Hi,

I have been watching the Fuji series for some time now and am thinking about purchasing the XE-1 with the 35mm prime lens. Does anyone shoot with this camera and what are your thoughts. Is image quality in low light as good as they say.I am considering to use it as my evryday / travel companion.

 

Hi Danny and welcome to the Gear talk group, it seems that we don't have many users of this Fuji model. Be a little patient and later on we may have some members contributing to your post.

Gianni Giatilis

Gear talk admin

Hi Danny,

 

rest assured, it is that good in low light, but:

for the time being, the cam is not without it quirks!

For example what disturbs me personally most is that you can't determine the minimum shutter speed for AUTO ISO. You have to remember to set this manually when shooting in low light conditions. My most beloved cam is the X100S which has this setting available. Remember neither the body nor the primes are stabilized!

 

I hope this complaint will be history when FUJI is providing firmware updates, which they have the reputation to do rather often. Maybe even as soon a next week, when a few announcements are due.

 

Regards, Bob

 

Danny, Bob,

 

just give it a try,

 

I think the cam is still worth any cent....

besides: There is a new firmware available (1.06) and a new 27mm /2,8 prime lens......

Hi Danny,

 

I am a user of Fuji cameras ever since they introduce the X-pro1. Honestly, the 1st batch that comes out are way below my expectations especially in the Focusing. However, Fuji hears their customers well and after a couple of software upgrades, the X-pro1 has been perhaps one of the most desirable cameras in town, and not only for street/travel but there is more and more wedding / portrait photographers changing from DSLR to this camera.

 

XE-1 is no less. You will certainly be astounded with the superb low light performance with ISO 3200 you will only see very small amount of grains when you do 100% zoom, but the sharpness and detail are still extremely perfect. Fuji has done an extremely good job in the sensors department. The latest firmware upgrade of the XE-1 has fixed almost all known bugs and errors and improved the accuracy and af speed considerably. The downside of the XE-1 is for me the lacking of OVF which i found it very very very very useful especially when shooting street. Joel Meyerowitz explanation of OVF in his Leica perhaps describes this the best why the OVF is so extremely great to have in a camera. In summary, you will not be dissapointed with the image quality made by XE-1.

 

However, I have to 2nd Bob Klingberg opinion above, by far, i think the X100s is very very difficult to fault. the new sensor, the bug fixes, the extremely fast and accurate AF and its astounding high ISO capability with built in OVF and AUTO ISO Tuning has made this camera perhaps the best in the X line up In my opinion. I fell in love with this camera since the 1st time i lay my hand on this little beauty.

 

As far as the lenses go.... I tried almost all fuji X-mount lenses and i guarantee you, they wont disappoint! excellent throughout!

 

I would recommend you to read Zack Arias's blog reviewing Fuji Cameras to perhaps get an idea on the on-the-field experience. here are the link:

 

http://zackarias.com/blog/

 

Good luck and hopefully this helps!

 

Cheers,

Mike

Interesting to read. But dont you think that this camera is far too expensive compare to other mirrorless cameras like the Nikon v series? Her in Germany the body cost 1500,-Euro!!!!!! And the 14 mm lens 480,-Euro. And still the software slows down every computer! I own the x100 and happy that Fuji fix all the focus trouble free of charge but i do not think that i will go for Fuji in the future!

It does Robert, i have to say, Fuji is kindda expensive in a way. But if you see the built (all metal) and they are installing top of the line Aspherical Glass in all their lenses (I dont know this for sure, but i was told, it was the same glass that was use in Leica lenses), it does help a little justifying the price of the Fuji.

 

Leica fans, please forgive me, but if you compare what we have to pay to get a Leica, the fuji is definitely more affordable.

 

As far as image quality goes, eventhough, i do agree the Fuji still lacks behind in the dynamics the Leica and Leica glass produces, but for sharpness i think it is close to par. and the Fuji is definitely perform better in low light than the Leica.

 

Honestly, i used the Nikon V1 when it was first introduced, although they too are good and sharpness are astounding, but i am having problem with the extreme shadow noise and suprisingly, the image quality starts to deteriorate expecially on the sides above ISO 1600.

