efirmage
Established
Lately my photography has been going through quite a dry spell, weathering a busy senior year in college, and now working full time in an office. I bought the d800 when it came out in hopes that I would be able to dedicate some time to real photo trips. It's an absolutely stunning camera, and far more capable than I was at using it, but those photo trips didn't pan out due to some life changes, and the d800 began to feel like a very expensive paperweight.
I had a real crisis of where I wanted photography to be in my life. I had planned for some time to be a pro photographer, and the SLR equipment was purchased to foster that growth. But things change. I'll be selling the d800 next week.
Fuji caught my attention by discounting the X-E1. I was on the verge of using my phone as my main camera, but I thought that I could at least give the X-E1 a shot and see if this would be able to be a camera that can accompany me, not require dedicated photo trips, but still put out photos that justify the cost.
It may be premature to say it at this point, but my thoughts right now are that this could have been the best photography decision I've made since purchasing the Leica M6 5 years ago.
I adore the images that the X-E1 produces. The sensor is certainly not on par with the d800, but the images have a tactility and richness that I have not seen from many digital cameras. The autofocus is adequate, the manual focus is smooth and well implemented, the EVF gives you all the information you need at a glance, and it's about a third the weight of my Nikon.
This is a camera that I already love using. The most glaring issue I see is that the grip is a little small for supporting the weight of the camera and a lens. I'll probably be looking to get a lens mate thumb rest (or something along those lines) to help the ergonomics a bit. Other than that, no complaints.
Photography these days has a tendency to become far more gear driven than is healthy or productive. But the camera, and the experience of using the camera is integral to the kind of images you can produce. For me, the X-E1 is the perfect blend.
Here are a few pictures from my first day out with the camera.
I'll be posting more photos on my blog. The images look far better there than in the embedded post as well.
http://thesignified.tumblr.com
I had a real crisis of where I wanted photography to be in my life. I had planned for some time to be a pro photographer, and the SLR equipment was purchased to foster that growth. But things change. I'll be selling the d800 next week.
Fuji caught my attention by discounting the X-E1. I was on the verge of using my phone as my main camera, but I thought that I could at least give the X-E1 a shot and see if this would be able to be a camera that can accompany me, not require dedicated photo trips, but still put out photos that justify the cost.
It may be premature to say it at this point, but my thoughts right now are that this could have been the best photography decision I've made since purchasing the Leica M6 5 years ago.
I adore the images that the X-E1 produces. The sensor is certainly not on par with the d800, but the images have a tactility and richness that I have not seen from many digital cameras. The autofocus is adequate, the manual focus is smooth and well implemented, the EVF gives you all the information you need at a glance, and it's about a third the weight of my Nikon.
This is a camera that I already love using. The most glaring issue I see is that the grip is a little small for supporting the weight of the camera and a lens. I'll probably be looking to get a lens mate thumb rest (or something along those lines) to help the ergonomics a bit. Other than that, no complaints.
Photography these days has a tendency to become far more gear driven than is healthy or productive. But the camera, and the experience of using the camera is integral to the kind of images you can produce. For me, the X-E1 is the perfect blend.
Here are a few pictures from my first day out with the camera.
I'll be posting more photos on my blog. The images look far better there than in the embedded post as well.
http://thesignified.tumblr.com
Bingley
Veteran
Very nice reports and photos, Ed. I also enjoyed your photo blog. I had noticed that you haven't been posting much on Flickr. Sounds like you've been busy.
bgetty
Brandon Getty
ed, love your work and looking forward to seeing more of it. glad you've found a tool you enjoy using!
Shade
Well-known
I have move to Fuji since the first day they have released their xpro1. The only regrets I have is they havent released xpro2. Lol..
willie_901
Veteran
This parallels my experience and regret.
srtiwari
Daktari
Love these images. I'm also very impressed with the camera, and looked at the original sized images on smugmug.
I have a question, though-
The only picture that shows some noise-like artifact is the one of the young woman. That surprises me since, presumably,compared to some of the others, there was more light, and you would have not needed higher ISOs. Do you know why this one looks a bit different in terms of noise ?
I have a question, though-
The only picture that shows some noise-like artifact is the one of the young woman. That surprises me since, presumably,compared to some of the others, there was more light, and you would have not needed higher ISOs. Do you know why this one looks a bit different in terms of noise ?
efirmage
Established
Thanks all for your comments and feedback 
srtiwari, the images prior to the lamp near the window from a few days back they were taken with either a d800 or a Leica M6, the one you speak of was taken with the Leica using portra 400, hence the grain.
If you want to see an example of the grain on the X-E1, look at the photo with the almonds.
srtiwari, the images prior to the lamp near the window from a few days back they were taken with either a d800 or a Leica M6, the one you speak of was taken with the Leica using portra 400, hence the grain.
If you want to see an example of the grain on the X-E1, look at the photo with the almonds.
Seraj
Student of Photography
THe irony for me is constantly that I sat there in a camera shop being told that my day 1 preorder for the D800 was still on back hold even though someone had mistakingly called me to tell em it was ready. On a whim I picked up the demo Xpro1 and played with it, I have been obsessed ever since, at the time I considered not buying the D800 and getting the fuji, but a call to some of my photo buddies for support led to me being told I should really go with the FX as it suited my aspirations.
Well now a year later, I keep longingly looking at the Xpro1 and people like Zack Arias is making it worse. Other than shoots where I was required to really use it I haven't taken it with me in months, I default to my M6 TTL which I bought off a user here.
So I guess it makes me a little happy to see I am not the only one venturing into the fold. Now to sell the D800!
Well now a year later, I keep longingly looking at the Xpro1 and people like Zack Arias is making it worse. Other than shoots where I was required to really use it I haven't taken it with me in months, I default to my M6 TTL which I bought off a user here.
So I guess it makes me a little happy to see I am not the only one venturing into the fold. Now to sell the D800!