Fuji-X'pertise' needed !

[srtiwari]

Love the X100s, so bought a used XE-1 body, and then the 35/1.4 lens, and a Metabones adapter to use my M/LTM lenses.

1. The 35/1.4 images are nice, but nothing like those out of the X100s.
2. On the MF lenses, the focus scale is way off- it focuses past infinity (Clouds miles away correctly focus between 15ft. and infinity) ; a building obviously 50 feet away, when focused correctly with "peaking", registers 15 feet on the lens !
3. The M/LTM lens images are not even as good as the 35/1.4 AF lens.

So, having bought the XE-1/35_1.4 as compact supplement to the digital M, I'm disappointed ! The "mirror-slap" like shutter action of the XE-1 (I feel) may contribute to camera shake. To make things worse, some websites talk of "focus creep".
I'm not sure if there is a solution. The steps are possibly as follows-

1.Return the Metabones adapter. (It also binds easily). Disappointed in a company that sells the very enticing Speed Booster.
2.Consider using Rayqual or other adapter, to see if "everything" works out !

If no improvement,
a. Keep XE-1/35 and find another body (GXR or NEX) for legacy MF lenses, or,
b. Get rid of it all, and use NEX for everything.

Hope to decide soon. Would love some input from others who can help resolve some of this...

 

[jsrockit]

1. The 35/1.4 images are nice, but nothing like those out of the X100s.

I'm not sure how you came to this conclusion.

So, having bought the XE-1/35_1.4 as compact supplement to the digital M, I'm disappointed ! The "mirror-slap" like shutter action of the XE-1 (I feel) may contribute to camera shake. To make things worse, some websites talk of "focus creep"....

There's no mirror slap. There is a shutter, but it is quite muffled.

Never heard of or experienced focus creep in the 3 years I've been using the X cameras.

 

[daveleo]

. . . .

1. The 35/1.4 images are nice, but nothing like those out of the X100s.
... . . .

For us guys thinking of the XE1, that is a heck of a comment to read.


Is this the emotion of "buyers' blues" at work ?

 

[srtiwari]

For us guys thinking of the XE1, that is a heck of a comment to read.

The reason I am posting this is to try and resolve some issues. I can't tell whether the problems relate to the particular body (not model), the adapter, or something else. That is why I noted the 'plan' to figure this out.

The Xe-1 is a very popular camera, and I was very excited, but can't quite get the same IQ as the X100s. I compared several images side-by-side between the X100s and the XE-1/35_1.4 (accounting for their different FLs, of course). The issue of the focus is partially corrected, if one ignores the distance scale read-out on the lens. But it is clearly not right. 😱

Expectations, when buying this system, are high, and the X100s does not disappoint ! I can only suggest that anyone buying either camera, be clear that it meets their particular needs- mine were to use it for my MF lens.

The "mirror-slap" was to describe what it feels/sounds like, though not as abrupt or loud as a large all-metal SLR. I had expected it to be like the X100s- a gentle "crick" or completely silent, if needed.

The "buyer's blues" did not seem to appear when the X100s arrived. 😀
Also, I used the OM-D for about 2 years, and sold it trade up to a larger sensor. Moreover, I can return my new 35/1.4 to the retailer within 30 days from purchase, and selling the XE-1 should be easy, even if it means losing a few bucks. So, no, I don't think"Buyer's blues" would be the correct diagnosis

 

[EvilTed]

Having owned both an X-Pro1 and an XE-1 and now an X100s, I can tell you that the X100S image quality, while good, is not as great as either interchangeable camera with the 35mm F/1.4.

The OP must have a bad copy off this excellent lens...

Also, the X100s can only muster 1/1000 @ F2 and full 1/4000 @ F8, something the other Fuji's are not limited by.
I'd rather have full speed than a silent shutter any day 🙁

ET

 

[srtiwari]

Having owned both an X-Pro1 and an XE-1 and now an X100s, I can tell you that the X100S image quality, while good, is not as great as either interchangeable camera with the 35mm F/1.4.

The OP must have a bad copy off this excellent lens...

Also, the X100s can only muster 1/1000 @ F2 and full 1/4000 @ F8, something the other Fuji's are not limited by.
I'd rather have full speed than a silent shutter any day 🙁

ET

This gives me hope. perhaps I need to have it exchanged.

 

[BLKRCAT]

I like the title of this thread. Word play and puns X-ite me.

 

[willie_901]

1. The X shutter noise is no different than the Zeiss Ikon ZM body. It is not loud. However the X100/X100S is essentially silent. It also syncs with flashes at times as short as 1/4000 sec. On the other hand the X100/X100S requires engaging the internal ND filter in very bright light with wide apertures.

2. The 35/1.4 lens is better than the X100/X100S lens... but the difference is not great.

3. It is impossible to have focus creep with the 35/1.4 lens. The focus barrel is controlled by electronics. Once focus locks, it stays locked. When you set focus manually by turning the focus collar, it stays locked. The AF will move the focus constantly in AF-C mode because the camera never stops focusing in AF-C mode. With earlier firmware the lens could chatter (not creep) when hunting for AF in AF-S mode. This is no longer an issue. But the lens barrel does move when the AF finds lock and you can hear it. If the camera can not focus (very low contrast scene) the lens will hunt in AF-S mode (again this is not creep). This is how AF cameras work.

