Table Of ContentMastering the
Fuji X100
Michael Diechtierow
Michael Diechtierow
Mastering the Fuji X100
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Dr. Michael Diechtierow
[email protected]
Editor: Gerhard Rossbach
Copyeditor: Jocelyn Howell
Layout and Type: Anna Diechtierow
Cover Design: Anna Diechtierow
Printer: Tallinna Raamatutrükikoja OÜ
Printed in Estonia
ISBN: 978-1-933952-98-7
1st Edition 2012
© 2012 by Dr. Michael Diechtierow
Rocky Nook Inc.
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Santa Barbara, CA 93103
www.rockynook.com
Library of Congress Control Number, 2011048737
Distributed by O‘Reilly Media
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publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages
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This book is printed on acid-free paper.
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Contents
Foreword
VII
1t hebasIcs 2
Overview of the controls / Color code of the LED /
Navigating the menus / The camera´s menus /
“Selected” menu options / Firmware / SD cards / Battery /
Figures / Images / Shooting menu / Playback menu / Setup menu
2shootINGwIththeX100 12
2.1aFewtIPstoGetstarted 12
2.2theLcdMoNItoraNd
thehYbrIdVIewFINder 14
The optical viewfinder / The digital viewfinder /
The LCD monitor / Image playback
2.3eXPosUre:thePLaYoFaPertUreaNdtIMe 28
Aperture-priority AE / Shutter-priority AE / Program AE /
Manual exposure / Color codes / Light metering /
Multi metering / Spot metering /Average metering /
Exposure compensation / Correct exposure with the live
histogram and exposure compensation
2.4sharPIMaGes:FocUsINGwIththeX100 44
Manual focus (MF) / Single autofocus (AF-S) /
Continuous autofocus (AF-C) / Focusing in the dark /
AFL/AEL button
2.5Iso,seNsItIVItY,aNdNoIsebehaVIor 57
ISO auto control / Noise reduction
2.6IMaGeQUaLItY:
coNVeNIeNceorFLeXIbILItY? 68
RAW format / JPEG format / JPEG and RAW /
Fine or normal / Image size / RAW button
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2.7 shootINGwIthNeUtraLcoLors,orhowto
setYoUrwhItebaLaNceProPerLY 78
Automatic recognition / Presettings / Custom setting / WB shift
2.8therIGhtJPeGsettINGs 86
Film simulation / Color films / Black-and-white options /
Sepia / Color / Sharpness / Contrast / Highlight tone /
Shadow tone / Profile / A profile for a RAW shooter /
Color space
2.9accoMModatINGaLarGedYNaMIcraNGe 115
Dynamic range with JPEGs / ISO speed and the dynamic range
function / Dynamic range with RAW files / Expose to the
right—a quick aside / Using the DR function
2.10serIes,bracKetING,PaNoraMas,aNdMoVIes 136
Single exposure / Continuous shooting / Auto exposure
bracketing / ISO BKT / Film simulation bracketing /
Dynamic range bracketing / Motion panorama / Movie
2.11MacroPhotoGraPhY 148
2.12UsINGFLashwIththeX100 151
Automatic flash / Forced flash / Suppressed flash /
Slow synchro flash / Using the flash creatively with the X100 /
Setting the flash / External flashes
2.13LastbUtNotLeast 164
ND filter / Self-timer / Fn button / Quick start mode /
OVF power save mode / Image editing with the X100
3accessorIes 174
LC-X100 leather case / Lens hood LH-X100 / External flashes /
EF-20 / EF-42 / Accessories from other manufacturers
INdeX 181
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VII
Foreword
whoNeedsahaNdbooK?
You may be wondering why the X100 needs a handbook
at all—doesn’t the Owner’s Manual that comes with the
camera suffice? The simple answer for me is no; other-
wise, I wouldn’t have written this book.
It’s not that I find the Owner’s Manual inadequate—it’s
actually pretty good. Its main focus, however, is different
from that of this handbook. The Owner’s Manual thoroughly
documents the technical functions of the X100 and does
not include personal opinions or background informa-
tion. This isn’t a failing of the instructions—you wouldn’t
expect to find such information in an owner’s manual.
When I purchase a new technical device, I have a
quick look at the owner’s manual right away, and then
I may not consult it again until I run into a problem.
On this point, purchasing this handbook won’t make
the instruction manual redundant, because the hand-
book serves a different purpose. You could say that the
Owner’s Manual provides foundational information and
the handbook guides photographers with practical advice
for actually creating the images they want. You’ll find
instructions in the Owner’s Manual about how to change
the ISO settings of the camera, for instance, but nothing
about what this means in a practical sense while you’re
in the field.
I can say that I’ve written the book I would have liked
to have had after I purchased this camera. You may be
asking, “Is it not possible to pick up everything in this
book on your own or by reading Internet forums?” Of
course it is, and I can’t encourage you strongly enough
to do that. The discussions that you’ll pursue will be fun
and will provide insight about very specific issues in
ways that a book can’t. This kind of research, however,
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VIII Foreword
can be time-consuming and laborious. Not everyone has
the time to spend three or four months acquainting him-
or herself with the X100. This handbook will enable a
quick entry into the practical operation of the X100 and
will also answer questions that come up as you spend
time taking pictures with your camera.
whatYoU’LLFINdINthIshaNdbooK,
aNdwhatYoUwoN’t
This handbook contains mostly personal experiences
(both my own and others’), tips, and background informa-
tion. Topics in this book include both those that I find
interesting and those that I think are especially useful for
taking pictures with this camera. The range of topics is by
no means complete. This book won’t teach you how to ad-
just the menu color scheme or how to create a photobook
with your camera. However, you will find information
such as how the camera uses contrast detection technol-
ogy to optimize focus. This handbook is written with the
assumption that readers have some basic photographic
knowledge and skill. I think it’s a safe bet that anyone who
forks over $1,300 for a camera knows what an aperture is.
IsahaNdbooKabsoLUteLYNecessarY?
The X100 is a terrific camera with a slew of features that
sets it apart from both established DSLRs and point-and-
shoot cameras. I learned a lot while writing this book, and I
hope that you’ll have the same experience while reading it.
Chances are there are experienced readers who don’t need
a tutorial for getting acquainted with this camera. Neverthe-
less, I hope the tips and collected information in this book
will help even these readers to avoid mistakes and save time.
Anyone who likes to exchange ideas with other photogra-
phers or who enjoys using other photographers’ experiences
as inspiration should find this book fun and useful.
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Foreword 1
whYMe?
I never had plans to write a book. Three things came to-
gether, though, that convinced me otherwise. First, I had
just gotten my hands on the camera relatively recently.
Second, I was able to free up some time in my schedule
over the past few months. And third, I fell in love with the
camera right away and had already spent a good deal of
time with it. Why not write a book? I also consider myself
something of a prototype for the X100 consumer—I
represent the target demographic of X100 owners. I’ve
personally had questions about the information in this
book and now that I’ve examined the camera inside and
out, I’m ready to answer them.
I hope you enjoy the lessons in this book as well as
taking pictures with the X100.
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