in/around the refugee camps in southern Turkey. My son thinks it's great. My post was simply that I found it cumbersome to use (knowing that I was only going to play with it for 3-4 days) and wanted others long term opinions. Who knows, when I go to France in July I may decide to get a lightweight travel camera and others informed opinions will help me in such a decision.

Thanks for your thoughts.


Then if that's the case (and I'm a long term user) my advice is to get an X100S OR And X-E2.

Depending on what you like; fixed 35mm focal length or the ability to change lenses...both will work as a travel camera and are a bit smaller and lighter than the X-Pro1.

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Dec 7, 2013 14:06:49   #
rebride
 
BobHartung wrote:
Return is not an option - it is now in/around the refugee camps in southern Turkey. My son thinks it's great. My post was simply that I found it cumbersome to use (knowing that I was only going to play with it for 3-4 days) and wanted others long term opinions. Who knows, when I go to France in July I may decide to get a lightweight travel camera and others informed opinions will help me in such a decision.

Thanks for your thoughts.


I found the fuji X-Pro 1 the closest thing to using my old Nikon F slr*.
Old world analog meets new world digital.

*before the Nikon Df came out.

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