Wah

...I miss my camera. Sniff.

(However, I have a new rule in place...a camera I try as a rental cannot be purchased until at least a month after I rent it; and, I have to sell one of the cameras I have before I can buy another one. I'm still kind of shaken that I dropped all that money on the D800. It was probably because I missed the one I rented when I sent it back. But really, I'm too much of a cheapskate to do things like that.)

(And apropos of nothing, recently I considered selling the D800 and keeping the A900 instead of the other way around, because the A900 has IBIS. But then I did a bunch of tests and guess what? Even at much higher ISOs to overcome the advantage of IBIS, the D800 still wins an IQ comparison. The Dragoon be mighty, chilluns.)

And speaking of that, Frank Petronio is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his spanking new-in-the-box X100S (at the link, note the "usually ships" line):

He's all ready.

Mike
(Thanks to Frank)

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Taran: "What kind of aftermarket shtuff for the X100s in the picture yo? It looks pretty pimp. This kind of swag is the real meaty part of mirrorless, if you ask me. The ability to make small cameras more ergonomic via third party grips, straps, and accessories. I am guilty of trolling Korean eBay stores well after midnight in search of the next new 'mod' for my NEX-7. Joy!"

Mike replies: ...And what are some of your favorite mods? I'm interested to know.

jim: "What's the little whip for?"

Rick: "That must be one of Frank's whips...."

Mike replies: I note from the Comments section that many people seem to be thinking along the same lines here. You guys looking forward to seeing Emma Watson in "Fifty Shades of Gray"?  :-)

Chad Thompson: "Wait, Frank bought a new camera? And it doesn't shoot film? How many horsemen are there?"

Mike replies: Four. There are four horsemen.

brian: "I'm sorry that you miss your rented camera, but can I ask that you get ready to miss yet another camera, by reviewing the X100s? My wife would be pleased if you can find something terribly wrong with it, because I was actually disturbed by the 'usually ships' line that you noted, since I had my (read 'her') credit card out. Frankly, it seems to me that the X100s is close enough to the 'decisive moment digital' that you wrote of here."

Mike replies: It is the closest thing, isn't it? The viewfinder makes it so.

Frank adds: "Two aftermarket batteries. A rather wholesome Gordy's strap in leather, size large. Really Right Stuff grip and plate, sans 'L' piece. Knock-off Fuji hood and filter adapter. I've always used both digital and film; my first digicam was a Canon Xap Shot circa 1990  ;-p "

Mike replies: I also used the Xap Shot a few times! (A still video camera that stored its images on a 2x2" floppy, for those of you born too late.)

Comments

[Oldsweng]

I'm with Frank, waiting anxiously for my X100s to show up, acquiring accessories. Yes, if the X100s is as good as I expect, I'll be selling a camera - a Sony RX100.

[iamnotme]

LOL: "...anxiously awaiting the arrival of his SPANKING new-in-the-box X100S..."

When I quickly read this and then glanced at the picture, I thought the black loop with golden tassel was a modified belt strap for some sort of BDSM play, and I couldn't figure out what joke you were making...

[Don't ask why...I do not practice BDSM and don't know anyone who does (not that there is anything wrong with it), it was just the proximity of the word and the image, viewed quickly, that made me think they were connected.]

[Rob]

Mike, maybe you should consider the Sony A99 with its greatly improved 24MP FF sensor, IBIS and a host of other goodies. Best of both worlds, one might say. You don't really use those extra 12MP in the D800, do you? (Please don't ban me from the forum for planting this idea in your mind.)

[Patrick Perez]

Considering the storm of complaints that the Coolpix A was 'overpriced', I wonder how well this 100S fares in the internet judgement arena? Personally, I suspect that between the shrinking size (smaller is more expensive) and lower volumes due to niche, I think the various APS size (approximate) options are probably priced reasonably as regards actual manufacturing cost when one factors in the need for margins.

Patrick

[Mart]

I didn't consider the X100S as I like flippy screens, but then you do get a whole camera for not much more than the Sony Zeiss 24mm...

[Chuck Albertson]

Looks like some sort of photo B&D gear...

[Steve]

"The only difference between men and little boys is the price of their toys." I don't know who first put that thought to paper but I do think it truly applies to photographers in the digital age.

[Paul]

Don't mind Frank. He changes cameras as often as I change...oh wait, I don't change anything as often as Frank changes cameras.

[John Krill]

"at the link, note the "usually ships" line"

Maybe that's why a used one is $1399 and refurbished is $1800.

All I can say is WOW!

[JG]

I checked my open orders at Amazon and it said that my X100S is supposed to ship tomorrow... 8^)

[Richard Tugwell]

I spot one of Gordy Coale's wrist straps. (Sorry to disappoint people!).

[Chuck Albertson]

"Fifty Shades of Gray?" Is that the new Ansel Adams biopic?

[Łukasz Kubica]

Just write those conclusions, for God's sake ! :-)

[Mike]

It certainly has me thinking about an upgrade.

[Chuck Ulm]

I want a Rollei 35SE with a FF Digital Sensor...

[John Robison]

Never understood the rational of taking a svelte little camera and accessorizing into a monstrosity, festooned with grips, over sized vented hoods, etc. I'd always thought that part of the sales appeal would be the small size and light weight. After all, a well placed hand can shade a lens in many situations. Another advantage of the hand is that it won't fall off or get bumped off quietly someplace and there goes $40.

[Patrick Perez]

"Chad Thompson: "Wait, Frank bought a new camera? And it doesn't shoot film? How many horsemen are there?"

Mike replies: Four. There are four horsemen."

And naturally, they shoot LF.

Patrick

[Ben Syverson]

Minor nerdy correction: the XapShot was analog, not digital. It recorded an analog video image (like a still frame of video) to floppy disk media. Strange but true!

[Ed]

Mike replies: Four. There are four horsemen.

More Mike a lot more:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/112648-REG/Horseman_27191_4x5_Woodman_Wood_Field.html

http://www.horsemanusa.com/

http://vimeo.com/22200320

http://www.bnphoto.org/bnphoto/LFN/CamProf_Horseman1.htm

See......lot's of little Horsemen......:-)

Greets, Ed

[Ed]

Mike replies: It is the closest thing, isn't it? The viewfinder makes it so.

Maybe, maybe not, Fuji's are somewhat contemplative about their autofocus I remember and as I recall as well from other fori of the Leiconian variety, no hyperfocal mode...and no DOF scale.

So you may see Emma Watson do some bestseller related naughty stuf (now knowing mrs. Watson's previous job description I hope I don't look like a toad, oops I already looked like a toad) in the viewfinder but if she's quick on her heels, she'll be over the horizon when a click indicates life and the ghost of HCB laughs at your sorry attempt.

Greets, Ed.

[Ken Ford]

Dammit. I just reserved a rental X100S - I need to see what all the fuss is about.

I hope I hate it.

[Oskar Ojala]

You won't sell the D800 because, let's face it, the tonality and detail of the images is incredibly smooth and when they're uploaded on a computer you can do all sorts of adjustments without breaking them and they look like medium format.