How/What do I test a used X-E2?

[BillBingham2]

OK, so my youngest is planning to get me a used X-E2 and so I'm wondering, what should I look for/test?

I know what to do with film cameras, but this is my first digital camera with a removable lens.

It should be noted, at first, I will not have an Fuji X mount glass. I will be using Nikkors on an adapter.

How do I look for dead pixels? I'm in very new territory here and feeling a like a newbie, going click for the very first time...... Enough Madonna abuse for one night.

HELP!!!

Thanks.

B2 (;->

 

[back alley]

a camera is a camera so i would think it's close in comparing/evaluating.
that being said...digital cameras are so very complicated and capable of so many things...i just discovered that my fujis have the ability to bracket film simulations...up to 3 different simulations per shot.
how would one know that it was part of the software let alone know if it was working in a short sit down evaluation?
good luck with your search and the xe2 is a great camera!

 

[DwF]

XE-2 is a great choice. Last year at age 20, my son wanted a real camera. He got my XE-2 and loves it. Digital cameras are complicated as Back Alley said. I figure there is more to go through than I am capable of easily doing in the purchase of a used digital camera say on Craigslist. So I would make a list of things to look for from advice you receive here (beyond this post 🙂

Consider getting the camera from a reputable dealer or someone with perfect feedback on the bay and a good return policy. If you do find one on Craigslist, interview the seller to feel confident it has not become a user or abused camera (similar to what you'd do buying a film camera) and maybe have seller walk you through the functions because you'll learn how he/she worked it! 🙂

Good luck.

 

[Range-rover]

Just take pictures with it in all light levels, if you take pictures in a room that's
kinda dark you could check for hot pixels, but most cameras have them and if
it's there take them out if you could with your computer software you use like
Photoshop and the like.

 

[x-ray]

I just found a new XE1 and bought it to use Nikkor Ai primes on. I e had it a couple of weeks and can report that Nikkor glass is excellent. Actually I'm knocked out with how good it performs.

I don't know if the Fuji is more prone to hot or dead pixels but I've not seen a hot or dead pixel in many years. My Nikon D800 has no hot pixels and I've had it since they came out. The same is true if my Df that I bought when they came out. I wouldn't worry too much about them.

Just check for physical damage from dropping or banging it around. Are there any dents? I'd shoot an exposure of a solid tone and examine it carefully to make sure the sensor isn't scratched. Check auto exposure and all your shutter speeds. Are there any strange sounds. I'd test basic functions but if there are no scratches on the sensor and no dents and the meter and shutter are accurate it's probably fine.

 

[Dogman]

Good camera--light and well featured. You should enjoy it. You can likely find a user manual online if you don't get one with the camera. There's always Google if you have a question about operation

Of course the first thing to do is check it for defects. All the dials and compartment doors should fit tight and snug without binding, the LCD and EVF should be bright, sharp and contrasty (although the EVF might take some getting used to if you're unfamiliar with the look). Since you don't have a Fuji lens to use, you won't be able to check how AF functions but an adapted lens should be able to produce a sharp image. Try the various film simulations and look at the results in your computer software. I've never had a hot pixel in any of my Fujis but they're relatively simple to heal in software (wish Fuji had a fix in the menus like Olympus had for their 4/3 system cameras).

I'm a believer in practical testing. That is just use the camera as you normally would and see how it performs. If it passes your inspection, do a firmware update if needed and you're set. I would recommend obtaining a couple of Fuji lenses however. In general, they are about as good as you can get without spending the mortgage money.

 

[willie_901]

OK, so my youngest is planning to get me a used X-E2 and so I'm wondering, what should I look for/test?

I know what to do with film cameras, but this is my first digital camera with a removable lens.

It should be noted, at first, I will not have a Fuji X mount glass. I will be using Nikkors on an adapter.

How do I look for dead pixels? I'm in very new territory here and feeling a like a newbie, going click for the very first time...

Since you won't be using AF

• do all the switches work smoothly; are any way too stiff or too easy too move
• check that exposure changes as expected as shutter times change
• does auto-burst work; if so does the camera get hot after repeated burst of raw files; note — buffer speed depends on SDHC card speed
• does the battery fit properly; do the battery, and side access doors work well; does the SDHC card slide in and out smoothly
• inspect the strap eyelets for excess wear
• does the finder diopter wheel work

As far as dead pixels go, make a series of photos with the body cap on. When you bump up the image brightness (exposure slider). In addition to pseudo-random noise, you will see a lot of correlated noise (banding, edge glow, etc). This is normal with all digital cameras. What you shouldn't see at low brightness levels is a spatially reproducible, single-pixel color artifact.

Some of the X-series bodies have a pixel mapping function. I don't know if the XE-2 is one of them.

Mastering focus peaking requires some practice. The peaking depends on focus area contrast, DOF and light levels. I found this confusing at first. With some practice it's very reliable. I like the red highlight option.

Pick up one of either the Fujinon 18/2 or 40/2.8 pancake lens. The XE-2 AF works well. There is a learning curve to discover how to set it up to match your preferred method of focusing.

 

[Jdi]

A comment on using Nikon glass. I started out that way with an xe1. Lasted as long as it took to purchase my first Fuji lens (35/1.4). After 35 years of shooting Nikon I had a pretty nice collection of AiS and pre-AiS lenses. I'll take the render of the Fuji's in a heartbeat. Plus with firmware v4 on an xe2, you have a good AF system.