4.The focus display bar is an estimate. However there is no way it behaves as described above. Perhaps the OP is not yet fully acclimated to focus peaking.

 

[jsrockit]

Is this the emotion of "buyers' blues" at work ?

Appears to be...

 

[edge100]

Having owned both an X-Pro1 and an XE-1 and now an X100s, I can tell you that the X100S image quality, while good, is not as great as either interchangeable camera with the 35mm F/1.4.

The OP must have a bad copy off this excellent lens...

ET

Agree 100% with this. The 35/1.4 is an absolutely stellar lens on (equally stellar) X-Pro1.

 

[srtiwari]

1. The X shutter noise is no different than the Zeiss Ikon ZM body. It is not loud. However the X100/X100S is essentially silent. It also syncs with flashes at times as short as 1/4000 sec. On the other hand the X100/X100S requires engaging the internal ND filter in very bright light with wide apertures.

2. The 35/1.4 lens is better than the X100/X100S lens... but the difference is not great.

3. It is impossible to have focus creep with the 35/1.4 lens. The focus barrel is controlled by electronics. Once focus locks, it stays locked. When you set focus manually by turning the focus collar, it stays locked. The AF will move the focus constantly in AF-C mode because the camera never stops focusing in AF-C mode. With earlier firmware the lens could chatter (not creep) when hunting for AF in AF-S mode. This is no longer an issue. But the lens barrel does move when the AF finds lock and you can hear it. If the camera can not focus (very low contrast scene) the lens will hunt in AF-S mode (again this is not creep). This is how AF cameras work.

4.The focus display bar is an estimate. However there is no way it behaves as described above. Perhaps the OP is not yet fully acclimated to focus peaking.

1. I have not used a Zeiss Ikon. My film M bodies and the OM-D, all seem to be less loud, and am surprised.
2. I would have been more than happy with the images being as good as those from X100s.
3. I don't know about how this works, and whether it is possible or not. But the diglloyd subscription site does refer to this as an XE-1 (and X-Pro 1 problem). I would expect that to mean that its an issue with the body, not the lens.
4. I may not have explained it well. I was not referring to the focus display bar that functions with Fuji lens when one uses Manual focus. I meant that, when using manual focus (LCD or EVF) with and without focus "peaking", the distance scale on the legacy lens barrel does not match at all. As I said earlier, a building 50 ft away, when correctly focused, reads about 15 ft. on the lens distance scale.
5. I have used focus peaking elsewhere, and it is generally reliable, and not difficult to use. So, yes, I'm familiar with it.

 

[jsrockit]

2. I would have been more than happy with the images being as good as those from X100s.

They are... I use both. This is not Fuji's fault. I'm not trying to be rude, but it's gotta be something you are doing wrong.

 

[srtiwari]

They are... I use both. This is not Fuji's fault. I'm not trying to be rude, but it's gotta be something you are doing wrong.

I know you're trying to help. I'm trying to figure out what can be wrong, and the "bad copy" is one explanation. As I noted earlier, exchanging the lens for a hopefully better copy is one plan.

 

[gavinlg]

I know you're trying to help. I'm trying to figure out what can be wrong, and the "bad copy" is one explanation. As I noted earlier, exchanging the lens for a hopefully better copy is one plan.

Why dont you post an example of what you are seeing? The sensor IQ between the x100s and xe-/xp is identical. The 35mm fujinon is definitely a sharper lens than the x100s.

The xe/xp isnt loud either. The reason why the x100s is quieter is because it has an in-lens leaf shutter compared to the xe focal plane shutter.

As for adapted lenses - to be honest it is just a kludge. why not Just use fuji lenses and have something that works as it was intended?

 

[gavinlg]

Remember also that the focal length difference means the 35mm lens needs about double the shutter speed of the 23mm to maintain sharpness handheld...

 

[f16sunshine]

The focus distance bar is frustrating.
Considering we are on FW release number 3 or so, I expect fuji is not going to address this issue.
As far as IQ goes... dude, you better get that lens swapped for another copy.
The 35 1.4 is probably the best of this system.
I love tge results from the 2/23mm but the 35 just pops with resolution, contrast, and smooth transition.
Your copy must be outta wack!

 

[gavinlg]

The focus distance bar is frustrating.
Considering we are on FW release number 3 or so, I expect fuji is not going to address this issue.

Hes not talking about the approximation thing, hes talking about on the physical adapted ltm/m lens.

 

[f16sunshine]

Hes not talking about the approximation thing, hes talking about on the physical adapted ltm/m lens.

oh… 😛

Well that's an adapter thing I suppose.
My complaint is more valid!! :angel:

 

[Kwesi]

4. I may not have explained it well. I was not referring to the focus display bar that functions with Fuji lens when one uses Manual focus. I meant that, when using manual focus (LCD or EVF) with and without focus "peaking", the distance scale on the legacy lens barrel does not match at all. As I said earlier, a building 50 ft away, when correctly focused, reads about 15 ft. on the lens distance scale.

The problem is caused by that particular adapter. fwiw, the Fuji M adapter also focuses past infinity. The 'head bartender' here at rff claims that the brand he sells does not. Sorry the name of the brand escapes me.
It would be helpful to know which particular ltm legacy lens you are unhappy with so we can judge that lens on its own merits.

 

[srtiwari]

At this point, I think I need a different adapter, and will try and swap the lens !