Gordon's comments in Michael's follow-up piece are a major disappointment and have turned me, at any rate, off getting the damned thing (not that they can be had at the moment where I live). My situation (retired and health issues after forty years in newspaper journalism mostly as editor) is crying out for a camera like the Fuji - but without the massive stress test that seems to come with it. I've had enough of those, thank you, and maybe more to come.
I had thought the silver bullet camera had arrived, enabling people like me to set aside the weight and bulk of, in my case, a Canon system including L glass. Very heavy and wearing on this creaking body. And before anybody says the word Leica, please consider that where I live, I couldn't afford to pay for the brand name, never mind for a camera from that sable.
Although I've been around photography all my professional life, I don't nor did I make a living from it. Print journalism was my kick, but I enjoy taking pictures and have managed to throw up a fair few successful exhibitions and the like in my time. That's just background.
I thought the dream camera for people like me had arrived with the Fuji but from your own reviews and others on the web, there seems to be an inordinate and unnecessary amount of nightmarish hassle involved in simply operating the thing. If that is the case, then for me it's an absolute deal-breaker. Unless, Michael, you could say it's not as bad as Gorden suggests in your second review!!
Incidentally, your continuing reviews of all things photographic are an immense service to the photog community. I sincerely hope the folks at Fuji are taking on board what you have suggested and will respond, but given the unfortunate situation in Japan, perhaps a speedy response is a bit too much to ask for right now.
