Comments on: Dare We Hope? http://tleaves.com/2010/09/19/dare-we-hope/ Creativity x Technology Sat, 17 Mar 2012 05:09:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike http://tleaves.com/2010/09/19/dare-we-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-7470 Mike Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:03:16 +0000 http://tleaves.com/?p=2472#comment-7470 If you remember the Panasonic DMC-LC1 (aka Leica Digilux 2), which was similar in concept (traditional dial controls, high-quality non-removable fast lens) I got exactly the same feeling seeing the Fujifilm X100, even more than seeing the Leica X1. The LC1 was saddled with a relatively crummy EVF and somewhat sluggish performance but handled great and took JPEGS out of camera that didn't require a lot of fiddling to look nice on the screen. The X100 is a little too precious-retro* the same way the New Beetle and 2006 Mustang are and the rumored prices I've heard (US$1700) are in line with the LC1's sticker shock as well. I have the feeling that it's going to be just as niche-y, with diehard legions who will swear to its superiority mainly because no one else will have a chance to use one. And as for everyone who swears up and down that they'll get one once they're out, well, these are the same people who clamor for an AWD diesel stick wagon on TTAC and yet never pony up the money when the product is out. I like the X100. It looks great. I'm not sure that the want button is getting pushed hard enough, even though a 35/2-equivalent is all kinds of awesome and would serve me until I went blind. * (precious retro = look at us! industrial design peaked forty years ago!) If you remember the Panasonic DMC-LC1 (aka Leica Digilux 2), which was similar in concept (traditional dial controls, high-quality non-removable fast lens) I got exactly the same feeling seeing the Fujifilm X100, even more than seeing the Leica X1. The LC1 was saddled with a relatively crummy EVF and somewhat sluggish performance but handled great and took JPEGS out of camera that didn’t require a lot of fiddling to look nice on the screen.

The X100 is a little too precious-retro* the same way the New Beetle and 2006 Mustang are and the rumored prices I’ve heard (US$1700) are in line with the LC1′s sticker shock as well. I have the feeling that it’s going to be just as niche-y, with diehard legions who will swear to its superiority mainly because no one else will have a chance to use one. And as for everyone who swears up and down that they’ll get one once they’re out, well, these are the same people who clamor for an AWD diesel stick wagon on TTAC and yet never pony up the money when the product is out.

I like the X100. It looks great. I’m not sure that the want button is getting pushed hard enough, even though a 35/2-equivalent is all kinds of awesome and would serve me until I went blind.

* (precious retro = look at us! industrial design peaked forty years ago!)

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