 

Ah As pointed out by Robert, Fuji uses Capture One as their main editing platform and i too am having problem with this software, its extremely slow as the needed big RAM and superfast processing in order to work perfectly.

 

However, i so far uses Lightroom to archive the photos and export the ones i like into DNG and edit them in Ps6 without a problem. So far i am quite happy with the results.

 

I dont know if i should say this, but honestly, i am DSLR free for a few months and loving it. it is light so i dont feel sore in the neck/shoulder anymore when exploring villages/street for long hours. The subject i photograph are also feel more relaxed and not intimidated with the big cameras. In all, personally too feel more confident as being less intrusive. :)

 

I guess it will goes down to the needs and preference of the photographer itself :) LOL

Thank you for the useful informations. At the moment i have such huge amount on gear that if i purchase now another new gear my wife will quit me. I also have to start earn some money back first before I move on for something new. Nonetheless I will never give up my pro gear as this is made for locations like India country zones for which pro gear is essential in terms of stability and reliability even it is heavy. As for now my travel gear inclusive the x100 is about 18 Kg. :-(

 

LFMAO... but i really can relate to this. I recently just sold all of my DSLR and lenses (top of the line full-frame body and lenses) i must add, coz my wife has been complaining a lot as to need money to down payment for a house. But it turns out quite a blessing as i got a great replacement in X100s. :)

 

I can really understand, the Nikon especially with the weather seal is extremely important for the extreme condition you must endure in India.

 

PS: 18 KGS? *shaking my head*.

 

Cheers!

Well, if you read the dpreview Review of the X-E1, it passed the test with flying

colors. :) The Quality is the same level as the more "pro" X-Pro1 Fuji, and i am

considering buying the upcoming X-M1 body, perhaps at the end of this year,

because i love way much the look of it and also the small size, even it looses

the viewfinder compared to the X-Pro 1 & X-E1, the sensor quality should be

exactly the same, 16 MP Fujifilm X-Trans sensor.

 

here's the review:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-e1

 

i'd buy it only in chrome/black color, not black if i were you. :-)

the X-M1 someday would also be the same, as i love the classical

rangefinder look.

 

the good news: zeiss is releasing 2 new lenses especially for the

fuji x system, and also for sony nex....and i'd guess more great lenses

into the future....

 

Hi Danny!

I`m very happy X-E1 user for 2 months now. I purchased it with 2/18mm lens. I also have Canon 5DmkII and i must say, i use Fuji most of the time while my Canon is resting at home. Low light performance is awesome even at iso3200, it produces less grain than Canon. One more very important thing is huge dynamic range - i can shoot in direct sunlight and i have no problems with shadow details while exposing for highlights and with Silkypix raw converter i can get out of it even more. For everyday and travel use i don`t afraid to use in-camera jpg and integrated film simulation modes are incredible with natural colors. Fuji has built X-E1 very good - image and build quality is at top level.

There is one thing i do not like. It`s battery life - you need at least two batteries.

It'sa very nice camera, also with shutter speed dial on top,

just like l...a. the IQ is the same as X-Pro1, also the brandnew

X-M1, which are sharing all 3 the same X-Trans Sensor technology.

 

What i like much in Fuji's X-Series, even i can't afford it yet, is the thing

that it'll bring the fun back into photography, with it's manual dials & controls,

i do really miss a aperture dial for instance on my D90.

 

For the same reason(s) i still love my oldie, but goldie Konica-Minolta Dynax 7D.

because all need of control sth is there, without to fiddle deep inside some menues like Canikon....

 

I'd wait & see how good the new ZEISS lenses for X-Mount really are,

but i guess they'd be really good....and at that time in 2014, the X-E2 would

perhaps "out in the wild". :-)

 

Rumours also saying, that Fuji is releasing a way cheap X-A1 soon,

possible into wallmart & others, but not with the famous X-Trans Sensor,

maybe the old X100 Sensor - which is basically the same like into

my D90.

 

Just to compare:

 

http://www.1x.com/photo/217390/all:user:3875

 

Shot with X100 on ISO 3200 and F5,6 with 1/5 exposure time

 

http://www.1x.com/photo/218395/all:user:3875

Shot with D4 24mm F4 Iso 2500 1/60

 

I think the quality explains its self.

way cool location, robert.

