After Fujifilm requested that I take down my image gallery with photos I had shot with a preproduction X100, I decided to hold off on a detailed review. Basically I found out that the camera I had did not have a final quality lens, nor did it have a final sensor, nor did it even have a final quality body as far as some of the external controls went! Initially our local Fuji rep was not aware of how far from final this unit was, since he had okay'd my initial gallery posting. In any case, a detailed review of such a non-production camera would have been unfair and not representative of what the final X100 will be like.
However, I have found out that our initial shipment (which won't cover all the backorders) will be sent out to us at Beau Photo next week, so I will have many happy customers. Fuji Canada just received their initial shipment from Japan! However, since the shipment does not quite cover our pre-orders, sadly I won't be getting mine just yet. I am hoping that, with luck, I may have a generous customer, who might let me shoot some tests with a production X100 though, so hopefully a review of a final camera will be forthcoming within the next two weeks.
The preproduction camera I shot with did have final v1.0 firmware loaded, so I may try to write up some further thoughts on its operation (mostly very good with only a few niggling quirks) however I may also hold off until the final camera test. Not sure yet since the next week will be very busy with other commitments.
Lastly, while many will be happy that the first X100 shipment made it out of Japan before the recent earthquake/tsunami disaster, I'm sure everyone's hearts go out to all those people stricken by the horrible events there. People there need to focus on family, friends and rebuilding their lives before going back to work, building more cameras. One way we can help out, is by donating to those in need.
The Canadian Red Cross would be a good place to do so and has information on
how to give to those in Japan urgently needing assistance...
