REVIEW: From T to F for the Fujifilm X100

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The X100 line of cameras has a special place in my heart as it was the original X100 that I bought in 2012 that started me on my Fujifilm journey.  I currently shoot with the third generation of the camera, an X100T, which compliments my X-T2 and X-Pro2 perfectly.  

 When Fujifilm announced the new X100F (F for fourth apparently - T is for third) I was interested to see what improvements Fujifilm could make to this already superb camera.


Fujifilm decided to leave a few things alone and quite rightly in my book.  The Fujinon 23mm f2 lens is the same as the previous three generations of the X100, with its built in leaf shutter for silent operation and flash sync at all shutter speed. 

 The hybrid viewfinder, which was a unique feature at the launch of the original camera, also remains largely unchanged but with a much better EVF.  

 The overall size of the camera stays pretty much the same as the 'T' despite accommodating the larger WP-126 battery instead of the slimmer NP-95s on the previous models.  


Using the WP-126, which is the same as the ones used in the X-T2 / X-Pro2 / XE2s etc is brilliant because it means you only have to carry one type of battery and charger.  At the moment I have to pack two spare NP-95s and the extra charger when I travel.

 So what has changed?  Well the 'F' gets the X-Trans III 24 megapixel sensor found in the X-T2 and X-Pro2 and the more powerful X Pro Processor to cope with the faster operation and larger files. 



The buttons on the back of the camera have all been moved to the right hand side of the screen 'a la' X-Pro2 and the 'F' also gains the toggle that is found on it's bigger brother.  Both these changes get a big thumbs up from me as I love the ergonomics of the X-Pro2.


Another couple of carry overs from the X-Pro2 is the addition of a front command dial and also the ISO dial inside the shutter speed dial on the top plate.


The inclusion of an ISO dial rather than having to dive into the menu to change is a good move but I am not a huge fan of the design on the black X-Pro2 as it is difficult to see in poor light and it remains to be seen if the silver finish on the X100F improves that situation.  But I do welcome the addition of a physical dial to set the ISO.



The exposure compensation dial also gains a 'C' setting so you can set the exposure compensation using the front command dial and this is also +/- 5 stops like on the X-T2 and X-Pro2. 

 There is one omission from the body of the X100F and that is an 'F' logo on the front of the camera.  The X100S and X100T gained a letter to the right of the lens but this has been left off for the 'F'.  I think it looks better without the letter and harks back to the original X100.

 The X100F is a familiar camera to anyone who has used a previous generation X100 or even an X-Pro2.  The layout is intuitive and anyone picking this camera for the first time will get to grips with the controls in no time.

 Well I went out to Innerwick Castle and Barns Ness Lighthouse to give the X100F a first test.  Tomorrow I will be flying to Portugal for this weekend's Le Man Cup pre season test at Portimao. I will be using the X100F in the garages and in the pitlane and will write a second blog on my X100F experience next week on my return.  However my first impressions are very positive with the X100F operating like a fixed lens X-Pro2.

 For more information on the Fujifilm X100F CLICK HERE

 Here are some images from my initial test today here in East Lothian.















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Jeff Carter is an Official Fujifilm X Photographer and was named as a Fujifilm brand ambassador in June 2015. In 2016 he worked with the company on the launches of the Fujifilm X-Pro2 in Tokyo and the Fujifilm X-T2 in Paris in July 2016.  You can view his profile and gallery on the Fujifilm website HERE

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