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Question

Fujifilm XF1

May 25, 2016 9:57AM PDT

Has anyone else experienced this camera's meltdown? The camera worked terrifically at first. Then it started to develop weird colors, and poor exposures, then eventually just stops working. The error message is that there is a "Lens Control Error". The scuttlebutt is that Fujifilm refuses to fix, replace, honor warranties, or even acknowledge that it's the camera's fault.

Personally, I don't care too much. The camera served me well for a couple of years. However, I need to replace it, and I need some of it's special characteristics. The extra-wide angle lens, the low light capability, and the HD video. Does anyone know what camera out there can match that?

Thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Sadly it's a good looking low end model.
May 25, 2016 10:06AM PDT

As it's not built for long life (most electronics isn't today) this model from 2012 did get you this far. I bet that the new cell phone cameras may deliver better for less cost. Here's a shot from my 99 buck cell phone.
http://i.imgur.com/XMNgFBl.jpg

While I didn't own this model, I have burned my way through so many others and can relate.

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Good looking, but...
May 25, 2016 1:31PM PDT

All of what you say is true. Building a camera that was this rugged looking, but with such a poor overall design is somewhat mystifying. And this it doesn't help solve the problems that this camera handled so well (until it gave up the ghost, that is).

My cell phone just gave me great photos on my vacation. Unfortunately, it doesn't help me much in my work. The thing about most of the digital cameras out there is that they indulge the average user's desire to see subjects that are too far away to fill the frame. So they build the cameras with zoom lenses that go from a normal focal length (or slightly wide angle) to telephoto. Finding a camera with a built-in ultra-wide angle lens is a different story.

In my work I have to take photos of fairly large objects at distances that are usually too close for a normal lens to get the whole object in the frame. To complicate matters, the lighting in these places is not always optimal. I used to shoot with a 35mm film camera with a 24mm lens. We also have a Digital SLR. Both are too big and clunky to use for work. The XF1 I was able to handle this easily. I loved the camera. If they are still making it though, I would not buy it again (unless they fixed the problem).

I need to find a camera with similar capability, but without the poor follow-through. If you know of such a camera, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

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I own a DSLR and
May 25, 2016 1:48PM PDT

Doubled down on my first DSLR before it failed. (Need to clarify here, old and new working fine!)

So my first DSLR was the Canon t3i which I added 2 more lenses to the base kit.
Later I caught a deal on the t5i so I doubled down and didn't have lenses to buy since I had those.

But I'm of many minds on cameras today. I carry my LG G4 which is a many megapixel 4K camcorder too. You know the saying but just in case here it is.
"The best camera is the one you have with you."

NOW that covers almost all use I have for cameras but if I was to entertain another camera I'd look real close at the Sony RX100. Here's David Pogue and CNET on that.

And in that video is a new Canon. But my pick would be the RX100.
http://www.cnet.com/topics/cameras/best-digital-cameras/compact/ didn't list the RX100 but still you will find me wanting one if I didn't have the G4 and DSLRs.

CNET reviewed at http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-cyber-shot-rx100-iv/ but for a pocket camera I don't see anything better.

What do you think?

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Me too.
May 25, 2016 2:40PM PDT

I believe I need to keep looking.