XE-1 vs. XE-2

[Fixcinater]

Do users of both see anything that an XE-1 would do better than the XE-2, aside from costing less?

I'm thinking of selling my DSLR setup and lenses, and going with one of the two for my wedding work, and while an XE-2 and XPro1 would be ideal, I don't think it will be in the budget for right now unless I sell more RF equipment than I would like to.

So...is the XE-2 simply better in every way?

 

[kshapero]

yes the X-e2 is pretty much better in most ways. AF is faster.

 

[GaryLH]

Akiva,

How do u like the split image w/ manual focus lenses vs. focus peaking or mag?

Gary

 

[jsf4]

Hey Gary
I saw you asked about this before and no one got back to you. I own both and the focus peaking like in the xe1 is great for some things but I find it poor in bright and very dim situations so with the xe2 , I have the split image which again works better under certain conditions such as a contrasty scene or one that have fine details where FPeaking will be too much, like focusing through tree branches for example.
To tell you the truth, I switch between all three. I really like the way it zooms automatically when you MF a fuji lens but then you have to deal with that focus by wire which isn't for me. The splitimage is in greyscale and can only zoom in 3x I think and has 4 horizontal splits which IMO suck. I think one traditional split image over the four would make it easier to see the image come to focus.
It would be nice to address this in the next FW update. It's nice to have three focusing options but really, only one good working one is really needed.

 

[GaryLH]

Thanks..

I have a hard time w/ focus peaking w/o mag. Maybe split will be better for me.

Gary

 

[jamais]

I would like to ask again on this topic: Given that I use the camera with MF lenses only - would the XE-2 be a considerably better choice than the XE-1? I'd like to use it also in low light conditions and am not sure about the XE-1's lower frame rate and the missing split image focus indicator...

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I would like to ask again on this topic: Given that I use the camera with MF lenses only - would the XE-2 be a considerably better choice than the XE-1? I'd like to use it also in low light conditions and am not sure about the XE-1's lower frame rate and the missing split image focus indicator...

I just checked YouTube; there are a lot of excellent videos there showing what it looks like to use the XE-1 and XE-2 focusing features.

 

[willie_901]

I would like to ask again on this topic: Given that I use the camera with MF lenses only - would the XE-2 be a considerably better choice than the XE-1? I'd like to use it also in low light conditions and am not sure about the XE-1's lower frame rate and the missing split image focus indicator...

The XE-2 would be my preference for the usage you describe.

 

[Trooper]

I would like to ask again on this topic: Given that I use the camera with MF lenses only - would the XE-2 be a considerably better choice than the XE-1? I'd like to use it also in low light conditions and am not sure about the XE-1's lower frame rate and the missing split image focus indicator...

I bought the X-E1 a few weeks ago and find it to be a great camera. The AF is a little slow and I have trouble with my 18-month old. Otherwise I'm quite happy with the money I saved over the newer model, and I don't know what I'm missing.

 

[MaxElmar]

Yeah - I'm really not sure what the X-E2 gets you with MF lenses. Someone said they don't get focus peaking with mag - uh, I do on my X-E1. Ok - the faux split image RF sounds nice, maybe a little faster processing/card write. But no substantive increase in IQ - it's the same sensor with a few PD sites. Get an X-E1 for a song (get it almost for free with a 18-55) and save your money for an X camera with a next generation sensor.

 

[darya151]

Where can you get an xe1 with purchase of an 18-55mm lens? That sounds like a great deal!
Thanks,
Darya

 

[MaxElmar]

August 18, 2014

B&H has the X-E1 + 18-55 Kit for $699 - sorry, I should have said "almost free" - the 18-55 retails for $599 by itself. Right now B&H has the 18-55 on sale for $499 - which is a recent (and probably temporary) development. B&H also has the XE-1 new for $499.

Of course, you can do even better if you are willing to brave a well-known online auction site. I have seen the X-E1 kit for as low as $599 (rare but I saw a few over 6 months).... super clean used X=E1s are going for $300-350.

 

[awilder]

I've had both and IQ is very similar but the X-E2 with all firmware updates is a better functioning camera. Not a big fan of the digital split image or peaking as they are harder for me to nail spot on acurate MF compared to the standard setting at (maximum magnification) although for faster MF they may have an advantage if critial focus is not key.

 

[darya151]

Yes, a very good deal. Here's my dilemma -I am really interested in the xe1, great bw images- question- I do a lot of documentary, on the street, I've heard focus is really slow. Has this been corrected, at least to some degree, by firmware updates? Does focus work better with certain lenses?
Many thanks,
Darya

 

[nongfuspring]

Yes, a very good deal. Here's my dilemma -I am really interested in the xe1, great bw images- question- I do a lot of documentary, on the street, I've heard focus is really slow. Has this been corrected, at least to some degree, by firmware updates? Does focus work better with certain lenses?
Many thanks,
Darya

I can't really compare between before and after FW update, but apparently most lenses are a decent bit quicker. That said, the x-e1 is still not fast - it can be quick in good light or on high contrast areas but often painfully slow in low light.

But if you're shooting street then I would recommend skipping autofocus altogether and instead setting the focus in advance. The x-e1 has a nifty manual focus mode with auto override button, plus pretty amazing high iso so you have a lot of leeway for narrow aperture hyperfocal shooting.

 

[willie_901]

...
Has this been corrected, at least to some degree, by firmware updates? Does focus work better with certain lenses?
Many thanks,
Darya

Firmware upgrades did improved focus speed for the XE-1. It has a slower cpu which limits the AF speed (not the accuracy) to some degree.

The 18/2 and 27/2.8 are faster than the 35/1.4 because they have glass mass to move around. The 14/2.8, 23/1.4 and 56/1.2 are faster because they use superior focus motor technologies. I can't comment on the zooms lenses except for the 10-24/4 which is rather quick on the XT-1.

Having used the X100, X-Pro 1 and XT-1 I would stress the value of understanding how the camera works, how to optimize the menu options for how you work, and practice – practice – practice. For most first time X-Series owners there is a bit of culture shock to overcome. Some people adapt, others do not.

 

[Iestrada]

I am using the x-e1 exclusively manual focus lenses. I am enjoying the experience. Any advances in autofocus that the xe2 has over the xe1 are inconsequential if you are going to use manual focus lenses. I found mine on craigslist for $300 with the igrip included.