And tough for both of cameras:-)

 

I prefer the color one with the D4... looks sharper and more details IMO

 

That is the difference in quality! :-)

 

Yes Robert,

That's why can't make the decision to upgrade my Nikon D 300 with +- 6000 clicks, between the XE-1, Nex 7 or the Nikon D 7100, where I can still use my 2 DX lenses, 16-85 VR II, 70-300 VR II, SB 800. (and other small material)

 

All not to heavy and rather good for my kind of work... no need of expensive 2,8 lenses.

 

 

I did not make a competition. I just wanted to remind those who have droped their DSLR gear for a mirrorless camera with tiny lens that doing so is abandoning quality and performance.

 

That's certainly right, can't argue with physics.

The question is what is it what you're after with your photography and what are you willing to carry along.

I love the X100S for what it's able to do and for the fact that it's easy to take everywhere I go. Even the X-E1 with two lenses is sometimes too inconvenient for me.

Fuji issued firmware updates today for it's X-Series interchangeable lens cams and lenses.

I'm glad to say the update transformed the whole system into something new!

It's way faster finding it's focus now and supports manual focussing with focus peeking like the X100S.

A lot of wishes and askings from the community came true, kudos Fuji!

Hi Robert,

I'm owner of a Nikon D700 (24/120 F.4 - 28 F1.8 - 50 F1.4) and I'm the happiest owner of a Fuji X100s... Had a X100 in my hands for a while and I can assure you the new "S" is much much much better than the previous one. Quality is top class (most of the problems have been fixed) even better than my D700 (well A D700 Raw file is almost perfect)...and I'm seriously thinking to sell my D700 to "join" a new Fuji (Xpro1 or XE1). For sure the Nikon D4 is a "masterpiece" but as Bob said the question is: "What do you want and what are you looking for?". As for myself I want to be "free" and "light" when I'm on the streets and even if the Nikon D700 is a hell of a camera I'm not "confortable" with it anymore... I'm firmly convinced Fuji "got" the right way to "hit" the world... Here are my 2 cents and my terrible English :) Have a nice day :)

Well, if you're happy enough with ISO 100/200, nothing beats

the Sigma DP1/2 & 3 Merril - they're great Reviews out there,

for what it costs - around 700-800 EUR here in germany,

even a Nikon D800(E) can't compete with it really....in terms

of IQ....

 

Finally i got one in my hands for testing purpose. This tiny little XE 1 is really impressive. In my hand it looks like an elephant holding a toy:-)

 

Anyway here is an example picture taken under really difficult light situation in which so many other DSLR (non pro ones) have failed and where hard to handle. But this little thing has mastered such situation really fine.

 

Here the data:

 

Fuji XE 1 and the 14 mm prime from Fuji / ISO 3200 / F4 / 1:30 / Aperture priority and Velvia film simulation / WB on Auto / no tripod and no flash / No photoshop and just resize

 

Here is the picture:

 

http://www.1x.com/photo/255192/all:user:3875

 

Robert

 

PS: I think i will keep it:-)

 

See Robert :) :) :) ?? The little thing works very very very well (my D700 is gone and now I live my photographic life very happy with an X100S, an XE1 and a 60mm). Pleased you like it :) Have a good day :)

Fine detail and colour/tone transition with this "small" camera Robert, considering the 3200 ISO really good results.

Gianni

But she never will top or replace my D700 or D4.

 

See that picture:

 

http://www.1x.com/photo/218392/all:user:3875

 

She also cannot compete with my 24 mm f1,4 and also not with my 14-24 f2,8 or any other pro lens attached

 

She is not that far away from the D700 and the nikkor 24 F.1.4 is a hell of a lens, you should compare both cameras with the same lens (on top of it the fujinon 14mm is not as good as other fuji lenses) anyway I know what you mean but for sure Fuji with the "X" series is walking on the right side if you know what I mean :) Greetings from a very hot Italy! :)

On the weekend i will take her to the first hard core street shooting and lets see how she performing under expreme environmental conditions.

 

I am big smiling. I can already see it in your home....as part of the collection. My husband always said..you cannot have too many watches. Finally, about three years ago he had about 25 of them. Eventually, He began to give some away. :)

 

The pictures is quite good,but the second picture is superior. Just my HO. The colors are better and the lighting is more controlled. :)

Phyl

 

Well the D4 picture is processed while the X-E1 one is not..., some levels and curves ...

 

Of course the smaller sensor will never resolve the way a larger ones does.

But then there is the weight and bulk of a D4 ...

It's a matter of compromises you're willing to make.

 

I wonder which cam is getting more use in daily photography in case anyone owns both.

 

Besides I usually change my watches depending on the clothing and situations.

I like all of them ;-)

 

I couldn't agree more...As I said I had a Nikon D700 (battery grip and 3 prime lenses) and it is a hell of a camera (got in my hands thanks to a friend of mine the D4 and is just wow...) but speaking of "streets" and daily photography the Fuji ones are top class and once again a jpg coming from those little things is not worse than the Nikon D700 one :)

The XE-1 has totally failed the hardcore test. After 338 pictures the battery was complete drained. Such is not acceptable for me. As per standartd nowadays i should be able to make at least 500 pictures with all features on.

 

Yes, as a matter of fact the battery is a weak spot for all X-cameras.

Hope you like the pictures nevertheless, because spare batteries are about 10€ (third party) ...

 

Hallo Robert,

 

when you press the D700 button you're like an elephant dancing in a crystal shop, the noise is truly unbelievable and unbelievable is the viewfinder showing you just the 95% of the image, nothing is perfect (maybe the D4 is perfect but "she" lives on another photographic planet). for sure, as Bob said, battery is a weak spot for all X-cameras but isn't a big problem, you just need 2 :) When the D700 came out it was (here in Italy) 2390€, the little thing is about 750€... I don't want to be right but what I'd like to read is you telling us that the X-trans CMOS is a hell of a sensor with a very very god IQ...and it is :)

 

http://1x.com/photo/245299/all:user:27284

 

Have 24 images here on 1X - this one, Nr1 and Nr2 are taken with a Fuji camera the others with a Nikon D700 (I know that is very difficult to judge resized files) and I'm used to print by myself files (Canon Pixma 9500 Pro, Ilford Galerie Gold A3+) and I can assure you there is no difference between a Fuji File and a Nikon one...

 

Have a good night :)

Hallo Diego, all what you wrote is fine with me and we should not arguing. Its a good camera and i have tested her the second weekend now and 3 numbers of lenses. The limits of that small camera are easy reached. The crop sensor, the slow reaction time and the battery issue can't compete with a D700 or any other higher camera. These are facts. Of course i keep that camera and its fun to work with and also the quality of the RAW files are really good but it will never replace a DSLR. And i will never give my DSL`s out of my hand for the XE.

 

In regard to the noise behave and high ISO standards this is what is expected now from a camera. So nothing special for this. And as you mentioned the D700 issues please go back to the time of the camera as she was available on the market. Its 5 years ago my friend and that was a time as Fuji put the older Nikon sensors in their cameras. And still, a D700 will top the XE easy.

 

 

Hi Robert,

 

arguing?? Nah, just chit chatting about our passion, we just have different thoughts and feelings about the "X" factor :) And I love/loved the D700 but the little things have enchanted me and I won't come back... :)

Have a nice night :)

I used the Fuji XE-1 several times for street or as backup. I realized that the indicated exposure time is different from what my DSLR ( D800) shows. ( both with 35mm lense)

To get the same exp-time I had to duplicate the ISO on the Fuji

Well, I think Fuji cheated with the ISO, means that a photo taken with ISO 1600 is equivalent to ISO 800 out of a DSLR. Sounds crazy but this is one of my sttranger experience with the XE-1. But maybe my Fuji is a crazy one :)

Its not cheating, see the size of the lenses and tell me how much light can go through at the same time:-)

Hi Robert, I googelt and found another photographer with the same experience:

http://www.martin-doppelbauer.de/foto/fujixe1/

See under " What I didn´t like".